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

Orkney is the star here: a windswept archipelago where 5,000-year-old villages and stone circles sit beside Viking cathedrals and a moving Second World War chapel. This five-day route gives you a rare chance to pair Orkney with the Highlands, rather than treating the islands as a rushed day trip.

I like the small 16-seat Mercedes coach and the strong mix of archaeology, scenery, and Scottish history. Guides such as Mac, Martin, Kelly, Jodie, Karen, and Iain Murray have brought the route to life with local stories, music, humor, and practical help. The tradeoff is a full schedule with long road days, limited time at some major sites, and accommodation that can vary from excellent to tired.

Key points to know before booking

• Skara Brae and Maeshowe admissions are included: These are two of Orkney’s most important archaeological sites, and tickets are reserved for you.
• The Pentland Firth crossing is part of the adventure: You travel by ferry from Gills Bay to Orkney, then return by sea the following day.
• The group never exceeds 16 people: A small coach allows for a more personal guide experience and easier stops in remote areas.
• Your guide matters: Past departures have featured guides including Mac, Martin, Kelly, Chris, Willie, Don, Jodie, Karen, and Iain Murray.
• The days are active and tightly planned: Expect walking, coach travel, ferry time, stairs, changing weather, and regular stops without a restroom on board.
• Accommodation needs careful attention: You choose between a bed-and-breakfast and a three-star hotel, but locations and access can vary.

Why Orkney deserves five days from Edinburgh

The real value of this tour is not simply reaching Orkney. It is the way the route builds toward the islands through the Highlands, then returns by a different northern road.

You begin with lochs, glens, castle ruins, and Jacobite history. By the time you reach Orkney, the scenery has changed from Highland mountains to open fields, sea cliffs, beaches, and huge skies. On the way back, you cross the far north and the Assynt region before turning south toward Culloden and the Cairngorms.

At $1,454.57 per person, this is not a budget bus trip. But the price includes transport for five days, a driver-guide, four breakfasts, four nights of accommodation, ferry travel, and admissions to Skara Brae, Maeshowe, and Culloden Battlefield. Hiring a car, arranging ferry connections, reserving archaeological sites, and finding lodging in several remote towns could easily become complicated.

The price makes the most sense if you want a handled, information-filled trip and do not want to drive long Highland roads yourself. It makes less sense if you prefer slow mornings, independent meals, or several nights in one place.

Day one: from Edinburgh through Glencoe to Loch Ness

Meet at Edinburgh Bus Station at 8:30 a.m. Check-in closes 15 minutes before departure, and the coach leaves on time. Central Edinburgh parking can be difficult, so public transport is the sensible choice.

The first day gives you a strong introduction to Scotland. The route passes Stirling Castle, the Wallace Monument, and Doune Castle before reaching Callander for a refreshment stop. These early sights are viewed from the coach or treated as brief stops, so do not expect a full castle visit at each one.

Beyond Callander, the road crosses into the Highlands. Loch Lubnaig, Loch Earn, Glen Ogle, and Glen Dochart provide the first great views, with regular breaks to stretch your legs. The scenery is one of the pleasures of traveling by coach here, since you can watch the road instead of concentrating on it.

The route continues through Glencoe and up the Great Glen to Loch Ness. You have about an hour at the loch, enough for views, photographs, and a little monster-spotting. It is a gentle start to the trip, but the day is still long. Pack food or plan to buy it during the available stops, since meals beyond breakfast are your responsibility.

You spend the first night in Inverness, the traditional capital of the Highlands. Your evening is free, which gives you a chance to eat independently and rest before the northern drive.

Day two: Dunrobin Castle, John o’ Groats, and the sea to Orkney

The second morning heads across the Black Isle toward the northeast coast. You get a short photo stop at Dunrobin Castle, but admission is not included. The path to the castle front is steep, so this stop may be more comfortable for some people as a quick viewpoint rather than a full visit.

From there, the road follows dramatic coastal scenery toward John o’ Groats. The village is associated with the famous end-to-end journey between northern Scotland and Land’s End in southern England. You have about 20 minutes, enough to see the setting and take photographs, but not enough for a lengthy visit.

At Gills Bay, you board the ferry across the Pentland Firth. The crossing is an important part of the experience, not just a transport chore. Orkney has a different feel from mainland Scotland, and arriving by sea helps you notice that change.

