The Great Scottish Road & Orkney Isles - Birmingham

Join us on an unforgettable Scottish adventure and discover a land bursting with legendary tales and breathtaking scenery that lives long in the imagination. We tick off iconic must-see spots such as beautiful Loch Lomond, magnificent Glencoe and the magical Isle of Skye before journeying further afield to the Orkney Isles, home to fascinating Neolithic sites, unique wildlife and incredibly unspoilt beaches that feel like a world away from the mainland. During our enchanting tour we also weave along the famous North Coast 500, one of the most stunning routes in the world and renowned for its wild coastline, awe-inspiring vistas and cultural heritage - it's the perfect way to experience a real flavour of bonnie Scotland!What's Included?
Includes- Return flights to Glasgow- Airport taxes & luggage allowance (one piece of checked-in hold luggage per person)- First & last night at a selected hotel, Glasgow Airport (JG3 rating) with breakfast- 1 night at the Dunollie Hotel, Isle of Skye (JG3 rating) with dinner & breakfast- 1 night at the Gairloch Hotel, Gairloch Bay (JG3 rating) with dinner & breakfast- 2 nights at the Pentland Hotel, Thurso (JG3 rating) with dinner & breakfast- 1 lunch at a local restaurant- Scenic drives along Loch Lomond, the Great Glen & North Coast 500- Excursions to Glencoe, Fortwilliam, Portree, Loch Maree, Ullapool, Caithness, Sutherland, Inverness & Pitlochry- Isle of Skye tour- Orkney Isles tour (St Margaret's, Churchill Barriers, Scara Brae, Ring of Brodgar, the Italian Chapel & Kirkwall) with ferry crossings & an experienced guide- Photo stop at Eilean Donan Castle

Itinerary
ItineraryDay 1 - Flight to GlasgowWe fly to Glasgow airport and head to our nearby overnight hotel.Day 2 - West Highlands & travel to SkyeAfter 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 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 the Dunollie Hotel on the magical Isle of Skye, where we stay overnight.Day 3 - Isle of Skye, Loch Maree & UllapoolThis 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 Gairloch, where there's free time to breathe in the fresh Highland air, marvel at the tranquil views and discover the quaint harbour.Day 4 - Caithness & Sutherland on Route 500Today 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.Day 5 - The Orkney IslesWe 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.Day 6 - Inverness & PitlochryToday we enjoy another unforgettable drive, as the coastal road to Inverness passes many interesting places, including the traditional village of Helmsdale, the stunning Brora Beach and the fairytale Dunrobin Castle, a magnificent fortress that resembles a French château and one of Britain's oldest continuously inhabited houses. Once we reach Inverness, we have some time to explore the capital of the Highlands. This vibrant city is full of historic buildings, particularly in the Old Town, with Inverness Castle perched picturesquely above the River Ness. There's also the chance to find out more about the Highland's heritage and way of life at the Inverness Museum and Art Gallery, while the ancient cathedral, botanic gardens and Victorian Market are worth a visit too. For our last excursion, we head to Pitlochry, famous for its Scottish hospitality, fascinating clan heritage, historic distilleries and quaint tearooms, all set against a beautiful backdrop of rolling hills and picturesque woodland. We then continue to Glasgow Airport, where we stay overnight on a bed and breakfast basis.Day 7 - Journey homeAfter checking out of the hotel, we take a short walk to Glasgow airport for our return flight home.

Hotel
Dunollie Hotel, Isle of SkyeJG3 ratingSet by the tranquil Broadford Bay against a spectacular mountainous backdrop, the Dunollie Hotel is an ideal base for exploring the Isle of Skye. The hotel offers comfortable bedrooms with tea and coffee-making facilities, a flat-screen TV and free W-Fi plus a restaurant, lounge and bar (the perfect place to try a wee dram of Drambuie - legend has it that this is the site where Bonnie Prince Charlie gave the liquor recipe to Clan MacKinnon).Gairloch Hotel, Gairloch BayJG3 ratingNestled amidst stunning scenery beside Gairloch Bay, the Gairloch Hotel boasts peaceful views of unspoilt beaches and the Isle of Skye's beautiful landscapes. You can expect a restaurant, bar and en-suite bedrooms with tea and coffee-making facilities, a TV, hairdryer and free Wi-Fi.Pentland Hotel, ThursoJG3 ratingThe Pentland Hotel is located in the heart of Thurso and offers a lounge bar, foyer with a cosy fireplace and a restaurant that serves local produce. The bedrooms feature tea and coffee-making facilities, Freeview TV, hairdryer, complimentary toiletries, free Wi-Fi.Selected hotel, Glasgow AirportJG3 ratingOn the first and last night of our tour, we'll also stay at a selected hotel at Glasgow Airport (JG3 rating). The comfortable rooms are en suite and other facilities include a bar and restaurant.Your en-route overnight hotel will be confirmed approximately 3 weeks before departure, therefore we cannot guarantee that the hotel will have a lift and/or ground floor rooms and may be unsuitable for those with limited mobility.Hotel RatingJG3 ratingHotels with a JG3 rating tend to be a more formal style of hotel, often part of a hotel chain, or are very-welcoming family-owned properties. Generally, they offer a greater range of facilities and services, and bedrooms tend to be a little more spacious with additional features. Public areas are larger and include lounge seating, bar and restaurant with good quality food served either buffet style or waiter service.