4 Orkney Tours Travellers Rate Highest

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

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 132 reviews · 5 days (approx.) · from $1,454Our pick

Ride from Edinburgh in a 16-seat Mercedes mini-coach, cross the Pentland Firth to Orkney, and visit Skara Brae, Maeshowe, the Italian Chapel, and more. Four nights’ lodging and breakfast are included. Expect long, full days, changing weather, and free evenings in Inverness, Kirkwall, and Ullapool.

“We were so lucky to have found this tour online. Me and my partner wanted to visit Scotland and Orkney, so this tour was perfect. We were travelling in a small group of 7 visitors and everybody was really nice. Our tour guide Kelly was amazing and had a huge variety of stories and history to tell, accompanied with great music 🎼 🎶 and all around the best of atmospheres! We absolutely loved this tour and the experience. We would have loved to have more time for places like Culloden, but the schedule is completely understandable. Thank you for an amazing tour Kelly, in case you get to read this…”

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

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 80 reviews · 8 days (approx.)

Travel from Edinburgh in a group of up to 16, with seven B&B nights and breakfast included. The route takes in Orkney’s Skara Brae, the North Coast 500, Skye and a Jacobite Steam Train ride. Guides such as Rich, Steve and Ali have brought the long drives to life with local history, stories and music.

“We had a wonderful time on our 8 day tour with Highland Explorer Tours. Although we drove over 1100 miles during the trip, we never felt like we were in the van too long, because we stopped every hour or two, and our driver/guide, Ali P., told stories about the places we were visiting, and we also enjoyed listening to and talking about her playlists. The scenery on the Northcoast 500 was stunning. We saw so many beautiful and interesting places each day. Although the van held 16, we had 13 people in the group, so it was very comfortable. Our group got along very well, and it was interesting…”

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3.8-Day Orkney Skye and Highlands Tour from Edinburgh

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 23 reviews · 8 days (approx.) · from $2,164

Spend eight days on the road from Edinburgh to Loch Lomond, Skye and Orkney, with a local driver-guide, seven nights of B&B accommodation and breakfast. Expect Highland scenery, castle ruins and Neolithic sites, including Skara Brae and Maeshowe. Guides on past departures have included Jim Donovan, Brodie and Kenny, though your guide may differ.

“Overall, a wonderful experience. Our guides, Brodie and Kenny, were fantastic! Both were so knowledgeable about the locations and the associated history and legends. Brodie even got most of the group together one evening in a pub to enjoy traditional Scottish music and dance. Kenny managed to veer off the beaten path to show us sites that weren't necessarily on the itinerary, but were remarkable. We always felt safe with both of them. Both were safe drivers on some challenging roads. The B&Bs were a little hit and miss. Our expectation was that they would be better than they were, given what we paid. Two B&Bs were very nice. The…”

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4.5-Day Orkney and Highlands Tour from Edinburgh

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 23 reviews · 5 days (approx.) · from $1,305Best value

This five-day small-group tour links Loch Lomond, Glencoe, Inverness, Orkney’s Neolithic sites, Dunrobin Castle and Culloden. A driver-guide handles the long road and ferry legs, while four nights’ accommodation and five breakfasts are included. Guides named Stefan, Iain and Fergie have been praised for adding local stories and extra stops, though admissions and other meals cost extra.

“Great guide who knew the island and went above and beyond to give a great experience. Saw more than was given in the internary.”

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