Orkney Islands & North Coast 500 3 Day Tour from Inverness

Inverness

Dec 20

Written By John Stevenson

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Visit the Ring of Brodgar and Stenness Stone Circle with Experience Scotland's Wild on a 3 day Orkney Islands & North Coast 500, adventure, group tour

Highlights - Orkney Isles - Day 1
North Coast 500 Drive
Scenic Coastal Walk
Boat over to Orkney Islands
The Italian Chapel
Scapa Distillery
Kirkwall

Check-In at 8:15, Departure at 8:30.
Our day commences departing Inverness and taking in the beautiful scenery driving up Scotland’s stunning NC500 route.
Our first stop will at a picturesque fishing village with a scenic harbour. Here we will have a coastal walk taking in the views and hearing about how life was for the crofters in this harsh but beautiful environment.
The time has come for a ferry adventure! Departing from Gills bay, we head out on a scenic ferry crossing passing by the uninhabited Island of Stroma to the charming Isle of Orkney. The journey across the shimmering waters takes just over an hour.
We've now arrived in Orkney! Upon leaving the ferry, we'll make our way to the incredible Italian Chapel where Italian prisoners of war constructed and decorated a Chapel during their encampment on the island.
Following on from the Italian “aqua vitae” at the Chapel time for some Scottish “Uisge beatha” which is Water of life or what we call Whisky! We head down to the Scapa Flow and visit the Scapa Distillery where you see how this marvellous drink is made and sample this Scottish nectar.
Now with Whisky in your bellies we head to our accommodations for the next two nights, settling into the welcoming town of Kirkwall.
Highlights - Orkney Isles - Day 2
Kirkwall
St Magnus Cathedral
Maeshowe Chambered Cairn*
Ring of Brodgar
Skara Brae
Standing Stones of Stenness, Circle & Henge
Stunning Island Scenery
Now begins our fascinating day of exploring the magnificent Orkney Islands. We start in the town of Kirkwall by visiting St Magnus Cathedral, where we can explore the church and hear all about who St Magnus was.
When we hop back into the mini bus, it’ll feel like a time machine. We travel back through to the ancient history of the Orkney Islands, beginning with a short hike to Wideford Hill Cairn.
Climb down into the cairn itself and explore some of the dark chambers which date back to around 5000 years ago. The views from the cairn are pretty spectacular too.
Cuween Hill chambered cairn is our next destination. Crawl through the entrance and explore the inside of the cairn, where in 1901, exploration discovered human remains and skulls from dogs in the centre chamber, dating back approx 5,000 years ago.
Our next stop has a Viking twist involved. Maeshowe is a seriously impressive chambered tomb built 5,000 years ago. The massive stone structure can be seen from the road as we drive past the visitor centre, that's when the excitement kicks in.
Now for all you Outlander fans, it’s time to head off to Stenness Standing Stones. Some of the stones stand over 6 metres in height. They are believed to be part of the oldest Henge, not just in Scotland, but on the British Isles.
Once we’ve explored these fascinating Standing Stones, we’ll travel to another, much larger, collection of standing stones, The Ring of Brodgar.
No excavations have taken place here so it’s unclear how old these stones really are, we just know they’re really old. From the original 60 stones that once stood strong, 36 remain. We’ll walk around this incredible site, allowing our imagination to ponder on what their purpose was. Those secrets are buried in every mark the Standing Stones themselves.
The final location of the day has to be up there as our favourite on the Orkney Islands, there are so many to choose from. You’ll soon understand why. Skara Brae is one the best preserved prehistoric villages found anywhere in Europe and is a World Heritage site.
This incredible place dates back further than the Egyptian Pyramids and Stonehenge. The most astonishing thing about it is we can glimpse into the houses themselves and see the furniture which survived the test of time.
What a fascinating day it has been. Now it’s time to return back down to the town of Kirkwall and to our accommodation.
*Attractions can be subject to change depending on availability.
Highlights - Orkney Isles - Inverness Day 3
Boat to the Mainland
John O’ Groats
Castle Sinclair
Camster cairns
Dunrobin Castle & Gardens
Stunning Coastal Landscapes
Inverness

