fbpx

Peregrine Travel Centre

Scotland’s Orkney Islands

Sale!

Scotland’s Orkney Islands

Was From $ 3,070 AUD
Now From $ 2,610 AUDSale!

Book Now Request a callback
Email Us Print
, ,

Description

The Orkneys, off the northern tip of Scotland, are well and truly alive with histories and mysteries to discover by land and sea. Spend five days experiencing the best of the Orkney Islands, departing from the highland hub of Inverness, and using Kirkwall as your base. Admire the Neolithic town of Skara Brae that predates Stonehenge, get well off the tourist trail on a leisurely coastal walk on Island of Hoy, and bookend your days with plenty of local history and perhaps some whisky tastings at local pubs along the way. With a local leader full of knowledge and a group as eager to learn as you, this slice of European history has never been so enticing.

Trip Name
Scotland's Orkney Islands
Last Updated
2024-08-21
Days
5
Capacity
12
Highlights
  • The Orkney Islands are teeming with historic sites to explore. The Neolithic township of Skara Brae, the renowned Ring of Brodgar and 12th-century St Magnus Cathedral – it’s like you’ve been transported back in time!
  • Join your group leader on a walking tour of Kirkwall – Orkney’s main centre. They’ll be able to share with you the history and traditions behind the game of ‘Ba’ in town.
  • Spend the morning discovering the island of Hoy and famous Scapa Flow Museum, showcasing objects never seen before alongside favourite exhibits telling the story of Scapa Flow as centre of the British naval universe during both world wars.
  • What’s Scotland without a tipple? Be sure to join your local leader and group of travellers throughout the trip at a corner pub, tasting some of the finest whiskies on offer.
  • With plenty of time dedicated to exploring at your own pace, you can dial up the history, or instead, balance it all out with some distillery visits. You’ve got the power to choose.

Itinerary

ITINERARY CHANGES Our itineraries are updated regularly throughout the year based on customer feedback and to reflect the current situation in each destination. The information included in this Essential Trip Information may therefore differ from when you first booked your trip. It's important that you review this information prior to travel so that you have the latest updates. Due to weather, local conditions, transport schedules, public holidays, political unrest or other factors, further changes may be necessary to your itinerary once in-country. Your group leader or local representative will keep you up to date with any such changes once your trip is underway. OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES A selection of optional activities that have been popular with past travellers are listed in the day-to-day itinerary. This isn't an exhaustive list and should be used as a guide only for some of what might be available. Prices are approximate, are for entrance fees only, and don’t include transport to and from the sites or local guides unless indicated. All activities are subject to availability, and maybe on a join-in basis. It may not be possible to do all the activities listed in the time available at each destination, so some pre-planning for what you are most interested in is advised. When it's recommended that travellers pre-book these activities, look for a note in the Special Information section of the day-to-day itinerary. For most, they can either be organised independently on the day, or let your group leader or local representative know you are interested at the Welcome Meeting and they can assist. Where activities are considered medium or high risk, we work with operators whose safety and credentials we have sighted and assessed. Although it is possible that you may find the same activity cheaper with another operator on the ground, we cannot vouch for the safety or quality of that operator. Medium and high-risk activities not listed above have not been assessed by us and as such our staff and group leader or local representative are unable to assist you with organising these activities. Activities that contravene our Responsible Travel policies are also not listed. Please remember that the decision to partake in any activity not listed is at your own discretion and risk. MUSEUM VISITS & OPENING TIMES Many sites, attractions and museums are closed on Mondays (and sometimes Tuesdays). We recommend checking the opening times of anywhere you're interested to visit and making reservations where required/possible.

