10-Day Private Scotland Tour to Islands of Ancient History & Incredible Beauty: Skye & Orkney
Take inspiration from the 10-Day Skye & Orkney Tour Itinerary below and allow us to help you craft your custom, fully private and personalised Scotland Trip
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Scottish Highland Scenery
Glencoe Mountains
Dunrobin & Sinclair Castle
North Coast 500
Skara Brae
Old Man of Storr
Culloden Battle field
& Much More!
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Highlights - Day 1
Balmoral Castle
Cairngorms National Park
Stunning Highland Scenery
Beautiful Highland Woodland Walks
Culloden Battlefield
Inverness
From your pick-up locations, we head north to a beautifully tranquil woodland in the county of Perthshire.
You’ll soon understand why this part of the country has the title “Big Tree Country”. On our stroll, we’ll pass the Black Linn pools and falls, both surrounded by the fairytale woodland setting.
Back in the vehicle, we drive past some sensational Highland scenery through the idyllic Glenshee. Now we’re off to a Royal setting indeed. The fabulous location of Balmoral Castle and its grounds are situated in a breathtaking landscape.
Walk through the royal gardens, and explore where Queen Victoria & Elizabeth II enjoyed the astonishing scenery surrounding this extraordinary castle.
We continue our journey through the Highlands of Scotland and enjoy the wondrous landscapes of the Cairngorms National Park, Scotland’s youngest and largest national park.
Stopping in the picturesque highland town of Grantown-on-Spey, we’ll amble down by the river Spey and wander through the native Scots Pine woodland, keeping our eyes out for the endangered bird Capercaillie.
Continuing our journey, our next stop is a hauntingly beautiful site where one of the bloodiest battles was fought on Scottish soil, Culloden. The penultimate battle of the 1745 Jacobite Uprisings.
Emotion is heavy on the atmosphere as you learn about the build-up towards the battle and the event itself. Hear about strategies used during the battle and the final order upon its conclusion.
Once we’ve taken in the amazing piece of history, we now head off to our first-night accommodation in Inverness, considered the Capital of the Highlands of Scotland.
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Highlights - Day 2
North Coast 500 Drive
Dunrobin Castle
Glenmorangie Distillery
Sinclair Castle
Boat over to Orkney Islands
Today we’re heading for Orkney! Our direction of travel is north, through stunning coastal scenery and with some astonishing stops along the way. First, we visit Glenmorangie distillery.
The tour will start the day off brilliantly, learning about their process of whisky production and why the giraffe is the distillery’s spirit animal.
Now you’ve tasted some delicious water of life, we head off to a place that is straight out of a fairytale, Dunrobin Castle. Home to the Earls and Dukes of Sutherland, this astonishing castle is quite possibly the grandest place we’ll visit on the tour.
With all the pictures of every angle possible of the castle, we’re off back in time to our next stop, Camster Cairns. These giant burial cairns date back over 5,000 years ago!
Once we’ve explored the Neolithic Cairns, Castle Sinclair is calling out to us from the distance. We travel past stunning seascapes and explore the ruined remains that sit atop the cliffs. The views looking out towards the Northsea are breathtaking.
It’s ferry time! From Sinclairs castle, we head off to catch our ferry across to the Isle of Orkney! The ferry journey will take approximately just over an hour.
We have arrived in Orkney! After disembarking the ferry we’ll head for accommodation for the next 2 nights and spend the evening in Kirkwall.
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Highlights - Day 3 & 4
Maeshowe Chambered Cairn
Stenness Standing Stones
Ring of Brodgar Stone Circle
Skara Brae
Stunning Island Scenery
Burial Cairns & Standing Stones
Old Man of Hoy
Birsay Lighthouse & Viking Settlement
We’ll spend the next 2 days exploring Orkney! Day 1 begins in Kirkwall where we’ll head into St Magnus Cathedral. Learn more about the saint and the grizzly, betrayal ending of his life.
Leaving Kirkwall, we head off in a northwesterly direction to Wideford Hill Cairn. Walking across the hillside to this ancient tomb, we can descend down and explore the inside of this fascinating cairn.
Our next stop is Cuween Chambered Cairn. This time we can crawl through the centre chamber and explore the others stemming from its centre.
One thing peculiar about Cuween is what explorers found when this 5,000-year-old cairn was investigated in 1901.
After hearing about the discoveries, we shoot off to another fascinating cairn, but this one is much larger and more significant, with the graffiti that was left behind by invaders.
Maeshowe is the finest example of a Neolithic building to survive in northwestern Europe. This extraordinary structure dates back around 5,000 years old.
After hundreds of years of use, Maeshowe was closed up for good until 3,000 years later when curious invaders stepped foot into the chambered cairn and left their incredible mark.
Time to see some standing stones! We pull over at the Standing Stones of Stenness, which could well be the oldest henge in Britain. These stones date back around 5 and half thousand years ago.
Their purpose is still unclear, so it's down to your imagination to create a meaning behind these incredible monoliths.
