8 Day Isle of Skye, Orkney & North Coast 500 tour from Edinburgh

This is a big, sweeping Scottish journey: in eight days, you go from Culloden’s solemn battlefield to Skara Brae’s prehistoric houses, then along the North Coast 500 and across the Isle of Skye. The highlight for many people will be the Jacobite Steam Train over Glenfinnan Viaduct, but the real strength is the sheer range of places packed into one route.

I like the small-group format, with no more than 16 people, and I like that seven B&B nights and breakfasts are included. Guides such as Rich, Steve, and Ali P have been praised for safe driving, good stories, music, and restaurant advice. The tradeoff is a fast pace, long driving days, and occasional trouble finding dinner because your lodging is not always known until arrival.

Key points to know before booking

• The route covers a remarkable amount of Scotland: Expect roughly 1,100 to 1,300 miles, with ferries, scenic roads, and frequent stops.
• The Jacobite Steam Train is included: The two-hour rail journey runs between Mallaig and Fort William over Glenfinnan Viaduct.
• Orkney gets proper attention: You visit the Italian Chapel, Ring of Brodgar, Skara Brae, and Yesnaby Cliffs.
• Accommodation is practical rather than luxurious: Seven nights in 3-star B&Bs include breakfast, but properties may be split between different guesthouses.
• Meals are mostly your responsibility: Lunch and dinner are not included, so budget for food and plan for busy restaurants.
• Weatherproof clothing matters: Rain, wind, steep paths, and wet ground can affect the experience at many outdoor stops.

A grand Scottish route in a small coach

This tour is best understood as an ambitious overview, not a slow holiday in one region. You cover central Scotland, the Highlands, Orkney, the far north, Skye, the west coast, Glencoe, Oban, Loch Awe, and the Falkirk area before returning to Edinburgh.

That range is the main value. Planning this route alone would involve several ferry bookings, multiple hotel changes, careful driving on remote roads, and a good deal of research. Here, a guide handles the driving and points out history, viewpoints, villages, and places to eat.

The cost includes seven nights in 3-star B&B accommodation, seven breakfasts, and the Jacobite Steam Train. Several major admissions are also included, including the Highland Folk Museum, Culloden Battlefield, the Italian Chapel, Skara Brae, and the train. Dunrobin Castle and Eilean Donan Castle require separate admission, so keep that in mind when comparing the overall price.

The vehicle holds up to 16 people. That is much more personal than a large coach, though space can feel limited when everyone has luggage. Each person may bring one suitcase weighing up to 33 pounds, or 15 kilograms, plus one carry-on bag. Pack light. You will move between several overnight stops, and a smaller bag is far easier to manage.

Day 1: Dunkeld, Highland life, Culloden, and Clava Cairns

The first day gives you a useful introduction to Scotland before the route reaches the far north. Dunkeld is a pleasant opening stop, with about 45 minutes for a coffee, pastry, and a look around the cathedral area. It is a short visit, so think of it as a leg stretch rather than a full town tour.

The Highland Folk Museum is a more substantial stop. Over roughly 1 hour and 40 minutes, you see how Highland communities lived and worked from the 1700s. The open-air setting helps put ordinary life beside the grand castles and battles that dominate many Scottish tours.

Culloden Battlefield changes the mood. The 1746 battle ended the Jacobite uprising, and the site remains largely open and quiet. Give yourself time to listen to the guide and take in the ground itself. This is not a stop to rush through for a quick photograph.

Clava Cairns follows with a much older story. The Bronze Age burial site has standing stones and stone-built burial chambers, and its connection with Outlander adds a modern pop-culture angle. The visit lasts only about 25 minutes, so you will get an introduction rather than a full archaeological study.

Day 2: Dunrobin Castle and the road to Orkney

Dunrobin Castle brings the grand-house portion of the trip. Its French-influenced design is unlike the rough stone castles you may expect in the Highlands, and the gardens add another reason to allow the full two hours. A falconry display is scheduled during the visit, though timing can be affected by conditions.

Admission to the castle is not included, so check the current fee before you travel. This is one of the optional costs that can add up over eight days, alongside lunches, dinners, and other castle entries.

The North Coast 500 section begins in earnest, with about four hours of scenic driving and stops. The road is not a single attraction with a gate and ticket. Its value comes from the changing views, remote stretches, and the chance to see the northern Highlands without worrying about navigation.

