8-Day Orkney Skye and Highlands Tour from Edinburgh

Superb, our first organised tour, so not sure what to expect, started with 20 odd, ended with 6. Our drivers, Brodie and Iain, both completely different in their approach to the tour were both great! We’d love to come back again…

This tour checked all boxes. So much to see with lovely accomodations comfy buses and guides who were both warm and professional. Highly recommend doing this tour. Our guides Bridie and Iain were so informative and we git some great Jokes. It was great to learn the history, loved it all.

Isle of Skye and Orkney were quite different from the mainland Highlands and well worth the extra time to visit. Each is beautiful in a different and unique way. Chris was our guide/driver the first half of the trip. He was charismatic and had us laughing constantly. Kenny was our guide/driver for the 2nd half of the trip. Kenny was kind, delightful and effective at sharing his knowledge and love of Scottish history, culture and music. I traveled with my sister, though we both had single rooms (I snore). It was a bit of a challenge for Highland Experience to find places for us to stay together because singles aren't common, but they did it. All our accommodations were excellent. Most were B&Bs, but a few were 2-bedroom apartments. All were comfortable with lovely hosts and in great locations close to restaurants. The coaches were comfortable. We visited a wide variety of places and stopped regularly for walking/coffee/bathroom breaks. Our fellow travelers were from all over the world and all were fun companions. All in all it was a great trip and excellent value for the cost.

We recently returned from a tour through the stunning landscapes of Scotland. Overall, it was a memorable experience filled with dramatic scenery, historic sites, and charming towns — definitely a trip to remember! 👍 Highlights Our first tour guide, Chris, was fantastic — knowledgeable, friendly, and really went out of their way to make the experience engaging and informative. Their storytelling added depth to the locations we visited. The scenery was absolutely breathtaking — from rugged coastlines to peaceful lochs and ancient castles, every stop had something special. We especially enjoyed Isle of Skye, which was a definite highlight. 🤔 What Could Be Improved Our second guide had a different style, which didn’t quite match the tone of the rest of the trip. The music on the bus was often loud, which made it hard to relax or hear each other at times. A few parts of the itinerary felt a bit rushed, and we would’ve loved a bit more time at certain stops to really soak it all in or explore on our own. ✅ Final Thoughts Despite a few bumps along the way, this was a wonderful trip. Scotland is an incredible place, and we're grateful for the experience. With a few small adjustments, this tour could be truly exceptional.

Overall, a wonderful experience. Our guides, Brodie and Kenny, were fantastic! Both were so knowledgeable about the locations and the associated history and legends. Brodie even got most of the group together one evening in a pub to enjoy traditional Scottish music and dance. Kenny managed to veer off the beaten path to show us sites that weren't necessarily on the itinerary, but were remarkable. We always felt safe with both of them. Both were safe drivers on some challenging roads. The B&Bs were a little hit and miss. Our expectation was that they would be better than they were, given what we paid. Two B&Bs were very nice. The third was nice, however it was a 30 minute walk to town for dinner. Another was ok, but the room, the bed and the bathroom were tiny - the sink was the size of my hand. In one town, there was a festival going on, and it was a struggle to find a place for dinner both of the nights we were there. I suggest better planning next time.