We’re on to our next stop, which is even more impressive than our previous one! The Ring of Brodgar is superbly astonishing. This giant stone circle has never been excavated, so it’s difficult to know its rough age.
Scientists have given their best guess of the earliest part of the monument between 2,600 - 2,400 BC! 36 stones remain of the original 60 that once stood tall.
Now back to Stormness for the night and we’re back at it on your second day on Orkney.
We’ll first head to the Isle of Hoy to see the Old Man of Hoy, a giant rock stack off the coat off Orkney that you’ll see pass us by on the ferry to Orkney.
Next we’ll see a giant slap of stone which also happens to be a burial cairn - The Dwarfie Stane. From here we’ll head to the Scapa Flow Museum before heading back to mainland Orkney.
Next we head up the coast to Skara Brae, a site that predates the Pyramids of Egypt and Stonehenge. Explore the incredibly preserved village and get a glimpse into how our ancient ancestors once lived their daily lives.
From here we’ll head up to the Brough of Birsay which is only accessible at low tide. We’ll explore the small island, see the viking settlement, light house and the incredible coastal views.
What a day it’s been! With all that ancient history from the astonishing sites that we’ve seen, it's time to head back for Kirkwall where we’ll spend our last evening on the island.
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Highlights - Day 4
North Coast 500
Smoo Caves
Cape Wrath Lighthouse
Knockan Crag National Nature Reserve
Ardessie Falls
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Highlights - Day 5
Rannoch Moor
Glencoe
Morven Peninsula
Boat to Isle of Mull
Tobermory
Leaving Loch Lomond behind us, we press on into the heart of the Highlands, pausing at the beautiful Rannoch Moor. With its expansive moorlands and towering peaks, stands as a testament to Scotland's unspoiled natural wonders.
Our final halt in this glen leads us to the Three Sisters of Glencoe before embarking on the first of our two ferry crossings today. At Corran, we traverse the waters of Loch Linnhe, descending to the Morven Peninsula, where the remnants of an ancient township await our exploration.
Here, you'll uncover the poignant history of Highland and island communities, compelled to make way for expanded livestock holdings on the Landlord's estates.
As the day progresses, we make our way to our second ferry, charting a course across the Sound of Mull to the captivating Isle of Mull. Our ultimate destination? Our comfortable accommodations, where we'll settle in and savour the tranquility of the evening.
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Highlights - Day 8
Boat to Oban
Inveraray Castle
St Conans Kirk
Kilchurn Castle
Loch Lomond & the Trossachs National Park
Our last day kicks off with an early departure from the Isle of Mull, ferrying from Craignure to Oban. As we arrive in Oban, we set our course southward, heading on a captivating journey through the awe-inspiring landscapes of Western Scotland, ultimately leading us to Inveraray Castle - a fairytale-esque castle of Scotland.
One of the West of Scotland's most spectacular castles. Still the residence of the Dukes of Argyll and Clan Chiefs of Clan Campbell, this extraordinary castle exudes the charm of a fairy tale with its Gothic influence and imposing turrets.
Next, we head to the incredible St Conan’s Kirk laying along the banks of Loch Awe. It really is a architectural wonder. Discover the intriguing history of this kirk, renowned for it’s design.
On the same loch we’ll head around to Kichurn Castle - not 10 minutes down the road. The castle is now a ruin but our expert Scotland guide will tell of its history and influence in the region while you’re on the hunt for Highland coos who frequent the lochs banks!
After our castle exploration, our journey continues southward, and we make a stop at a panoramic viewpoint. Gaze upon the V-shaped valley encircled by the Arrochar Alps, locally known as mountains. Here, the Rest & Be Thankful viewpoint reveals the old military road constructed during the last Jacobite Uprising.
Finally we conclude our incredible 8 day adventure and you’ll be dropped off at your convenience.
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Item description
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Your Scotland Jouney
This 10 Day private Orkney & Isle of Skye tour itinerary is only a guideline to give you inspiration, we’ll craft the perfect tour for you!
In this 10-day private Scotland tour we’ll be heading to the island of 5,000 year old history, Orkney, and then onto the famous Isle of Skye for breathtaking views.
Travel through Scotland and visit stunning locations like Loch Lomond, Glencoe, Dunrobin Castle, Skara Brea, Old Man of Storr, Fairy Glen, Maes Howe or any other place that takes your fancy! All on a 10-day, private, Orkney & Skye tour from Edinburgh, Glasgow or anywhere else in Scotland!
Private Scotland Tour Information
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★★★★★
We provide many private tours to visitors of Scotland and our whisky is one of the biggest reasons for their visits. We go above and beyond to make sure each private tour is spectacular. Our personalised Scotland itineraries have you as our client at the forefront, your interests and reasons for visiting Scotland, your family history and the experiences you want to have while travelling Scotland.
★★★★★
We aim to provide you over the top value so that you have the best time possible as you visit the highlands, islands and all your favourite Scotland distilleries (even a few hidden gems you might not have otherwise gone to). That means expert Scotland guides, your own tour coordinator working to make sure your trip is spectacular and all the local Scotland knowledge that means you’ll get a completely unique experience of our wonderful country!
