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Orkney and Skye
Whisky routes

Orkney and Skye

Take a captivating journey through Scotland's most iconic landscapes and history. After exploring Edinburgh and its fascinating museums, you'll plunge into the heart of Speyside to discover the secrets of Scotch whisky. Then head for Orkney, a Neolithic treasure trove of megaliths, ancient villages and UNESCO-listed sites. You will travel along the wild northern coastline before reaching the Isle of Skye, famous for its breathtaking panoramas and mythical landforms. Finally, marvel at the majestic Glencoe Valley before ending your adventure in the cultural energy of Glasgow.

Duration 10 days
Inspiration Whisky routes
From 2,000 per person
Planning your trip

Pourquoi choisir un voyage Orcades et Skye ?

S’il existe un itinéraire capable de révéler toute la diversité de l’Écosse, c’est bien un voyage Orcades et Skye. En une dizaine de jours, vous passez des rues animées d’Édimbourg aux paysages sauvages des Highlands, avant de rejoindre deux archipels parmi les plus fascinants du pays. Entre histoire millénaire, routes panoramiques et nature préservée, chaque journée réserve son lot de découvertes.

Des villes historiques aux terres du whisky

Votre voyage commence à Édimbourg, une capitale où l’histoire est présente à chaque coin de rue. Prenez le temps de parcourir la Royal Mile, de visiter le château qui domine la ville ou simplement de profiter de l’atmosphère si particulière de la vieille ville.

En quittant la capitale, les paysages deviennent progressivement plus sauvages. La route traverse le Perthshire avant de rejoindre la célèbre région de Speyside, réputée dans le monde entier pour ses distilleries. Une visite permet de découvrir les secrets de fabrication du whisky écossais et de mieux comprendre l’importance de cette tradition dans la culture locale.

Les Orcades, un voyage dans le temps

En poursuivant vers le nord, vous atteignez John O’Groats avant d’embarquer pour les Orcades. Dès votre arrivée, le rythme change. Ici, les grands espaces, les falaises et les vestiges préhistoriques créent une atmosphère unique.

Classé au patrimoine mondial de l’UNESCO, l’archipel abrite certains des sites néolithiques les mieux conservés d’Europe. Skara Brae, le Ring of Brodgar ou encore la ville de Kirkwall racontent une histoire vieille de plusieurs milliers d’années. C’est une étape qui surprend autant les passionnés d’histoire que les amoureux de nature.

La North Coast 500 et l’île de Skye

Après les Orcades, vous empruntez une partie de la mythique North Coast 500. Cette route compte parmi les plus belles d’Europe. Les montagnes plongent dans la mer, les plages apparaissent au détour d’un virage et les petits villages semblent figés dans le temps.

Le voyage se poursuit ensuite sur l’île de Skye, sans doute la plus célèbre des îles écossaises. Ses paysages spectaculaires, ses reliefs escarpés et ses villages de pêcheurs lui donnent un caractère unique. Portree, les montagnes des Cuillin ou encore le château d’Eilean Donan figurent parmi les étapes incontournables de ce parcours.

Une Écosse authentique

Avant de rejoindre Glasgow, vous traversez Glenfinnan puis la vallée de Glencoe. Ces paysages comptent parmi les plus emblématiques des Highlands. Les montagnes, les lochs et les vallées offrent des panoramas qui restent longtemps gravés dans les mémoires.

Chez Brightside Travel, nous imaginons chaque voyage Orcades et Skye selon vos envies. Nous privilégions les hébergements de caractère, les routes les plus spectaculaires et les expériences qui permettent de découvrir l’Écosse autrement. Notre objectif est simple : vous faire vivre un voyage authentique, loin des itinéraires trop classiques, tout en vous laissant le temps de profiter pleinement de chaque étape.

Découvrez également nos autres voyages sur mesure en Écosse :
https://www.brightside-travel.com/voyage/ecosse/

Vous pouvez également consulter le site officiel de VisitScotland pour préparer votre voyage :
https://www.visitscotland.com/

Orkney and Skye: itinerary

Dean Village
Day 1

Fàilte Gu Alba - Welcome to Scotland!

Stages : Edinburgh

Welcome to Edinburgh, or should I say Edinburgh! Our beautiful capital is spelt differently in English, so don't be surprised.
Start your day by collecting your car.

Then head to your hotel to drop off your suitcases and discover Edinburgh's Old and New Towns.
Get your strength back with a good Scottish lunch before discovering the history of the city.

Immerse yourself in history at the National Museum of Scotland.
In the evening, enjoy a night out at the pub with live music, or head off on a ghost tour for a thrill.

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Day 1
Édimbourg
Day 2

Edinburgh

Stages : Edinburgh

Breakfast at the hotel.

