UP HELLY AA

DAY 1 | EDINBURGH INVERNESS

We travel north to the impressive steel sculptures

The Kelpies. Tales of William Wallace will ignite your imagination as we pass Stirling Castle, before catching a quick glimpse of Doune Castle from Outlander and Game of Thrones. Glen Coe will blow your socks off, followed by the legendary Loch Ness and Inverness, capital of the Highlands.

DAY 2 | INVERNESS STORNOWAY

Start your day with a stunning ferry drive to the Isle of Lewis. On arrival to the island, we head straight for Harris in the south, where nothing prepares you for the mega turquoise sea and white sand beaches. Enjoy dinner on Harris before we return to Lewis in the north for an overnight stay in the main town of Stornoway.

DAY 3 | ISLE OF LEWIS

An awesome day of sightseeing on the Isle of Lewis awaits. First, we visit the 5000-year-old Callanish Standing Stones and Dun Carloway, before delving into island life in the 17th century at Gearrannan Blackhouse Village. On our way back to Stornoway, we get the chance to see ‘The Butt of Lewis’ and its lonely lighthouse by the cliffs.

DAY 4 | STORNOWAY PORTREE

On departure from Stornoway, we visit the world famous Harris Distillery catch the ferry over the sea to the Isle of Skye, where otherworldly landscapes and jaw-dropping coastlines await.

DAY 5 | ISLE OF SKYE

Today is all about soaking up the magic of Skye and its neighbouring gems. Expect epic views of the Cuillin Mountains from Sligachan Bridge, and a visit to Scotland’s most romantic and photographed castle that is Eilean Donan.

DAY 6 | PORTREE EDINBURGH

After crossing the sea back to the mainland, we swap the bus for the Hogwarts Express and travel on one of the world’s most scenic railway journeys to Fort William. Reunited with your legendary Guide and tour bus, we continue our journey south through the Cairngorms National Park, and arriving into Edinburgh in the evening.

Highlights

Witness the jaw-dropping Viking parade and longboat burning Party with the locals

Soak up Shetland’s breathtaking scenery

Marvel at Jarlshoff – Shetland’s finest prehistoric site

Inclusions

4 nights accommodation (2 nights hostel, 2 overnight ferry)

Legendary local HAGGiS Guide

All transport

This 8-day adventure takes your standard Scotland bucket list and blows it right out of the water! Road-trip sections of the famous North Coast 500 on a bus full of banter, zip line over a remote, tropical-style beach, and become a part-time marine life spotter on a series of epic ferry journeys.

Spellbinding And Remote Orkney Islands

THE WILD AND RUGGED ‘NORTH COAST 500’

OUTER HEBRIDES OF LEWIS AND HARRIS

THE STUNNING ISLE OF SKYE

MAY - SEP SATURDAY

DEPART / 8.30 RETURN / 20.30

INCLUSIONS 7 nights multi-share hostel accommodation

Legendary HAGGiS Guide

Viking beach feast in Orkney

Jacobite Steam Train

All transport

OPTIONAL Highland whisky Experience

Golden Eagle Zip Line (weather dependent)

Bungee jump

Loch Ness Cruise Free day on Skye with adventure activity options

DAY 1 | EDINBURGH LOCH NESS

Your adventure starts in Macbeth country, with a visit to Dunkeld Cathedral. We travel on to ancient Clava Cairns, inspiration for the hit series Outlander before a stop at eerie Culloden Battlefield. We then journey to Loch Ness where you have the option of doing an early evening cruise to spot Nessie!

DAY 2 | LOCH NESS KIRKWALL

This morning we continue north along the North Coast 500 where we arrive at John o’ Groats. Then we jump on the ferry across the Pentland Firth, brave the wind on deck to look out for dolphins, whales, and even the occasional Orca!

DAY 3 | KIRKWALL

A day of exploration, first Skara Brae, a Stone Age village inhabited between 3,200BC and 2,200BC, before travelling back in time at the magnificent Ring of Brodgar standing stones

DAY 4 | KIRKWALL ULLAPOOL

Look out for killer whales and dolphins as we ferry back to the mainland. Head south through Scotland’s rugged terrain and sparsely populated wilderness where we arrive at Ullapool for the night.

DAY 5 | ULLAPOOL STORNOWAY

We’re off to the Isle of Lewis and Harris which means another awesome ferry crossing, with the chance of spotting marine life! Enjoy historic sites such as the Callanish Standing Stones and a Gearrannan Blackhouse before arriving in Stornoway for the night.

DAY 6 | STORNOWAY PORTREE

We leave Lewis and drive south towards the imposing mountains of Harris before we head to Luskentyre Beach with its turquoise blue sea and white sand. We then take the ferry over the sea to the magical Isle of Skye.

DAY 7 | PORTREE

After an action-packed 6 days of exploring, today is an opportunity to chill out, explore or get active at your own pace. From our base in Portree, you can set off into the hills for a long hike, relax by the sea, or simply sit and watch the world go by.

DAY 8 | PORTREE EDINBURGH

We say goodbye to Skye, but another unforgettable experience awaits; a ride on the Jacobite Steam Train. We take in stunning Glen Coe, some of Scotland’s most iconic scenery and hear the story of the 1692 massacre of the MacDonald Clan. Then onwards past Doune Castle, a setting for Outlander and Game of Thrones, before returning to Edinburgh.