Get beyond the mainland and
discover the far northern and western fringes of Scotland - Europe's last
great wilderness! The Island Explorer is for travellers on the search for
maximum adventure!
This is our ultimate trip, which combines the wonderful Western Isles,
including Skye, as well as the far north and Orkney Islands. The historic
sites are the main draw to the intriguing Orkney Islands, with more than
5,000 years of human history, culture and architecture. Highlights include
Skara Brae (Europe’s best-preserved pre-historic village), the
fascinating tomb of Maeshowe (older than the pyramids) and the
magnificent standing stone circle at the Ring of Brodgar. In fact, there
are over 1,000 known ancient sites in Orkney, including superbly preserved
Iron Age burial mounds, houses, monuments, and brochs.
The journey along the remote Northwest cost of Scotland is unforgettable:
small villages, long sandy beaches and dramatic mountain scenery. Reaching
Ullapool (once a Viking stopover and now a bustling ferry port),
travellers board the ferry for the Isle of Lewis. The Outer Hebrides are a
fascinating place: the Gaelic culture, unspoilt scenery and sense of
isolation are huge attractions.
These Hebridean islands are predominantly Gaelic speaking and visitors get
the chance to see an original Blackhouse, hear traditional music, as well
as enjoy the wonderful local seafood. The stunning Callanish Standing
Stones, which date back more than 5000 years, are some of the most
impressive and inspiring of ancient stones in Britain. The Isle of Harris
is famed for its unspoilt wonderful sandy beaches, aqua blue waters and
sparcity of people. The sunsets are also legendary!
The final leg of the tour takes in the magical Isle of Skye. Perhaps the
most famous Scottish island, it’s a place of many contrasts: stunning
coastline and rugged mountains, wild moorland and sleepy settlements. It
has ruined castles, fairy pools and glens, staggering rock formations and
is immersed in Celtic myths and legends.
Island Explorer tour offers a fascinating insight into the far northern
and western fringes of Scotland, Europe's last great wilderness.
Price Includes
All Ferry Crossings!
ITINERARY
Day 1: Edinburgh -
Carbisdale Castle
Heading north from
Edinburgh, we pass through Perthshire - surrounded by
mountains, forests and salmon packed rivers. First stop
is at Dunkeld and Birnam Wood, site of Macbeth's battle in
1054. Lunch is in the small village of Kingussie, made famous by the
'Monarch of the Glen' TV show. Then it's off to lonely Culloden
Battlefield, scene of the last major battle in Britain. Then it’s
on to world famous Loch Ness for a wee bit of monster spotting
before heading for our lavish evening accommodation in a
Haunted Highland Castle!*
Day 2: Carbisdale Castle
- Orkney
We travel north through the
sparsely populated wilderness of Sutherland and Caithness, via glens
left deserted as a result of the Highland Clearances, and on to John
'O' Groats, Britain's most north easterly point. We then catch the
ferry to the Orkney Islands, home to more archaeological ruins in
one area than anywhere else in Europe! We spend the night in the
island's capital, Kirkwall. The Orkneys have only been a part of
Scotland since 1490 and the islands still retain a very distinctive
Scandinavian influence.
Day 3: Orkney - Orkney
A whole day on the Orkneys hearing
about the naval battle at Scapa flow and visiting Kirkwall
Cathedral, burial place of Viking Kings and warriors. The highlight
of the day is Skara Brae, dating from the late Neolithic period and
inhabited between 3200BC and 2200BC. This incredible stone village
is made up of eight dwellings (some still containing original
furniture) linked together by a series of low alleyways and is a
marvel of ancient building techniques. We also experience the
magnificent standing stones at the Ring of Brodgar.
Day 4: Orkney - Ullapool
We say farewell to the
islands and head to Thurso, sailing past the 'Old Man of Hoy' (a
huge rock pillar standing alone in the sea), hopefully seeing some
whales and dolphins on the way. Then follow the stunning North
coast, passing sandy beaches and stopping for lunch in the lovely
village of Tongue. We then travel down the North West coast to the
fishing town of Ullapool, passing bleak landscapes and dramatic
mountain scenery and unspoilt sandy beaches. Ullapool was once a
Viking stopover and is now a bustling fishing port and gateway to
the Western Isles.
Day 5: Ullapool - Lewis
We catch the early ferry to
Europe's most westerly island, Lewis, where we spend the night.
Today we visit the stunning Callanish Standing Stones, Neolithic in
age and dating back more than 5000 years. Much quieter than
Stonehenge, these are said to be some of the most impressive and
inspiring of ancient stones in Britain. These Hebridean islands are
predominantly Gaelic speaking and have an unbroken culture dating
back thousands of years. Tonight is your chance to hear traditional
music and haunting Gaelic tunes.
Day 6: Lewis - Harris
Today we take the road
south to the Island of Harris, famous for its gorgeous beaches,
magnificent mountains and traditional crofting culture. These
islands are home to the Clan MacLeod who have lived here for over
1200 years. We will tell you all about the battles with the Vikings
and clan rivalry between the MacLeods and MacDonalds. We also visit
Rodel church built by the warrior chief Alistair 'Crotach' MacLeod,
and see the pagan fertility symbol - a Shiela-nan-Gig.
Day 7: Harris - Skye
We leave the MacLeod
homeland and head to the 'winged island', the Isle of Skye, home of
Clan MacDonald. We spend the whole day exploring this magical island
and if we are lucky, may see a wee faerie or two, or perhaps even a
Selkie! Ruined castles, awesome scenery, Viking fortresses, and home
to legendary clans, immersed in Celtic myths and legends; Skye is
quite simply unmissable! Tonight it's party time in the wee fishing
village of Kyleakin - and after a few wee whiskies it’s goodbye to
island culture! Slainte Mhath.
Day 8: Skye - Edinburgh
We cross over to the
mainland and travel through the stunning glens of the west coast (Shiel,
Cluanie and Garry) before passing Fort William and Ben Nevis -
Britain's highest mountain. See where Braveheart and Harry Potter
were filmed before heading to 'The Weeping Glen', Glencoe, where we
hear about the massacre of the MacDonalds. We stop in historic
Stirling with its famous Wallace Monument, where the true story of
Braveheart is told, before we return to the capital city of
Edinburgh!
* N.B. Another hostel may be
substituted for Carbisdale Castle as an overnight stop.
