Saturday Departures from Aberdeen, Scrabster or Inverness /
Return Aberdeen
Tour Highlights
- Orkney’s Magnificent World Heritage
- Shetland’s Remarkable Archaeology and World-Class Wildlife
- World-Famous Shetland Ponies
- Warm Island Hospitality
- Discover Twelve Magical Isles
- Cruise the North Sea
- Travel to the Most Northerly Point of the British Isles
- Enjoy the Peace and Serenity of these Two Unique Destinations
Day One ~ Saturday ~ Travel to Orkney
Travel to Orkney and check into your comfortable accommodation for the two nights.
Day Two ~ Sunday ~ Orkney’s West Mainland
Meet your Orkney host, an accredited professional Orkney tour guide and spend the day exploring the wonders of Orkney’s West Mainland. Allow your imagination to soar as you are transported 5,000 years back in time with visits to the remarkable World Heritage sites of Orkney’s Neolithic Heartland, including Maeshowe, a Neolithic chambered tomb considered to be one of the finest architectural achievements of prehistoric Europe; the Ring of Brodgar, a magnificent circle of upright stones with an outer ditch built more than 4,500 years ago; the ceremonial Standing Stones of Stenness, part of what was originally a ring of twelve tall stones erected in the form of an ellipse, dating back to 3,000 BC; and Skara Brae, truly awe-inspiring and the best-preserved prehistoric village in northern Europe. Pass over the peat hills of Birsay Moors to the astonishing settlement at Gurness, including the Iron Age Broch of Gurness with its battlements and a surrounding village, as well as the Shamrock, a later Pictish farmstead.
For your evening meal, we will reserve a table at a delightful restaurant where you can sample a true Taste of Orkney. Enjoy our delicious local cuisine, including Orkney’s renowned cheese, beef, lamb, fish and seafood as well as fresh produce, delectable ice cream, and award-winning whisky.
Day Three ~ Monday ~ Orkney Island of Westray
Board the morning ferry departing Kirkwall for its journey along the old Viking sea route to the north isle of Westray. Upon arrival, receive a warm welcome from your personal guide. Take a break for refreshments before departing on your full day leisurely exploration of the Queen o’ the Orkney Isles. Enjoy breathtaking seascapes at Noup Head R.S.P.B. Reserve where the dramatic cliffs, teeming with breeding seabirds, extend five miles. The reserve is home to Puffins, Guillemots, Razorbills, Fulmar and Kittiwakes. Discover Noup Head Lighthouse, constructed by David A. Stevenson in 1898 to warn ships off the North Shoal and the first lighthouse to use a system of mercury flotation in the revolving carriage. Then, stop at the fascinating 16th century Noltland Castle, constructed by Gilbert Balfour, Sheriff of Orkney; Aikerness Craigs, a brilliant location to capture photos of the spectacular cliff scenery and to find the rare Primula Scotica in May and July; the ruined St. Mary's Church, also known as Lady Kirk and one of the two remaining Middle Ages kirks on the island; and Quoygrew, a multi-period rural settlement spanning the Norse, medieval and post-medieval ages. Lunch and refreshments included.
In the late afternoon check into your comfortable accommodation for the night.
Optional: Mega Puffins! evening tour (available 1 May to 31 July).
Day Four ~ Tuesday ~ Orkney Island of Papa Westray
After breakfast, board the morning ferry to Papa Westray. Upon arrival, meet your local guide for a shared tour of Papay, including visits to the Knap of Howar, the oldest standing buildings in Northern Europe dating from around 3,600 BC – they predate Skara Brae; and St. Boniface Kirk, one of the oldest and most important ecclesiastic sites in the north of Scotland. Enjoy a guided walk at North Hill R.S.P.B. Reserve, home to breeding Arctic terns and Arctic skuas as well as seabirds and waders. Lunch included.
Later, board the mid-afternoon flight departing for Kirkwall via Westray (Papay to Westray leg is the shortest scheduled flight in the world). Upon arrival, transfer to your comfortable accommodation for the next two nights.
Day Five ~ Wednesday ~ Orkney’s South Isles & East Mainland
Meet your Orkney guide again and depart on your discovery of the delights of Orkney’s scenic South Isles and East Mainland. Travel south along historic Scapa Flow, a safe harbour used by the Vikings during their occupation of Orkney, and also by the Royal Navy during both World Wars. Cross the first of the first of the Churchill Barriers, a series of causeways linking five Orkney Islands together, to the tiny island of Lambholm where you will find the marvellous Italian Chapel built by prisoners of war during World War II and today one of Orkney's most visited and most loved attractions. Continue to the island of South Ronaldsay where you will be treated to an interactive learning experience at the Tomb of the Eagles interpretation centre before taking a walk to the 5,000 year-old cliff-side tomb.
Head back to the Orkney Mainland and stop in to visit Sheila Fleet where you will certainly be astonished at the artistry involved in the hand-making of her original Orkney designer jewellery as you tour her workshop. Your last stop of the day is Highland Park for a tour of the northernmost Scotch whisky distillery in the world and a dram of their award-winning spirit.
