Scottish Island Explorer

13 days
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Self-Guided / Independent Tour
So, you want to experience Scotland's stunning Highlands and Isles, but you also want to visit the storybook city of Edinburgh. You're probably thinking, How do I do both? We come to you with good news: this package is how! Enjoy three nights on your own in Edinburgh, then embark on a 9-night escorted tour up to the Highlands, the Isle of Skye, and the archip...
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$5,696
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Overview

Trip type
Self-Guided / Independent Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Highlights

    • Royal Edinburgh Ticket

What's this trip about?

    So, you want to experience Scotland's stunning Highlands and Isles, but you also want to visit the storybook city of Edinburgh. You're probably thinking, How do I do both? We come to you with good news: this package is how! Enjoy three nights on your own in Edinburgh, then embark on a 9-night escorted tour up to the Highlands, the Isle of Skye, and the archipelagos of Orkney and Hebrides! On this once-in-a-lifetime vacation, you won't ever stress about transportation. With included airport transfers and a full-time driver during your tour, you'll see all the nooks and crannies of Scotland the easy way. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the Scottish adventure of a lifetime! Your first night will be spent in the medieval city of Edinburgh. Sip on whiskey in a traditional pub, then rest up for your trek up north! The next morning, you'll meet your guide and embark to Inverness, your first stop. After an awesome night in the "capital of the Highlands," you'll hop on a ferry to the Orkney Archipelago, where you will stay in the Viking village of Kirkwall! Immerse yourself in ancient Norse culture and visit centuries-old castles, villages, and cathedrals.  From Kirkwall, you'll sail back to the mainland for your stay in spectacular Ullapool. Enjoy scenic drives through vast greenery, sparkling "lochs" (lakes), and sky-high mountain ranges. After a wonderful stay in the quaint village of Ullapool, you'll set sail for The Hebrides! Enjoy two nights in the colorful harbor-side town of Stornoway, then head to the majestic Isle of Skye. Feast your eyes on landscapes that come straight out of a fairytale, from the glistening waterfalls of Kilt Rock and the Fairy Pools to mossy rock structures near the Old Man of Storr and Quiraing. Stay in the picture-perfect town of Portree, filled with vibrant pubs and family-run restaurants. Back in Edinburgh, you'll have two nights to get to know the city. Stroll down colorful Victoria Street, visit Edinburgh Castle, climb Arthur's Seat, and feel like royalty in Holyrood Palace. Be sure to take advantage of your included tours in Edinburgh! 

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Details

Itinerary focusClassic Highlights
Group sizeIndependent
Age rangeNo age restrictions
Flights and transportRound trip airfare and all internal transport included
Start CityEdinburgh
End CityScotland

Travel Themes

  • Cultural

Destinations

  • Europe
  • United Kingdom
  • Scotland

Attractions

  • Edinburgh

Activities

  • Ruins & Archaeology

Trip includes

    • Round-trip economy class airfare to Edinburgh (EDI)
    • Private, round-trip airport transfers
    • 1 night in Edinburgh at the Ibis Edinburgh Centre South Bridge Hotel, or similar
    • 9-night guided tour including:* 1 night in Inverness at the Glen Mhor Hotel, or similar
    • 2 nights in Kirkwall at the Albert Hotel, or similar
    • 2 nights in Ullapool at the Royal Hotel, or similar
    • 2 nights in Stornoway at the Crown Hotel, or similar
    • 2 nights in Portree at The Rosedale Hotel, or similar
    • Admissions to Maeshowe, Skara Brae and Arnol Blackhouse
    • Transportation by luxury private 16-seat Mercedes mini-coach
    • Services of professional driver/guide
    • Service charges & VAT tax 2 nights in Edinburgh at the Ibis Edinburgh Centre South Bridge Hotel, or similar
    • Royal Edinburgh Ticket, including 3 city tours and admission to Edinburgh Castle
    • Palace of Holyroodhouse Royal Yacht Britannia Breakfast daily *Please Note:Lunches are not included. However the tour will either stop in small villages with a choice of lunch options, or at a local family establishment where there is a choice to suit all budgets. These places are always chosen for their charm and character - to give you the taste of local hospitality. *Entrance fees to some visitor attractions are not included, to allow you greater flexibility to choose the sites that you would like to enter. Please check with your guide, as in some cases discounted admission has been arranged on behalf of tour participants.

