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

Orkney is the star here: a windswept island world where 5,000-year-old stone circles sit beside Viking sites and a moving Second World War chapel. This five-day trip links those ancient places with the Highlands, Loch Ness, Glencoe, Culloden, and the far North Coast without asking you to plan every ferry, bed, or road.

I like the small 16-seat coach, which can reach quiet viewpoints that big buses cannot, and I like the three important admissions included: Skara Brae, Maeshowe, and Culloden Battlefield. The possible drawback is the pace. You cover huge distances, and some visits, especially Culloden and the northern Highlands, can feel brief.

Key things to know before booking

• Orkney’s prehistoric sites are the main event: Skara Brae, the Ring of Brodgar, and Maeshowe give you three very different views of ancient Orkney.
• The route is scenic but demanding: Expect long coach days, ferry crossings, regular stops, and plenty of time on winding roads.
• Your group is capped at 16 people: The Mercedes mini-coach feels more personal than a large sightseeing bus.
• Guides shape the experience: Mac, Martin, Kelly, Karen, Jodie, Keith, and others have been praised for stories, humor, local knowledge, and good music.
• Accommodation choice matters: Hotels are usually more central, while B&Bs can sit 20 to 30 minutes on foot from pubs and restaurants.
• Pack light and dress for wind: Your luggage limit is 20 kilograms, and Orkney weather can turn blustery even in spring.

Edinburgh to Loch Ness through Scotland’s dramatic west

You meet at Edinburgh Bus Station at 8:30 a.m. and leave the city behind on a route packed with Scottish landmarks. Stirling Castle, the Wallace Monument, and Doune Castle appear along the way, followed by a refreshment stop in Callander.

Then the road enters the Highlands. Loch Lubnaig, Loch Earn, Glen Ogle, and Glen Dochart provide the kind of changing scenery that makes the coach ride part of the attraction rather than dead time. Your guide drives and narrates, so you can watch the hills without worrying about directions.

The first day continues through Glencoe and up the Great Glen to Loch Ness. You have about an hour there, enough for views, a stretch of the legs, and a chance to look across the 23-mile loch for its famously elusive monster.

I especially like this opening day because it gives you Highland context before Orkney. The drawback is distance. You see many places from the road, with only a handful of longer stops, so this is not the right trip if you want extended castle visits or long hikes.

Dunrobin, John o’ Groats, and the ferry to Orkney

Day two heads north from Inverness across the Black Isle toward Dunrobin Castle. The castle stop lasts about 10 minutes and is mainly for photographs. The path toward the front is steep, so it may be awkward if you have difficulty walking or prefer a slower visit.

That short stop is worth understanding before you book. You do not get a full castle admission here, and the tour does not promise a garden visit. The value comes from seeing the building and the northeast coast without spending half a day on one attraction.

At John o’ Groats, you have roughly 20 minutes to take in the famous mainland viewpoint and stretch your legs. From there, the coach continues to Gills Bay for the ferry across the Pentland Firth.

The crossing is a useful change of pace. You leave the mainland road behind and enter the Orkney archipelago, a group of about 70 islands with a strong Norse past and a sparse, open feel. Keep a coat handy. Even when the mainland seems mild, the islands can be windy.

The first Orkney stop is the Italian Chapel on Lamb Holm. Italian prisoners of war built the chapel during the Second World War, and its story gives the island’s ancient monuments a more recent human dimension. Afterward, you continue to Kirkwall, Orkney’s capital, where you spend two nights.

Your evening is free. You can explore the winding streets, see the outside of the magnificent Viking cathedral, and arrange dinner on your own. Restaurants and private activities can fill up, so I would reserve important meals or excursions ahead of time rather than leave everything until arrival.

Skara Brae and the Stone Age heart of Orkney

Day three is the tour’s strongest day for archaeology. You begin at Skara Brae, a remarkably preserved Neolithic village dating back about 5,000 years. Stone-built homes, passageways, and household spaces make the site feel unusually personal. You are not simply looking at scattered stones. You can see how people arranged daily life long before the pyramids.

The visit lasts about an hour, and admission is included. Wear shoes with a good grip and bring waterproof clothing, since the coastal setting can be exposed and the paths may be wet.