Saying goodbye to Orkney from the ferry, we arrive back on the mainland and begin our journey south. But that doesn't mean we’re not stopping anywhere.
Disembarking the ferry, we’ll take a short drive to John o’Groats to check out Scotland's most northeastern area.
We’ll now head off to Castle Sinclair beckons from the mist. Our route takes us past stunning seascapes as we uncover the remains of this ancient castle perched atop dramatic cliffs. The panoramic views overlooking the North Sea are simply breathtaking.
After capturing every conceivable angle of the castle for our photos, we journey back in time to our next destination—the historic Camster Cairns. These colossal burial cairns harken back over 5,000 years, providing a captivating glimpse into Scotland's Neolithic past.
Following our exploration of the Neolithic Cairns, We travel onward to the fairytale-like Dunrobin Castle. This magnificent castle, the ancestral seat of the Earls and Dukes of Sutherland, stands as one of the tour's grandest spectacles.
Our last stop of the day will be a beautiful Costal walk soaking in the weather and the views!
It’s now time to complete our journey south and rest for the evening in Inverness.
Tour returns between 5-6pm.
On this tour, you will spend 2 nights on the Orkney Islands.
Accommodation is not included in the price of your tour.
How can I book accommodation?
The Orkney Islands have a selection of accommodation, ranging from Youth Hostels, Bed and Breakfasts to 3, 4 and 5 Star hotels.
We have 2 options for booking Accommodation for your Orkney Islands Tour
1. We can book it for you on your behalf. We have a supply of accommodation pre-booked with some trusted accommodation partners. We have a selection of Twin, Double, Single and Family Rooms available.
2. You can choose to book your own accommodation. Before doing this, please get in touch and ask what part of the Island we will be staying for your chosen dates so that you can book appropriate accommodation in an appropriate location. Accommodation will need to be booked within 3km of our chosen accommodation location as we may not be able to collect and drop off from further away than this.
Alternatively, please email us your questions at info@scotlandswild.com
Note for Solo Travellers
If you are a solo traveller and you choose for us to book your accommodation on your behalf, then we will first choose to put you in a single room. Though on occasions due to accommodation supply, we may select a twin room where you will share with another traveller of the same gender. If you would prefer not to have this as an option, please get in touch and let us know at info@scotlandswild.com
How much will the accommodation cost?
We book a variety of accommodation with third party accommodation partners on your behalf and each of these partners sets their own rates. These rates will vary depending on a variety of factors, such as standard, facilities, location and demand. Once you’ve confirmed your tour and you’ve selected that you’d like for us to book your accommodation on your behalf, we will then allocate you to an accommodation partner and give you the details such as cost.
As a guide to cost, you can expect to pay the following prices
Approximate prices
Price for sole occupancy:1 person per room, per night
B&B Standard - £60-90 GBP - €70-€105 Euro - $85-€110 USD
B&B En-suite - £80-140 GBP - €90-€160 Euro - $100-$175 USD
Hotel - £120-180 GBP - €140-€210 Euro - $150-225 USD
Price for multiple occupancy: 2 or more people per room, per night
B&B Standard - £80-£140 GBP - €90-€160 Euro - $100-$175 USD
B&B En-suite - £90-£170 GBP - €105-€195 Euro - $110-$225 USD
Hotel - £140-180 GBP - €160-210 Euro - $175-$225 USD
NOTE: Prices mentioned are for guidance only and may be higher on some occasions, especially for last-minute bookings and when demand is high (e.g. peak season, weekends, holidays, special events etc)
Will Breakfast be included with my Accommodation?
When we book your accommodation for you, breakfast will be included. If for some reason breakfast isn’t included, usually due to a last minute booking, we will let you know and recommend local locations for where you can get yourself Breakfast. The type of Breakfast included will vary in each accommodation and will range from continental style to fully cooked breakfasts.

