Isle of Skye, Iona, Mull & Orkney Isles – 9 Days – Small Group
1/23
- Duration
- 9 days
- Guiding Style
- Fully Guided
- Hotel Rating
- B&B Ensuite
- Start / End
- Edinburgh → Edinburgh
- Group Size
- Min 1 / Max 16
- Physical Rating
- Easy Travelers can expect some light physical activities
Highlights
Island life has shaped extraordinary cultures and landscapes. On Skye, Atlantic winds carve towering cliffs. Mull's waters are home to whales, while eagles soar overhead. Iona's heritage unites Celtic, Viking, and Christian influences.
Explore Scotland's wild, historic, and breathtaking islands on this unforgettable tour.
- Cross to Iona — birthplace of Celtic Christianity and burial ground of ancient Scottish kings — and explore its historic abbey, carved crosses, and rocky coastline. Optional boat trip to Fingal's Cave on Staffa available
- Pass Castle Stalker's dramatic lochside silhouette, drive through the legendary valley of Glencoe, and travel beneath Ben Nevis — the highest summit in the British Isles
- Spend a full day on the Isle of Skye exploring the Trotternish Ridge with the Old Man of Storr, Kilt Rock, and the Quiraing, then visit the legendary Eilean Donan Castle and the shores of Loch Ness
- Ferry to the Orkney Islands, cross the Churchill Barriers to the Italian Chapel, then explore the UNESCO Heart of Neolithic Orkney — Maeshowe, the Ring of Brodgar, and Skara Brae — with admissions included
- Drive the dramatic northern North Coast 500 past Smoo Cave and Ardvreck Castle, then visit Culloden Battlefield and Clava Cairns on the scenic return to Edinburgh via the Forth Rail Bridge
9-Day Isle of Skye, Iona, Mull & Orkney Isles Itinerary
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Day 1
West Highlands, Oban & Argyll's Scenic Heart
We depart Edinburgh and make our way through the gentle Lowlands, passing the silhouette of Stirling Castle. As we cross the ancient fault line, the landscape shifts from wide open plains to the grand Highlands, where wooded glens and soaring peaks frame Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park.
Heading further into the West Highlands, you take in dramatic mountain scenery and visit the picturesque 18th-century town of Inveraray, the historic stronghold of the Campbell Clan and seat of the Duke of Argyll. The afternoon is spent discovering Argyll's beautiful heartlands before arriving in the lively coastal town of Oban, where you'll settle in for a two-night stay.
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Day 2
Iona and Optional Visit to Fingal's Cave
The day starts early with a ferry crossing to Mull, a jewel of the Inner Hebrides celebrated for its rugged landscapes, rich wildlife, and welcoming villages. From Mull, a brief ferry ride brings you to Iona, birthplace of Celtic Christianity and burial ground of ancient Scottish kings. You'll have free time to explore the historic abbey with its intricately carved crosses, or simply roam the island's rocky coastline and peaceful beaches.
You can also choose to join an optional small-boat excursion to Staffa, known for its dramatic basalt columns and the legendary Fingal's Cave, immortalised by Mendelssohn's Hebridean Overture. This excursion carries an extra charge, is subject to availability, and must be arranged upon request. Later, you return by ferry to Oban for your second overnight stay.
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Day 3
Glencoe and Exploring the Highlands
We leave Oban behind and set out to uncover some of the region's lesser-known gems. Tracing the coastline, we stop at a picturesque viewpoint overlooking Castle Stalker, a striking 14th-century tower set on a tiny islet near Appin. From there, we continue to Glencoe, celebrated for its sheer cliffs and powerful, legendary history. A beloved filming backdrop, the glen captivates with its dramatic vistas — you'll have a brief pause here for photos.
Next, we make our way through Fort William and beneath Ben Nevis, the highest summit in the British Isles at 1,344 metres. Our route carries on through the Great Glen, a natural geological fault that slices across Scotland, then onward to Balmacara for the night. Spend a relaxed evening embraced by loch views, woodlands, and sweeping mountain scenery.
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Day 4
The Isle of Skye
We depart Balmacara and make our way toward the Skye Bridge, crossing into the legendary Misty Isle. Skye brims with hidden beauty at every turn, and today your driver-guide will adjust the route to match the weather and highlight the best of this remarkable landscape.
Skye feels like a dream made real, offering endless corners to explore. You might head north toward the Trotternish Ridge, where iconic sights await — the Old Man of Storr, Kilt Rock, and the dramatic Quiraing pass. This area enchants with its jagged formations, towering cliffs, sweeping open spaces, and a powerful sense of untamed wilderness. After a day filled with unforgettable scenery, you'll leave Skye behind and return to Balmacara for a relaxing evening.
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Day 5
Eilean Donan Castle
We leave Balmacara and make our way east for a closer view of the legendary Eilean Donan Castle. From there, we journey past shimmering lochs and dramatic mountains, arriving in a charming village set along the shores of Loch Ness. You'll have free time to sample local delights, stroll by the water, and perhaps glimpse the famed, elusive monster.
As the day winds down, we arrive in Inverness, the vibrant Capital of the Highlands. The evening is free for you to enjoy.
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Day 6
The East Coast and Orkney
Depart Inverness and cross the Black Isle, following the North Coast 500 to Golspie for a brief pause. Continue onward to Dunrobin Castle to admire its towers and gardens before travelling along the historic shoreline. We follow the North Sea coast, stopping at interesting spots and taking in dramatic cliffside scenery. The road twists through villages and glens before arriving at John O'Groats around midday.
