Island Explorer

7 days
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5/5 Excellent
63 reviews  
97%
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Group Tour
This trip has been discontinued. Instead see Walking in the Lake District and Scotland Scotland Golfing Private Best of Scotland in 10 Days Tour     From exploring Orkney's 9000 years of history, monster hunting on the waters of Loch Ness to travelling on the 'Hogwarts Express', this trip has something for everyone. From our Morag's Lodge base, we...
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Overview

Trip type
Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Highlights

    • Enjoy the Jacobite Steam Train (aka the 'Hogwarts Express')
    • Visit to Clava Cairns and Culloden as seen in Outlander
    • Skara Brae Stone Age village
    • Visit a Highland whisky distillery
    • Explore Orkney and Tomb of the Eagles
    • Dramatic Glencoe
    • Ceilidh dance in Oban
    • Loch Ness free day with adventure activity options

What's this trip about?

    This trip has been discontinued. Instead see Walking in the Lake District and Scotland Scotland Golfing Private Best of Scotland in 10 Days Tour     From exploring Orkney's 9000 years of history, monster hunting on the waters of Loch Ness to travelling on the 'Hogwarts Express', this trip has something for everyone. From our Morag's Lodge base, we head north to Orkney and south to Oban for rugged scenery, bloody history, golden whisky and ceilidh dancing. You'll even get a day based at Loch Ness to try adventure activities, explore the local area or just chill out. One week, one amazing trip.

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Details

Itinerary focusClassic Highlights
Group sizeIntimate group - 12 max
Age range18 years and up
Flights and transportN/A
Start CityEdinburgh
End CityEdinburgh

Travel Themes

  • Cultural
  • National Parks
  • Nature & Wildlife

Destinations

  • Europe
  • United Kingdom
  • Scotland

Attractions

  • Edinburgh
  • Loch Ness
  • Orkney Islands
  • Stirling Castle

Activities

  • Culture
  • Historic sightseeing
  • Ruins & Archaeology
  • Whale watching
  • Wildlife viewing

Trip includes

    • Legendary local HAGGiS Guide
    • All transport around Scotland in the famous yellow HAGGiS bus
    • Ring of Brodgar Standing Stones

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Itinerary

Travel Map

Day 1: Edinburgh to Loch Ness

Tour starts 8.30am. From Edinburgh, we head north to explore the forests and salmon packed rivers of Perthshire and Dunkeld with its mighty cathedral in the heart of Macbeth country. Then our chance to sample Scotland's national drink, a wee dram at a Highland distill...

Day 2: Loch Ness to Orkney

Today we journey to the tip of the British mainland where a ferry carries us from John O'Groats to St Margarets Hope in Orkney. Home to more archaeological ruins in one area than anywhere else in Europe, first we visit the Tomb of the Eagles, a Stone Age chamber that was filled with thousands of human bones and the remains of sea eagles many millennia ago.

Day 3: Orkney

Today we head off to explore Skara Brae, a stone age village dating from the late Neolithic period and inhabited between 3,200BC and 2,200BC. This incredible village still has some original furniture! Then the magnificent standing stones at the Ring of Brodgar and the Italian Chapel built by 550 Italian POW's in the Second World War.

Day 4: Orkney to Loch Ness

We bid Orkney farewell and make the ferry crossing back to the mainland and a journey south through Scotland’s rugged terrain. We travel through the sparsely populated wilderness of Sutherland and Caithness, via glens left deserted as a result of the Highland Clearanc...

Day 5: Free Day at Loch Ness

You have a free day to explore the charming village of Fort Augustus on the banks of Loch Ness and take advantage of one (or more) of the many activities the area has to offer. From canoeing on Loch Ness - an excellent way to get closer to the unique wildlife in the a...

Day 6: Loch Ness to Oban

We leave Loch Ness for the chance to travel on the famous Jacobite Steam train also known as the 'Hogwarts Express'. We take the 'Road to the Isles' to view Glenfinnan Monument where Bonnie Prince Charlie began his claim for the throne of Scotland back in 1745 .  From...

Day 7: Oban to Edinburgh

We head for eerie Glencoe, home to some of Scotland’s most iconic scenery and the setting of the infamous 1692 massacre and used as a backdrop for many movies. Further south we enter Rob Roy country where the landscape changes from the Highlands to the Lowlands. We pa...

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Dates & Availability

Price From $0
Price per day$0
Last Updated: 8/2/2018

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Haggis Adventures.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

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Haggis Adventures Reviews & Ratings

5/5  Excellent
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Other Haggis Adventures Reviews

L

Leah

Nov 2019

Great one day tour up to Loch Nes

Great one day tour up to Loch Ness from Edinburgh. Greg was a great tour operator, gave us tons of insights on all of the things we drove by! Gave us recommendations...