The day ends with the ferry to Orkney and a drive to Kirkwall. This can be a long day, and arrival may be late enough that a full restaurant meal is inconvenient. One useful strategy is to buy a sandwich or other easy food during a supermarket stop if the guide provides the opportunity.

Day 3: Orkney’s best ancient sites

Orkney is one of the strongest parts of the tour. The Italian Chapel is a small but memorable building made from two Nissen huts by Italian prisoners of war during the Second World War. The chapel’s story gives the day a personal human scale before the much older sites begin.

At the Ring of Brodgar, you encounter a large stone circle built around 5,000 years ago. The visit is short, about 20 minutes, but the setting gives you a clear sense of how exposed and monumental these sites are.

Skara Brae receives the time it deserves, with about two hours. This Neolithic village contains ten remarkably well-preserved houses, revealed after a storm in the 19th century. You can see how the buildings were arranged and imagine a farming and fishing community living beside the sea long before written records.

Yesnaby Cliffs finishes the day outdoors. Allow two hours for cliffs, sea stacks, rocky shore, and wide coastal views. Wind can be strong here, so a waterproof jacket is more useful than a stylish coat. The walking is not described as strenuous, but you should still bring sound shoes.

Day 4: John O’Groats, Smoo Cave, and the far north

The ferry returns you to the mainland, followed by a stop at John O’Groats. It is a famous northern marker and a straightforward place to take photographs and stretch your legs.

The route then continues along the North Coast 500. This is one of the longest road-focused days, with around four hours devoted to the drive and viewpoints. You will see a great deal, but you will not have unlimited time at every stop. That is the central compromise of this tour: you reach far-flung places, but the schedule keeps moving.

Smoo Cave gives you a close look at the region’s geology. Its sea cave entrance is about 50 feet high, and the cave includes a waterfall chamber and underground lake. Boat trips are associated with the site, but they are not listed as part of the included program, so do not assume you will have time or a place on one.

Durness provides a break at Sango Sands beach, useful for lunch and fresh air. Knockan Crag National Nature Reserve then adds a short walk and an explanation of the unusual geology of the Northwest Highlands. Wear layers, since exposed coastal sites and inland nature reserves can feel very different in the same day.

Day 5: The road to Skye

Corrieshalloch Gorge is the first stop, a dramatic cleft formed by glacial meltwater. The gorge is about 1.5 kilometers long, 60 meters deep, and only around 10 meters wide in places. The visit lasts roughly 45 minutes, enough for a look and a walk without turning the morning into a hike.

Eilean Donan Castle is one of Scotland’s most photographed buildings, set near the meeting of several waterways. The scheduled stop is only 15 minutes, which is enough for a viewpoint photograph but not a full interior visit. Castle admission is not included, and the brief timing means you should ask the guide exactly what is practical on the day.

Portree is your main stop on Skye for lunch. Its harbor setting, compact center, and local food options make it a sensible place to stock up before the afternoon viewpoints. Since lunch is not included, you choose what suits your budget and appetite.

The Old Man of Storr and Kilt Rock offer two of Skye’s best-known views. The Old Man of Storr is a striking rock formation created by an ancient landslip, while Kilt Rock is known for its columned cliff face and Mealt Waterfall. The scheduled visits are short, only 30 minutes at Storr and 15 minutes at Kilt Rock, so expect viewpoints rather than long walks.

Day 6: Ferries, the Jacobite train, and Glencoe

The ferry from Armadale to Mallaig is a pleasant change from the road. The crossing lasts about 30 minutes, and you are encouraged to watch for wildlife. Keep your camera accessible, but do not treat a sighting as guaranteed.

The Jacobite Steam Train is the signature booking inclusion. The two-hour journey between Mallaig and Fort William passes over the 21 arches of Glenfinnan Viaduct and through a section of the West Highland Line known for beaches, lochs, and views toward the Small Isles. Harry Potter fans will recognize the viaduct, but the railway is worthwhile even if you have no interest in the films.

Train services can be altered or canceled at short notice for reasons outside the tour operator’s control. That matters because the train is a major part of the trip’s appeal. If the service changes, the rest of the day may also be adjusted.