After landing, you make a short drive to the Italian Chapel on Lamb Holm. Built by Italian prisoners of war during the Second World War, it is an unexpectedly intimate place, especially after a day of open sea and northern weather.

The evening is spent in Kirkwall, Orkney’s main town. You can visit St. Magnus Cathedral, walk the winding streets, and find dinner on your own. Two nights in Kirkwall give you a useful base, though your accommodation may be a short walk from the center depending on the property selected.

Day three: Skara Brae and Orkney’s prehistoric heart

Day three is the most rewarding day for anyone interested in archaeology. Skara Brae is a remarkably preserved Neolithic settlement, older than Stonehenge and the Egyptian pyramids. Its stone-built homes offer a direct look at domestic life thousands of years ago, with rooms and passageways that make the past feel unusually close.

Admission to Skara Brae is included, and tickets are reserved in advance. You have about an hour at the site. That is enough to see the settlement properly, though people who love archaeology may wish for more time to study the setting and displays.

Next comes the Ring of Brodgar, one of Orkney’s great stone circles. The ring originally held 60 stones and measures about 104 meters across. Twenty-seven stones remain today, spread across an open setting that makes the size and isolation easy to appreciate.

You have roughly 30 minutes here. Wear shoes with good grip and bring a waterproof layer. Orkney weather can turn quickly, and the open ground offers little shelter.

The final major stop is Maeshowe Chambered Cairn. This prehistoric tomb later became a Viking site, and Norse visitors carved one of the largest collections of runic inscriptions in the British Isles into its interior. The visit lasts about an hour and admission is included.

Maeshowe requires attention to the booking details. The tour operator reserves tickets, which removes one of the hardest parts of arranging an independent Orkney trip. You should still expect steps and confined spaces, and you should tell the operator about mobility concerns before departure.

This day is packed, but it has a clear theme. Skara Brae shows how people lived, the Ring of Brodgar shows ceremonial stonework, and Maeshowe connects prehistoric Orkney with Viking visitors. That sequence gives the day real shape rather than feeling like a random list of stops.

Day four: from Orkney to the Assynt wilderness

After a relaxed start, you return to the mainland by ferry. The route then follows the northern coast, with views of Ben Loyal, Ben Hope, rocky cliffs, and broad golden beaches.

This is one of the longest and most scenic driving days. You spend plenty of time in the coach, but the route includes stops so you can walk, take photographs, and break up the journey. A guide who knows local roads and viewpoints can make a real difference here. Several guides praised for this route, including Karen and Jodie, have sometimes added short extra stops when time allowed.

Ardvreck Castle is a 15th-century ruin beside Loch Assynt. You get about 30 minutes to view it and absorb the setting. It is not a restored castle with rooms to explore. Its appeal comes from the lonely position, the water, and the surrounding mountains.

The day ends in Ullapool, a whitewashed fishing village at the mouth of Loch Broom. This is your final night on the tour. The town provides a pleasant setting for dinner, but the location of your accommodation may require a 20 to 30 minute walk or a taxi.

Accommodation is the one area where expectations should remain flexible. Many stays are clean, comfortable, and welcoming, and some hotels have been excellent. But one Ullapool stay was reported as tired, with bathroom maintenance problems, while an Inverness property had an issue with entry after hours. These are not reasons to reject the tour, but they explain why accommodation should not be treated as a luxury feature.

Day five: Culloden, Clava Cairns, and the road back south

The final morning begins at Culloden Battlefield, the site of the 1746 battle that ended the Jacobite Rising. The battlefield visit lasts about 45 minutes and admission is included.

Culloden carries emotional weight. It is not only a military site, but also a place tied to clan identity, political failure, and the loss of many Highland lives. The visitor experience is designed to explain the battle and its aftermath, while the open moor makes the scale of the event easier to grasp.

A short drive brings you to Clava Cairns, an ancient group of standing stones and burial monuments. The site became famous through the Outlander books, though its importance is much older than that connection. You have about 30 minutes here, enough for a thoughtful walk among the stones.

The route then travels through Caledonian pine forest beside the Cairngorm range. Lunch is on your own, followed by the journey through Perthshire and Fife before returning to Edinburgh.

