Private Orkney & The Highlands Tour from Glasgow & Edinburgh

Orkney isn't just a place you visit, it's a place that gets under your skin (in the best way). This private 7-day Orkney tour from Glasgow or Edinburgh blends the very best of mainland Scotland with a deep, unhurried exploration of the islands: Neolithic stone villages, vast ceremonial circles, Viking history, cliffy sea views, and Kirkwall's quietly brilliant charm.

Your tour is fully private and customisable, with pick-up from your accommodation in Glasgow or Edinburgh (or another convenient location). We'll take care of the route, timings, and logistics, including ferry crossings, so you can enjoy the journey without the stress. You'll travel in comfort with a friendly, professional guide, and there's room to adjust the pace or extend your stay in Orkney if your dates allow.

If you've been dreaming of standing among ancient stones older than the pyramids, walking windswept coastlines, and seeing a side of Scotland most visitors miss, book your private Orkney tour and we'll tailor the details around you.

We head north in style with a day that mixes modern Scotland, medieval history, and a brilliant woodland walk. We begin at The Kelpies in Falkirk, Scotland's giant horse-head sculptures, an unforgettable photo stop to kick off the tour. From there we visit Doune Castle, a 14th-century stronghold with a proper screen résumé (Outlander, Monty Python, and more), where we'll explore the halls and courtyard while your guide brings the history to life.

We stop for lunch at the Lion and Unicorn Inn, a classic Scottish inn stop for hearty food and a warm welcome, before continuing to The Hermitage in Dunkeld, a short forest walk through towering Douglas firs to Black Linn Falls, one of Perthshire's most dramatic natural viewpoints. We finish the day arriving in Nairn, a relaxed coastal town on the Moray Firth, ideal for a restful first night.

Overnight in Nairn.

Today is atmospheric and historic, with time for reflection and one of the Highlands' most beloved castles. We begin at Culloden Battlefield, the site of the final Jacobite battle on 16 April 1746, with a visitor centre and the powerful clan memorial stones on the moor. From there we visit Clava Cairns, prehistoric burial cairns and standing stones in a peaceful woodland setting, ancient, mysterious, and wonderfully photogenic.

We stop for lunch at the Cawdor Tavern, a cosy stop with a great local feel, before spending time at Cawdor Castle, a historic home with beautiful gardens and woodland trails to explore (open seasonally, typically spring to autumn).

Overnight in Nairn.

Now the adventure turns north, with a spectacular sea crossing and your first taste of Orkney. We drive north to Scrabster for the NorthLink ferry to Stromness, crossing the Pentland Firth, a dramatic stretch of water where the Atlantic meets the North Sea, with chances for sea views (and sometimes wildlife), plus a glimpse toward the iconic Old Man of Hoy on clear days.

Once in Kirkwall, there's time to explore Orkney's capital: independent shops, local crafts, and a lovely, compact town centre. We'll also visit St Magnus Cathedral, founded in 1137 by Viking Earl Rognvald and often called the "Light in the North," a standout piece of Orkney's Norse heritage.

Overnight in Kirkwall.

This is your full "how is this place real?" Orkney day, Neolithic wonders, big skies, and unforgettable sites. We start at Skara Brae, a remarkable Neolithic stone village around 5,000 years old, complete with preserved homes and ancient details that still feel strangely familiar, with an optional stop nearby at Skaill Bay and Skaill House for beautiful coastal views and a historic house visit.

From there we visit the Ring of Brodgar, one of Europe's great prehistoric ceremonial sites, set in a landscape that feels purpose-built for drama, and the Standing Stones of Stenness, smaller than Brodgar but deeply atmospheric, and part of Orkney's UNESCO World Heritage "Heart of Neolithic Orkney." Time permitting, we can also stop at the Broch of Gurness, an Iron Age broch with a later settlement adding another layer to Orkney's long timeline, and the Italian Chapel via the Churchill Barriers, a moving and surprisingly ornate chapel created by Italian POWs during WWII.

Overnight in Kirkwall.

Ready to stand among Orkney's ancient stones? Check availability for your private tour.

We sail back to the mainland and finish the day with one of the Highlands' most dramatic stately homes. We take the ferry from Stromness to Scrabster, farewell, Orkney (for now), before visiting Dunrobin Castle, a fairytale-style château on the east coast with striking spires, fascinating history, and stunning views over the Moray Firth. We then return to the Moray coast for a comfortable overnight stop.

Overnight in Nairn.

A classic Highland journey south, big scenery, famous locations, and a route that showcases Scotland's variety. We start at the Dores viewpoint on Loch Ness, one of the best places to appreciate the scale of the loch, before following the Great Glen drive along the Highland fault line through dramatic landscapes.

Around Fort William and Ben Nevis, there are options depending on your pace, including an optional ride on the Nevis Range Gondola, weather and season permitting, for incredible views from Britain's only mountain gondola. From there we continue to Glencoe, one of Scotland's most iconic glens, with photo stops and the essential story of the place, before a beautiful final scenic stop at Loch Lomond before reaching the city.

Overnight in Glasgow.

We finish with Scotland's "heartland" sites, castle history, lochs, forests, and a final Highland coo encounter. We begin at Stirling Castle, one of Scotland's most important fortresses, brilliantly located and packed with royal history, before a scenic drive through Trossachs National Park with a relaxed lunch stop.

At Kilmahog we stop to feed Scotland's fluffiest locals, the Hairy Heilan' Coos, for the final photos you'll be showing everyone back home, before a last stretch of tranquil freshwater scenery at Loch Lubnaig near Callander. We return to Glasgow or Edinburgh for drop-off at your accommodation.

This is private, flexible touring with a guide who keeps everything running smoothly. The pacing is well balanced too, with mainland highlights alongside proper time in Orkney rather than a rushed dash, taking in UNESCO-level ancient sites alongside castles, glens, and coastlines. And the logistics are all handled for you: ferry timings, routes, and stops sorted so you can just enjoy the journey.

Orkney is one of those trips people talk about for years, partly for the ancient sites, and partly because it feels like you've stepped into another world. If you're ready to experience the islands properly, book your private Orkney tour from Glasgow or Edinburgh, and we'll tailor the details to suit your dates and interests.

If you're looking for the best way to experience Orkney and the Highlands together, one that's relaxed, well-guided, and takes proper time in the islands rather than rushing through, this is a brilliant way to see ancient sites, wild coastlines, and island life, with every ferry crossing and route handled for you.

Ready to book your private Orkney tour? Get in touch to check availability and arrange your dates.

This private Orkney and Highlands tour is available with pick-up from Glasgow or Edinburgh, making it ideal whether you're staying in the city, arriving by train, or building it into a wider Scotland itinerary. Because it's private, the pace is flexible. We'll keep each day smooth and well-timed, with comfort stops as needed and plenty of time to enjoy the mainland Highlands and Orkney once we arrive.