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

Orkney is the star here: a windswept island world where 5,000-year-old Skara Brae sits near Viking-carved Maeshowe, the Ring of Brodgar, and a moving Italian Chapel built by wartime prisoners. The route also gives you a fine taste of the Highlands, from Glencoe and Loch Ness to the lonely northern coast.

I like two things in particular. First, the 16-seat Mercedes mini-coach keeps the group small enough for real guide interaction and easier stops. Second, the tour handles difficult connections for you: mainland roads, ferries, Orkney sightseeing, and four nights of lodging all fit into one carefully planned trip.

The tradeoff is pace. You cover a huge part of northern Scotland in five days, so some stops feel brief, and long stretches of road are unavoidable. Accommodation also varies, especially if you choose a B&B rather than a hotel.

Key points to know before booking

• Orkney’s main prehistoric sights are included: Admission is covered at Skara Brae, Maeshowe, and Culloden Battlefield.
• The group is capped at 16 people: You ride in a Mercedes mini-coach rather than a large tour bus.
• The route is packed with scenery: Expect Loch Ness, Glencoe, John o’Groats, Assynt, Ben Loyal, Ben Hope, and the Cairngorms.
• You get two nights in Kirkwall: That gives you more time with Orkney’s archaeological sites than a quick day trip can provide.
• Accommodation choice affects convenience: Hotels tend to be more central, while some B&Bs may sit a 20 to 30 minute walk from restaurants.
• Pack light and dress for changeable weather: The luggage limit is 20 kilograms, and Orkney can be cold, wet, and windy even in milder seasons.

Why Orkney makes this five-day route worthwhile

I would choose this trip for Orkney, not simply as a general Scotland sampler. The islands have an unusual concentration of prehistoric remains, Norse connections, wartime stories, and open coastal scenery. You get enough time to see the key sites without arranging ferries, hotels, and rural transport yourself.

The route also shows you how quickly Scotland changes. Edinburgh gives way to Perthshire, the central Highlands, the Great Glen, the far northeast, Orkney, and then the remote northwest coast. You spend plenty of time on the road, but the road itself is part of the experience.

A small group makes a real difference. With no more than 16 people, the guide can answer questions, keep departures orderly, and sometimes adjust the day when conditions allow. Past guides have included Mac, Martin, Kelly, Chris, Karen, Jodie, and Iain Murray. The strongest guide experiences have centered on storytelling, music, local anecdotes, clan history, and practical suggestions for meals and free time.

The price is $1,454.57 per person. That is a serious outlay, but it covers four nights of en-suite accommodation, four breakfasts, transport, a driver-guide, ferry travel connected to the route, and three important admission fees. You still pay for lunches, dinners, snacks, and any extra attractions. The value is strongest if you want a guided northern Scotland trip and do not want to manage the logistics yourself.

Day 1: From Edinburgh through Glencoe to Loch Ness

The first morning begins at 8:30 a.m. at Edinburgh Bus Station. Arrive early because check-in closes 15 minutes before departure, and the vehicle leaves on time. Central Edinburgh has public transport, but parking can be awkward, so the train, tram, or bus is the sensible choice.

The opening drive passes Stirling Castle, the Wallace Monument, and Doune Castle before a refreshment stop in Callander. These are glimpses rather than full visits, so do not expect castle admissions or long walks on the first morning. The reward is the changing view as you move into the Highlands.

You pass Loch Lubnaig, Loch Earn, Glen Ogle, and Glen Dochart before reaching Glencoe. The valley carries some of Scotland’s most painful clan history, and a good guide can give the story weight without turning the journey into a lecture. Several past guides have been praised for mixing history, local tales, humor, and music during the longer drives.

The day continues through the Great Glen to Loch Ness. You get about an hour to admire the water and try your luck with the monster search. There is no admission charge for this stop, and the main pleasure is simply being beside one of Scotland’s most famous lochs.

This is a full opening day. You will see a lot from the coach window, with regular breaks to stretch your legs and use facilities. If you prefer slow travel with long visits at each castle, this will feel hurried. If you want a broad first look at the Highlands, it works well.

Day 2: Dunrobin, John o’Groats, and the ferry to Orkney

Day two takes you north across the Black Isle and along the northeast coast. There is a short photo stop at Dunrobin Castle, limited to about 10 minutes, and admission is not included. The path toward the front of the castle is steep, so the stop may not suit everyone who has difficulty walking on an incline.