The final day covers a lot of ground. If Culloden is especially important to you, 45 minutes may feel short. The same is true for Clava Cairns. Still, the route places both sites within a broader story that includes prehistoric Orkney and the political struggles of later Scotland.

What the small coach adds

The 16-seat Mercedes mini-coach is a major part of the experience. A smaller vehicle can use roads and stopping places that are awkward for a full-size bus, and the guide can speak to the group without a microphone.

The group size is capped at 16, though some departures have had only seven to nine people. That extra space makes long drives more comfortable and can help the group feel informal. Guides also have a better chance to answer questions and adjust small parts of the day.

There are three steps into the coach, each about 150 millimeters high, with grab handles and non-slip treads. The vehicle is not wheelchair accessible, though a folding wheelchair or walking frame can be stored. You must be able to board and leave the coach yourself or with help from your companion, since guides cannot provide physical assistance.

There is no restroom on board. Regular stops are built into the schedule, but you should use facilities whenever you have the chance.

Choosing accommodation and packing sensibly

You choose either a three-star bed-and-breakfast or a three-star hotel when booking. Hotels are usually more central, while bed-and-breakfasts may sit on the outskirts of town. Either option can involve a 20 to 30 minute walk to restaurants and pubs.

If stairs are difficult, say so at booking. Bed-and-breakfasts generally do not have lifts, and hotel lift access or ground-floor rooms may be limited.

The luggage allowance is 20 kilograms per person, but the practical limit is one medium suitcase or airline-style carry-on bag, plus a small personal bag for the coach. Do not pack as if you are moving between large hotels with porters.

Bring waterproof clothing, warm layers, and comfortable walking shoes. You will encounter uneven ground, outdoor archaeological sites, ferry travel, and exposed coastal weather. Food and refreshments are not included, so keep snacks and a payment card handy.

Who will get the most from this tour

I would choose this route if you want Scotland’s far north but do not want to rent a car. It suits people who enjoy archaeology, coastal scenery, military history, local stories, and a full day of sightseeing.

It also works well for a first visit to Scotland. You see the Highlands, Loch Ness, Orkney, the northern coast, Culloden, and Cairngorm country without arranging separate transport and accommodation.

It is less suitable if you need a slow pace or dislike changing hotels. The days are full, some coach rides are long, and meals outside breakfast require planning. Children are welcome from age five, but younger children may find the schedule and road time demanding.

The guides are a genuine strength. Mac, Martin, Kelly, Chris, Willie, Don, Sean, Kevin, Jodie, Karen, Nick, James, and Iain Murray have all led departures covered by this experience. Their styles differ, but the route depends heavily on a guide who can connect clan stories, local history, music, weather, and geography without turning the drive into a lecture.

Should you book the Orkney and Northern Coast tour?

Book it if Orkney is high on your list and you want the practical support of a small group. Skara Brae, Maeshowe, the Ring of Brodgar, the Italian Chapel, and the ferry crossing make this much more than a standard Highlands tour.

Think twice if you want premium lodging, long visits at every historic site, or complete control over each day. The tour delivers breadth rather than lingering depth.

For most people who want to see Orkney from Edinburgh in a manageable five-day trip, I think the combination is strong. Go prepared for weather, stairs, long drives, and flexible accommodation, and you will be set up to enjoy the ancient stones, northern sea roads, and the storytelling that ties them together.

FAQ

Where does the tour depart from?

The tour departs from Edinburgh Bus Station, St Andrew Square, Edinburgh, at 8:30 a.m.

When should I arrive?

Check-in closes 15 minutes before departure. The coach leaves on time, so arrive early.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is 16 people.

What type of vehicle is used?

Transportation is provided in a 16-seat Mercedes mini-coach.

How much luggage can I bring?

You may bring up to 20 kilograms of luggage per person. This consists of one medium suitcase or airline-style carry-on bag, plus a small bag for personal items on the coach.

Are meals included?

Four breakfasts are included. Lunches, dinners, snacks, and refreshments are not included.

Which admissions are included?

Admissions to Skara Brae, Maeshowe, and Culloden Battlefield are included, and tickets are reserved for you. Other admissions, such as Dunrobin Castle, are not included unless specified.

Can I bring a wheelchair?

The coach is not wheelchair accessible, but 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.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can receive a full refund if you cancel at least 21 full days before the experience start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 21 days before departure are not accepted for a refund.