The Great Scottish Road & Orkney Isles

From a morning pickup in your local area, we travel by coach to our overnight hotel, where we stay on a bed and breakfast basis.

After breakfast, we take a scenic drive along the shores of Loch Lomond. Known as the Queen of the Scottish Lochs, it’s the perfect introduction to Scotland’s beauty with its calming waters framed by wooded glens and undulating verdant hills, situated amidst one of Scotland’s most idyllic and unspoilt areas in the Trossachs National Park. We journey up to Glencoe, a breathtaking valley in the Scottish Highlands that offers one of the most stunning drives in the UK, and continue onwards to Fort William. There’s time for lunch (not included) and a wander through this picturesque town, which sits in the shadow of mighty Ben Nevis, and then another memorable drive awaits along the Great Glen. If you were to imagine quintessential Scottish scenery then this 62-mile glen would encapsulate it perfectly, set against dramatic mountains and dotted with relics of the past – be sure to get your cameras at the ready! We make a brief stop at the famous Eilean Donan Castle, a medieval fortress perched on a small island and a well-photographed site, with a fascinating history dating back to 634AD. Afterwards, the coach takes us to our hotel on the magical Isle of Skye, where we stay overnight.

This morning, we tour the enchanting Isle of Skye, admiring the landscapes on the way to the island’s lovely capital of Portree. Enjoy a local treat in one of the cafés, browse the little gift and book shops or simply soak up the scenes of the most iconic spot on the island, where the pretty natural harbour is fringed by multi-coloured buildings and striking cliffs. We then head northwards to the vast region of Wester Ross, journeying along the shores of Loch Maree, regarded as one of Scotland’s bonniest lochs and filled with mystical wooded islands that support many rare species of plant and birds. Our next stop is the fishing town of Ullapool, a top geological hotspot where significant discoveries were made about plate tectonics in the Victorian era. Nestled on the otherworldly shores of Lochbroom, there are lots of leisurely walking paths on offer plus a lovely art gallery showcasing local works and an informative museum with storied artefacts and collections on display. Finally, we make our way to our overnight hotel in Ullapool, where there’s free time to breathe in the fresh Highland air, marvel at the tranquil views and discover the quaint harbour.

Today makes up a large part of the North Coast 500, guaranteed to leave a lasting memory with its breathtaking scenery. Think mile upon mile of crumbling cliffs, rocky headlands, shimmering lochs, secluded bays and unspoilt white-sand beaches that rival those seen abroad. Along the way, we meander through Caithness, an awe-inspiring county with an incredible coastline, wild beaches a rich heritage and magnificent castles such as the Castle of Mey, previously a royal residence purchased by Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother. The landscapes of Sutherland await too, a rugged region with unspoilt vistas, unique wildlife and remote peatland which was granted UNESCO World Heritage status in 2024 after a 40-year campaign. We’re shown how there are many different elements to spectacular Scotland and why this stretch of road is one of the most famous touring routes in the world. Later, we check in to our hotel in either Thurso (April and July) or Wick (October), where we stay for the next two nights.

We catch the ferry to St Margaret’s and spend a magical day exploring the Orkney Isles with an experienced guide. Firstly, we cross the Churchill Barriers, four causeways which were built as naval defences after the sinking of HMS Royal Oak in 1939, but now a vital link between the islands. Our destination is the dramatic white beach of the Bay of Skaill to discover the stone-built, Neolithic settlement, Skara Brae. Once a thriving village long before the creation of Stonehenge or the Egyptian pyramids, this incredible prehistoric village consists of ten stone structures and is one of the best-preserved settlements in Western Europe. Originally uncovered by a storm in 1850, it features nine houses and ‘furniture’ made 5,000 years ago, with further items such as a gaming dice and jewellery on display in the visitor centre. Next is another Neolithic treasure, the Stones of Stenness or as they are otherwise known, the Ring of Brodgar. This massive stone circle is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is an amazing sight to behold, dating back to the 3rd millennium BC! Originally consisting of 60 stones, an impressive 36 still remain, as well as 13 prehistoric burial mounds – it’s fascinating to imagine our ancient ancestors here.

Our tour continues at the ornate Italian Chapel, built using two Nissen huts by Domenico Chiocchetti and his fellow prisoners of war (who were originally brought to Orkney to create the Churchill Barriers). It is largely considered as a significant symbol of reconciliation and after some time to admire the intricate interiors, we continue to Kirkwall. As the largest town in Orkney, there is plenty to see, from St Magnus Cathedral, known as the Light in the North and gifted to Orkney by James III, to Orkney Museum, which charts the early Iron Age to the Vikings and beyond. There are also plenty of unique shops and eateries serving up fresh seafood here.

After checking out of our hotel, we board the coach and begin our journey southwards, staying overnight at Glasgow Airport.

