Designed specifically for travellers on a budget the Compass Buster trip will ensure you make the most of your precious time! With passionate local guides you’ll get all the insider knowledge on this breathtaking country. What’s more you’ll get to travel with fun-loving, like-minded travellers!
Go beyond the mainland and discover the far northern and western fringes of Scotland, Europe’s last great wilderness. Our ultimate trip explores an amazingly diverse range of scenery, history and cultures. From the Viking influenced Orkney Islands and the mysterious Callanish Stones on Lewis to the mountains and legends of the magical Isle of Skye.
Highlights
- Discover over 5,000 years of human history on Orkney including Europe’s best preserved prehistoric village
- See a traditional Hebridean blackhouse and soak up the atmosphere at the Callanish Standing Stones, predating Stonehenge!
- Wander along empty sandy beaches with turquoise waters on Harris
- Spend a free day exploring Loch Ness and its stunning surroundings
- Look out for dolphins and whales on the 5 ferry trips – included in the price!
Accommodation
Accommodation is guaranteed on all trips - we reserve the beds and you pay as you go. The price is between £15 and £20 per person per night in shared dorm accommodation.
Itinerary
Day 1: Edinburgh to Inverness
Heading north from Edinburgh, it's over the River Forth and into the Kingdom of Fife before passing through Perthshire - surrounded by mountains, forests and salmon packed rivers. First stop is at Dunkeld with its glorious Cathedral. You then head over the lonesome Pass of Drumochter which links the southern and northern Highlands. Lunch is in the small village of Kingussie, made famous by the 'Monarch of the Glen' TV show. Then it's off through the Cairngorm National Park to lonely Culloden Battlefield, scene of the last major battle in Britain.
Day 2: Inverness to Orkney
You continue your journey north passing over the Moray Firth where you may even spot some dolphins or minke whale, then pass the Black Isle (home of the delicious Black Isle Beers). It's then onto John 'O' Groats, Britain's most north easterly point. There you catch the ferry over the Pentland Firth to the Orkney Islands, home to more archaeological ruins in one area than anywhere else in Europe where we visit the Tomb of the Eagles.
Day 3: Orkney
Today you head off to explore Skara Brae, dating from the late Neolithic period and inhabited between 3200BC and 2200BC. This incredible stone village is made up of eight dwellings (some still containing original furniture) linked together by a series of low alleyways and is a marvel of ancient building techniques. You can also experience the magnificent standing stones at the Ring of Brodgar.
You also visit the 4,000 years old Maeshowe which is a Neolithic chambered cairn and passage grave.
Day 4: Orkney to Carbisdale Castle
This morning you visit an Italian chapel which was built as a place of worship by 550 Italian prisoners of war in World War 2. You bid farewell to Orkney and make the ferry crossing back to the mainland and journey south through Scotland’s rugged terrain. You travel through the sparsely populated wilderness of Sutherland and Caithness, via glens left deserted as a result of the Highland Clearances.
Day 5: Carbisdale to Loch Ness
Your first visit of the day is the town where the last witch was burnt at the stake in Scotland – Dornoch. It also houses a great cathedral and awesome beaches that await to be explored. From here you visit the Royal Burgh of Dingwall where you will hear the story of the legendary ‘Hector The Hero’ made famous in the well known bag pipe tune played the world over. You then head to Glen Ord whisky distillery to ‘wet your whistle'! After warming up on a wee dram of whisky it's time to visit the extremely pretty Glen Affric, famous for its natural forest, hills and lochs.
You then make our way to Urquhart Castle, one of Scotland's finest castles before driving along Loch Ness where you will learn about the legend of the monster - Nessie! Tonight you will stay at Morag's Lodge on the banks of Loch Ness.
Day 6: Free Day Loch Ness
Your day to explore the area around Loch Ness and the village of Fort Augustus. Hire bikes, take to the forest trails or walk by the canal. Have a game of golf or go monster spotting on a boat trip. Alternatively, chill out at Morag’s Lodge with a plate of haggis and a locally brewed beer…
Day 7: Loch Ness to Lewis
Today we journey through the wilderness of the north west Highlands, some of the most remote and isolated mountain terrain in Europe. We visit Corrieshalloch Gorge, a breathtaking mile long gorge set amongst the trees then on to the wee fishing village of Ullapool. Grab some of the best fish and chips you will ever have and tuck into them on the pier before we board our ferry this evening bound for the Western Isles.
Day 8: Lewis & Harris
Today you visit the stunning Callanish Standing Stones, Neolithic in age and dating back more than 4000 years. Less busy than Stonehenge, these are said to be some of the most impressive and inspiring of any of the ancient stones in Britain. These Hebridean islands are predominantly Gaelic speaking and have an unbroken culture dating back thousands of years. You will also have the chance today to visit the old style housing known as ‘Black Houses’, learn about Harris Tweed, a luxury hand woven tweed exclusive to this islands and why not try some famous Stornoway black pudding!
Day 9: Harris to Skye
In the morning we explore the amazing beaches of Harris, famous for its clear blue waters, magnificent mountain backdrop and traditional crofting culture. These islands are home to the Clan MacLeod who have lived here for centuries. After exploring the wonders of Harris, we leave their homeland and cross by ferry to the 'winged island', the Isle of Skye. We explore the magical isle with its awesome scenery and Cuillin Mountains while hearing about its many legends and faerie stories.
Day 10: Skye to Edinburgh
From Skye you explore the Great Glen before passing Fort William and Ben Nevis - Britain's highest mountain. Discover 'The Weeping Glen' - Glencoe, where you hear about the infamous massacre of the MacDonalds. Over the wilds of Rannoch Moor, you then pass Stirling with its famous Wallace Monument, where the true story of Braveheart is told, before returning to the capital City of Edinburgh!