Holidays 2027
Departs: Saturday 24th July 2027 | 8 Days
Orkney & the North Coast 500 & Scotland's Far North
Tour Price: £1159.00 per person
Your Holiday Centre
Scotland is famed for the mythical Loch Ness Monster ('Nessie'), green forests, towering mountains, vast lochs and is the birthplace of golf. It's also where the waterproof raincoat (Mackintosh) was invented. Scotland boasts more castles per square mile than any other country, from grand fortresses like Edinburgh Castle to ancient ruins. Scotland features dramatic Highlands and hundreds of islands. It has the UK's largest red deer population and is home to Scotland's national animal, the unicorn. The country is famous for textiles like tartan and Harris Tweed, traditional music, and vibrant festivals like Edinburgh's arts festivals. The North Coast 500 (NC500) is a spectacular 516-mile scenic route looping around the North Highlands of Scotland, starting and ending in Inverness, renowned for its coastal scenery.
Tour Inclusions
- All coach travel
- 7 nights half board
- All excursions
- Guided tour of Orkney
- Services of courier
Special Notes
- Insurance.
- Please inform us of any special dietary needs e.g: diabetic, gluten-free, vegetarian, etc.
- Special requests are put forward to the hotel, and they will do their utmost to accommodate your needs.
- Overnight bags can be taken.
- The itinerary could be subject to change.
Tour Price
- Price Per Person
- £1159.00
Single Room Supplement: £97.00
(double/twin for sole use)
Your Accommodation
Dryfesdale Country House Hotel (Overnight)
Dryfebridge, Lockerbie DG11 2SF.
Tel: 01576 202427.
Your first overnight is the Dryfesdale Country House Hotel in Lockerbie, which is a family-run hotel set in 5 acres of parkland. It offers spectacular views, free Wi-Fi and a restaurant with an excellent local reputation.
Pentland Hotel (3 nights)
Princes St, Thurso KW14 7AA.
Tel: 01847 893202.
Your second is the Pentland Hotel in Thurso for three nights is centrally located. There is a restaurant, lounge and bar rooms. Each bedroom comes with a flat-screen cable TV, a desk, and coffee/tea facilities. The private bathrooms are fitted with a bath or a shower, a hairdryer, free toiletries, and free Wi-Fi.
Caledonian Hotel (2 nights)
Quay St, Ullapool IV26 2UG.
Tel: 01854 612306.
Your third hotel is the Caledonian Hotel Ullapool for two nights, which overlooks Ullapool harbour and the colourful fishing boats on Loch Broom. The hotel is in the centre of Ullapool, with 80 rooms featuring flat-screen TVs. Wi Fi, en-suite with bath or showers, free toiletries, hairdryers, desks and coffee/tea making facilities.
Rob Roy Hotel (Overnight)
Aberfoyle, Stirling FK8 3UX.
Tel: 01877 382245.
The last overnight is the Rob Roy Hotel in Aberfoyle. Set in the Queen Elizabeth Forest Park, with excellent food and friendly staff.
Tour Itinerary
Day 1: Depart Local Area
After boarding your luxury coach, you start your journey travelling north, with comfort stops on route. Still heading north, we cross the border into Scotland with a stop at the picturesque Gretna Green. Here you shall have lunch, before continuing your journey to Lockerbie and the Dryfesdale Country House Hotel, where you will spend your first overnight half-board.
Day 2: Depart for Thurso
Departing after breakfast, we head north, passing the Cairngorms National Park to Inverness. Inverness is known as the 'Highland Capital'; it still retains its market town feel to it, dating back to its early development. Here we shall have lunch and time for a bit of sightseeing. After lunch, we continue our journey to Thurso, following the east coast of Scotland to our main Pentland Hotel in Thurso, where we will spend the next three nights half-board.
Day 3: Guided Tour of Orkney
After an early breakfast, we depart for Scrabster and our 08.45 am ferry to Orkney for a full day's guided tour. Your local guide will meet you at the terminal building of Stromness. Your guide will take you to places like Skara Brae, Churchill Barriers, Ring of Brodgar, Kirkwall, the Stone of Stenness, St Magnus Cathedral in Kirkwall, the Italian Chapel and Scapa Flow. Arriving back at Stromness for the 16:45 ferry. To arrive back at the hotel for dinner.
Day 4: John O'Groats
Welcome to the end of the road. Tucked away in an area of outstanding beauty and wild Scottish landscapes. John O'Groats is a small coastal village scattered over a large area and is mainly a rural farming community situated in an extreme location. It is a fantastic, unspoilt location from which the adventurous can see the wonderful landscape and wildlife that is so special to this area and is the real star of the show. The iconic John O'Groats is probably one of the most photographed signs in the UK, featuring on countless social media feeds and media articles. The signpost was installed in 1964 to mark one of the traditional end points of mainland UK. You can visit the signpost and take as many photos as you like, free of charge.
Day 5: Depart for Ullapool
Today we depart for Ullapool. Our journey will take us through beautiful Scottish landscapes and some of the NC500 route. There will be comfort stops on the way. Then we reach Ullapool, The Caledonian Hotel overlooks Ullapool's working harbour and the colourful fishing boats on Loch Broom. There will be porterage on arrival. Time to settle in before dinner. We will stay here for two nights.
Day 6: Day at Leisure
Today you have a day at leisure to explore the town of Ullapool. Maybe take a boat ride?
Day 7: Depart for Aberfoyle
After all the suitcases have been packed and loaded onto the coach, we leave our hosts at the Caledonian Hotel and head south with comfort stops on the way to our last overnight stay at the Rob Roy Hotel, with dinner, tea and coffee.
Day 8: Depart for Home
After breakfast and all the overnight luggage has been packed and loaded onto the coach, we leave the hotel and head for home. With comfort stops on the way, we arrive back at your local area mid to late evening.