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

Orkney’s 5,000-year-old village of Skara Brae is the kind of place that makes the long drive north feel worthwhile. I like this tour’s small 16-person maximum, which keeps the group compact, and its mix of prehistoric sites, Highland scenery, and island travel. You cross the Pentland Firth by ferry, then spend two nights in Kirkwall rather than rushing through Orkney in a day.

The trade-off is a busy schedule: five days involve substantial time on the road, and most lunches, dinners, and some admission fees are extra. Your guide’s stories help bring the miles to life, but this is still a road trip, not a slow-paced stay in each place.

At a glance

• Orkney gets two full days: Stay two nights in Kirkwall, with visits to Skara Brae, the Ring of Brodgar, Maeshowe, and the Italian Chapel.
• The route is part of the experience: Travel by 16-seat Mercedes mini-coach through the Highlands and by ferry across the Pentland Firth.
• Three major admissions are included: Skara Brae, Maeshowe, and Culloden Battlefield are covered in the price.
• Four nights and breakfasts are included: Choose a 3-star hotel or a bed and breakfast when booking.
• The days are full, the evenings are yours: Overnight stops are in Inverness, Kirkwall, and Ullapool, with free time to find dinner.
• Pack light and plan for steps: The luggage limit is 20kg per person, and the coach is not wheelchair accessible.

The Highlands begin just beyond Edinburgh

Meet at Edinburgh Bus Station for the 8:30 a.m. departure. There is no hotel pickup, so plan your own route to the station and arrive with time to spare. The tour travels in a Mercedes mini-coach with space for no more than 16 people. That is a useful middle ground: more personal than a large coach, but still a group trip with a set timetable.

On the first day, the route heads west past Stirling Castle and the Wallace Monument, then Doune Castle, before a refreshment stop in Callander. These landmarks offer glimpses of Scotland’s layered past, but the day’s appeal is not limited to formal sightseeing. Once the road crosses into the Highlands, the scenery shifts to lochs, glens, and open views around Loch Lubnaig, Loch Earn, Glen Ogle, and Glen Dochart.

The route continues through Glencoe, where the guide shares the story behind this stark and striking valley, then north through the Great Glen to Loch Ness. You have about an hour at the loch, with time to take in the views and keep an eye out for its famous monster. It is a short introduction rather than a full visit to the area, so enjoy the stop for what it is: a chance to stretch your legs and see one of Scotland’s best-known natural landmarks.

The first day covers a lot of ground. A guide can make the drive feel less like dead time by connecting the scenery to local history, clan stories, and folklore. Guide assignments vary. Past tour guides have included Mac, Martin, Kelly, Chris, and Karen, with storytelling and local knowledge often central to the experience.

North to John o’ Groats and across the Pentland Firth

Day two leaves Inverness and crosses the Black Isle before heading along the northeast coast. There is a brief photo stop at Dunrobin Castle, not a full castle visit. The path to the front is steep, so this stop may be difficult if you have trouble with inclines.

At John o’ Groats, you get a short break in a coastal village known as the starting point for the famous journey between the far north of mainland Scotland and Land’s End in England. The stop lasts about 20 minutes, enough for a look around and a few photos, but not a long visit. From there, the coach goes to Gills Bay to board the ferry across the Pentland Firth.

The crossing is a practical link between the mainland and Orkney, but it also marks a real change in the trip. Orkney is an archipelago of around 70 islands, and its history reflects its position between Scotland and the wider Norse world. On reaching the islands, you stop at the Italian Chapel on Lamb Holm, built by Italian prisoners of war during the Second World War. It is a compact, moving place, especially striking after a day of coastal driving and ferry travel.

The day ends in Kirkwall, Orkney’s main town. You have the evening free to visit St Magnus Cathedral and explore the old streets, or simply find a place for dinner and rest. The exact amount of free time depends on the day’s travel and ferry schedule, so it is sensible to keep plans flexible.

Two days for Orkney’s ancient sites

Orkney’s archaeology is the heart of this tour. Skara Brae, the Ring of Brodgar, and Maeshowe are not isolated curiosities. Together, they show how much life, ritual, and skilled building existed here thousands of years ago. The visits are short enough to keep the tour moving, but the sites are substantial enough to reward a little preparation.

At Skara Brae, you see the remains of a Neolithic village dating back about 5,000 years. The site is exceptionally well preserved, with stone-built homes and fittings that make it easier to picture daily life than at many ancient ruins. An hour is included, and admission is covered. If prehistory interests you, this is one of the day’s essential stops.

The Ring of Brodgar gives you a different kind of encounter. This great stone circle dates from roughly 2,500 to 2,000 BC and measures 104 metres across. Sixty stones once formed the ring; 27 remain. The visit lasts about 30 minutes and is free, leaving time to take in the scale of the circle and its open setting. The weather can make a difference here, so bring a windproof layer even if the day starts mild.

Maeshowe adds another chapter. This chambered cairn is a prehistoric burial monument, later marked by Norse visitors who carved runic inscriptions into its walls in the 12th century. Admission is included, and the visit takes about an hour. The tour reserves the tickets, which helps make the schedule work, but the stop is not one you can extend at will.

The itinerary also includes the Italian Chapel and Kirkwall’s cathedral, giving the two days a broad sweep from prehistory to wartime history and medieval Christianity. You will not see every island or archaeological site in Orkney. Instead, the tour concentrates on a strong set of highlights and gives you two nights in Kirkwall to absorb the place between excursions.

A long return through the far north

After a relaxed start on day four, you leave Orkney by ferry and return to the mainland. The drive then crosses the top of Scotland, passing Ben Loyal and Ben Hope, with views of cliffs and sandy beaches along the way. This is a day for watching the scenery change through the coach window, with stops to get outside and take in the air.

