5-Day Orkney & Northern Coast Tour from Edinburgh Incl Admissions

Orkney is the star here: a far-north archipelago where 5,000-year-old Skara Brae, Viking runes, standing stones, and a moving wartime chapel sit within a few miles of one another. The tour also gives you a fine taste of the Highlands without asking you to drive narrow roads yourself.

I like the small maximum group of 16 and the modern Mercedes mini-coach, which make long road days more manageable. I also like that admission is included for Skara Brae, Maeshowe, and Culloden, three of the most important stops. The trade-off is a packed schedule, long hours on the road, and accommodation that can vary, especially if you choose a B&B.

Key points to know before booking

• Orkney gets two nights: You have time for Skara Brae, the Ring of Brodgar, Maeshowe, the Italian Chapel, and Kirkwall.
• The guide shapes the experience: Guides including Mac, Martin, Karen, Jodie, Chris, and Iain Murray have been praised for Scottish history, local stories, humor, and music.
• The coach carries only 16 people: It is far more personal than a large sightseeing bus, though space for luggage is limited.
• Three major admissions are included: Skara Brae, Maeshowe, and Culloden Battlefield are covered in the price.
• You need reasonable stamina: Expect steps into the coach, walking at historic sites, full days, and no onboard restroom.
• Accommodation is practical, not uniform: Hotels tend to be more central. B&Bs can sit 20 to 30 minutes from pubs and restaurants.

Why Orkney deserves the long ride north

Orkney takes effort to reach, and that is part of its appeal. You travel by road and ferry, crossing the Pentland Firth to an archipelago of about 70 islands. The reward is a quieter part of Scotland with wide-open views, ancient stonework, and a strong sense of place.

This is not a tour built around one grand castle or one famous viewpoint. It works because the pieces connect. You see how Neolithic people lived at Skara Brae, how later communities marked the land with stone circles, how Norse visitors left runes at Maeshowe, and how modern wartime prisoners built the Italian Chapel.

The tour also avoids making Orkney a quick day trip. Two nights in Kirkwall give you a proper base, with time to walk the old streets and visit the magnificent cathedral if its opening arrangements allow. Your evening is free, so you can choose a meal rather than being marched from one group dinner to another.

Day one, from Edinburgh through Glencoe to Loch Ness

The first morning begins at Edinburgh Bus Station at 8:30 a.m. Check-in closes 15 minutes before departure, and the coach leaves on time. Use public transport if possible, since parking in central Edinburgh can be difficult.

The route heads past Stirling Castle, the Wallace Monument, and Doune Castle before a refreshment stop in Callander. These early views help set the tone: this is as much a scenic road trip as a list of admissions.

After crossing into the Highlands, you pass Loch Lubnaig, Loch Earn, Glen Ogle, and Glen Dochart. The changing scenery is one reason the small coach matters. Your guide can point out details from the road, and regular breaks give you a chance to stretch.

Glencoe brings a darker note. The area is tied to the 1692 massacre of members of Clan MacDonald, and guides often use the stop to explain clan loyalties, political pressure, and the old Highland way of life. Guides such as Sean, Iain Murray, and Karen have been especially praised for making history understandable through stories rather than a dry stream of dates.

You then continue along the Great Glen to Loch Ness. You have about an hour to enjoy the loch and try your luck with the monster. The stop is brief enough that you should treat it as a scenic pause, not a full Loch Ness experience. Still, after the long drive from Edinburgh, the water and mountain views make a welcome break.

The first night is in Inverness. Accommodation is in a three-star hotel or B&B, depending on your booking choice. The evening is free, which gives you control over dinner and a chance to rest before the northern drive.

Day two, John o’ Groats and the ferry to Orkney

Day two carries you across the Black Isle and toward Dunrobin Castle. The stop at Dunrobin is short, about 10 minutes, and is mainly for photographs. The path to the front of the castle is quite steep, so this is not a substantial castle visit and may be difficult if you have trouble with slopes.

The northeast coast then opens into dramatic cliffs, beaches, and exposed Highland country. At John o’ Groats, you get around 20 minutes to take in the far-north setting. The village is associated with the famous route between John o’ Groats and Land’s End, but the real pleasure here is the sea air and sense of distance.