★★★★★
Most importantly, Clients consistently Review us as a 5 Star Tour Operator and a provider of 5 Star Tours on TripAdvisor - Google - Get Your Guide and Viator among others.
★★★★★
We’re reviewed every year by the National Tourism organisation - Visit Scotland and are consistently awarded 5 Stars for all aspects of your Tour in Scotland
★★★★★
We provide Extra Small Group Tours of no more than 8 people to ensure a more personable and enjoyable experience as you travel in to the Highlands of Scotland.
★★★★★
We guarantee a feeling of being at home while abroad. Our friendly guides and staff that will make it all possible are going to give you a welcome to Scotland you’ll never forget.
★★★★★
We go #Sightdoing
Our Scotland tours will aim to get you out the mini bus and into the Scottish Highlands on foot so you can get a proper feel of the Scotland and it’s countryside, but we make absolute sure of any restrictions you may have and will accommodate the tour to you and your travelling companions.
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David G from San Francisco - Trip Advisor
★★★★★
A Scotland's Wild private tour will repay you more than you ever imagined
“I'm lucky enough to have taken five private tours of Scotland. They have changed my life, and were enabled by the total client-centered flexibility of John at Scotland's Wild. This quality of his empowered each of my tours, most of all the one this spring encompassing not only the Scottish Highlands and Lowlands, but the North of England, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland at my request as well.
Starting with experiencing things, not just seeing them, John crafts your tour perfectly around your travel tastes, interests, time frame and budget. If you tell him castles, gardens, caves and waterfalls, those things are exactly what you'll experience. You'll savor them too, as there is no rush, and John will have lots of ideas that link to yours if you want them. You'll be equally satisfied and stimulated, and soon realize that what you thought would be "Scotland's Wild's way" is really your way. I cannot recommend these tours of incredible beauty too highly.”
Jgalanti from New York - Trip Advisor
★★★★★
Weeklong Private Hiking Tour across Scotland
“Scotland's Wild fulfilled all of my wishes for a weeklong celebratory trip to Scotland, wanting to learn about the land, history, culture, on an active hiking-based trip. From the moment I requested a zoom to meet with Kirstie and discuss the plan for my wife's birthday trip.
I felt totally taken care of, and that we were on the same page for what we wanted to do - see and do as much hiking and learning about Scotland in one week as possible (while someone else drove, directed us off the tourists' regular path, and arranged our food).
Overall, these people know how to take care of you, and can cater your tour to what you want, especially if you want to end the day exhausted from the mountain you climbed.”
Naomi S - Trip Advisor
★★★★★
A Magical Trip!!!
“As we sit here and reminisce waiting for our plane we are overwhelmed with gratitude! We had the most memorable incredible experience! Derek, our private tour guide and driver was an absolute treasure!!! He was incredibly helpful, knowledgeable, professional and always with a smile ! We even loved the playlist on our journeys! Derek helped make our trip truly memorable! He was incredible!!!
Thank you for helping us with our dietary restrictions, it worked out perfectly. We learned so much about the history, geography, nature , architecture of Scotland. We were blown away by its sheer beauty and majesty. It was truly magical! Some of the highlights of our trip were: The "Outlander" locations we saw were amazing. We particularly loved the Drummond Castle Gardens. We were amazed at the beauty and majesty of the Highlands, and were thrilled to climb up to the Old Man of Storr on the Isle of Skye. The whiskey tours and tastings were informative as well as delicious!
Kirstie who arranged everything for us was so helpful and professional and an absolute pleasure to deal with!
We can’t wait to come back and explore more!
We will definitely be recommending your tour group and in particular Derek to our friends.
Wishing you continued success!”
See More Reviews Here!
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As you’ll be on a fully private tour we will come to you, that means pick-up and drop-off anywhere in the country including the popular locations of Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen and Inverness, though will happily pick you up in any remote area in Scotland also. Want to be picked up from the airport and taken straight to the accommodation we can have organised for you? - No problem.
We will make your Private Scotland trip as streamline and as enjoyable as possible for you!
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Exclusive, private, high-end or custom distillery tours around the country.
An expert Scotland tour guide.
A comfortable vehicle, fuel, taxes and all other associated costs
24/7 service throughout your trip
Creation, planning, booking and organising of your fully private great Scottish Vacation!
Your very own expert tour experience creator - who will craft the ideal fully private trip in Scotland for you.
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A large part of a fully private and custom Scotland Vacation is the accommodation.
We use our years of expertise and knowledge to find you the perfect place to stay for your group.
From luxury 5 Star Scottish Castles & Manor Houses to cozy Highland Bed and Breakfasts - The sky is the limit when crafting your unique Scottish private tour.
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As a bonus for joining us on a private tour of Scotland we’ll register you to become Lord or Lady of the Glen.
You’ll own a small piece of land and Scotland and officially be named either Lord or Lady, not a bad title to have to tell those back home!