Day Six ~ Thursday ~ Stromness & Kirkwall / Travel to Shetland
Enjoy a day at leisure.
In the morning, visit historic Stromness, Orkney’s second main town. Stroll the flagstone street of this charming seaside town and stop in at the Pier Arts Centre, home to a remarkable collection of 20th Century British art. Continue along to the Stromness Museum which provides visitors with vivid display of the island's maritime heritage and natural history, and browse the unique local shops along the way.
In the afternoon, explore Orkney’s capital, Kirkwall. Visit the magnificent St. Magnus Cathedral which has dominated Kirkwall for over 850 years, the Bishop's Palace, built in the 12th century for Bishop William the Old and the older of these two ruined palaces found in the centre of Kirkwall, and the Earl's Palace which has been hailed as "the finest example of French Renaissance architecture in Scotland". Also, discover the isles’ 5,000 years of history at Tankerness House Museum, Orkney's principal museum which is housed in a 16th century merchant laird's house.
Later, transfer to ferry terminal and embark on the overnight sailing to Lerwick, Shetland. Check into your comfortable cabin for the journey.
Day Seven ~ Friday ~ Shetland’s South Mainland
Arrive Lerwick, receive a warm welcome from your Shetland guide and depart for your tour of Shetland’s scenic South Mainland, including a walk across the sand tombolo to the famous St. Ninian’s Isle for a visit to the medieval chapel where an ancient treasure was found. Continue to the fascinating Croft House Museum to learn about 19th century life on the island, and to Old Scatness Iron Age broch and village, site of an ongoing archaeological dig and living history exhibition. Then, discover the first lighthouse in Shetland at spectacular Sumburgh Head, established by Robert Stevenson in 1821, and walk along the imposing cliffs of Sumburgh Head R.S.P.B. Nature Reserve, home to thousands of seabirds in the summer, including a thriving puffin colony. Make an optional stop at Jarlshof, described as “one of the most remarkable archaeological sites ever excavated in the British Isles”, and explore the ancient settlements spanning the late Bronze Age through to the Middle Ages.
Return to the Lerwick in the late afternoon and check into your comfortable accommodation for three nights.
Day Eight ~ Saturday ~ Wildlife Cruise & Lerwick
After breakfast, embark on a spectacular morning wildlife cruise around the Islands of Bressay and Noss with an expert guide. Spot razorbills, guillemots, puffins, gannets and much more at the Noss National Nature Reserve, explore cliffs and caves, and watch for seals, whales, dolphins and otters. View fascinating aquatic life, including starfish, crabs, sea urchins, soft corals and jellyfish, with an underwater camera which has been tethered to a mini submarine. Note: This excursion operates weather permitting.
Then, return to Lerwick for an afternoon exploring Shetland’s capital. Discover the 18th century lodberries, historic buildings along Old Lerwick’s harbour front; Fort Charlotte, an 18th century artillery fortress; and the fantastic new Shetland Museum and Archives which will captivate you with the story of Shetland.
Day Nine ~ Sunday ~ Shetland Isle of Unst
Get an early start this morning when you meet your guide for your adventure to Shetland’s most northerly inhabited isle. Travel through Shetland’s scenic North Mainland and across Yell, Shetland’s second largest isle, to the island of Unst. See the world-famous Shetland Ponies by the roadside en route to the beach and dunes of Norwick and Saxa Vord, Unst’s highest hill, from which you can enjoy fantastic views of the lighthouse at Muckle Flugga, Britain’s most northerly point. Then, visit Unst Heritage Centre which traces island life over the centuries; Unst Boat Haven where you will find a unique collection of traditional boats and fishing handicrafts; the recently renovated 19th century Hagdale Horse Mill; and Muness Castle, Britain's northernmost stronghold.
Day Ten ~ Monday ~ Shetland’s North Mainland
Check out of your accommodation and meet your guide for your discovery of Northmavine, described as "the largest, wildest and most beautiful parish in Shetland". Travel through the picturesque village of Voe then cross Shetland’s narrowest point Mavis Grind, which separates the North Sea from the Atlantic Ocean. Marvel at the superb views across Ronas Voe, a narrow fjord cutting deep into North Mainland, to the red granite cliffs and Shetland’s highest summit at Ronas Hill. Stop for photos of Da Drongs, dramatic stacks in St Magnus Bay, en route to the fascinating Tangwick Haa Museum, which is accommodated in a 17th century laird’s house (Haa) and illustrates the way of life in Northmavine through the ages. Then, visit the peninsula of Esha Ness where you will find the Esha Ness Lighthouse established by David A. and Charles Stevenson in 1929, and stunning coastal views of the cliffs and sea stacks.
Return to the ferry terminal and embark on the overnight sailing to Aberdeen. Check into a comfortable cabin for the journey.
Day Eleven ~ Tuesday ~ Arrive Aberdeen |