From Gills Bay, you board the ferry across the Pentland Firth. Ferry conditions and timing can affect the feel of the day, so pack a waterproof layer where you can reach it. The crossing is not merely a transfer. It is the moment the tour shifts from a mainland Highland road trip to an island journey.

After arriving in Orkney, you visit the Italian Chapel on Lamb Holm. Italian prisoners of war built the chapel during the Second World War, using limited materials and considerable skill. It is a small, intimate place, and many people find it more affecting than its size suggests.

You finish in Kirkwall, Orkney’s capital. The evening is yours. You can explore the winding streets, seek out St. Magnus Cathedral, or simply eat and recover. Two nights here are a strong feature of the plan. You are not packing your bag again after only a few hours.

Day three, Skara Brae and Orkney’s ancient stones

Day three is the tour’s archaeological heart. Skara Brae is a remarkably preserved Neolithic village, built long before Stonehenge and the Egyptian pyramids. You have about an hour at the site, which is enough to understand the layout and see the stone-built houses, though anyone fascinated by prehistoric archaeology may wish for more time.

Skara Brae is valuable because it feels domestic. You are not looking at a single ceremonial object. You can see rooms, passageways, and built-in stone features that make ancient life easier to picture. The age of the site is impressive, but its ordinary details are what make it memorable.

The Ring of Brodgar follows. This stone circle once contained 60 megaliths, with 27 remaining today. You have about 30 minutes, so expect a walk and a clear look at the circle rather than a long, quiet period for reflection.

The final major stop is Maeshowe Chambered Cairn. The mound dates from the Neolithic period, and in the 12th century Vikings carved one of the largest collections of Norse runic inscriptions into its interior. Admission is included, and tickets are reserved for you, an important practical benefit because access is controlled.

The day is full, but the sites are close enough to form a sensible sequence. Wear shoes suited to uneven ground and bring layers. Orkney weather can change quickly, and the open sites provide little shelter.

Day four, back across the north coast to Ullapool

You leave Orkney by ferry after a more relaxed start. The return route follows the top of Scotland, passing the Ben Loyal and Ben Hope mountains, rocky shorelines, and golden beaches.

This is one of the most scenic driving days, but also one of the longest. You spend a good deal of time looking through the coach windows, with short stops to break up the journey. If you want a slow, walking-focused holiday, this schedule may feel rushed. If you want to cover a large area without renting a car, it is a fair exchange.

Ardvreck Castle provides a short stop among the Assynt mountains. The 15th-century ruins sit in a stark setting beside Loch Assynt, and you have about 30 minutes to view them. There is no admission charge. The appeal is the combination of ruined stone, open country, and the storybook quality of a castle reduced to fragments.

The final destination is Ullapool, a whitewashed fishing village at the mouth of Loch Broom. It is a pleasant overnight stop, and the last evening gives you a chance to eat locally and enjoy the harbor setting.

Accommodation here deserves attention. Some people have had a comfortable stay with a good breakfast, while others have found the Ullapool property tired or in need of maintenance. The exact property can vary, so I would choose the hotel option if central location and more predictable facilities matter to you.

Day five, Culloden and Clava Cairns before Edinburgh

The final morning begins at Culloden Battlefield, site of the 1746 battle that ended the Jacobite Rising. You have about 45 minutes, including the battlefield and included admission. The stop can feel short, particularly if you want time for every museum display and the wider grounds, but it gives you the essential setting and context.

Culloden is not simply a battlefield photograph. It helps explain the political and social damage that followed the Jacobite defeat. Give yourself a quiet moment outside, where the names and markers bring the human cost closer than any general history lesson can.

Nearby Clava Cairns adds an older layer. The standing stones and burial cairns are prehistoric, and the site became widely known through Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander books. You have about 30 minutes, enough for a short walk around the stones.

The return journey passes through the Caledonian Pine Forest and along the Cairngorm mountain range. Lunch comes in the countryside before the coach continues through Perthshire and Fife to Edinburgh.

If your departure from Edinburgh is tied to a flight or train, allow plenty of extra time after the scheduled return. The tour covers long distances, and road or ferry delays are always possible in northern Scotland.

