11 Day Independent Holiday Departing Saturdays from Aberdeen.
Holiday Highlights
- Orkney’s Magnificent World Heritage
- Shetland’s Remarkable Archaeology and World-Class Wildlife
- World-Famous Shetland Ponies
- Warm Island Hospitality
- Breathtaking Landscapes & Coastal Panoramas
- Discover Eleven Magical Isles
- Cruise the North Sea
- Uncover the Ancient Ties that Bind these Islands of Contrast
Day One ~ Saturday ~ Travel to Orkney
Travel to Orkney and check into your comfortable accommodation for two nights.
Day Two ~ Sunday ~ Orkney’s West Mainland
Meet your Orkney 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 Standing Stones of Stenness, one of the earliest stone circles in Britain, dating back to 3,000 BC; the ceremonial Ring of Brodgar, a magnificent circle of originally sixty stones erected more than 4,500 years ago; 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. (B)
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. nature 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. Then, stop at the fascinating 16th century Noltland Castle, built by Gilbert Balfour who was appointed Sheriff of Orkney by Mary Queen of Scots; 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.
In the late afternoon, check into your comfortable accommodation for the night. After dinner, depart for your evening puffin excursion (available 1 May to 31 July). (B, L, R, D)
Day Four ~ Tuesday ~ Island of Papa Westray
After breakfast, board the morning ferry to the tiny isle of Papay. Upon arrival, meet your local guide for a tour including visits to the seal colony at Wheelie’s Taing; and the oldest standing buildings in Northern Europe at the Knap of Howar, which predate Skara Brae. Then, accept a special invitation to the home of a local author and raconteur for morning coffee and homebakes. Continue to St Boniface Kirk, one of the oldest and most important ecclesiastic sites in the north of Scotland; the settlement at Munkerhoose, believed to be a monastic community during the Middle Ages; and John o’Holland’s Bothy Museum which depicts 19th century life on Holland Farm, arguably the most extensive traditional steading in Orkney.
Later, board the 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. (B, L, R)
Day Five ~ Wednesday ~ Orkney’s South Isles & East Mainland
Meet your Orkney guide for your discovery of the delights of Orkney’s South Isles and East Mainland. Begin with a leisurely drive through the scenic landscape of the East Mainland to Mull Head R.S.P.B. nature reserve and enjoy a short walk to the Gloup, a dramatic sea cave.
Travel along historic Scapa Flow, one of the largest natural harbours in the world and the British Navy’s main base during World War I and World War II, and across the first of the four Churchill Barriers, a series of causeways linking five Orkney Islands together, to the tiny Island of Lambholm where you will find the exquisite Italian Chapel. Built by Italian prisoners during World War II, it stands today as a symbol of peace and is Orkney's most visited site. Then, see the wrecks of the World War I merchant blockships as you travel across the remaining three Churchill Barriers to the picturesque village of St Margaret’s Hope on the Island of South Ronaldsay. Take time to visit the Smiddy Museum and discover the village blacksmith’s role in rural communities or to find stunning local arts and crafts at the Workshop & Loft Gallery.
Continue to Windwick Bay for views of the seastack and seal colony, and then pause at Olad Brae and enjoy outstanding panoramic views of the Pentland Firth and some smaller Orkney Isles. Finally, spend a few calming moments at the sand dunes of Water Sound Bay before returning to Kirkwall. (B)
Day Six ~ Thursday ~ Stromness Town / Travel to Shetland
Enjoy a day at leisure in 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.
Later, transfer to the ferry terminal, Kirkwall and embark on the overnight sailing to Lerwick, Shetland. Check into your comfortable cabin for the journey. (B)
Day Seven ~ Friday ~ Shetland’s North Mainland
Arrive Lerwick, receive a warm welcome from your Shetland guide and depart on your discovery of Northmavine, arguably the 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 Lerwick in the late afternoon and check into your comfortable accommodation for three nights. (B)
Day Eight ~ Saturday ~ Shetland’s Isle of Mousa
Enjoy a morning at leisure. In the afternoon, meet your guide again and depart for Sandwick where you will embark on a short cruise across Mousa Sound to the Mousa R.S.P.B. Nature Reserve. During the crossing, you may spot otters and porpoises or even a Killer Whale hunting seals. Then, explore this wild island teeming with spectacular wildlife, including Common and Grey Seals, Arctic Terns, Arctic Skuas, Great Skuas and more than 6,000 breeding pairs of Storm Petrels. Mousa is also home to the world famous Mousa Broch, described as the finest surviving example of a 2,000 year old Iron Age tower. Ascend this magnificent structure’s internal stairway to the open walkway at the top and marvel at the stunning panoramic views. (B)
Day Nine ~ Sunday ~ Shetland 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 awesome 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 at leisure 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. (B)
Day Ten ~ Monday ~ Shetland’s South Mainland
Check out of your accommodation and meet your guide again 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 the 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 ferry terminal and embark on the overnight sailing to Aberdeen. Check into a comfortable cabin for the journey. (B)
Day Eleven ~ Tuesday ~ Arrive Aberdeen (B) |
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