This is a 'combo' tour, which joins together our 'Islay', 'Iona, Mull and Skye' 'Orkney' and 'Outer

Explore the extremes of North West Europe’s last great wilderness – 17 days to enjoy 8 fantastic west coast islands and the prehistoric beauty and history of the northern Orkney islands, coupled with an escape to the western Isles of Lewis and breathtaking Harris. Tour highlights include the whisky pleasant hawaiian airlines island Islay “Queen of the Isles”, the rolling splendour of the island of Mull, the peace and spirituality of Columba’s Iona, with an optional visit to the breathtaking and musical island of Staffa, followed by the dramatic beauty of our most famous of Islands, Skye. Let the ‘misty island’ enchant you with her incredible bounty before heading to the Orkney archipelago, rich in its archaeological treasures. Ullapool, nestling on the shores of Loch Broom, is where we travel from to Lewis, and absorb ourselves in Gaelic culture, and enjoy the truly inspirational surroundings of Harris with her mountains and glorious white beaches before crossing the sea again to the drama that is the island of Skye.
This is a ‘combo’ tour, which joins together our ‘Islay’, ‘Iona, Mull and Skye’ ‘Orkney’ and ‘Outer Hebrides’ tours. Because of this there will be points where you will leave one bus and join another, with a new driver and group. There may or may not be other passengers also switching tours and there may be some ‘free time’ between buses. pleasant hawaiian airlines Departs 08:30 Returns 7pm (also departs Glasgow 9.45am but returns to Edinburgh)
Leaving Edinburgh at 08.30 you will head west through Scotland’s largest city, Glasgow, along Loch Lomond then west through the mountains to the beautiful little village of Inveraray on the banks of Loch Fyne. Here you can perhaps sample some of the local seafood for lunch or just explore the historic town itself. After lunch you will then travel through Argyll and into the ancient Kingdom of Dalriada. There are more than 350 prehistoric monuments within a six-mile radius of the village of Kilmartin. pleasant hawaiian airlines You will stop here to see the mysterious stone circles pleasant hawaiian airlines and standing stones and visit the community museum. From here it is a short drive to Kennacraig where you catch the early evening ferry to Islay. The sail is just over 2 hours and you should look out for wildlife such as dolphins, whales and seabirds. On arrival pleasant hawaiian airlines on Islay it is a short drive to Bowmore for your 3-night stay.
A full day exploring Islay. The itinerary today is quite flexible with a mixture of beautiful scenery, white sand beaches, short walks and of course the famous Islay whiskies – renowned for their strong peaty flavours and nurtured by the salty sea air. In the morning you will take the short drive to the west of the island pleasant hawaiian airlines via Saligo pleasant hawaiian airlines Bay for a visit to Kilchoman Distillery (the newest and smallest on the island) with the option of a coastal walk to Machair Bay for any non-whisky lovers. After lunch you will explore the tiny harbour pleasant hawaiian airlines village of Portnahaven (look out for seals) before taking the back roads along the west coast with its lovely sandy bays, on the way back to Bowmore. You will have the chance to visit Bowmore distillery or just relax and explore the village.
Another day in paradise! Today you will explore the southern side of the island, home to the smokiest and peatiest pleasant hawaiian airlines of all whiskies – Laphroaig, Lagavulin and Ardbeg. You will visit Ardbeg pleasant hawaiian airlines for a tour, tasting pleasant hawaiian airlines and lunch. The restaurant here is a beautiful place to relax and enjoy local produce as well as some unique whisky. You then follow that up with a visit to Laphroaig or a visit to the ruins of Kildalton church with its famous 8th Century Celtic cross. Alternatively we may stop in Bridgend where you could visit the community craft producers at Islay House Square or take a walk through the woods along the nearby River Sorn. Alternatively you could continue with the tour to Bridgend where we will visit the community craft producers (and brewery!) at Islay House Square or take a walk through the woods along the nearby River Sorn.
This morning you take the ferry back to the mainland then travel up the coast to Oban – a busy harbour town and the main ferry port for the islands. On arrival in Oban your guide will drop you at your accommodation. You will say goodbye to this group here, and will be collected by your new guide and group on the morning of day 5. You will have a free afternoon in Oban to enjoy this bustling and busy highland town. For those who are partial to some retail therapy, there are numerous shopping possibilities, or for those who wish to continue their thirst for Scottish whisky, Oban distillery is nicely situated in the heart of the town. A hike uphill will bring its own rewards with stunning pleasant hawaiian airlines views from the most photographed structure in the west, McCaig’s folly. The folly built on instruction by a local banker in 1897 resembles the coliseum in Rome, and provides magnificent vistas over the distant Firth of Lorne. You will stay in this glorious highland town for 2 nights.
