9 Day Grand Northern Explorer Private Tour
from Edinburgh
Orkney, Shetland and Highlands Tour from Edinburgh
Explore the dramatic landscapes and ancient history of Orkney, Shetland and the Scottish Highlands with a grand nine day private tour from Edinburgh. The tour itinerary includes Skara Brae, Maeshowe, Ring of Brodgar, Standing Stones of Stenness, Broch of Gurness, Italian Chapel, Kirkwall, Jarlshof, Eshaness, Sumburgh Head, St Ninian's Isle, Lerwick, Scalloway and Unst. Linking the two island groups is by overnight ferry, with a late-night boarding in Kirkwall around 11.45pm, so this tour suits guests comfortable with one late night.
Day 1 — Edinburgh to Inverness
Departing from Edinburgh we travel north towards the village of Dunkeld and the ruins of its historic cathedral followed by visit to the Falls of Bruar. The afternoon takes us into the Cairngorms National Park where we drive up towards Cairngorm Mountain. If the weather is clear we take the funicular railway to near the summit or alternatively, we enjoy a meandering walk at the nearby Loch an Eilein with its island castle ruin. The day ends with a short drive to Inverness where we will overnight for the next two days.
Day 2 — Inverness
Departing from Inverness, we visit the nearby Culloden Battlefield to explore the dramatic history of the Highland clans and the Jacobite uprisings. Next we explore the Bronze Age Clava Cairns, dating back over 4000 years, these standing stones offer a fascinating glimpse into the ancient past of the Highlands. The afternoon takes us east to the majestic ruins of Elgin Cathedral – even in its ruined state, it stands as one of Scotland’s most beautiful and historically significant medieval buildings. Our return to Inverness includes a stop at the Rodney Stone, a carved monument crafted over twelve hundred years ago by the Picts.
Day 3 — Inverness to Orkney
Depart Inverness for a scenic three hour journey through the North Highlands to the ferry port of Scrabster. This coastal drive offers stunning views and a stop in the historic town of Dornoch. We then cross the Pentland Firth (1½ hour Orkney ferry sailing) passing the iconic Old Man of Hoy, before arriving in the picturesque port of Stromness. The afternoon is dedicated to the Neolithic heart of Orkney, with visits to the Standing Stones of Stenness and the monumental Ring of Brodgar, before we settle into the historic capital of Kirkwall for our two night stay.
Day 4 — Orkney
Our first full day on Orkney is spent uncovering the mysteries of the Orkney mainland. We start at Skara Brae, a remarkably preserved 5000-year-old Neolithic village revealed by a storm in 1850, before visiting the 2000-year-old Broch of Gurness, an Iron Age tower with the remains of a village clustered around it. The journey includes a visit to the chambered tomb of Maeshowe, where Norse visitors left runic inscriptions on the walls, and the poignant Italian Chapel, created by Italian prisoners of war during WWII. We conclude our day in Kirkwall with time to admire the Viking heritage of St Magnus Cathedral, founded in 1137 and still the heart of the town.
Day 5 — Orkney
Our second full day on Orkney can be tailored to your interests. Many guests choose to explore Orkney's dramatic coastline, visiting the towering cliffs of Yesnaby and the tidal island of Birsay (with a walk across to the island when the tide allows), or the Gloup, a collapsed sea cave in Mull Head Nature Reserve. The afternoon can then be spent in Kirkwall, discovering the medieval ruins of the Bishop's and Earl's Palaces and the Orkney Museum, or enjoying a tasting at the Highland Park or Scapa distilleries (advance booking required for a full distillery tour).
Alternatively, for those interested in Orkney's naval history, we can sail across Scapa Flow to the Isle of Hoy to visit the acclaimed Scapa Flow Museum. This can be a full day including a drive to the secluded, towering cliffs of Rackwick Bay, or a shorter day with around two and a half hours at the museum, returning to the Orkney mainland by mid-afternoon with time back in Kirkwall to explore the palaces. Just let me know your preference in the 'Extra Information' section when completing a Tour Enquiry Form.
After an evening meal in Kirkwall we catch the late ferry from Kirkwall (boarding approx. 11.45pm) for an overnight sailing to Lerwick in Shetland.
An honest note...
There is one important travel consideration with this tour – the late-night ferry boarding between Orkney and Shetland. After an evening meal in Kirkwall and a final scenic drive, we join the ferry queue around 9.30pm. The ship docks at approximately 11pm, with boarding usually completed by 11.45pm and guests settled into their cabins around midnight (though operational conditions can occasionally delay boarding). We then sail north overnight, arriving in Lerwick at 7.30am the following morning. To maintain an unhurried pace, our first day of Shetland touring finishes by mid-afternoon, allowing time to settle into Lerwick and enjoy a quieter evening. If you would prefer to avoid this late-night crossing, I recommend my 5 Day Shetland and Highlands Tour.
