Orkney & Shetland tours

Each January, Shetland bursts into flame as Lerwick’s Up Helly Aa brings Viking-inspired tradition, music and spectacle to the winter darkness. Watch costumed squads process through the town carrying flaming torches before the dramatic burning of a replica Viking longship, a centuries-old tradition reimagined for the modern islands. Beyond the festival, discover another side of Shetland through its remarkable archaeology, rugged landscapes and distinctive island communities. At Jarlshof, uncover 3,000 years of settlement, while journeys through Yell and Unst reveal dramatic coastlines, ancient history and the remote character of the northern isles. Visit picturesque Scalloway and learn more about Shetland’s rich past before returning to Lerwick for the unforgettable atmosphere of Up Helly Aa. With the excitement of the fire festival balanced by quieter moments of discovery, this is a fascinating winter journey into one of Britain’s most distinctive island cultures.

Sail away to lands steeped in history, wildlife and stunning scenery – the Orkney and Shetland Isles. Many people have landed there before us, some as early as 3000 BC. Most famous of all were the Vikings, but they were not alone and all around, historical treasures can be found. Both Orkney and Shetland have their own identities - Orkney is green and fertile, while Shetland has rugged cliff and sea-loch scenery. However, both share a colourful history of Picts, Norsemen, ancient antiquities and seafaring legends – bound together with an independent spirit that sets them apart from the rest of Scotland. We sail with Serco Northlink Ferries aboard their modern, purpose-built vessels overnight from Aberdeen to Lerwick, and we have two full days to tour Shetland. After rejoining the ship for an evening sailing to Kirkwall, we have two days to explore Orkney.

Wild landscapes, extraordinary wildlife and thousands of years of history come together across the remote islands of Orkney and Shetland. Travelling by air allows us to uncover these remarkable archipelagos without the long road and sea journey, leaving more time to experience their distinctive character. On Shetland, encounter the towering Iron Age Mousa Broch, follow 3,000 years of settlement at Jarlshof and watch seabirds wheel above the dramatic cliffs of Sumburgh Head and Eshaness. In Orkney, discover the UNESCO World Heritage landscape of Neolithic Orkney, explore the poignant Churchill Barriers and visit the Italian Chapel, reminders of a very different chapter in the islands’ history. With wide skies, dramatic coastlines and a fascinating human story stretching back millennia, this is a chance to see some of Britain’s most extraordinary islands from a different perspective.

Orkney’s 70 islands offer unique history, charm and landscapes. Based on the Mainland, we explore hidden gems across the North and South Isles. Sail Westray’s Old Norse routes, cross Scapa Flow to Hoy with its dramatic scenery and discover the ‘Heart of Neolithic Orkney’ on Mainland, including the Stones of Stenness and Skara Brae. This itinerary also features part of the scenic North Coast 500.

Shetland’s rugged islands offer raw beauty, unique culture and abundant wildlife. We visit four islands, including Mousa with its Iron Age broch, the Shetland Croft House Museum and Jarlshof, a 3,000-year-old archaeological treasure. We explore the northern islands of Yell and Unst, sail by boat as islanders have for centuries and take in dramatic seascapes, fresh air and the distinctive character of this remote archipelago.