Day 1 - Inverness / Kirkwall / Orkney Islands
Welcome to Scotland! Meet your local leader and fellow travellers at Inverness Railway Station.From here, take a train to Thurso, where you’ll jump in a taxi for a brief transfer to the nearby port of Scrabster to board the the ferry over to Stromness, Orkney. The ferry journey is a scenic adventure in itself, so keep your eyes peeled for the Old Man of Hoy – the tallest sea stack in the UK. Disembark in Stromness, and catch a local bus with your group to the quaint accommodation on the fringes of Kirkwall. After a long day of travelling, it’s time to unpack and settle into your accommodation, then perhaps head into Kirkwall to a cosy pub for food and drinks. Your group leader will be happy to recommend some options.
Day 2 - Kirkwall / Orkney Islands
Stretch your legs this morning and explore on a walking tour of Kirkwall – the beating heart of Orkney. Your local leader will fill you in on the town’ s history and Viking culture plus some of the hotspots, including 12th-century architecture of St Magnus Cathedral, the ‘Peedie Sea’ birdwatching area and the narrow maze of streets in the centre of town. These streets are home to the traditional ‘Ba’ game each year – a unique sporting spectacle that your leader can tell you about. This afternoon, you have free time to explore at your own pace. Perhaps retrace your steps, stopping by the craft shop, museum or other historic sites that piqued your interest. Otherwise, there’s a whole range of craft and jewellery shops, pubs and even the acclaimed Highland Park whisky distillery to visit. It’s totally up to you, but plan early as these are popular activities!
Day 3 - Mainland / Kirkwall / Orkney Islands
It’s time to explore Orkney in more detail today. Head off with your travel crew in a private vehicle towards some of the islands’ most historic sites. Begin heading south to the Italian Chapel – comprised of two Nissen huts converted into a stunning chapel by Italian prisoners of war.Cross the remarkable Churchill Barriers – built in WWII to keep enemy U-boats out of the waterways of Scapa Flow. These barriers are now an important connection for the smaller islands to Orkneys mainland, and dotted in the sea are a number of shipwrecks nearby. After, continue west to perhaps Orkey’s most famous site – the prehistoric village of Skara Brae. It’s northern Europe’s best-preserved Neolithic village predating Stonehenge and the Egyptian pyramids, and forms part of the UNESCO World Heritage listed 'Heart of Neolithic Orkney'. By now, you'll have worked up an appetite, so your group will pop into an old schoolhouse building for a picnic lunch of local Orkney produce (and perhaps meet the producers), then begin your return journey to Kirkwall. On the way back, you’ll stop by at the renowned Ring of Brodgar Standing Stones, another UNESCO World Heritage listed site, dating back over 5000 years. When you arrive in Kirkwall, maybe join the rest of your group for dinner and chat about the fascinating sights of the day.
Day 4 - Island of Hoy/ Kirkwall / Orkney Islands
After breakfast, travel to Houton, then hop on a ferry to the island of Hoy. Hoy is the second largest island in Orkney and was the main naval base for the British fleet in both the First and Second World Wars. During the early years of the Second World War, up to 12,000 personnel were based on this tiny island and this morning, you'll visit the world-renowned Scapa Flow Museum. Take some time to explore the collection of artifacts and objects, then if you like, you can head out on a coastal walk that boasts views back towards Orkney. Catch the return ferry and head back to Kirkwall, where the rest of the afternoon is free. Tonight, maybe seek out some traditional music or join your guide in the bar for a whisky tasting with malts from the Orkney Islands and across Scotland.
Day 5 - Kirkwall / Inverness
After breakfast this morning, begin your journey back to Inverness with your group, arriving in the late afternoon. With no activities planned in Inverness, you are free to leave the group upon arrival at the railway station. That doesn’t mean your adventure has to come to an end! If you would like to spend more time in this northern UK hub, we’ll be happy to organise additional accommodation (subject to availability). If you’d like extending your exploration of Scotland, consider joining one of our other adventures on mainland or Shetland Islands. Just speak to your booking agent ahead of time.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
29-04-202503-05-2025AUD $ 2,610-
13-05-202517-05-2025AUD $ 2,610-
20-05-202524-05-2025AUD $ 2,610-
03-06-202507-06-2025AUD $ 2,712-
10-06-202514-06-2025AUD $ 2,712-
17-06-202521-06-2025AUD $ 2,712-
01-07-202505-07-2025AUD $ 2,712-
22-07-202526-07-2025AUD $ 2,712-
29-07-202502-08-2025AUD $ 2,712-
12-08-202516-08-2025AUD $ 2,818-
19-08-202523-08-2025AUD $ 2,818-
26-08-202530-08-2025AUD $ 2,818-
02-09-202506-09-2025AUD $ 2,818-
09-09-202513-09-2025AUD $ 2,818-
16-09-202520-09-2025AUD $ 2,818-
23-09-202527-09-2025AUD $ 2,818-
30-09-202504-10-2025AUD $ 2,712-
07-10-202511-10-2025AUD $ 2,610-
14-10-202518-10-2025AUD $ 2,610-
14-04-202618-04-2026AUD $ 3,230-
21-04-202625-04-2026AUD $ 3,230-
28-04-202602-05-2026AUD $ 3,230-
05-05-202609-05-2026AUD $ 3,230-
12-05-202616-05-2026AUD $ 3,230-
19-05-202623-05-2026AUD $ 3,230-
26-05-202630-05-2026AUD $ 3,230-
02-06-202606-06-2026AUD $ 3,360-
09-06-202613-06-2026AUD $ 3,360-
16-06-202620-06-2026AUD $ 3,360-
23-06-202627-06-2026AUD $ 3,360-
30-06-202604-07-2026AUD $ 3,360-
21-07-202625-07-2026AUD $ 3,360-
28-07-202601-08-2026AUD $ 3,360-
04-08-202608-08-2026AUD $ 3,485-
11-08-202615-08-2026AUD $ 3,485-
18-08-202622-08-2026AUD $ 3,485-
25-08-202629-08-2026AUD $ 3,485-
01-09-202605-09-2026AUD $ 3,485-
08-09-202612-09-2026AUD $ 3,485-
15-09-202619-09-2026AUD $ 3,485-
22-09-202626-09-2026AUD $ 3,485-
29-09-202603-10-2026AUD $ 3,360-
06-10-202610-10-2026AUD $ 3,230-
13-10-202617-10-2026AUD $ 3,230-

Accommodation

Guesthouse (4 nights)

Transport

Train,Public bus,Private vehicle,Taxi,Ferry,On foot

Map

Related products

Recent Blog Posts

Browse Trips in

Intrepid On Sale United Kingdom
More of activity:
Walking & Trekking