M

Mitch

Nov 2019

What a brilliant way to see the Scottish Highlands

What a brilliant way to see the Scottish Highlands. Our tour guide Michael was knowledgeable and friendly, with great recommendations for what to do and see in the s...

A

Ann

Oct 2019

Great 5 day tour

Great 5 day tour with Ross Nicol to the Highlands. Met wonderful peop...

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Tour Operator

Haggis Adventures

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Back in 1993 a dynamic team of Scots established a backpacker travel company that broke the mould - fully guided trips that allowed intrepid young adventurers to discover Scotland with the best, most knowledgeable and sexiest Guides leading the way.

We have always stuck stubbornly to our mission – to make every trip we run the best yet. We believe that a country's culture, history, myths and legends can only truly come to life through a local and that you can have an incredible time travelling on a budget. Therefore choice is at the heart of what we do. It's your trip so we don't package or impose restrictive kitties.

We also have a book and go guarantee and mean just that. We have never cancelled a single trip. You have made the effort to come and explore our country so the least we can do is show you around!

Haggis has built its reputation through word of mouth recommendation and having started with just one trip we now run a whole range of award-winning adventures throughout Scotland and also Cornwall and Wales.

Why go Haggis?

We're a proud bunch who know what makes an unforgettable trip. You're travelling in our backyard so we consider it our duty to get you loving our homeland as much as we do!

Our mission is to make each trip we run the best yet. We love travel and travelling with like-minded people. It's all about getting out there and doing stuff, discovering new things and having a blast with the people you travel with. We've picked up a few awards along the way and that's because we have a legendary team of who are passionate about what they do.

Our Guides: Legendary - that's just one way we can describe our team but the most accurate. Unique characters all with bags of energy, enthusiasm and a breath-taking knowledge of their homeland, they're the ones who will make your Haggis trip the most unforgettable travel experience of your life.

Choice: We know you are travelling on a budget so you should spend your cash how you want to. If we do stop at a paid attraction, there's always a free alternative that's just as good. Hostel accommodation is guaranteed on all trips. We reserve the beds and you choose to 'Pay As You Go' or 'Pre-Pay' with one of our bundles. You can also treat yourself to a Private Room upgrade where available.

Our Book & Go Guarantee: We mean just that. Once you book your trip, it will run. Since 1993 we have never, ever, ever, cancelled a single trip. You've made the effort to come see our country, so it's the least we can do!

The famous Haggis buses: Our yellow Mercedes Benz coaches are the latest models, custom built for exploring and have eco-friendly (low-emission) engines - ideally suited for getting off the beaten track. Your comfort and safety are top priorities to us. We like to do things properly!

Private Groups

If there's a group of you and you would like your own exclusive HAGGiS trip, then we can help. Whether you're interested on one of our existing trips or you have your own itinerary in mind, we can provide exclusive tailor-made tours to ensure you have the best experience possible.

From University groups of 150 people, to pipe bands, rugby teams and language schools, we’ve catered for them all. With many years experience, we have the contacts and expertise to ensure that planning such a trip is as easy for you as possible. We can also arrange Stag and Hen weekends!

We take care of all the logistics: accommodation bookings, meals, ferries, bridge tolls and activities. With a fleet of luxury coaches, fully trained local Guides and the back up of our team, you are guaranteed an exceptional time.

Special Interest Tours

If you are a group and have a particular interest, we can plan your itinerary and local Guides to ensure you get the most out of your trip. Possible theme tours include: Jacobites, Genealogy and Clan History, Malt Whisky, Walking, Wildlife and Golf.

Other Services

--Transfer and Shuttle Services

--Coach and Airport transfers

--Meet and Greet services

--Conference delegate transport

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Logistics

What's excluded

    • International Flights
    • Personal Expenses
Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies. It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before or during your journey
Visa requirements
Visa requirements vary depending on your country of origin and your country of destination. It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the relevant requirements. For a handy tool that can help you quickly find the requirements, please visit this link .
Age Requirements
18 years and up
Optional Activities
  • Jacobite Steam Train journey
  • Highland whisky distillery tour
  • Skara Brae Stone Age Village
  • Tomb of the Eagles
  • Entrance to the Italian Chapel
  • Monster spotting on a Loch Ness cruise
  • Adventure activities at Morag's Lodge, Loch Ness
Additional Information
Trip ID
haggis-IslExpHag

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