Day 1 Travel into Scotland with an overnight stay in the Glasgow area.
Day 2 Continue north with a recommended stop in Pitlochry, where an optional distillery visit can be arranged. Travel through the mountainous Highlands via the towns of Aviemore and the highland capital of Inverness. Time at leisure in Inverness before completing today’s journey to Wick.
Day 3 Enjoy a day at leisure in Wick. Alternatively a half day excursion can be made to the famous tourist spot of John O’ Groats, 837 miles from Lands End.
Additionally you may wish to include a visit to the Queen Mother’s Castle of Mey (additional cost applies). The Castle is situated on the north coast of Caithness, 15 miles east of Thurso and 6 miles west of John O’Groats. It stands on rising ground 400 yards from the seashore, overlooking the Pentland Firth and the Orkney Islands and is an impressive sight with its jutting turrets, typical of 16th century architecture. The gardens are equally impressive.
Day 4 Depart Scrabster at 13.15 with Northlink Ferries on the 90 minute crossing to Stromness. A soup and sandwich lunch will be served en route. Reboard the coach in Stromness and meet your local guide.
Orkney boasts some of the best preserved archaeological sites in Europe, including Neolithic villages, burial tombs and impressive stone circles. The afternoon excursion begins with a visit to Skara Brae, an incredibly well preserved stone village dating back 5,000 years and the nearby Skaill House. For more recent island history travel via Scapa Flow, a 50 square mile expanse of deep water, forming one of the largest, sheltered anchorages in the world. Relics of two world wars lie both within and around the Flow: seven German ships, the Churchill Barriers with their beached blockships and the inspiring Italian Chapel. Also visit the magnificent Ring of Brodgar, originally 60 stones in a vast circle between the Stenness and Harray Lochs, 27 of which remain standing. Dinner is taken in a local restaurant.
Proceed to Kirkwall port to board Northlink Ferries’ 11pm service to Shetland. Comfortable twin bedded cabins are provided.
Day 5 Breakfast is served on board before rejoining the coach in Lerwick and meeting your local guide for the day's touring on Shetland.
The island has 900 miles of coastline with dramatic cliffs and beautiful scenery. Visit the outstanding site of Jarlshof in the south and also view Shetland's famous ponies. A stop will be made at Scalloway Castle, built by Earl Patrick Stewart in 1600, and its new museum.
Re-board the ferry and enjoy a carvery-style dinner prior to the overnight sailing to Aberdeen.
Day 6 Breakfast is served on board before disembarking in Aberdeen. Travel along beautiful Royal Deeside, passing Balmoral and through the Pass of Glenshee. Overnight in the Glasgow area.
Day 7 Homeward journey today.
All tours are tailored to your requirements and can be adapted for travel by coach and/or air as you prefer. Occasionally itineraries change. Please see our current brochure or contact us for the latest version.