5 Day Orkney Islands and North Coast 500 Tour from Edinburgh

A five-day Scotland trip, built around awe. This tour strings together the best of the Highlands, the Orkney Islands, and the North Coast 500 with guided walks and major ancient sites.

I especially like the balance of big-name stops and real hands-on history, with plenty of time to wander towns at your own pace.

One thing to plan for: several top sights cost extra, and the days involve a lot of getting in and out of the van, plus some tight or crouchy moments in Orkney.

Key highlights worth writing down

• Stenness and the Ring of Brodgar are included, so you hit the core stone circle experience without extra ticket pressure.
• Orkney history is front and center, from Viking Kirkwall to Neolithic monuments like Maeshowe, Standing Stones of Stenness, and Skara Brae.
• North Coast 500 driving day gives you dramatic coastal views on the way north, not just at the end of the trip.
• Whisky stops are part learning, part tasting, with Dalwhinnie and Scapa Distillery on the route (tours cost extra).
• Small group size (max 16) makes it easier to ask questions and keep a slower, more thoughtful pace when you’re on foot.

A 5-day loop from Edinburgh to Orkney, then back via the Highlands

This isn’t a single-island hop. It’s a full circuit: you leave Edinburgh, sweep through the Cairngorms and Inverness, drive a gorgeous chunk of the North Coast 500, then cross to Orkney for a two-night base in Kirkwall. After that, you return via the mainland and stack in Loch Ness, Glencoe, and Loch Lomond before heading back toward Edinburgh.

The value here comes from how much ground you cover in five days without turning it into a nonstop sprint. The route is packed, but the tour builds short walking blocks and guided moments into the day plan, so you get more than just a drive-by photo session.

And you do get time to breathe. You’re not trapped in every stop with no breathing room. You’ll have room to explore Inverness and Kirkwall on your own, which matters because these towns are part of the feel of the trip.

Day 1: Cairngorms National Park, Culloden, Clava Cairns, and Dalwhinnie whisky

Day 1 sets the tone with classic Scotland history and scenery, then ends in Highland spirit mode.

You start in the Cairngorms National Park with a guided woodland walk. It’s the kind of short hike that works even if you’re not an outdoors superperson, and it helps you reset your brain after travel days. The woodland setting also gives you a practical intro to how the Highlands can feel greener and calmer than people expect.

Next up is Culloden Battlefield. You’ll explore the area tied to the Jacobite uprising and the dramatic aftermath involving Bonnie Prince Charlie. The visitor center is not included, but the battlefield itself is described as visitable without paying that center admission. That’s a helpful detail for budgeting, since the battlefield is already the main emotional anchor of the stop.

After that, you get free time in Inverness. I like this kind of break because Inverness is where you can grab lunch, refill water, and walk off that day-one stiffness. You’re not forced into a rushed schedule for every minute.

Then comes Clava Cairns, a prehistoric burial site with standing stones dating back over 4,000 years. This stop is short, but it’s a strong preview for what comes later in Orkney, where the ancient stone sites are the headline.

You finish with a stop in Aviemore for lunch, then end with Dalwhinnie Distillery. Even if you skip the paid tasting, the distillery shop can be a nice last-minute gift stop.

Practical note: this is a day where you should expect “quick but meaningful” pacing. You’ll move, but you’re not just watching from a window.

Day 2: North Coast 500 to Kirkwall, plus an Italian Chapel and Scapa whisky

Day 2 is your big travel day to Orkney, and it’s not just about transportation. You ride a gorgeous section of the North Coast 500 starting from Inverness and stopping along the way.

One easy win here is the coastal walking stop at Latheronwheel Harbor, built around views of cliffs and sea. It’s short, but it’s the kind of break that makes a long drive feel like part of the experience.

Then you visit the Italian Chapel, a World War II prisoner-of-war chapel built by Italian prisoners. This is the rare historical stop that feels personal and human, not distant. It’s also the kind of site where you can stand quietly for a while and let the details hit.

After that, you head to Scapa Distillery for a tour option. The tour itself is not included, but it’s scheduled for a longer block of time than the quick shop stops, so you actually get a sense of how whisky production works. If you do go for the paid distillery fee, it’s one of the best “learn something real” add-ons on the trip.

Finally, you end in Kirkwall, the capital of Orkney, where you spend the next two nights. The tour gives you time to wander quiet streets, local shops, and cafes. I like this because Orkney has a distinct rhythm. Spending nights there instead of doing a day-trip makes the trip feel less like a checklist.