Day 6 — Shetland (South Mainland)
Arriving in Lerwick harbour in the early morning (7.30am), we enjoy breakfast on the ferry before exploring the south mainland of Shetland. Sumburgh Head is our first stop – a haven for seabirds (including puffins from mid-May to July). Next is Jarlshof Prehistoric and Norse settlement which spans over four thousand years. The early afternoon takes us on a beautiful coastal drive to the breath-taking St Ninian's Isle where you can hike across the sands to the island before we return north to Lerwick for our two night stay.
Day 7 — Shetland (Isle of Unst)
Today we journey to the very northern edge of the country – the Isle of Unst. After two short ferry crossings via the Isle of Yell, we reach the most northerly inhabited island in Scotland. We spend the day exploring a landscape of rich Viking heritage and wild geology, visiting the reconstructed Norse longhouse and longboat at Haroldswick, the ruins of Muness Castle, and the dramatic shores of Burrafirth before making our scenic return journey to Lerwick.
Day 8 — Shetland (North Mainland)
We head to the wild North Mainland to witness the sheer power of the Atlantic at Eshaness. Here, the dark volcanic cliffs and jagged sea stacks offer some of the most dramatic coastal scenery in the islands. We then tour the ancient capital of Scalloway and the picturesque islands of Burra, connected by bridges to the mainland. After a visit to the award-winning Shetland Museum in Lerwick to explore the islands' maritime history, we board our overnight sailing back to the mainland.
Day 9 — Aberdeen to Edinburgh
Arriving into Aberdeen harbour in the early morning (7am) we enjoy a leisurely breakfast on the ferry before heading south to explore the ancient ruins of Dunnottar Castle near Stonehaven. The early afternoon takes us south to the Kingdom of Fife where we explore the historic town of St Andrews before our arrival into Edinburgh in the late afternoon and the end of our Orkney, Shetland and Highlands tour!
Tour Highlights
- Dunkeld
- Bruar
- Cairngorms
- Culloden Battlefield
- Clava Cairns
- Dornoch
- Old Man of Hoy
- Skara Brae
- Kirkwall
- St Magnus Cathedral
- Italian Chapel
- Maeshowe
- Ring of Brodgar
- Broch of Gurness
- Stenness Stones
- Lerwick
- Sumburgh Head
- Jarlshof
- St Ninian's Isle
- Burrafirth
- Muness Castle
- Elgin Cathedral
- Eshaness
- Scalloway
Tour Gallery
Private Tour Price (per tour)
April to September: £8300
Depart Edinburgh
Return Edinburgh
(9 Days)
What's Included
What's included in the tour price?
Tours are exclusively for your private group only (up to 3 persons) and prices are per tour. I only offer private tours and do not combine individuals or separate groups – if your private group size is less than 3 the advertised tour price still applies. Your private tour price includes:
- Private tour for your group only (1, 2 or 3 persons)
- An experienced driver-guide and historian (John Alasdair Macdonald)
- A comfortable tour vehicle with good visibility and generous legroom
- All standard ferry tickets (I take care of all ferry bookings)
- All taxes and fees
What's excluded?
The tour price does not include your accommodation costs, overnight ferry cabin costs (details below), entrance fees and meals.
Where should I book accommodation?
To make the most of your tour I recommend you book accommodation in:
- Inverness (Day 1 and 2)
- Kirkwall (Day 3 and 4)
- Lerwick (Day 6 and 7)
Whilst I do not book accommodation directly, I am always happy to offer advice on where to stay and eat. Your tour quote will include a list of recommended accommodation options for our overnight locations along with suggestions for evening meals.
What about overnight ferry accommodation?
During this tour we will take two overnight ferry sailings where you can book overnight en-suite cabins. Prices depend on your cabin choice (for example, for 2027 bookings, a twin outer cabin in peak season is between £157 and £195 per cabin depending on class). The tour quote will include full details of the cabin options and their current prices. More information about the cabin choices can be found on the Northlink Ferries website.
Route & Logistics
Which days does this tour start on?
This tour is available on Saturday, Monday, Wednesday and Thursday start days from Edinburgh.
Where does the tour start from?
Enjoy the ease of a private pickup – I will meet you directly at your Edinburgh City Centre or Airport accommodation on the morning of Day 1 to begin the tour. At the end of the tour I will drop you off at your preferred Edinburgh location.
What about the ferry sailings?
Shetland is in the North Atlantic and the seas can be choppy during overnight ferry sailings even in the summer months, though most are comfortable crossings. Ferry sailings are generally reliable in the summer months, but delays and cancellations can occasionally occur. While I cannot be responsible for additional accommodation, food or other costs that clients may incur due to ferry delays and cancellations, I will make every effort to adapt the tour to minimise disruption. Please note that no refunds will be given for tour and itinerary changes due to ferry changes and cancellations.