Start in the city of Inverness on your 3 day Orkney Islands Tour

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★★★★★
Top 10% in the World
We provide wonderful experiences for clients and due to that, we’ve been awarded a Travelers Choice Award by TripAdvisor, putting us in the top 10% of all Attractions in the World
★★★★★
We provide many private tours to the Orkney Isles for visitors to Scotland. It’s a very popular location to travel to in the Highlands of Scotland and we go above and beyond to ensure that all our visitors have the best time possible as you explore the Orkney Isles and the Highlands of Scotland from Inverness.
★★★★★
The 3 Day Orkney Isles and Highlands of Scotland Adventure Group Tour from Inverness is brand new for 2024! We came up with the idea as we’ve visited the Orkney Isles many times as a fully private tour for clients and get many requests to visit the Orkney Isles and other locations in the Highlands of Scotland, so we thought, let’s give visitors to Scotland what they want and create a 3 day tour which focuses purely on travelling and visiting many wonderful locations on the Orkney Isles and the Highlands of Scotland.
★★★★★
We aim to provide you with over the top value so that you have the best time possible as you visit the Orkney Isles and the Highlands of Scotland from Inverness.
★★★★★
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 organization - 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 offer a Guaranteed Departure as soon as 4 Clients Book on, giving you peace of mind once you’ve booked your Orkney Isles and Highlands of Scotland 3 Day Adventure Group Tour from Inverness.
★★★★★
We go #Sightdoing
Our 3 Day Orkney Isles and Highlands of Scotland Adventure Group Tour from Inverness aim to get you out of the minibus and into the Scottish Highlands on foot so you can get a proper feel of Scotland and its countryside.
★★★★★
Brand New
Starting April 2024
As of December 2023 we’re rated 5 Star ★★★★★ for 360 of our 364 reviews
We’re excited to start this Scotland Tour in April 2024 and provide visitors to Scotland with an exceptional 3 Day Orkney Isles and Highlands of Scotland Adventure Group Tour from Inverness, where you’ll visit some of the most beautiful places on the Orkney Isles, such as Skara Brae, Maeshowe Chambered Cairn, Kirkwall, and the Ring of Brodgar. You can be sure we’ll start posting the reviews here once travellers have started exploring the 3 Day Orkney Isles and Highlands of Scotland Adventure Group Tour from Inverness
To give you confidence and help you to choose to book this Orkney Isles and Highlands of Scotland 3 Day Adventure Group Tour from Inverness, here are some reviews from when we’ve guided clients on to the Orkney Isles and the Highlands of Scotland on fully Private Tours.
Claire & Wendy - USA - TripAdvisor
Fabulous bucket list 10 day private tour of Scotland for two people - John is a wonderful caring guide!
★★★★★
We happily managed to book Experience Scotland’s Wild for a 10 day private tour of Scotland. It would be my 4th trip to Scotland and my partner's first time. John asked me what would be my dream trip, and I threw a huge list at him, and amazingly Scotland’s Wild was able to plan an itinerary that included almost all of the list! They made all the hotel, b&b, and restaurant reservations. We travelled from Edinburgh to Skye, Mull, Iona, Lewis and Harris, and Orkney. Stayed at some beautiful B&Bs/hotels and 1 night in a luxury castle. Wonderful scenery, stone circles, and animals (deer, birds, sheep, seals, horses and Shetland ponies, hairy cows, hairy pigs in Orkney). LOVED the Callanish Standing Stones. Since we are Harry Potter fans he booked us a trip on the "Hogwarts Express" train. He was very informative and took good care of my partner who is limited in physical capability. The bus is very clean and comfortable. He is a very caring guide who does his best to make your trip the best it can be! We give John and Experience Scotland’s Wild the highest recommendation possible! Looking forward to our next trip back to Scotland!
Greg - USA -TripAdvisor
Perfect Trip to Scotland
★★★★★
It was a pleasure working with Scotland's Wild Tours. My wife typically plans our trips and she had a clear idea of what she wanted to do while in Scotland. Through other reviews and recommendations, she contacted Experience Scotland's Wild Tours. ESWT was able to accommodate all of my wife's preferences and make recommendations for minor tweaks/add-ons. We left for Scotland feeling confident that we were in good hands.
Our guide Derek was great. Professional, personable, friendly, and knowledgeable. Derek took all the work and worry out of the equation so that my wife and I could relax and enjoy our vacation.
On this tour, you will spend 2 nights on the Orkney Islands.
Accommodation is not included in the price of your tour.
How can I book accommodation?
We do this so that you have the option of choosing accommodation to suit your budget.
The Orkney Islands have a selection of accommodation, ranging from Youth Hostels, Bed and Breakfasts to 3, 4 and 5 Star hotels.
We have 2 options for booking Accommodation for your Orkney Islands Tour
1. We can book it for you on your behalf. We have a supply of accommodation pre-booked with some trusted accommodation partners. We have a selection of Twin, Double, Single and Family Rooms available.
2. You can choose to book your own accommodation. Before doing this, please get in touch and ask what part of the Island we will be staying for your chosen dates so that you can book appropriate accommodation in an appropriate location. Accommodation will need to be booked within 3km of our chosen accommodation location as we may not be able to collect and drop off from further away than this.
Alternatively, please email us your questions at info@scotlandswild.com
Note for Solo Travellers
If you are a solo traveller and you choose for us to book your accommodation on your behalf, then we will first choose to put you in a single room. Though on occasions due to accommodation supply, we may select a twin room where you will share with another traveller of the same gender. If you would prefer not to have this as an option, please get in touch and let us know at info@scotlandswild.com
How much will the accommodation cost?
We book a variety of accommodation with third party accommodation partners on your behalf and each of these partners sets their own rates. These rates will vary depending on a variety of factors, such as standard, facilities, location and demand. Once you’ve confirmed your tour and you’ve selected that you’d like for us to book your accommodation on your behalf, we will then allocate you to an accommodation partner and give you the details such as cost.
As a guide to cost, you can expect to pay the following prices
Approximate prices
Price for sole occupancy:1 person per room, per night