Day 3: Viking Kirkwall and Orkney’s Neolithic giants, Stenness through Skara Brae

Day 3 is the heart of the Orkney story. If ancient sites are what you came for, this is where the trip earns its keep.

You start in Kirkwall with a guided visit tied to the Viking town feel and the chance to see St Magnus Cathedral. Even without going deep into architecture, the location and the setting help you understand why Kirkwall matters historically.

Then it’s on to Maeshowe Chambered Cairn, an ancient monument around 5,000 years old with an expert guided approach. This is a major ticketed site on this tour, but it’s also one of the most clearly defined “expert-led” experiences on the itinerary. If you want the explanation behind the stones, this is where that matters.

Next you visit the Standing Stones of Stenness. This is included, and it’s one of the big reasons to pick this specific tour version. Stenness is dramatic in scale and age, and it also tees up how Ring of Brodgar fits into the bigger stone-circle landscape.

You also get a chance to see small groups of ancient building foundations from the same period. That little detail is important because it moves you from “big stones” to “people lived here,” which is the leap that makes the site feel more real.

After that, you head to Ring of Brodgar, another major stone circle included on the tour. This is one of those places where the setting does a lot of the talking. The circle is huge, but the bigger value is the guided framing that connects it to what you already saw.

The day ends with Skara Brae, where you can walk through preserved homes from more than 5,000 years ago. Skara Brae is not included ticket-wise, but if you’re choosing only one extra ticket in Orkney, this is a strong candidate. It’s where history shifts from monument to everyday life.

Day 3 has a clear theme: scale, age, and human stories. If you love archaeology, it can be hard to top.

Day 4: From St Margaret’s Hope back to the mainland, Camster caves-on-your-hands-knees, and Dunrobin

Day 4 begins with St Margaret’s Hope, where you take a ferry back across the sea to the mainland. That crossing matters because it resets the pace. You’re not just “back on the bus,” you’ve actually completed the island portion.

Next you stop in John O’Groats for a quick walk and photos with the famous finger post at Scotland’s most northern mainland settlement. This is short and classic, so don’t expect a deep visit, but it’s fun if you like marking geographic extremes.

Then comes Grey Cairns of Camster, an ancient burial ground where you may get the chance to crawl on your hands and knees into the center of the cairn. This is a great stop for curiosity, but it is also a consideration. If you have mobility issues or claustrophobia, take it seriously. The tour explicitly notes good mobility is needed for the crawl.

You then head back toward Inverness for an evening stay, and later add stops for coastal ruins and a big castle garden option.

One of the more scenic moments is Castle Sinclair Girnigoe, the ruins of a 16th-century fortress with coast views. It’s not a museum style stop. It’s about standing in the right place and letting the ocean-air setting do some of the work.

The day concludes with Dunrobin Castle and Gardens. This is not included ticket-wise, but it’s a classic add-on: a castle that reads like a fairytale from a distance, plus gardens with coastline views. If you’re a gardens person, this is worth considering.

Day 5: Loch Ness, Glencoe, Loch Lomond, and the long scenic return

Day 5 starts with Loch Ness and a chance to spot Nessie during a Loch Ness Cruise. The cruise itself costs extra, and the tour description makes it clear the entry is not included. Even if you don’t care about cryptids, this still serves as a structured time block on the water.

After that, you visit Glencoe, one of Scotland’s most dramatic valleys. You’ll have a guided visit time block, short enough to stay energized, long enough to absorb why people talk about Glencoe the way they do. This is also a good day to bring layers. In Scotland, weather changes can happen quickly.

You then stop in Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park for a few scenic look points and a bit of wildlife and culture context. This is not described as a hike-heavy day, so it works well if you want views without a big walking commitment.

Finally, you travel through the Scottish Highlands for about four hours on the way back. This part turns the final day into a “return with reflection” vibe, because you’ve already done the stone sites, the island crossing, and the whisky stops. You can just enjoy the drive and watch the scenery shift.

What the pacing and small group size feel like

This tour keeps its group small, max 16 travelers, which matters more than you might think on a multi-day route. When a group is that size, you get quicker answers from your guide, and you’re more likely to be heard if you have questions about what you’re seeing.

The guided pieces matter too. You get guided short walks in the Highlands and on Orkney, plus guided visits to key archaeological stops like Maeshowe and the stone sites. In a trip full of ancient locations, having context is what stops it from turning into “just another pile of stones.”