Next comes the Ring of Brodgar, one of the world’s notable stone circles. It dates from roughly 2,500 to 2,000 BC and originally held 60 stones. About 27 remain, arranged in a true circle 104 meters wide.

You have around 30 minutes here. That is enough to walk near the ring and take photographs, but not enough for a long wander across the surrounding area. I find the short visit a fair trade because the day also includes Maeshowe, but anyone fascinated by prehistoric monuments may wish for extra time.

Maeshowe is a chambered cairn with a later Viking connection. Norse visitors carved one of the largest collections of runic inscriptions here in the 12th century. The included visit lasts about an hour, and tickets are reserved in advance.

The contrast between the sites makes this day work so well. Skara Brae shows a settlement, the Ring of Brodgar shows ceremonial scale, and Maeshowe brings you into a stone chamber with Viking writing. You get a compact lesson in several thousand years of Orkney’s past.

Leaving Orkney for the wild North Coast

After a relaxed start on day four, you take the ferry back to the mainland. The route then crosses the top of Scotland, passing Ben Loyal and Ben Hope, rocky cliffs, and golden beaches.

This is one of the most scenic stretches of the trip, but it is also one of the longest coach days. You spend much of it looking through the windows, with stops chosen for viewpoints and short walks rather than major indoor attractions.

At Ardvreck Castle, you have about 30 minutes to view the 15th-century ruins in the Assynt wilderness. The setting matters as much as the stonework. The castle sits beside a remote stretch of water and mountains, giving you a strong sense of how isolated the northwest can feel.

The day ends in Ullapool, a whitewashed fishing village at the mouth of Loch Broom. You spend your final night here. It is a pleasant base, but accommodation standards can vary more than the scenery. Some stays have been praised for comfort and breakfast, while one Ullapool property was criticized for tired fixtures and bathroom maintenance. If a reliable room standard matters greatly to you, select the hotel option where available and raise any mobility or room concerns at booking.

Culloden, Clava Cairns, and the road back to Edinburgh

Day five returns south through Inverness country. Culloden Battlefield is the key stop, with about 45 minutes and admission included.

The battlefield marks the final Jacobite Rising and the last major pitched battle fought on British soil. The site can be emotionally heavy, and the museum adds useful context about the battle and its aftermath. Forty-five minutes gives you a meaningful introduction, but not a leisurely museum visit. If Culloden is a central reason for your trip, you may wish you had longer.

A short drive brings you to Clava Cairns, an ancient group of standing stones and burial monuments made familiar by Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander books. You have about 30 minutes, enough to see the stones and absorb the atmosphere.

The final drive passes through the ancient Caledonian Pine Forest and along the Cairngorm range. Lunch comes in the countryside, followed by the Big Tree country of Perthshire and the Kingdom of Fife before the return to Edinburgh.

The tour ends back at the original bus station meeting point. You should not schedule a tight onward connection, since road and ferry conditions can affect the day.

What the 16-seat coach is really like

The Mercedes mini-coach is a major advantage over a standard large bus. With a maximum of 16 people, the guide can keep the group together more easily, and the vehicle can stop at smaller viewpoints. Several groups have also been smaller than the maximum, leaving extra room on board.

The trade-off is that you sit in a compact vehicle for long stretches. There is no restroom on board, though regular breaks are built into the route. The coach has three steps, each about 150 millimeters high, with grab handles and non-slip, marked treads.

A folding wheelchair or walking frame can be stored, but the vehicle is not wheelchair accessible. You need to get on and off independently or with help from your companion, since guides cannot provide physical assistance.

The luggage limit is 20 kilograms per person, consisting of one medium suitcase or rucksack plus a small personal bag. I would pack a soft-sided bag if possible. You will want room for a waterproof jacket, warm layers, walking shoes, and items you need during the day.

Guides, storytelling, and the human side of the trip

The driver-guide can make or break a road tour, and this program puts that person at the center of your experience. Guides named Mac, Martin, Kelly, Chris, Jim, Willie, Don, Sean, Kevin, Jodie, Iain Murray, Karen Marr, Nick, Michael, David, James, Keith, and others have been praised for history, clan stories, local legends, humor, music, and practical help.

