Ancient Scotland and the Isles

Arran - Kilmartin - Skye - Lewis - Orkney - Shetland - Aberdeen - Loch Tay

For the first time I have put together a tour of the whole of Scotland. This is going to be an epic adventure beginning in the western Highlands and islands including the amazing Machrie Moor on the Isle of Arran, Kilmartin Glenn and the Callanish on the Outer Hebrides. We will then head up to the northern most point in Britain and take the ferry across to the Orkney Isles. Here we will visit some of the most important ancient sites in the World including; Maes Howe, Scara Brea and the Ring of Brodgar. Our next ferry will take us far north of the mainland to Shetland, where we again explore this Scandinavian type island. Landing back in Aberdeen we will take in a few of the region’s unique recumbent stone circles, before heading to Loch Tay, another area containing some interesting sites. Our final stay will be a free day to recover and take it all in, along the banks of Loch Long, in the beautiful town of Arrachor.

14 Days £1,600 (single supp £150)

Day 1
Leaving Preston we will travel north for Dumfries where we will visit the massive 12 Apostles stone circle. Then on the way to the to the Isle of Arran ferry, we will stop off in Mauchline, for a break and a chance to visit the Robert Burns museum. The ferry from Ardrossen will take us across to the island where we will drive across the island to the large group of ancient sites on Machrie Moor. The night will be spent in the McLaren hotel in Brodick on a B&B basis.

Day 2
We will leave the hotel at 8.30am and cross to the opposite side of the island and catch the ferry to the Kintyre peninsula. Then heading north we will spend time at Kilmartin Glenn, another ancient landscape, with a large collection of ancient sites and Templar graves. The lunch break will be in the Kilmartin visitor’s centre, where there is a café and shop. Continuing our journey north we will take the long drive to Kyle of Lochalsh, where we will book into the hotel for two nights.

Day 3
After crossing the magnificent Skye Bridge we will have a full day exploring the Isle of Skye. We will take in an ancient broch; the Table Mountain Cairns where a mighty battle took place, meet a giant, visit an historic smoke house, a sheepskin factory and an old church with a tragic history.

Day 4
Heading to the top of the Isle of Skye, to the port of Uig, we will catch the ferry across to the Outer Hebides and the Isle of Lewis. We will then drive right up the island to the main town of Stonrnaway that will be our home for the next two nights.

Day 5
The amazing group of sites that go under the name of ‘The Callanish’ are to be found on the Isle of Lewis and today we will visit this special place, together with the other sites of the island.

Day 6
Taking the morning ferry from Stornaway, we will head back to the mainland, before heading across some of the most beautiful and spectacular countryside anywhere, to the town of Thurso, about as far north as you can get in Britain and where we will spend the night.

Day 7
Now in the east, our crossing today will take us to Stromness on the Orkney Isles, where we will begin our exploration of some of the most important and well known ancient sites in the world. Our hotel for the next two nights will be in the main town of Kirkwall.

Day 8
Continuing our time on Orkney, we will spend the day visiting more of the ancient sites of the island.

Day 9
The ferry for the Shetland Isles leaves late this evening and we will sleep the night away I our cabins after taking the ferries facilities.

Day 10
Arriving in Lerwick early in the morning we will begin our visit of Shetland, so far north of the British mainland and Scandinavian in feel.

Day 11
Continuing out time on the Shetland main island, we will take in more of the excellent sites and will have time in Lerwick, before taking the overnight ferry to Aberdeen. Again we will have cabins for a comfortable crossing.

Day 12
Arriving in Aberdeen in the early morning, we will take a few of the ‘recumbent stone circles’ unique to the area, before heading south. Loch Tay in Presthshire is another centre of ancient activity and we will visit a couple of sites in this area, before heading for our hotel on the banks of Loch Long.

Day 13
We will have a well earned rest day on the banks of the beautiful Loch Long, at the end of Loch Lomond.

Day 14
At the end of an amazing two weeks we will head south with our memories of an epic adventure.