The route then reaches John o’Groats, a small coastal village tied to the famous journey between the northern tip of mainland Britain and Land’s End in southern England. You have around 20 minutes here. It is a quick stop, but the location gives you a clear sense that you are leaving ordinary sightseeing routes behind.

From Gills Bay, you board the ferry across the Pentland Firth. The crossing is a key part of the trip, not just a transport detail. You are moving from mainland Scotland into an archipelago of roughly 70 islands, with Orkney’s open skies and sea air beginning to shape the day.

After landing, the mini-coach takes you to the Italian Chapel on Lamb Holm. Built by Italian prisoners of war during the Second World War, the chapel is a striking place because of its setting and the care put into its decoration. It is a human story amid a trip often dominated by ancient stones.

You then reach Kirkwall, Orkney’s main town, where you stay for two nights. The evening is free for exploring winding streets, finding dinner, or visiting St. Magnus Cathedral if opening hours allow. The cathedral is not listed as an included admission, so check locally before planning your evening around it.

Day 3: Skara Brae, the Ring of Brodgar, and Maeshowe

Day three is the tour’s archaeological high point. Skara Brae is a Neolithic village dating back around 5,000 years, older than Stonehenge and the Egyptian pyramids. Its preserved stone houses offer a direct look at domestic life in prehistoric Orkney, with walls and room layouts that make the site unusually easy to understand.

You have about an hour at Skara Brae, and admission is included. That matters because this is not a quick roadside photo stop. You have time to move through the site, consider the age of the settlement, and take in its position near the coast.

The Ring of Brodgar follows. This great stone circle dates from roughly 2,500 to 2,000 BC and once contained about 60 stones. Twenty-seven remain today, forming a broad circle about 104 meters wide. You get around 30 minutes, enough for a walk and photographs, though anyone fascinated by prehistoric monuments may want much longer.

Maeshowe brings a different layer of history. The chambered cairn was built in prehistoric times, then entered by Vikings in the 12th century, when they carved one of the largest collections of Norse runic inscriptions. Admission is included, and the scheduled visit lasts about an hour.

Maeshowe can be physically demanding for some people. The tour requires walking and steps, and the coach itself has three steps, each about 150 millimeters high. The bus is not wheelchair accessible, although there is room for a folding wheelchair or walking frame. You need to board and leave the vehicle independently or with help from a companion.

This day rewards anyone interested in archaeology, but it is not only for specialists. The sites work because they give you different views of the same place: prehistoric settlement at Skara Brae, ceremonial stonework at Brodgar, and later Norse marks at Maeshowe.

Day 4: Leaving Orkney for Assynt and Ullapool

After a more relaxed start, you take the ferry back to mainland Scotland. The return route crosses the far north, passing Ben Loyal and Ben Hope, rocky cliffs, beaches, and long stretches of open country. This is one of the most scenic parts of the trip, but also one of the road-heavy days.

The stop at Ardvreck Castle lasts about 30 minutes. The ruined 15th-century castle sits beside Loch Assynt, and its broken walls have a lonely quality that suits the surrounding wilderness. Admission is free, and the main activity is viewing the ruins and taking photographs.

You then continue to Ullapool, a whitewashed fishing village at the mouth of Loch Broom. It is the final overnight stop. You have free time to eat, walk around town, or simply rest after the long drive.

Accommodation is one area where expectations need care. The tour offers either a 3-star hotel or a 3-star B&B, with single or twin arrangements available. Hotels are usually more central, but they may still be a 20 to 30 minute walk from restaurants. B&Bs can be farther out, and some have stairs without lift access.

The accommodation has generally been described as comfortable and welcoming, but it is not completely uniform. One Ullapool stay was criticized for maintenance problems, while other stays in Kirkwall and elsewhere were described as excellent. I would choose the hotel option if easy access to dinner, lift availability, and a more predictable standard matter to you.

Day 5: Culloden, Clava Cairns, and the return to Edinburgh

The final morning begins at Culloden Battlefield, the site of the 1746 battle that ended the Jacobite Rising. You get about 45 minutes, and admission is included. The battlefield can feel stark, but the visitor experience places the battle within the events that led to it and the punishment that followed.

I would give Culloden your full attention. Some past departures have found the allotted time a little short, especially for anyone who wants to explore both the museum and the outdoor battlefield. Still, the stop gives the journey an emotional center and connects many of the political and clan stories introduced earlier.

Clava Cairns follows, with about 30 minutes at the ancient standing stones and burial monuments. The site became widely known through Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander books. You do not need to know the books to appreciate the place, but fans will recognize the setting.