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Itinerary

Day 1 Welcome to Edinburgh!

Upon arrival in charming Edinburgh, enjoy a comfortable transfer to your first hotel. Once you're all settled in, take a walk down the Royal Mile and snap a photo of colorful Victoria Street. Treat yourself to some haggis and whiskey at a traditional Scottish pub!

Day 2 Edinburgh - Inverness

After breakfast, you'll embark on your exciting escorted 9-night tour! Depart Edinburgh and start heading west towards Stirling, passing Stirling Castle and the Wallace Monument. You'll also pass Doune Castle (set of Monty Python’s “Holy Grail”) before pausing ...

Day 3 Inverness - Kirkwall

Rise and shine! Fuel up with a good breakfast; today is an early start. Wave goodbye to Inverness and cross over the Black Isle and past Andrew Carnegie’s Skibo Castle. From there, you'll drive through the northeast Highland coastline, traveling into some of Sc...

Day 4 Kirkwall

Today is your chance to explore this fantastic, ancient island; a land of natural contrasts, where fertile green pastures are fringed by shores of golden sands, washed by blue waters of the North Sea and the Atlantic Ocean.

Visit the 5000-year-old village...

Day 5 Kirkwall - Ullapool

Enjoy a relaxed start to the day, as you depart from Orkney and sail the Viking waters back to the mainland. From there, you'll travel the old road right across the very top of Scotland, driving past the stunning Ben Loyal and Ben Hope mountains! Feel your eyes...

Day 6 Ullapool

Ahh, enjoy a free day in Ullapool! There are many possibilities available in this lovely town. The first option for your day is a simple one: relax and absorb the highland tranquil pace of life whilst browsing the small craft boutiques nestled in the streets of...

Day 7 Ullapool - Stornoway

Catch the morning ferry from Ullapool for the two-hour scenic sail along Loch Broom, past the Summer Isles, then out across the Minch to Stornoway – the main town on Lewis and capital of the Outer Hebrides. Look out for dolphins, whales, and seabirds during the...

Day 8 Stornoway

Today will be spent exploring some of the prehistoric remains on the island, as well as its finest beaches. The fascinating circular stone fort, or Broch, at Carloway will be your first stop, followed by more traditional crofting communities such as Gearrannan ...

Day 9 Stornoway - Portree

Travel south today from the wild moorlands of Lewis to the more mountainous Harris – almost but not quite an island on its own. Famous for the locally produced cloth, Harris Tweed, it is also home to the highest mountains in the Outer Hebrides and the stunning ...

Day 10 Portree

Today is a very flexible day on Skye. There are many possibilities depending on the weather, and your guide’s knowledge will help develop the best day out for you. For example, you might travel north to the stunning Quiraing mountain pass and enjoy a spectacula...

Day 11 Portree - Edinburgh

Say "so long" to the Isle of Skye and begin your return trip to Edinburgh after breakfast. Don't just think of this as "the drive back." This return journey is packed with tons of fun highlights! You might visit to Eilean Donan Castle, Fort William, and the dra...

Day 12 Edinburgh

Enjoy a full day at leisure in Edinburgh! After breakfast, take advantage of your included Royal Edinburgh Ticket. Visit Edinburgh Castle, the Palace of Holyroodhouse and the Royal Yacht Britannia, along with three separate city tours to get you around Edinburg...

Day 13 Depart Scotland

Squeeze all your souvenirs into your luggage and enjoy a comfortable transfer to the airport. Spend your flight home replaying wonderful memories and dreaming about your next adventure! 

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Dates & Availability

Price From $4,426
Price per day$340
Last Updated: 4/19/2024

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Great Value Vacations.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

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