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Scotland’s Orkney Islands

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Scotland’s Orkney Islands

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Description

The Orkney Islands, off the northern tip of Scotland, are a captivating blend of history, mystery, and stunning landscapes, waiting to be explored by land and sea. Over the course of five days, you’ll experience the best of Orkney, departing from the Highland hub of Inverness and using the picturesque town of Kirkwall as your base. Admire the breathtaking landscapes as you explore the Neolithic village of Skara Brae, which predates Stonehenge, visit the renowned Scapa Flow Museum on the Island of Hoy, and immerse yourself in local history. Along the way, you might even enjoy whisky tastings at local pubs. With a knowledgeable local guide and a group eager to learn, this journey through European history has never been more enticing.

Trip Name
Scotland's Orkney Islands
Last Updated
2024-08-21
Days
5
Capacity
12
Highlights
  • The Orkney Islands are a treasure trove of history, from the Neolithic village of Skara Brae to the iconic Ring of Brodgar and the stunning 12th-century St Magnus Cathedral. It’s like stepping back in time!
  • Join your group leader for a walking tour of Kirkwall, Orkney’s lively hub, where you’ll learn about the town’s unique traditions, including the fascinating game of ‘Ba’.
  • Spend the morning exploring the island of Hoy and the renowned Scapa Flow Museum, home to rare artifacts and captivating exhibits that tell the story of Scapa Flow, once the heart of the British naval fleet during both World Wars.
  • No trip to Scotland would be complete without a whisky tasting! Throughout the journey, join your local leader and fellow travellers at cozy pubs to sample some of the finest whiskies Orkney has to offer.
  • With plenty of free time to explore at your own pace, you can dive deep into the island’s rich history or unwind with a visit to a local distillery. The choice is yours!

