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!
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.
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:
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.
Accommodation: 1 x Guesthouse
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! Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: 1 x Guesthouse
Optional Activities:
Kirkwall - Wideford Hill Hike - Free -
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. Meals: Breakfast,Lunch
Accommodation: 1 x Guesthouse
Included Activities:
Orkney Islands - Ring of Brodgar Standing Stones
Orkney Islands - Italian Chapel
Orkney Islands - Orkney Mainland Day Tour
Orkney Islands - Picnic lunch with Local Orkney Produce in an old schoolhouse
Orkney Islands - Churchill Barriers & Scapa Flow
Orkney Islands - Skara Brae Prehistoric Village Visit
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. Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: 1 x Guesthouse
Included Activities:
Island of Hoy - Day Trip
Island of Hoy - Scapa Flow Museum visit
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. Meals: Breakfast
Included Activities
Kirkwall - Leader-led Walking Tour
Orkney Islands - Ring of Brodgar Standing Stones
Orkney Islands - Italian Chapel
Orkney Islands - Orkney Mainland Day Tour
Orkney Islands - Picnic lunch with Local Orkney Produce in an old schoolhouse
Orkney Islands - Churchill Barriers & Scapa Flow
Orkney Islands - Skara Brae Prehistoric Village Visit
Island of Hoy - Day Trip
Island of Hoy - Scapa Flow Museum visit
Physical preparation
This trip can be enjoyed by just about anyone with a reasonable level of fitness. Some trips may have individual inclusions that may be of a higher physical rating compared to the overall rating of the trip. Please read the day-to-day itinerary carefully to find out more details on each day’s activities, and whether they are suitable for you. Activities can be opted out of if you don’t want to participate.
INCLUDED ACTIVITIES
This trip includes a hike on Shapinsay Island. While the hike isn’t strenuous, the activity can be opted out from should you wish not to partake. Your leader will be at hand to facilitate alternative arrangements for you.
Important information
1. A single supplement is available if you prefer not to share a room during this trip. The supplement applies to all nights and is subject to availability. Please contact your booking agent for more details.
2. The trip begins at 1:30 pm in the ticket hall of Inverness Railway Station on Day 1. Your group will then depart immediately for Kirkwall. The trip concludes upon arrival in Inverness on D5 at approximately 4.30 pm, so please keep this in mind when arranging onward travel.
3. Please be aware that the journey from Inverness to the Orkney Islands and back is quite long (around 7.5 hours), involving a combination of train, taxi, ferry, and local bus.
4. On D1, we’ll arrive in Kirkwall around 9 pm, and on the final day, we’ll return to Inverness around 4.30 pm.
5. If you’d like to extend your exploration of Scotland, 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.