B&B Standard - £60-90 GBP - €70-€105 Euro - $85-€110 USD

B&B En-suite - £80-140 GBP - €90-€160 Euro - $100-$175 USD

Hotel - £120-180 GBP - €140-€210 Euro - $150-225 USD

Price for multiple occupancy: 2 or more people per room, per night

B&B Standard - £80-£140 GBP - €90-€160 Euro - $100-$175 USD

B&B En-suite - £90-£170 GBP - €105-€195 Euro - $110-$225 USD

Hotel - £140-180 GBP - €160-210 Euro - $175-$225 USD

NOTE: Prices mentioned are for guidance only and may be higher on some occasions, especially for last-minute bookings and when demand is high (e.g. peak season, weekends, holidays, special events etc)
Will Breakfast be included with my Accommodation?
When we book your accommodation for you, breakfast will be included. If for some reason breakfast isn’t included, usually due to a last minute booking, we will let you know and recommend local locations for where you can get yourself Breakfast. The type of Breakfast included will vary in each accommodation and will range from continental style to fully cooked breakfasts.
What’s Included on your 3 Day Orkney Isles and Highlands of Scotland Adventure Group Tour from Inverness

Included
Boat Trip to the Orkney Isles
A Fun & Friendly Scotland Tour Guide
Fully Guided short hikes in the Highlands of Scotland
A Fully Air-Conditioned Vehicle
Beautiful Highlands Scenery
Stories, Myths & Legends
Not Included
Accommodation (Please see “Tour Accommodation” tab for more information
Meals and Snacks
Entry to Glenmorangie Distillery
Entry to Dunrobin Castle
Entry to Skara Brae
Entry to St Magnus Cathedral
Entry to Maeshowe
This Tour Stars and Ends in Inverness
Check-In at 8:15, Departure at 8:30
Start Location from Inverness
Meeting Point - Outside Starbucks at the Carpark at Rose Street.
Address: Rose St, Inverness IV1 1NQ
Return between 5-6pm.
What makes your 3 Day Orkney Isles & Highlands of Scotland Adventure Group Tour so Special?
Your 3 Day Orkney Isles and Highlands of Scotland Adventure Group Tour from Inverness differs from other generic bus tours as we focus on getting you out and really experiencing the spectacular landscape of the Orkney Isles and the Highlands of Scotland. You’ll learn about the area, and its history, experience the culture and bond with your fellow visitors. We don't just go Sightseeing, we take part in #Sightdoing.

Is the Orkney Isles & Highlands of Scotland 3 Day Adventure Group Tour for me?
Before booking onto our 3 Day Orkney Isles tour, please remember that this is an Active Sightseeing tour and might not be for everyone. We will be going for some short walks in the Highlands. The terrain can vary and the ground can be uneven and slippery. Before booking, please ask yourself, Can I and everyone in my group comfortably walk for an hour on uneven ground?

What should I bring on the 3 Day Orkney Isles and Highlands of Scotland Adventure Group Tour from Inverness?
As the weather can be unpredictable at times in Scotland, for your day tour we recommend you bring light waterproof clothing and sturdy hiking boots or shoes. You may also want to bring bug spray/midge repellent as during certain times of year (primarily April - September) the midges may irritate you. If you’re lucky enough to get a nice sunny day, then some sun cream would be great. If it’s during the colder months, then some warm clothing, gloves and a hat may also be useful.

When should I arrive for the Orkney Isles & Highlands of Scotland Adventure Group Tour Departing Inverness?
We ask all clients to arrive and check-in at least 15 minutes early for your 3 Day Orkney Isles and Highlands of Scotland Adventure Group Tour. This ensures a prompt departure and more time to experience the Highlands of Scotland. If you’re going to be late, get in touch as soon as possible at +44 7473 208767 and we will see about getting you on another tour if there is availability. This is not a guarantee though.

