The Orkneys & The NC500

Day 1

We depart the local area with stops on route we make our way north, crossing the border into Scotland, to our overnight hotel, the 4* Gretna Hall Hotel with time to settle in before dinner.

Day 2

Departing our overnight hotel we make our way north through the stunning highlands to our hotel for the next 3 nights. Nestled beside Gairloch Bay, the 3* Gairloch Hotel overlooks several quiet, secluded beaches, as well as offering spectacular views of the world-famous Isle of Skye.

Day 3

Enjoy a relaxed day today with time to explore Gairloch and a visit to Inverewe Gardens, a family run Lochside garden in a delightful setting on the Atlantic coast. The heritage garden features a range of unique plants from across the world and there is an abundance of wildlife to be seen such as otters, red deer, and golden eagles as well as huge California redwoods.

Day 4

With an early start this morning we take the scenic journey south to the Kyle of Lochalsh, with castles and hills all around us. From here we catch the Scotrail train to Inverness, one of the most scenic rail journeys in Scotland. On arrival in the famous highland town, we have time to explore and shop before making our way back to Gairloch onboard the coach.

Day 5

Today we enjoy one of the highlights of the tour as we travel clockwise along the North Coast Route, for breathtaking coastal scenery of white sandy beaches, charming fishing villages and rugged mountains. First, we travel to the west coast fishing village of Ullapool (we recommend you pick up a packed lunch here as options are limited later on), before continuing north via wide single-tracked roads to our next destination Durness. Finally, we follow the main roads east along the northerly coastal edges of Scotland, marvelling at the breath-taking views on the way to Caithness. We arrive at our hotel for the next 3 nights in time for dinner. The 3* Norseman Hotel is nestled in the Viking town of Wick.

Day 6

Another highlight of the tour today, we have an early start and make our way to Scrabster for the morning ferry to Stromness on Orkney. On arrival, we meet our local guide who will be with us throughout our tour of the island. We visit the ancient settlement of Skara Brae, uncovered by a storm in 1850. This ancient settlement is older than Stonehenge and the amazing rooms provides us with a unique insight into prehistoric human living. From here we head to the mystical Ring of Brodgar to view the standing stones, reminiscent of those at Stonehenge and Avebury, constructed around 2500-2000 BC. We continue towards Kirkwall to spend some free time for lunch. In the afternoon, we visit the Italian Chapple, 'the miracle of camp 60', which was built by Italian prisoners of war during WWII. Afterwards, we travel past the Churchill Barriers, the construction of which was ordered by Winston Churchill the tragic torpedoing of the battleship Royal Oak in Scapa Flow in 1939. Finally, we make our way back to Scrabster for our ferry crossing back to the mainland.

Day 7

Today we are collected by a local coach company who take us to visit the formal royal residence of the Queen Mother, the Castle & Gardens of Mey, where we get an insight into Her Majesty's life in Caithness and spend time enjoying the peaceful gardens and grounds. We then head to the most northerly point of the mainland, John o' Groats, a famous start or finish point for walkers making the great journey to or from Lands End. You have time to explore the village before returning to our hotel.

Day 8

We say goodbye to Caithness and depart our hotel, making our way south we complete the eastern part of the NC500. We continue south to our overnight hotel the 3* Buchanan Arms Hotel in Drymen.

Day 9

We depart the hotel, and with stops on route, arrive home early evening.

D=Dinner, B=Breakfast