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 and has the authority to amend or cancel any part of the trip itinerary if deemed necessary due to safety concerns. 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, and Inverness, the capital of the Scottish Highlands. This vibrant city is known for its rich history, scenic beauty, and proximity to Loch Ness. Today, instead of searching for Nessie, you’ll meet your local leader and fellow travelers at Inverness Railway Station to begin your journey to the Orkney Isles. Catch a train to Thurso, where we transfer to the nearby port of Scrabster to board the ferry for Orkney. Sit back, relax, and enjoy your evening meal while taking in the stunning views of the Old Man of Hoy, the tallest sea stack in the UK. Upon arrival in Stromness, we take a private transfer to Kirkwall, the island’s principal town. After the long journey, settle into your accommodation. If you'd like to stretch your legs and get your bearings, take a stroll into the town centre for a walk or enjoy a drink.
Day 2 - Kirkwall / Orkney Islands
This morning, we explore the vibrant town of Kirkwall, the heart of Orkney. Our guide will take us on a walking tour, delving into the town’s Viking heritage. Highlights include St Magnus Cathedral (founded in 1137), the ‘Peedie Sea,’ and the maze of narrow streets where the traditional ‘Ba’ game is played each year. The afternoon is free, offering a perfect opportunity to retrace your steps and visit any craft shops, museums, or historic sites you may have passed earlier. For those interested, our guide will lead a short hike up Wideford Hill, offering panoramic views of Kirkwall and the surrounding islands. Alternatively, you can visit a whisky distillery, explore the craft and jewellery shops, or simply relax in a local pub. After dinner, if the skies are clear, our guide will lead a short walk outside Kirkwall to stargaze and, if lucky, catch a glimpse of the elusive Northern Lights!
Day 3 - Mainland / Kirkwall / Orkney Islands
Today, we’ll embark on a private coach tour to explore some of Orkney’s most captivating historic sites. Our journey begins by heading south to the Italian Chapel, a remarkable structure crafted from two Nissen huts by Italian prisoners of war. Next, we’ll cross the striking Churchill Barriers, built during the war to protect Scapa Flow from U-boat attacks; several shipwrecks still rise above the water’s surface. We then continue west to one of Orkney’s most renowned landmarks: the prehistoric village of Skara Brae. By now, we’ll have worked up an appetite, so we’ll visit an old schoolhouse for a picnic lunch, showcasing the best of local Orkney produce. Our journey back to Kirkwall takes us to the iconic Ring of Brodgar Standing Stones, a UNESCO World Heritage site that dates back over 5,000 years. Once in Kirkwall, you’ll have the opportunity to join the rest of your group for dinner and reflect on the fascinating sights and experiences of the day.
Day 4 - Island of Hoy/ Kirkwall / Orkney Islands
After breakfast, we’ll travel to Houton and catch a ferry to the island of Hoy, the second largest island in Orkney. Hoy was the main naval base for the British fleet during both World Wars, with Scapa Flow at Lyness being a key location. Today, we’ll visit the renowned Scapa Flow Museum, home to an impressive collection of artifacts from this historic site. Take time to explore the exhibits and, if you wish, enjoy an optional coastal walk with stunning views back towards the Orkney mainland. We’ll return by ferry to Kirkwall in the early afternoon, leaving you with the rest of the day free to relax or explore at your leisure. Later, immerse yourself in Orkney’s rich cultural heritage by enjoying the atmosphere, perhaps by joining your leader for a whisky tasting, featuring exceptional malts from Orkney and beyond.
Day 5 - Kirkwall / Inverness
After breakfast, you’ll begin your journey back to Inverness with your group, arriving in the late afternoon. With no activities planned in Inverness, the trip concludes upon arrival at the railway station. However, your adventure doesn’t have to end here! If you'd like to extend your time in the north of Scotland, we can arrange additional accommodation (subject to availability). For those wishing to continue exploring, consider joining one of our other adventures on the mainland or the Shetland Islands. Just speak to your booking agent in advance to make arrangements.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
29-04-202503-05-2025AUD $ 2,767-
13-05-202517-05-2025AUD $ 2,673-
20-05-202524-05-2025AUD $ 3,215-
03-06-202507-06-2025AUD $ 3,340-
10-06-202514-06-2025AUD $ 3,270-
17-06-202521-06-2025AUD $ 3,270-
01-07-202505-07-2025AUD $ 3,340-
22-07-202526-07-2025AUD $ 3,350-
29-07-202502-08-2025AUD $ 3,270-
12-08-202516-08-2025AUD $ 3,395-
19-08-202523-08-2025AUD $ 3,395-
26-08-202530-08-2025AUD $ 3,430-
02-09-202506-09-2025AUD $ 3,395-
09-09-202513-09-2025AUD $ 3,395-
16-09-202520-09-2025AUD $ 3,395-
07-10-202511-10-2025AUD $ 3,145-
14-10-202518-10-2025AUD $ 3,145-
21-04-202625-04-2026AUD $ 3,230-
05-05-202609-05-2026AUD $ 3,230-
12-05-202616-05-2026AUD $ 3,230-
26-05-202630-05-2026AUD $ 3,230-
02-06-202606-06-2026AUD $ 3,360-
16-06-202620-06-2026AUD $ 3,360-
30-06-202604-07-2026AUD $ 3,360-
07-07-202611-07-2026AUD $ 3,360-
14-07-202618-07-2026AUD $ 3,230-
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-
29-09-202603-10-2026AUD $ 3,360-
06-10-202610-10-2026AUD $ 3,230-
20-10-202624-10-2026AUD $ 3,230-
20-04-202724-04-2027AUD $ 3,230-
04-05-202708-05-2027AUD $ 3,230-
11-05-202715-05-2027AUD $ 3,230-
25-05-202729-05-2027AUD $ 3,230-
01-06-202705-06-2027AUD $ 3,230-
15-06-202719-06-2027AUD $ 3,230-
29-06-202703-07-2027AUD $ 3,230-
06-07-202710-07-2027AUD $ 3,230-
13-07-202717-07-2027AUD $ 3,230-
20-07-202724-07-2027AUD $ 3,230-
27-07-202731-07-2027AUD $ 3,230-
03-08-202707-08-2027AUD $ 3,230-
10-08-202714-08-2027AUD $ 3,230-
17-08-202721-08-2027AUD $ 3,230-
24-08-202728-08-2027AUD $ 3,230-
31-08-202704-09-2027AUD $ 3,230-
07-09-202711-09-2027AUD $ 3,230-
28-09-202702-10-2027AUD $ 3,230-
05-10-202709-10-2027AUD $ 3,230-
19-10-202723-10-2027AUD $ 3,230-

Accommodation

Guesthouse (4 nights)

Transport

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

Map

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