Departure for Edinburgh. Visit Edinburgh Castle, situated on a huge promontory overlooking the capital and offering breathtaking views of the city and surrounding region. The city's oldest building, St Margaret's Chapel, is housed in the heart of the castle and is not to be missed!

Lunch during the excursion.

Free time to stroll along the Royal Mile or Princes Street Gardens, which offer breathtaking views of the castle.

Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight stay.

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Day 2
whisky
Day 3

Perthshire - Distillery

Stages : Pitlochry,Inverness

Breakfast at the hotel.

This morning you will set off for the north of Scotland. You'll pass by the Forth River and admire the Forth Bridge, a new UNESCO World Heritage Site. You will arrive in the magnificent region of Perthshire. Visit to Dunkeld Cathedral (closed on Sunday mornings).

Passing through the charming Victorian town of Pitlochry.
Continue on to the Speyside Valley, famous the world over for its concentration of distilleries. You will have the opportunity to visit one of them and discover the secrets of making the national drink: whisky. Your visit will end with a tasting session.

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Day 3
Thurso
Day 4

Black Isle Brewery - Thurso/Wick

Steps : John O' Groats

Breakfast at the hotel.

This morning, depart for Inverness for your quick panoramic tour of the city.

You will then visit the Black Isle Brewery, where you will discover the secrets of making this organic Scottish beer. Tasting of 4 products on the programme.

Lunch en route.

Then on to the far north of Scotland.

Arrival at Wick, a former Viking trading post, then John O'Groats, the northernmost point of the island.

Check into your hotel in the region.

Dinner and overnight stay.

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Day 4
Les Orcades
Day 5

The Orkneys

Stages : Orkney Islands

Breakfast at the hotel.

Depart by ferry for your excursion to the Orkney Islands. Take a unique tour of these landscapes, passing through Kirkwall and discovering the Neolithic sites of Skara Brae and the megalithic site of Ring of Brodgar.

Lunch during the excursion.

Ferry and return to your hotel.

Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

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Day 5
Ullapool
Day 6

North Coast 500 - Ullapool - Gairloch

Stages : Ullapool, Gairlochy

Breakfast at the hotel.

Passage along the far north and west coasts of Scotland, the last great wildernesses of Western Europe. Passage through the Smoo Caves (weather permitting). Then continue along the Scottish «fjords».

Lunch en route.

Passage through Ullapool then Gairloch.

Dinner and overnight at your hotel in the Ullapool/Gairloch area.

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Day 6
Île de Skye
Day 7

Isle of Skye

Breakfast at the hotel.

Head west past Eilean Donan Castle, Scotland's most photographed castle.

You will then cross the bridge linking the Isle of Skye to mainland Scotland. Arrive on the Isle of Skye and discover the largest island in the Inner Hebrides.

Lunch en route.

Check-in at the hotel on the Isle of Skye or in the region of Kyle of Lochalsh, Fort William.

Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

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Day 7
Glenfinnan Viaduc
Day 8

Skye - Glenfinnan - Fort William

Stages: Glenfinnan Viaduct, Fort William

Breakfast at the hotel.

Continue your discovery of the magnificent Isle of Skye: you'll catch a glimpse of the spectacular Cuillins Mountains, a mountain range with spiky peaks. You will then arrive in Portree, a charming fishing village and the main town of the largest of the Hebridean Islands.

Ferry crossing from Armadale to Mallaig. Route to the Islands and the Glenfinnan valley, which were used in the films of our favourite Sorcerer's Apprentice. Photo stop at the Glenfinnan monument on Loch Shiel, erected in memory of the Jacobite fighters.

Arrival in the region of Fort William, a town at the foot of Ben Nevis, the highest peak in the United Kingdom.

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Day 8
Loch Lomond
Day 9

Glencoe Valley - Glasgow

Stages: Glencoe, Loch Lomond, Glasgow

Breakfast at the hotel.

Depart for the majestic valley of Glencoe, infamous for the 1692 massacre of Clan Macdonald by Clan Campbell, who violated the laws of Scottish hospitality. Then off to the Trossachs National Park, Scotland's largest national park. This is the setting for Scotland's most romantic loch, Loch Lomond.

You will then drive to the centre of Glasgow for a panoramic tour of Scotland's largest city. Capital of design, of which Rennie Mackintosh is the master, and of Scottish pop culture.

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Day 9
Édimbourg
Day 10

Departure

Stops : Edinburgh Airport

Breakfast at the hotel.

Pick up your hire car at Glasgow or Edinburgh airport.

End of your stay.

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Day 10
Included
  • Medium 5-door car hire with insurance.
  • Accommodation in our 3-star hotels or with local people
  • Ferries to Orkney and the south of the Isle of Skye
Not included
  • Drinks and tips
  • Meals
  • Activities
  • Medical insurance available as an option.
Orkney and Skye
From 2,000 per person