Is there Parking near the Inverness Departure location?
Yes, there’s parking near the departure point for your 3 Day Orkney Isles & Highlands of Scotland Adventure Group Tour. It’s at Old Town Rose Street and is a multi-story, private parking facility and they do charge for parking. It will take you approximately 5 minutes to walk from the parking facility to the Orkney Isles & Highlands of Scotland Day Tour Start Location.
What is Guaranteed Departure?
Very simply put, our Guaranteed Departure for our 3 Day Adventure Group Tours of the Orkney Isles and Highlands of Scotland departing Inverness, guarantees that as soon as 4 clients book on to our Tour, then the tour will be Guaranteed to go out and explore the highlands of Scotland from Inverness. Our Guaranteed Departure policy applies to all of our 1 day group tours and Multi-Day Group Tours departing Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness and Balloch, Loch Lomond.

How long will I be out of the vehicle on this 3 Day Orkney Isles and Highlands of Scotland Adventure Group Tour from Inverness?
On your 3 Day Orkney Isles Tour, you’ll get a good amount of time out of the bus as you go for short hikes on the Orkney Isles and Highlands of Scotland. Visiting places like Skara Brae, Dunrobin Castle, the Ring of Brodgar, walking around Dunnet Head National Nature Reserve plus so much more.

Do you have any age restrictions?
For our scheduled 3 Day Orkney Isles and Highlands of Scotland Adventure Group Tour from Inverness, we have a minimum age limit of 12 years old. If you have children under 12 who you’d like to take on the 3 Day Orkney Isles Tour from Inverness, we recommend getting in touch at info@scotlandswild.com and asking about a fully private tour for you and your group.

Should I bring food on my Orkney Isles & Highlands of Scotland 3 Day Adventure Group Tour leaving Inverness?
There will be no need to bring food on your 3 Day Orkney Isles tour from Inverness as you’ll be stopping at different locations in the Highlands of Scotland and on Mainland Orkney to enjoy meals and be able to pick up snacks.
Feel free to bring snacks for when you’re travelling around the Highlands of Scotland.
Are meals included for my Orkney Isles 3 Day Tour from Inverness?
Meals aren’t included on your 3 Day Orkney Isles and Highlands of Scotland Adventure Group Tour from Inverness. You’ll be able to enjoy meals in your own time and where you enjoy. Your Scotland Tour Guide will happily help send you in the right direction. There may be a need to book meals in Advance
Can I take luggage with me during my 3 Day Orkney Isles & Highlands of Scotland Adventure Group Tour?
As you travel Scotland on your 3 Day Orkney Isles Tour, there will be space for each traveller to bring a suitcase style of luggage of 20kg (44lbs) with dimensions of approx 81cm x 119cm x 119cm. You will also be able to take a small handbag-sized bag for your personal items when you travel around Scotland. If you have any questions about luggage, feel free to get in touch at info@scotlandswild.com

Will there be plenty of bathroom breaks?
During your Orkney Isles & Highlands of Scotland Adventure Group Tour from Inverness, there will be plenty of stops to use the restrooms in both the Highlands of Scotland and the Orkney Isles. There are also restrooms on the boat trip to and from the Orkney Isles. You will never be far away from a bathroom stop.

Should I tip my Scotland Tour Guide/Driver?
If you believe your Scotland Tour Guide/Driver provided you with a great touring experience on your 3 Day Orkney Isles and Highlands of Scotland Tour, then I know they will always appreciate a wee bonus, though it is completely up to you how much you tip or if you’d like to provide one.

What’s your Multi-Day Tour Cancellation Policy?
Any cancellation for our 3 Day Orkney Isles & Highlands of Scotland Adventure Group Tour, 16 or more days before the tour start day, you will be issued a 90% Refund. Cancelling 15 days or less, you must pay 100% of your total booking price. In the event of not showing up for your multi-day group tour, you will be charged 100% of the cost
To see all our T&C’s, check them out here

What happens if I miss my Orkney Isles & Highlands of Scotland 3 Day Tour?
If you are late for your tour, the cancellation policy will apply. If on the day, you believe you will be late, do get in touch as soon as possible on +44 7473 208767 and we will see about getting you on another tour if there is availability. This is not a guarantee though.

Do I have Travel Insurance Provided on my 3 Day Orkney Isles and Highlands of Scotland Tour from Inverness?
We don’t provide travel insurance for any Tours in Scotland, though we highly recommend taking out appropriate travel insurance for any vacation to Scotland.

I still have more questions, how can I get answers?
We’re always happy to answer any question and would love to help you as much as possible before you arrive in Scotland, so do get in touch if you think we can help info@scotlandswild.com