From Gills Bay, take the ferry across the Pentland Firth to Orkney. Arrive at St Margaret's Hope, cross the Churchill Barriers, and visit the Italian Chapel before continuing on to Kirkwall. Enjoy a free evening to explore the town and its rich Viking heritage.
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Day 7
Skara Brae & Ancient Orkney
Travel through Orkney's rolling pastures and coastal scenery to discover the Heart of Neolithic Orkney, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Step inside Maeshowe, a 5,000-year-old chambered tomb etched with Viking runes, then continue to the Ring of Brodgar, a prehistoric stone circle steeped in lore.
Explore Skara Brae, an ancient village preserved in remarkable detail, before heading to Stromness for free time for lunch and time to explore its historic streets and harbour. Carry on to places like the Kirbuster Museum and possibly a tidal island. Return to Kirkwall for a relaxed evening to dine, wander the harbour, or enjoy traditional music.
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Day 8
Explore the North Coast 500
Leave Kirkwall and head past Scapa Flow toward the ferry terminal at St Margaret's Hope. Take the ferry across the Pentland Firth, keeping an eye out for any whales or dolphins during the crossing.
Back on the mainland, follow the northern section of the North Coast 500 through dramatic scenery to Smoo Cave, then continue onward into the Assynt mountains. Stop to view Ardvreck Castle before reaching Ullapool for a free evening in this scenic fishing village.
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Day 9
Culloden Battlefield & Clava Cairns
Head south to Corrieshalloch Gorge and enjoy a brief forest walk to see the River Droma as it plunges 60 metres into the dramatic gorge. Continue through lochs and mountain ridges to Culloden Battlefield, where the Jacobite Rising met its tragic conclusion.
Explore Clava Cairns, a prehistoric site featured in Outlander, then journey through the Cairngorms to Newtonmore's Highland Folk Museum. Pause in Dunkeld to discover its cathedral and picturesque streets before returning to Edinburgh across the Forth Rail Bridge.
What's Included
Accommodation
- 8 nights en-suite accommodation with breakfast
What should I expect from a B&B?
B&Bs are traditionally small family owned and run properties offering a handful of guest rooms. They are usually residential properties, so they tend to be located on the outskirts of towns and you should be prepared for a 20–30 minute walk to local facilities like pubs and restaurants.
It's unusual for a B&B to offer any additional services like concierge, porterage, evening meals or room-service. Wi-fi is usually, but not always available and it's worth bearing in mind that access can be unreliable in more remote locations.
If you have difficulty with stairs, please request a ground-floor room (subject to availability, upon request only) as lifts will not be available in this type of property.
Guide & Admissions
- Expert local driver-guide throughout
- Maeshowe – admission included
- Skara Brae – admission included
- Culloden Battlefield – admission to museum and battlefield included
Meals
- 8 breakfasts
Transport
- Luxury 16-seat mini-coach throughout
- Passengers are entitled to 1 piece of checked luggage (20 kg / 44 lbs). Checked luggage will be stowed in the luggage compartment and is not accessible until drop-off.
Not Included
- International flights
- Travel insurance
- Arrival & departure transfers
- Food and drinks
- Entry fees to visitor attractions unless specified
- Other activities and services not listed under Included
- Optional excursion to Staffa and Fingal's Cave (extra charge, subject to availability)
Additional Information
- You will receive an e-ticket for this tour.
- This tour operates year-round, subject to availability.
- The optional small-boat excursion to Staffa and Fingal's Cave on Day 2 carries an additional charge and is subject to availability. Please request in advance.
- Tour reference code: 323583
Dates & Availability
Frequently Asked Questions
The tour includes 8 nights en-suite B&B accommodation with daily breakfast, admission to Maeshowe, Skara Brae, and Culloden Battlefield and Museum, and transportation by luxury 16-seat mini-coach with an expert local driver-guide throughout.
The tour starts and ends in Edinburgh. You depart from Edinburgh on Day 1 and return to Edinburgh on Day 9, crossing the iconic Forth Rail Bridge on the way back.
Nights 1 and 2 are in Oban, nights 3 and 4 are in Balmacara, night 5 is in Inverness, nights 6 and 7 are in Kirkwall on the Orkney Islands, and night 8 is in Ullapool. All accommodation is B&B en-suite with daily breakfast included.
Iona is the birthplace of Celtic Christianity and the burial ground of ancient Scottish kings. On Day 2 you cross by ferry from Oban to Mull, then take a further short ferry to Iona, where you'll have free time to explore the historic abbey with its intricately carved crosses, and roam the island's rocky coastline and peaceful beaches.
Yes, but as an optional extra. On Day 2 you can choose to join a small-boat excursion to Staffa, known for its dramatic basalt columns and the legendary Fingal's Cave — immortalised by Mendelssohn's Hebridean Overture. This excursion carries an additional charge and is subject to availability. Please request in advance.
Admission to three significant sites is included: Maeshowe (a 5,000-year-old chambered tomb on Orkney famous for its Viking runes), Skara Brae (one of Europe's best-preserved prehistoric villages), and Culloden Battlefield and Museum.
On Day 6 the tour travels to Gills Bay near John O'Groats and boards a ferry across the Pentland Firth to St Margaret's Hope on Orkney. The return crossing takes place on Day 8 from St Margaret's Hope back to the mainland.
Clava Cairns is a prehistoric burial site near Inverness consisting of beautifully preserved Bronze Age cairns and standing stones dating back around 4,000 years. It is famous as an inspiration for the standing stones in the Outlander TV series and novels, and is visited on Day 9.
The tour starts from US $2,606 per person, reduced from the standard price of US $4,825 — a saving of 46%. Price may vary by departure date.