What will the weather be like?
Scottish weather is famously changeable, and it is not unusual to experience sunshine, showers and a brisk wind all in the same afternoon. This is part of the character of the Highlands and Islands: the light is often spectacular, and the big skies over the mountains, lochs and coastline are a highlight in themselves. As this is a private tour, I can adapt each day where possible to suit the forecast and conditions. Strong winds can also occasionally affect ferry sailings (see the ferry FAQ above).
Are there seasonal changes to this tour?
Tours in April can see more rain and wind, and I may adjust start and finish times to suit conditions. On windier days, the ferry crossings can be choppy, and occasionally poor weather conditions can lead to ferry delays and cancellations. Most of the itinerary is still accessible during April – and where an itinerary attraction is unavailable, we visit an alternative location instead. Additionally, the early afternoon sailing to Orkney is limited to weekends only in April. Therefore, for weekday tour starts, we take the evening ferry with a late arrival into Kirkwall (approx. 9pm).
During our time in Shetland, we generally visit the island of Unst on Day 7, though in the event that weather and/or ferry options are more suitable it may be that we switch the itinerary with Day 6 and travel north after our arrival into Lerwick on the overnight ferry – but only if we have all had an 'uneventful' overnight ferry crossing!
Additionally, in the unlikely event that weather or ferry issues making travel to Yell and Unst unsuitable, we would spend the day touring the eastern and western sides of the Shetland mainland including visits to Aith, Whiteness, Vidlin and Lunna, along with time at the Scalloway museum.
Can the tour itinerary be customised?
The tour itinerary is based on nineteen years of guiding experience, previous client feedback, and practical travel timings. However, there is some flexibility and the itinerary can often be adapted in advance to suit particular interests or requests where possible. Changes usually work best as swaps rather than additions, as the routes are timed to keep an unhurried pace. Please mention any requests in the 'Extra Information' section when completing a Tour Enquiry Form.
Will we see Jimmy Perez's house?
Absolutely! For those that have enjoyed the Shetland TV series, many of the sites we visit have been shown across the episodes, and along with plenty of time in Lerwick to explore familiar views, no trip to Shetland would be complete without a walk along the waterfront past DI Jimmy Perez's house!
What about puffins?
Shetland is a haven for seabirds and we spend time at Sumburgh Head where puffins are common from mid-May to July.
Comfort & Practicalities
How much walking does this tour involve?
Most stops on this route are short walks from the vehicle to a viewpoint, castle or historic site. The pace is unhurried and there is plenty of time to enjoy each stop. If you would prefer to skip a particular walk or explore at your own pace, that is absolutely fine on a private tour.
How often do we stop?
The tour has plenty of viewpoint, photo and refreshment stops along with regular restroom stops. As it is a private tour, we can pretty much stop whenever you want!
Where do we stop for lunch, and can you cater for dietary requirements?
Lunch breaks are usually at local cafes (or on ferries) for light bites such as soup and sandwiches. If you have any special requests or dietary requirements, please let me know and I am happy to work around them (I'm gluten-free myself). Complimentary bottled water is provided in the vehicle, and you are welcome to bring your own snacks to enjoy as we travel. For evening meals (apart from our two overnight ferries), I recommend booking a table in advance at a restaurant or hotel, and your tour quote includes suggestions.
What clothing and footwear should I bring?
Walking shoes or sneakers with good grip are recommended, along with a light waterproof jacket, as the weather can change quickly. All walks are entirely optional and can be tailored to your comfort and mobility level.
How much luggage can I bring?
The current tour vehicle comfortably accommodates up to three passengers. For groups of two, there is room in the rear boot (trunk) for one large suitcase per person (up to 80cm / 31in tall including wheels) plus one small day bag/backpack each. For groups of three, space is a little tighter, so I ask that each person brings one medium bag/suitcase (up to 70cm / 27in tall including wheels) plus one small day bag/backpack. If your luggage is slightly larger than this, or you are unsure about capacity, please let me know the size of your cases and I will confirm whether there is room.
Booking & Availability
How do I book the tour?
The first step is simply to complete a Tour Enquiry Form with your preferred travel dates. I will then reply with availability and a detailed tour quotation (with absolutely no obligation to proceed at this stage). I usually reply to enquiries within 24 hours.
Can I just chat about the tour before booking?
Of course! You can reach me in whichever way is easiest for you:
- Complete a Tour Enquiry Form – just ask any questions in the 'Extra Information' section.
- Email me directly at info@thehebrideanexplorer.com.
- Send a WhatsApp message or call me on +44 7943 863292.