At Ardvreck Castle, you pause for about 30 minutes to see the remains of a 15th-century castle in the northwest Highlands. The ruins sit within the wider mountain country of Assynt, where the scale and remoteness of the setting are part of the appeal. Admission is free. The stop is brief, so think of it as a scenic break rather than a detailed castle visit.

The night is in Ullapool, a whitewashed fishing village at the mouth of Loch Broom. It is the last overnight stop before returning to Edinburgh. Accommodation quality can vary between properties, so choosing a hotel instead of a bed and breakfast may suit you if you prefer a more central location. Either option can be a 20- to 30-minute walk from local places to eat, and B&Bs are often on the outskirts.

Culloden, Clava Cairns, and the road south

Day five brings a change of focus from the remote northwest to Culloden Battlefield, the site of the final Jacobite Rising. The 45-minute visit includes admission. The battlefield is a sobering place, and it gives the surrounding Highland history a human scale. If you want more time to study the battle and its consequences, the stop may feel short, but the tour has a long drive back to Edinburgh ahead.

A short drive away, Clava Cairns offers ancient standing stones and burial cairns, with a connection to Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander books. The visit lasts about 30 minutes and is free. It is a compact stop, but a welcome one after Culloden, with another chance to see how much of Scotland’s past remains visible in the countryside.

The return route travels through ancient Caledonian pine forest by the Cairngorm mountain range, with a lunch stop in the area, then south through Perthshire and the Kingdom of Fife to Edinburgh. The exact pace depends on road conditions and the group, so do not schedule a tight connection or evening event after the tour. This is a full final day, and the coach returns to the original meeting point.

What the price covers, and what it does not

At $1,454.57 per person, this is not a bare-bones transport ticket. The price includes four nights of en-suite accommodation, four breakfasts, the small-group coach, a driver-guide, ferry-linked transport, and admission to Skara Brae, Maeshowe, and Culloden Battlefield. Having those three tickets arranged in advance is especially useful at the archaeological sites, where the schedule depends on timed visits.

The value depends partly on how you would otherwise reach Orkney. Doing this route independently means organizing transport across a wide stretch of Scotland, ferry travel, lodging in several towns, and admission bookings. The guided tour bundles those moving parts and adds narration along the way. If you enjoy driving yourself and want to linger wherever you please, the fixed schedule may be less attractive.

Meals and refreshments beyond breakfast are not included, nor are optional activities and other admissions unless specifically listed. Budget for lunch and dinner each day, plus any extras you choose. The tour price also depends on the accommodation option you select at booking, so check whether you are choosing a 3-star hotel or a 3-star bed and breakfast before confirming.

Practical details that can shape your trip

The 20kg luggage allowance is firm: one medium suitcase or bag, roughly 55 by 45 by 25 centimetres, plus a small bag for items you want on board. In a compact coach, lighter packing makes life easier for you and the group. Bring comfortable walking shoes and clothes for changeable weather, especially for exposed stops on Orkney and the northern coast.

The coach has three steps, each about 150mm high, with grab handles. It is not wheelchair accessible, though storage is available for a folding wheelchair or walking frame. You need to get on and off the coach yourself or with help from a companion. If stairs are a concern, ask about accommodation needs before booking; lifts are not available in some B&Bs, and hotel lift access or a ground-floor room may depend on availability.

There is no restroom on the coach, but the tour makes regular comfort stops. Children must be at least five years old. If a child is under 1.35 metres tall, note this when booking so a booster seat can be arranged.

Bookings are often made well ahead, around 138 days in advance on average. If you are travelling with three or more people, room arrangements need extra attention: each room must be added separately, and room preferences should be noted when booking. The tour has a maximum of 16 people, but the actual group may be smaller.

Should you book this Orkney tour?

I would choose this trip if you want to see Orkney’s defining prehistoric sites without arranging every connection yourself, and if you are happy to trade independence for a well-planned route and a guide’s commentary. The combination of Skara Brae, Maeshowe, the Ring of Brodgar, the Italian Chapel, Culloden, and the northern Highlands gives you a memorable five-day overview.

Think twice if you dislike long coach days, need a flexible timetable, or want several unstructured days on Orkney. For a first visit focused on the north, though, this is a strong way to connect ancient sites, island life, and Highland scenery. Choose your accommodation type carefully, pack light, and leave space in your schedule for the journey back.

FAQ

Where does the tour depart from?

It departs from Edinburgh Bus Station, Edinburgh EH1 3AY. The stated start time is 8:30 a.m., and the tour returns to the same meeting point.

How many people are in the group?

The tour has a maximum of 16 people and travels in a 16-seat Mercedes mini-coach.

How many nights are included, and where do you stay?

Four nights are included: two in Kirkwall, one in Inverness, and one in Ullapool. Accommodation is in a 3-star hotel or bed and breakfast, selected when booking.

Are meals included?

Four breakfasts are included. Lunches, dinners, refreshments, and other meals are not included.

Which admission fees are included?

Admission to Skara Brae, Maeshowe, and Culloden Battlefield is included. Other admissions and optional activities are not included unless specified.

Is the ferry to Orkney included?

The tour includes transport by mini-coach and ferry, crossing the Pentland Firth between the mainland and Orkney.

How much luggage can I bring?

You may bring up to 20kg per person: one medium-sized suitcase or bag and a small bag for onboard personal items.

Is the tour suitable for children?

The minimum age is five. For a child aged five or older who is under 1.35 metres tall, note this when booking so a booster seat can be arranged.

Is the coach wheelchair accessible?

No. 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.

How far in advance is the tour usually booked?

It is booked about 138 days in advance on average. Availability is subject to confirmation after booking.