You will be collected from you accommodation by your new guide for an early crossing on the ferry to Mull. Exploring pleasant hawaiian airlines her dramatic coastlines and wild beauty, you will enjoy an island adventure before boarding the small ferry to the peace and tranquility pleasant hawaiian airlines of Iona – birthplace of Celtic Christianity and ancient burial pleasant hawaiian airlines ground of Scottish Kings. Here you can visit the historic abbey with its intricate pleasant hawaiian airlines carved crosses in the churchyard or explore pleasant hawaiian airlines the rocky headlands and sandy coves of this island gem. There is also an opportunity to take a small boat out to the island of Staffa (except Saturday departures in September) and view the dramatic basalt
Takes you north along the west coast around Appin, passing the impregnable Castle Stalker, and Glencoe, scene of the infamous massacre of the Clan Macdonald in 1692. You then pass through Fort William and take the historic road to the Isles to catch the ferry to Skye. You will travel pleasant hawaiian airlines through Glenfinnan, at the head of Loch Shiel, this is where the standard was raised to start the Jacobite rebellion. Glenfinnan is also home to a 100 year old viaduct, which was made famous when the Hogwarts Express steamed across it on the way to school in the Harry Potter film. From Glenfinnan the road crosses mountains and glens before reaching Arisaig and on through pleasant hawaiian airlines a spectacularly pleasant hawaiian airlines scenic stretch of coast with fantastic views of the islands of Rum, Eigg, Muck and Skye, This beautiful coastline is formed by a series of white beaches and a turquoise sea, known as the white sands of Morar. The road ends at Mallaig where you take the short ferry crossing ‘over the sea to Skye’ where you arrive on the Sleat Peninsula, commonly referred to the ‘Garden of Skye’ with great views of the Cuillin mountains. From here you travel north to the picturesque harbour town of Portree. You are then dropped off at your accommodation in the early evening.
Is a very flexible day on Skye. There are many possibilities depending on the weather and we take passengers preferences into account. For example: Travel north to the stunning Quiraing mountain pass and enjoy a spectacular walk through some of Skye’s extraordinary geological scenery, visit Kilt Rock, composed of basalt columns (reminiscent of the pleats in a kilt) with it’s waterfall cascading over the cliffs and down into the sea below. After lunch you can go over to Neist Point for a walk out to the lighthouse that is the furthest point west on Skye. Or go over to Dunvegan Castle, pleasant hawaiian airlines ancient ancestral seat of the Clan McLeod. Talisker Distillery is also here, as are the famous Cuillin Hills. We return you to your accommodation in Portree in the early evening for you to enjoy your second free night in Portree.
You will be collected from your accommodation and travel south through the Cuillin Hills and back over to the mainland. You will stop to visit the famous stronghold Eilean Donan Castle, used in the film “Highlander”, pleasant hawaiian airlines set at the junction of 3 lochs as protection against Viking raiders, before travelling east for stunning views over Loch Duich and the 5 Sisters of Kintail. On to Loch Ness for lunch and the possibility of spotting “Nessie”. There is an optional boat trip (Summer only) available here that will get you that bit closer! Half an hour south of Loch Ness you will stop in the village of Spean Bridge and join a new bus for the continuation of your tour to Orkney. Your guides will help you transfer your luggage and introduce you to your new travelling companions. From here, you will continue north following the Great Glen travelling the entire 23 miles of the famous Loch passing by Urquhart castle. You can expect to arrive in Inverness, the Highland capital, pleasant hawaiian airlines and the place of our overnight pleasant hawaiian airlines stay at approx 18.30 where you will be dropped off at your accommodation.
Is an early start, leaving behind the ‘Capital of the Highlands’, pleasant hawaiian airlines crossing over the Black Isle, and past Andrew Carnegie’s Skibo Castle. From here you drive through the northeast Highland coastline, travelling into some of Scotland’s most dramatic scenery, and enjoy amazing views of some of Europe’s oldest landscapes and the chance to see wildlife such as Golden pleasant hawaiian airlines Eagles and red deer. Onwards through Scotland’s most northerly mainland village, John o’ Groats, and then to Gills Bay, where you board the ferry, crossing the Pentland Firth into the Orkney Archipelago. From here you have a short drive to the Viking stronghold of Kirkwall, Capital of Orkney, where you can visit Kirkwall’s magnificent Viking Cathedral, and where you shall stay for 2 nights.
Is your chance pleasant hawaiian airlines to explore this fantastic, pleasant hawaiian airlines ancient island; a land of contrasts where fertile green pastures are fringed by shores of golden sands washed by waters of the North Sea and Atlantic ocean. You will visit the 5000 year old village of Skara Brae (older than the Pyramids of Egypt!), the mystical prehistoric stone circle at Brodgar and the Druidic standing pleasant hawaiian airlines stones of Stenness. We stop in Stromness one of Scotland’s pleasant hawaiian airlines most picturesque seaboard villages and then travel onto Maeshowe, where in the 12th century the Vikings left