The final drive passes through the ancient Caledonian Pine Forest and along the Cairngorm range. You stop for lunch in the countryside before continuing through Perthshire, the Kingdom of Fife, and back to Edinburgh.

The tour ends at the same Edinburgh Bus Station meeting point. There is no hotel pickup or drop-off, so plan your accommodation and onward transport around the central departure point.

Riding in the 16-seat Mercedes mini-coach

The vehicle is a major part of the experience. A 16-seat Mercedes mini-coach is far more suitable for narrow Highland roads and rural stops than a full-size coach. It also makes the group feel less anonymous.

You should still expect several long drives. The route covers Edinburgh, the northern mainland, Orkney, Assynt, Inverness, Ullapool, and central Scotland in five days. There is no toilet on board, but regular restroom breaks are built into the day.

Luggage is limited to 20 kilograms per person. That means one medium suitcase or bag, roughly 55 by 45 by 25 centimeters, plus a small personal bag for the coach. Pack layers, waterproof clothing, comfortable walking shoes, and something warm for ferry crossings and exposed archaeological sites.

The tour is suitable for most people aged five and older, but it requires some agility. Children under 1.35 meters can have a booster seat arranged if you note it when booking. The coach is not wheelchair accessible, and guides cannot provide physical assistance.

Free time, meals, and the real cost

Breakfast is included each morning, but lunch, dinner, snacks, and refreshments are yours to arrange. That gives you freedom, but it also means budgeting beyond the headline price. The itinerary includes free evenings in Inverness, Kirkwall, and Ullapool, with Kirkwall offering the best chance to explore independently.

Reserve restaurants and private activities ahead of time when possible. Smaller towns can have limited choices, especially when several tour groups arrive at once. Your guide can suggest places, and guides such as Jodie have been noted for helping with meal planning and local ideas.

At $1,454.57, the trip is not a budget bus ride. Its value comes from the combination of transport, ferry connections, four nights, breakfasts, guide service, and included access to Skara Brae, Maeshowe, and Culloden. Paying separately for those pieces could take time and add friction, particularly in remote Orkney and the far north.

The main cost question is simple: do you value convenience and a small group enough to accept a fixed schedule? If yes, the price is defensible. If you prefer choosing your own lodging, lingering at archaeological sites, or stopping for spontaneous walks, renting a car and building a longer trip may suit you better.

Who should book this Orkney tour

I would recommend it to you if Orkney has been on your wish list and you want the major prehistoric sites without driving unfamiliar roads or arranging ferry times. It is also a good choice if you want a strong first look at the Highlands, with history and scenery woven into every travel day.

History, archaeology, Outlander fans, photographers, and anyone drawn to remote coastlines will get the most from it. The guides are central to the experience, and past departures have benefited from personalities such as Mac, Martin, Kelly, Chris, Karen, Nick, Barney, and Iain Murray. Your guide will vary, but the format depends on a guide who can turn long drives into part of the story.

I would hesitate if you need a slow pace, guaranteed central lodging, or extensive free time. The days are full, the weather can be rough, the coach has steps, and several stops last only 20 to 45 minutes.

Should you book the five-day Orkney and Northern Coast tour?

Book it if you want Orkney’s essential archaeology plus a broad Highland route in one organized trip. Skara Brae, Brodgar, Maeshowe, the Italian Chapel, Culloden, and Clava Cairns give the five days real substance, while the small coach keeps the experience personal.

Choose the hotel option if comfort and location matter, and pack light. Arrive early at Edinburgh Bus Station, expect long drives, and leave room in your schedule for weather changes. For an efficient first visit to Orkney, this is a strong choice. For a relaxed, self-directed holiday, it is too tightly packed.

FAQ

Where does the tour depart from?

The tour departs from Edinburgh Bus Station, Edinburgh EH1 3AY. Check-in closes 15 minutes before the 8:30 a.m. departure, and the coach leaves on time.

How many people are in the group?

The tour has a maximum of 16 participants and uses a 16-seat Mercedes mini-coach.

Where do you stay during the five days?

You spend one night in Inverness, two nights in Kirkwall on Orkney, and one night in Ullapool. You choose between a 3-star B&B and a 3-star hotel when booking.

What admissions are included?

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

How much luggage can you bring?

You can bring up to 20 kilograms per person. This consists of one medium suitcase or similar bag, approximately 55 by 45 by 25 centimeters, plus a small personal bag for the coach.

Is the tour suitable for wheelchair users?

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