Orkney Experience

Edinburgh – Inverness – Orkney

Orkney Experience

Welcome to Scotland

Highlights

This Orkney Experience tour is a great introduction to the country, where you will be able to experience their most beloved cities as well as the dramatic countryside. 

Consult with your Travel Specialist to ensure the top places you are eager to visit are included in your trip and booked in advance! There will be a lot of time for leisure where you will be able to get to know Scotland on your own and at your own speed.

*Please keep in mind – This is a SAMPLE itinerary and is meant for inspiration only!

All of our tours are created on a custom basis to ensure the ideal trip that’s only for you. The itineraries on our website are intended solely as inspiration and are not available for purchase as a set package.

Make it Yours

  • Accommodation – Scotland offers multiple types of lodging such as luxurious and boutique hotels as well as castle properties! Juniper will select where you stay based on your preferences.
  • Transportation – Juniper will provide transportation throughout the tour while traveling to the different locations based on your budget, as well as airport transfers if needed.
  • Day Tours and Entrance Tickets – Juniper ensures all selected tours and experiences are pre-scheduled to provide a smooth and exhilarating travel experience!

Orkney Experience Day-by-day Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Edinburgh

Welcome to Scotland! Upon arriving, check-in to your accommodations, and feel free to familiarize yourself with the capital by exploring with a Hop On/Hop Off Bus Tour. Visit Edinburgh’s Acropolis and soak in the panoramic views from Calton Hill. Finish the day in one of Edinburgh’s renowned restaurants.

Overnight in Edinburgh

Day 2: Edinburgh

Enjoy the day exploring more of the city and don’t miss Edinburgh Castle. It’s one of the most exciting historic sites in Western Europe. It’s in the heart of Scotland’s capital and it is sure to capture your imagination.  

Overnight in Edinburgh

Day 3: Edinburgh to Inverness

Set out to visit the powerfully moving site of the final Jacobite Rising-the last and most harrowing pitched battle to be fought on British soil-at Culloden. Then soak in Inverness, which has all the elements for a memorable city stay.

Overnight in Inverness

Day 4: Inverness to Thurso

A long drive to the most northerly town of mainland Scotland, you will enjoy part of the North Coast 500. From Dingwall to John o’ Groats, to Caithness-you will be able to explore so much of the magnificent countryside. End your day in the hive of Thurso-with lovely shops, cafes, and restaurants.

Overnight in Thurso

Day 5: Thurso to Orkney

Ferry to enchanting islands off Scotland’s north coast and find why many people find the Orkney Islands so captivating. With 5,000 year old sites, idyllic beaches, and dramatic sea cliffs- visitors will not only be able to reconnect with nature, but discover Neolithic secrets of sagas and creativity.

Overnight in Orkney

Day 6: Orkney

Kirkwall is a great place to base yourself in Orkney, as you can see Neolithic sites and beautiful stretches of coastline from the heart of Orkney. You can set out to see the Ring of Brodgar, along with the Stones of Stenness, Maeshowe, and Skara Brae. These mystical sights makeup Orkney’s identity and are all worth a visit. Don’t forget to stop in for some Orkney ice-cream in one of Kirkwall’s shops and end your sweet day with a sweet treat!

Overnight in Orkney

Day 7: Orkney

Among the staggering number of things to do in this incredible area, use today to visit one of Juniper Tours’ favorite destinations on Orkney. The Orkney Islands were used as strategic importance during World War I and II and one of the most interesting attractions is a beautiful Roman Catholic chapel constructed by Italian POW’s. The Italian Chapel has intricate decorations and designs painted inside that truly make it one of a kind. Finish with a wee dram in Kirkland’s Distillery and reflect on the amazing day.

Overnight in Orkney

Day 8: Orkney to Ullapool

Another long day of traveling through some of Scotland’s least spoilt natural environments, Ullapool boasts a wealth of things to do for outdoor enthusiasts. This beautiful town has been described as paradise with a “Scandinavian twinkle in winter and Canadian-style adrenaline in summer.” You will fall in love with this picturesque fishing town, which is a great gateway to the Northern Highlands for a short escape. 

Overnight in Ullapool

Day 9: Ullapool to Isle of Skye

Embark on a journey to the west of Scotland and see the iconic Eilean Donan Castle, a Scottish icon and certainly one of the most popular visitor attractions in the Highlands. You can then enjoy the Isle of Skye, the largest of the Inner Hebrides and home to some of Scotland’s most beautiful landscapes.

Overnight in Isle of Skye

Day 10: Isle of Skye

Enjoy rugged mountains, picturesque fishing villages, and medieval castles that will take your breath away.  Do not miss the Trotternish Loop where you will see everything from the mystical Fairy Glen, to the Quiraing, to Kilt Rock and Mealt Falls, to Old Man Storr-just to name a few. Bring your sense of adventure!

Overnight in Isle of Skye

Day 11: Isle of Skye to Fort William

Any visit to the Isle of Skye is incomplete without enjoying the wealth of history and clan legend on offer at award-winning Dunvegan Castle and Gardens. You might also consider a trip to Armadale Castle-a romantic ruin surrounded by magnificent gardens. Finish your day in Fort William and indulge in a delicious seafood dinner.

Overnight in Fort William

Day 12: Fort William to Loch Lomond

Set off through the awe-inspiring Glencoe and stumble upon locations for well-known films. This area of Scotland is truly other-wordly. Then discover the mesmerizing Loch Lomond that lies in the heart of Trossachs National Park. You will be surrounded by charming villages, rolling countryside, and hills. You can take in the beauty of the bonnie banks by thrilling water sport activities, trails for hikers and walkers of all abilities, and peaceful retreats.

Overnight in Loch Lomond

Day 13: Loch Lomond to Glasgow

Glasgow is a lively, bustling place, distinctive and full of character, where you are bound to get a very warm welcome indeed. This is a city with striking architecture, contemporary art spaces and fascinating museums, many of which are free. With a diverse culinary scene and an abundance of pubs, this makes Glasgow one of the UK’s best cities for nightlife.

Overnight in Glasgow

Day 14: Glasgow to Edinburgh

Discover the beauty of Rosslyn Chapel, which was founded in 1446. Today it attracts visitors from far and wide, drawn by its unique and mysterious carvings and the beauty of its setting.  There are countless theories, myths, and legends associated with the Chapel, many of which are impossible to prove or disprove conclusively. Finish our tour in Edinburgh celebrating your incredible trip at a Scottish pub and enjoying a tipple of Scotland’s famous drink, whisky. 

Overnight in Edinburgh

Day 15: Depart

Mar sin leibh an drásta. We hope you had a fabulous vacation in Scotland with Juniper Tours!

Get Ready to Travel!

Your Orkney Experience tour at a glance:

Orkney Experience Highlights:

Selected activities based on your interests:

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