After checking out of the hotel, we board the coach for our journey home.

We fly to Glasgow airport and head to our nearby overnight hotel.

After breakfast, we take a scenic drive along the shores of Loch Lomond. Known as the Queen of the Scottish Lochs, it’s the perfect introduction to Scotland’s beauty with its calming waters framed by wooded glens and undulating verdant hills, situated amidst one of Scotland’s most idyllic and unspoilt areas in the Trossachs National Park. We journey up to Glencoe, a breathtaking valley in the Scottish Highlands that offers one of the most stunning drives in the UK, and continue onwards to Fort William. There’s time for lunch (not included) and a wander through this picturesque town, which sits in the shadow of mighty Ben Nevis, and then another memorable drive awaits along the Great Glen. If you were to imagine quintessential Scottish scenery then this 62-mile glen would encapsulate it perfectly, set against dramatic mountains and dotted with relics of the past – be sure to get your cameras at the ready! We make a brief stop at the famous Eilean Donan Castle, a medieval fortress perched on a small island and a well-photographed site, with a fascinating history dating back to 634AD. Afterwards, the coach takes us to our hotel on the magical Isle of Skye, where we stay overnight.

This morning, we tour the enchanting Isle of Skye, admiring the landscapes on the way to the island’s lovely capital of Portree. Enjoy a local treat in one of the cafés, browse the little gift and book shops or simply soak up the scenes of the most iconic spot on the island, where the pretty natural harbour is fringed by multi-coloured buildings and striking cliffs. We then head northwards to the vast region of Wester Ross, journeying along the shores of Loch Maree, regarded as one of Scotland’s bonniest lochs and filled with mystical wooded islands that support many rare species of plant and birds. Our next stop is the fishing town of Ullapool, a top geological hotspot where significant discoveries were made about plate tectonics in the Victorian era. Nestled on the otherworldly shores of Lochbroom, there are lots of leisurely walking paths on offer plus a lovely art gallery showcasing local works and an informative museum with storied artefacts and collections on display. Finally, we make our way to our overnight hotel in Ullapool, where there’s free time to breathe in the fresh Highland air, marvel at the tranquil views and discover the quaint harbour.

Today makes up a large part of the North Coast 500, guaranteed to leave a lasting memory with its breathtaking scenery. Think mile upon mile of crumbling cliffs, rocky headlands, shimmering lochs, secluded bays and unspoilt white-sand beaches that rival those seen abroad. Along the way, we meander through Caithness, an awe-inspiring county with an incredible coastline, wild beaches a rich heritage and magnificent castles such as the Castle of Mey, previously a royal residence purchased by Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother. The landscapes of Sutherland await too, a rugged region with unspoilt vistas, unique wildlife and remote peatland which was granted UNESCO World Heritage status in 2024 after a 40-year campaign. We’re shown how there are many different elements to spectacular Scotland and why this stretch of road is one of the most famous touring routes in the world. Later, we check in to our hotel in either Thurso (April and July) or Wick (October), where we stay for the next two nights.

We catch the ferry to St Margaret’s and spend a magical day exploring the Orkney Isles with an experienced guide. Firstly, we cross the Churchill Barriers, four causeways which were built as naval defences after the sinking of HMS Royal Oak in 1939, but now a vital link between the islands. Our destination is the dramatic white beach of the Bay of Skaill to discover the stone-built, Neolithic settlement, Skara Brae. Once a thriving village long before the creation of Stonehenge or the Egyptian pyramids, this incredible prehistoric village consists of ten stone structures and is one of the best-preserved settlements in Western Europe. Originally uncovered by a storm in 1850, it features nine houses and ‘furniture’ made 5,000 years ago, with further items such as a gaming dice and jewellery on display in the visitor centre. Next is another Neolithic treasure, the Stones of Stenness or as they are otherwise known, the Ring of Brodgar. This massive stone circle is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is an amazing sight to behold, dating back to the 3rd millennium BC! Originally consisting of 60 stones, an impressive 36 still remain, as well as 13 prehistoric burial mounds – it’s fascinating to imagine our ancient ancestors here.

Our tour continues at the ornate Italian Chapel, built using two Nissen huts by Domenico Chiocchetti and his fellow prisoners of war (who were originally brought to Orkney to create the Churchill Barriers). It is largely considered as a significant symbol of reconciliation and after some time to admire the intricate interiors, we continue to Kirkwall. As the largest town in Orkney, there is plenty to see, from St Magnus Cathedral, known as the Light in the North and gifted to Orkney by James III, to Orkney Museum, which charts the early Iron Age to the Vikings and beyond. There are also plenty of unique shops and eateries serving up fresh seafood here.

After checking out of our hotel, we board the coach and begin our journey southwards, staying overnight at Glasgow Airport.

After checking out of the hotel, we board the coach for our journey home.