From the tour’s guide experience, you may be with people like Calum and Karen, who are specifically praised for adding Scottish geography, history, and lore. Even if you don’t get those names on your specific departure, it signals the operator’s intent: guides are meant to make the places click, not just get you from A to B.

The trade-off is that you will keep moving. This is not a slow train-style vacation. Plan for long travel days and for the fact that you might have to wait your turn for photos at the most popular viewpoints.

Budgeting extras so you do not get surprised

The tour price covers a lot of movement and key included admissions, but several major attractions are paid on top. Here are the not-included items you should budget for, based on the tour details:

• Culloden Moor Visitor Center: approx £15 (battlefield visit is described as possible without paying that center)
• Dunrobin Castle: approx £15
• Whisky distillery fees: approx £22 (for stops like Scapa)
• Maeshowe Chambered Cairn: approx £11
• Skara Brae: approx £13
• Loch Ness Cruise: approx £15

Also plan for your own meals and snacks throughout. The tour does not include food, so bring a mindset of “buy when it makes sense.” On a route this long, you’ll be doing most meals in towns or around stops.

If you want a simple strategy: pick your top two paid add-ons in Orkney (Maeshowe and Skara Brae are the main ones here) and decide how much you care about Loch Ness cruise versus just the Loch views.

Price and value: is $928.87 worth it?

At $928.87 per person, the cost is not cheap. But for a five-day route that combines:

• Ferry travel to Orkney and back
• Included visits to Stenness and Ring of Brodgar
• Guided walking time in both Highland and Orkney areas
• A North Coast 500 day with multiple stops
• Several major included town and village orientation blocks

…you’re paying for logistics and guided access, not just scenery. The operator also caps the group at 16, which usually keeps costs higher but travel more pleasant.

Where you can feel the value most clearly is Orkney. Ferry transfers and getting to the sites efficiently is hard to DIY without adding stress. This route handles that planning for you and then anchors the day with top archaeological stops.

The only “value risk” is if you personally dislike paid ticket add-ons or if you need a low-walking pace every day. The tour does note it is not recommended for travelers with mobility or walking problems, and there is at least one stop (Grey Cairns of Camster) involving a crawl option. If you need comfort and space more than packed sightseeing, it may not fit.

Should you book this Orkney Islands and North Coast 500 tour from Edinburgh?

I’d book this tour if you want three things in one trip: Orkney’s ancient sites, a real run along the North Coast 500, and a Highlands route that does not leave you staring only at the horizon. This is especially good for archaeology lovers because the itinerary keeps putting stone age sites back-to-back, including Stenness, Ring of Brodgar, Maeshowe, and Skara Brae.

You should think twice if:

• You know you will not tolerate tight spaces or crawling (Grey Cairns of Camster is described as requiring good mobility and courage for cramped areas).
• You prefer minimal extra ticket spending. Several major stops are optional but priced as extras.
• You want a fully relaxed pace with fewer drives and fewer stops. This is sightseeing heavy, even with guided breaks.

If you’re the type who likes to understand places, not just photograph them, this tour is a strong fit. Bring layers, a flexible attitude, and a readiness for lots of “how is this still here after thousands of years?” moments.

FAQ

Where does the tour start in Edinburgh?

The start point is 256-260 Morrison St, Edinburgh EH3 8DT, UK.

What time does the tour begin?

The start time is 8:30 am.

How long is the tour?

The duration is 5 days (approximately).

What language is the tour offered in?

The tour is offered in English.

How big is the group?

The tour has a maximum of 16 travelers.

Is transportation to Orkney included?

Yes. Ferry to the Orkney Islands is included, and ferry to the mainland from the Orkney Islands is also included.

Which important Orkney sites are included without extra ticket fees?

The visit to the 5,000-year-old Standing Stones of Stenness and the Ring of Brodgar are included.

What costs extra during the trip?

Meals and snacks are not included. Several attractions are also listed as not included, including Culloden Moor Visitor Center (approx £15), Dunrobin Castle (approx £15), whisky distillery fees (approx £22), Maeshowe Chambered Cairn (approx £11), Skara Brae (approx £13), and a Loch Ness Cruise (approx £15).

Is the tour suitable for people with mobility or walking problems?

It is not recommended for travelers with mobility or walking problems. There is also a stop at Grey Cairns of Camster that notes good mobility is needed for a crawl into the cairn.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel up to 6 days in advance for a full refund. For a 50% refund, you must cancel 2-6 full days before the experience start time. If you cancel less than 2 full days before the start time, the amount paid will not be refunded.