Glencoe provides a final history lesson, with massive mountains rising beside Rannoch Moor. The planned stop is brief, about 15 minutes, so you will mainly take in a viewpoint and hear the guide explain the area’s tragic past. Guides such as Rich, Steve, and Ali P have been singled out for mixing history with humor, music, and stories from Scottish life. That personal commentary helps long drives pass quickly.

Day 7: A free day in Oban

Oban is the rare day with no tightly packed list of stops. You have the full day to explore the fishing town, find seafood, or arrange an optional wildlife trip. If you want a boat excursion, booking ahead is advised.

This free day is valuable after six days of ferries, roads, archaeological sites, and timed visits. You can set your own pace, though the tour does not include meals or optional activities. Oban is also a good place to do laundry or simply rest, depending on your plans.

Day 8: Loch Awe, Killin, and the Kelpies

The return journey begins with St Conan’s Kirk beside Loch Awe. Built between 1881 and 1886, the church has an unusual setting among trees and serves as a local community center. It is an atmospheric final-day stop that feels different from the major castles.

Kilchurn Castle sits dramatically on a rocky peninsula. The ruins date from the mid-1400s and were built by Sir Colin Campbell, the first Lord of Glenorchy. Admission is not included, and access or viewing conditions can depend on the day’s schedule and weather.

A Highland village stop provides lunch and a chance to walk around. The guide will point you toward food and coffee, but you pay for these yourself.

The Falls of Dochart run through Killin and offer a short, peaceful pause. The last major sight is the Kelpies at The Helix, two huge horse-head sculptures designed by Andy Scott. At 30 meters high and around 300 tonnes, they make a dramatic modern finish after a week of ancient stones, castles, cliffs, and ruined buildings.

B&Bs, meals, and the practical tradeoffs

The included B&B accommodation saves you from arranging seven separate nights, and the properties are described as clean and comfortable, with satisfying breakfasts. Do not expect one standard hotel throughout. The group may be divided among two different guesthouses, and properties can be a 15 to 20 minute walk from restaurants.

The biggest practical weakness is dinner planning. You may not know your exact accommodation until drop-off, and arrival times can shift with traffic, ferry schedules, and weather. Restaurants may be full, especially in smaller towns, so flexible plans help.

Lunches are generally bought independently. That gives you control over price and food choices, but on long driving days it may mean a quick supermarket meal or takeaway rather than a leisurely restaurant lunch. I would carry snacks, a refillable water bottle, and some cash or a card for small purchases.

The guides are central to the experience. Rich has been praised for humor and clear explanations, while Steve is noted for safe driving, Scottish music, and practical advice about food and local businesses. Ali P is also praised for her professionalism, playlists, and willingness to add extra stops such as Loch Ness and Eilean Donan when timing allows. Guides vary, so treat those names as examples rather than a guarantee.

Who should book this tour?

I would choose this trip if you want to see a large portion of northern Scotland without driving yourself. It suits people who value scenery, archaeology, castles, local stories, and a sociable small-group setting more than long lie-ins or luxury accommodation.

It is also a strong choice for first-time visitors who want both famous sights and less obvious stops such as Knockan Crag, Yesnaby, St Conan’s Kirk, and the Italian Chapel. The included admissions and train ride add real value, especially when combined with seven breakfasts and organized ferry travel.

I would hesitate if you dislike changing accommodation, walking to dinner, eating on the go, or spending several hours in a vehicle. The route is busy, and weather can affect outdoor stops. Bring waterproof walking shoes, warm layers, and patience for delays.

Book this tour when your priority is seeing as much of Scotland as possible in one well-organized sweep. Choose a slower, smaller regional trip instead if you want deep time in Skye, Orkney, or the North Coast 500. With a maximum of 16 people, strong guide-led commentary, and a remarkable route, this is a practical way to cover ground, provided you accept the pace.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

The tour lasts approximately eight days and includes seven nights of accommodation.

Where does the tour start and finish?

It starts at Highland Explorer Tours, 60 High Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1TB, at 8:30 am. It finishes back at the same meeting point.

What accommodation and meals are included?

Seven nights of 3-star B&B accommodation and seven breakfasts are included. Lunches and dinners are not included.

Is the Jacobite Steam Train included?

Yes. The Jacobite Steam Train is included, with a scheduled journey of about two hours. The service may be changed or canceled at short notice.

How much luggage can I bring?

Each person may bring one suitcase weighing no more than 33 pounds, or 15 kilograms, plus one carry-on bag.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience starts. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not refunded.