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Site Under Construction
Scotland 2026
Scotland 2026
scotland - 10 days in the scottish highlands
April 26-May 6, 2026
Get in touch with us at Maryann@KindredWomenTravelers.com
The Scottish Highlands, situated in northern Scotland, are distinguished by their rugged mountains and stunning lakes. They are surrounded by sea lochs (inlets) and picturesque islands off the west coast, offering a tranquil, traditional village atmosphere. Off the northeastern coast, you'll find an archipelago called Orkney with over 70 islands. The islands encompass incredibly well-preserved Neolithic sites, including the UNESCO World Heritage Site, "Heart of Neolithic Orkney", which pre-date the Egyptian pyramids.
Sustainable Tourism in Scotland
Scotland is progressing in sustainable tourism with its Responsible Tourism Strategy and the Destination Net Zero Climate Plan, spearheaded by VisitScotland. Essential initiatives involve assisting businesses in reaching net-zero goals and creating low-carbon offerings, encouraging low-carbon transportation, ensuring tourism is inclusive and advantageous to local communities, and safeguarding cultural and natural heritage. Click here for more info.
Activity Level
Activity level for this trip: Moderate - you should be able to climb stairs, get in and out of a van, get on and off a ferry, and walk up to 2 hours. That's it!
Initial Itinerary
Sunday, April 26th
Most of you will fly from your local airport to Inverness, Scotland arriving the next day. The return flight will be from Edinburgh.
Monday, April 27th
We finally arrive after our long flight. Our home for the first four nights in Scotland is in Inverness, with 8 bedrooms and 9.5 baths. (Click here for more pictures of the house.) After checking in, we'll relax and have a chef come in to make dinner for us.
(Meals: D only)
Tuesday, April 28th
We'll ease our way into the trip with a slow start in the morning. We'll then head out with our local tour guide to explore the Inverness region. The tour will include stops at the Culloden Battlefield, Clava Cairns, and Nairn. Our tours are all private tours and can be customized to the interests of the group.
(Meals: B,L,D)
Wednesday, April 29th
Today is set to be an extensive trip as we make our way to the Isle of Skye. This island, connected to Scotland's northwest coast by a bridge, is renowned for its stunning landscapes, picturesque fishing villages, and ancient castles. As the largest island in the Inner Hebrides, its coastline is characterized by peninsulas and narrow lochs, all framed by majestic mountains.
(Meals: B,L,D)
Thursday, April 30th
Today is a day to enjoy as you wish. You can stay together as a group, break off into smaller groups or spend the day alone. Options include hiring the tour guide for another tour (not included in the trip cost), spending the day exploring Inverness on foot, relaxing at the house, etc.
(Meals: B only)
Friday, May 1st
Today, we depart from Inverness and journey north to the Orkney Islands. It promises to be an exciting day as we take in the beautiful countryside views during our train ride to Scotland's north coast, followed by a ferry to the island. We'll be staying in a B&B in Kirkwall where we have all but one of the rooms. Click here for pictures.
(Meals: B,L,D)
saturday, may 2nd
Today we'll have a full-day tour with our new local tour guide, starting with a scenic drive looking at the magnificent "Scapa Flow", a body of water sheltered by 5 islands. The first stop is Unstan Tomb, a 5,300 year old burial chamber situated on the edge of Stenness Loch. Other sites include the Cliffs of Yesnaby, some of the most stunning coastal scenery on the Orkney Islands and Skara Brae, considered the best-preserved Neolithic Village in Northern Europe.
(Meals: B,L,D)
sunday, may 3rd
We'll begin the day at a leisurely pace after our busy activities. When we meet up with our tour guide in the afternoon, we'll embark on an off the beaten path adventure. Orkney has countless amazing sights, both big and small, with a diverse range of historic sites and breathtaking natural landscapes. The possibilities are limitless!
(Meals: B,L,D)
monday, may 4th
We say goodbye to Orkney this morning and catch a flight to Endinburgh, Scotland's capital. It has a medieval Old Town and elegant Georgian New Town with gardens and neoclassical buildings. Our home for the last two nights of our trip will be in a hotel with 2-bedroom apartments. Click here for pictures.
(Meals: B,L,D)
tuesday, may 5th
We have an entire day to discover the city at our own pace. Our initial destination will be The Real Mary King's Close, a series of narrow passageways beneath the Royal Mile, showcasing a maze of hidden streets where real people lived, worked, and passed away from the 17th to the 19th centuries. From there we will visit the National Museum of Scotland with thousands amazing objects across multiple galleries. There will be some free time before our final dinner together.
(Meals: B, D only)
Wednesday, May 6th
Sadly, our trip comes to an end and it's time to say goodbye to our new KWT friends. Transportation will be provided back to the airport. I hope you all stay in touch and are planning on joining us for another KWT trip! Safe travels!