That variety matters because the days involve many hours on the road. A good guide turns the drive through Glencoe or Assynt into part of the lesson, points out film locations, suggests places to eat, and adjusts the rhythm when time allows.

You should also expect a full schedule rather than a passive bus ride. The days include walking between archaeological sites, climbing coach steps, crossing ferries, and handling changing weather. Most people can participate, and the minimum age is five, but children and older adults should be comfortable with long days and uneven outdoor stops.

Accommodation, meals, and the real price

The listed price is $1,454.57 per person. That includes four nights in a B&B, guesthouse, or three-star hotel, four breakfasts, transport, the driver-guide, the ferry travel, and admissions to Skara Brae, Maeshowe, and Culloden Battlefield.

Lunches, dinners, snacks, and optional admissions are extra. This matters in Kirkwall and Ullapool, where you may want to budget for restaurant meals and perhaps taxis if your B&B is outside the center.

I consider the price fair for the amount of ground covered and the logistics involved. You are paying for a ready-made route through remote northern Scotland, reserved archaeology tickets, accommodation, and a small vehicle. A self-drive trip could offer more freedom, but you would also handle ferry timing, unfamiliar roads, parking, restaurant planning, and several one-way hotel bookings.

Choose between a B&B or three-star hotel when you book. B&Bs may be welcoming and include good breakfasts, but they are often on the outskirts and can mean a 20 to 30 minute walk to pubs or restaurants. Hotels tend to be more central, though not always directly beside the evening action.

Tell the operator about stair concerns before booking. Lifts may not be available at B&Bs, while hotel ground-floor or lift-access rooms may be possible if requested.

Weather, walking, and how to prepare

Scotland’s northern weather rewards flexibility. You might get clear views, rain, strong wind, or several conditions in one day. A waterproof outer layer, warm sweater, hat, and sturdy walking shoes are more useful than an optimistic forecast.

The tour does not require strenuous hiking, but it does involve regular short walks, outdoor ruins, stone circles, and steps onto the coach. You should have enough stamina for active sightseeing after several hours of driving.

The itinerary changes slightly between October 24, 2025 and March 31, 2026, when the Highland Folk Museum will not be visited on day five. More time will be spent at other stops instead. Check the exact seasonal plan before booking if that museum matters to you.

Should you book this Orkney tour?

Book it if you want Orkney’s major prehistoric sites but do not want to drive, arrange ferries, or find accommodation across northern Scotland. It is especially good for people who enjoy archaeology, Highland scenery, local stories, and a friendly small-group setting.

Think twice if you need slow sightseeing, spacious transport, guaranteed central lodging, or long visits at every museum. The route is ambitious, and you will spend plenty of time on the road.

For most people, I would choose the hotel option, arrive early at Edinburgh Bus Station, pack light, reserve dinners, and treat the coach days as part of the experience. If Skara Brae, Maeshowe, the Italian Chapel, and Culloden all appeal to you, this is an efficient and memorable way to connect them.

FAQ

Where does the tour depart from?

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

How early should I arrive?

Check-in closes 15 minutes before departure, and the coach leaves on time. Plan to arrive well before 8:15 a.m.

How much luggage can I bring?

You may bring up to 20 kilograms, or 44 pounds, per person. This includes one medium suitcase or rucksack and a small onboard personal bag.

What accommodation is provided?

You receive four nights in either a B&B, guesthouse, or three-star hotel, with a choice between B&B and hotel accommodation made during booking. The route includes nights in Inverness, two nights in Kirkwall, and one night in Ullapool.

Which admissions are included?

Admission to Skara Brae, Maeshowe Chambered Cairn, and Culloden Battlefield is included. Other admissions and optional activities are not included unless specifically stated.

Is the tour suitable for children?

The minimum age is five. Children aged five or older but under 1.35 meters may need a booster seat, which should be requested in the special requirements section.

Is the coach wheelchair accessible?

No. A folding wheelchair or walking frame can be stored, but you must be able to board and leave the coach independently or with help from your companion.

Are there restrooms on the coach?

No. The coach has no restroom, but the group makes regular stops for restroom breaks during the journey.