From Kirkwall Harbour, experience Orkney in a new and thrilling way as you tour the surrounding islands on a guided coastal boat excursion. Be amazed by local scenery and gaze at a variety of wildlife and bird species which can include seals, dolphins and whales. Get an up-close view like no other! Meet your guide and board the boat at Kirkwall harbor and head for the mainland Our tour guides are very experienced with all the safety training needed and are commercially endorsed by RYA/MCA. Leaving Kiikwall harbour you will visit - Mainland - Hatston Pier Shapinsay - Balfour Castle Shapinsay - Balfour village Helliar Holm - Lighthouse Shapinsay - Galtness battery Sweyn Holm - Wildlife watch Gairsay - Seal colony Midsound Baa - Wildlife watch Finestown - Island history Return to Kirkwall harbour

Sail from Kirkwall harbor to the island of Shapinsay to take in the sights, including Balfour Castle and the village of Balfour. Check out a tall lighthouse on Helliar Holm, an uninhabited island. Take photos with highland cows, and visit an eco-friendly store, and a local beach. Leave Kirkwall harbor at Hatston Pier and take a ferry to Shapinsay, one of the Orkney Islands. When you arrive, get off your boat and explore the island. See Balfour village, at Elwick Bay. Visit Balfour Castle, a listed building built in the Scottish baronial style of architecture. Then, gaze at a lighthouse, which is 42 ft (13 meters) tall on the uninhabited island of Helliar Holm. Afterward, tour the beautiful coast of Shapinsay, and take some photos of the rugged scenery. Finally, return to Kirkwall harbor to finish your adventure.

On day 1, travel through the Trossachs to Oban. This wide-ranging Highland and Islands tour starts by heading west through the beautiful scenery of Loch, Lomond and the Trossachs National Park to Kilmartin Glen. Explore Scotland’s ancient past; with over 5,000 years of history laid out before you, you’ll be able to walk in the footsteps of the first Scots at Dunadd Hill Fort and the Temple Wood Stone Circle. Then stay overnight in Oban. On day 2, enjoy a day of high hills and history. Discover the haunting landscape of Glen Coe, past Ben Nevis - Britain’s tallest peak, and make a stop at Fort William. If traveling between May and September you will board the Jacobite Train from Fort William to Mallaig. Crossing over the sea to the Isle of Skye by ferry for your second night, staying overnight in Skye. On day 3, enjoy a whole day to explore Skye’s beautiful landscape. Here the mountains and beaches beckon, so lose yourself amongst the spectacular scenery of the Cuillin Mountains, the slanting hills of Quiraing, and the incredible Trotternish peninsula. Stay overnight in Skye. On day 4, discover castles and mountains and then head to Loch Ness. Once you leave Skye the first stop is a visit to the idyllic Eilean Donan Castle. You will then continue onwards to the fabled shores of Loch Ness, where you have the option (extra cost) to visit Urquhart Castle and take a cruise on the loch. Enjoy an overnight stay in Inverness. On day 5, head over the sea to the Orkney Isles. Travel north via Inverness and the spectacular coastal scenery of the Moray and Cromarty Firths. Then board the ferry for the memorable trip to the mysterious and magical Orkney Isles. Once you arrive, you can take in the stunning scenery and start exploring. Visit the beautiful Italian Chapel, which was built by Italian prisoners of war. You’ll also see the famous Churchill Barriers – causeways that were constructed to protect the British naval fleet from submarines. Stay overnight in Kirkwall. On day 6, explore the ancient history of the Isles. From your base in Kirkwall, which boasts many craft and gift shops to enjoy, you’ll spend the whole of day six exploring the islands. This is a land full of ancient history and you’ll be able to take in prehistoric marvels such as the Maeshowe chambered cairn, the world-famous Neolithic village of Skara Brae and the brooding stone circles of Stenness and the Ring o’Brodgar. The day will finish with a visit to the beautiful St Magnus Cathedral. Stay overnight in Kirkwall. On day 7, head back to the mainland again and start your journey south. You will be treated to some fantastic scenery, and may have the chance to visit Dunrobin Castle as you make your way back to Inverness. Stay overnight in Inverness. On day 8, as you head home, you’ll be able to visit the battlefield of Culloden, the site of the defeat of the Jacobite forces. You’ll also pass the stunning Cairngorm mountains and explore the picturesque town of Pitlochry.

DAY1: Edinburgh-Inverness Our first stop of the day is Dunkeld in the heart of Perthshire. Then we make our way to the Highland Folk Museum, Britain's first open-aired museum. Next, we stop at one of the most somber locations in Scotland, Culloden Battlefield, setting for the final Jacobite Uprising of 1746. Visit one of the inspirations behind Outlander - the Clava Cairns - known for being a bronze age burial ground. Arrive in Inverness in the evening for an overnight stay. DAY2: Inverness-Orkney The incredibly beautiful Dunrobin Castle traces its origins back to the 13th century, recognised as one of Britain's oldest inhabited houses. Experience the rugged charm of Scotland’s very own “route 66”. We head to Orkney by ferry for our last leg of the day. Upon arrival your guide drives you to Kirkwall, where you settle in for the night. DAY3: Orkney The breathtaking Italian Chapel was built during WWII using two Nissen huts. The Ring of Brodgar is a vast and mysterious archaeological gem, and the most iconic site in the Heart of Neolithic Orkney. Visit Skara Brae, an incredibly well-preserved neolithic village consisting of 10 houses. Next, we visit Stromness, the second largest settlement in Orkney. We spend the afternoon exploring Orkney. DAY4: Orkney-Ullapool We hop on a ferry back to the mainland. We continue our journey along the North Coast 500. Smoo Cave is one of the top natural attractions on the North Coast 500 and epic example of Scottish geology. We make a stop in Durness to visit Sango Sands beach. Marvel at the scenery and mild-blowing geology of the North-West Highlands with a walk through Knockan Crag Nature Reserve. DAY5: Ullapool-Portree Our first stop of the day is at Corrieshalloch Gorge. Next we stop at the most photographed castle in Scotland, Eilean Donan which has links to both clans MacKenzie and MacRae. We arrive in Skye for lunch, visiting Portree and the Old Man of Storr. Next we stop to admire Kilt Rock. Marvel at the breathtaking Mealt Waterfall. DAY6: Portree-Oban We arrive in Mallaig to board the Jacobite Steam Train. The West Highland Line between Mallaig and Ft. William is famous for its beautiful scenery and dreamy sands of the west coast. Glencoe is dominated by majestic mountains which completely contrast the vast and flat expanse of its neighbouring Rannoch Moor. Your guide will take you through Glencoe’s sad history; you will feel like you have been transported through time. DAY7: Oban-Oban Today is your free day to explore the charming fishing village of Oban! DAY8: Oban-Edinburgh We visit St. Conan’s Kirk sits at the heart of Dalmally’s local community. Kilchurn Castle was built in the mid-1400s by Sir Colin Campbell, the 1st Lord of Glenorchy, and sits dramatically on a rocky peninsula. We make a stop at the impressive Falls of Dochart which run through Killin. Our final stop is in Falkirk to see the Kelpies; a fantastic equine landmark. Our tour concludes in Edinburgh after an unforgettable 8 days.