What the $1,454.57 price includes

At $1,454.57 per person, this is not a budget bus outing. The price covers four nights of en-suite accommodation, four breakfasts, transport, your driver-guide, the small-group format, and admission to Skara Brae, Maeshowe, and Culloden.

The value improves if you compare it with the separate cost and work of arranging this route yourself. You would need to coordinate accommodation in three locations, ferry travel, timed access to Maeshowe, a rental car or several long public transport connections, and the driving itself. The coach also handles the northern roads while you watch the scenery.

Meals beyond breakfast are not included. That gives you freedom, but it means budgeting for lunch and dinner every day. Optional admissions, including attractions not listed as included, are also extra.

Choose between a three-star hotel and a B&B or guesthouse at booking. B&Bs may be on the outskirts and 20 to 30 minutes from restaurants. Hotels are usually more central, though not always. If stairs are a concern, say so when booking, since lifts may not be available in B&Bs and some hotels.

The coach, luggage, and daily pace

The 16-seat Mercedes mini-coach is a sensible size for this route. You get a closer connection with the guide than on a large bus, and a group of 7 to 15 people can feel pleasantly social. The small group also allows some flexibility when timing permits, though the ferry schedule and reserved admissions limit how much the guide can change.

Bring no more than 20 kilograms of luggage. The allowance is one medium suitcase or bag, roughly 55 by 45 by 25 centimeters, plus a small personal bag. Pack light. There is no benefit to hauling a large case through several hotels.

The coach has three steps, each about 150 millimeters high, with grab handles and non-slip treads. It is not wheelchair accessible, though a folding wheelchair or walking frame can be stored. You must be able to board and leave the coach independently or with help from your companion.

There is no restroom onboard. Regular breaks are built into the days, but you should use each stop rather than assume another one is coming soon. Comfortable walking shoes and waterproof clothing are essential.

Who will enjoy this Orkney tour most

I would recommend this trip to you if you want a well-planned introduction to northern Scotland and prefer not to drive. It suits people who care about archaeology, clan history, scenery, island culture, and small-group company.

It is also a good match for first-time visitors who want several major sites in one trip. Guides such as Martin, Mac, Chris, Willie, Jodie, and Karen have brought local history, music, humor, and personal stories into the long drives, and that human touch matters when you spend so many hours in a coach.

I would hesitate if you need leisurely mornings, long visits at each museum, or guaranteed high-end lodging. The itinerary is active, and accommodation quality can differ. Children must be at least five years old, and anyone with limited mobility should carefully consider the coach steps, uneven historic sites, and walking involved.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if Orkney is a priority and you want the ancient sites handled without arranging ferries, timed tickets, and northern accommodation yourself. The two nights in Kirkwall, included access to Skara Brae and Maeshowe, and the combination of Orkney with Culloden and the Highlands make the price reasonable for a five-day trip.

Think twice if you want a slow island holiday or need full control over where you eat and stay. For most active visitors, though, this is a practical way to reach a remote part of Scotland, with enough free evening time to keep the experience from feeling completely programmed.

FAQ

Where does the tour start and finish?

The tour starts and ends at Edinburgh Bus Station, Edinburgh EH1 3AY. It departs at 8:30 a.m. and returns to the same meeting point.

How many people are in the group?

The maximum group size is 16 people, traveling in a 16-seat Mercedes mini-coach.

Where do you stay during the tour?

You spend one night in Inverness, two nights in Kirkwall on Orkney, and one night in Ullapool. You choose either a three-star hotel or a B&B or guesthouse when booking.

Which admissions are included?

Admission is included for Skara Brae, Maeshowe Chambered Cairn, and Culloden Battlefield. Other admissions and optional activities are not included unless specifically stated.

How much luggage can you bring?

You may bring up to 20 kilograms, consisting of one medium-sized suitcase or bag plus a small onboard personal bag.

Is the tour suitable for children?

The minimum age is five. Children aged five or older but under 1.35 meters may need a booster seat, which should be requested in the special requirements section.

Can I bring a wheelchair?

The coach is not wheelchair accessible, but there is storage for a folding wheelchair or walking frame. You must be able to board and leave the coach independently or with help from a companion.