Highlights of Orkney and Shetland

Departing: May 2027 - September 2027

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.

Included

Explore Jarlshof & Skara Brae, with entrance fees included
All other visits as outlined in the itinerary
Professional Tour Manager
1 night at the Sumburgh Hotel, Shetland (or similar) & 3 nights at the Kirkwall Hotel or Albert Hotel, Orkney
4 breakfasts & 4 dinners
All ferry crossings, including overnight accommodation in 2-berth cabins on Serco Northlink Ferries MV Hrossey/Hjaltland on the outward sailing (includes breakfast & dinner on board)
Private air-conditioned coach travel

Highlights

The multi-period settlement of Jarlshof
Neolithic Orkney – a UNESCO World Heritage Centre
Spectacular sea cliffs at Eshaness
The Churchill Barriers and Italian Chapel, poignant reminders of more recent history
Multitudes of seabirds at Sumburgh Head (May-July)

David Maclennan

David is an experienced Tour Manager and Guide Lecturer, leading tours throughout the UK and Europe since retiring from full-time employment. With extensive knowledge of gardens and horticulture, he brings each destination to life with enthusiasm and expertise. You may even see him in his kilt!

Sue Pomeroy

Having studied Horticulture in places ranging from New Zealand to Chile. Her personal garden is open to the public and it has featured in Country Life and Gardeners’ World.

Alastair Walker

A native of Inverness his knowledge of Scotland is wide ranging, from the Northern Isles and the Hebrides to Perthshire, Galloway and the Borders. His specialist subjects include Scottish military history and the railways of Scotland past and present.

Tour Itinerary

We depart from our designated pick-up points for Aberdeen and take the overnight ferry to Lerwick.

Meals: Dinner

Accommodation: Serco overnight Northlink ferry

We leave the ship after breakfast and start our Shetland tour. Our first stop is Sumburgh Head with its RSPB reserve and then onto the Prehistoric and Norse Settlement of Jarlshof. Over three acres of remains are here, spanning 3,000 years since the days of the Stone Age, including Bronze Age houses, Iron Age brochs and wheel houses, Viking long houses and medieval farmhouses. We then continue to Scalloway, the former capital of Shetland, where we see the ruined castle.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodation: Sumburgh Hotel, Shetland

Our day starts at the spectacular cliffs of Eshaness and the narrow isthmus known as Mavis Grind. This remarkable location is often referred to as the place where the Atlantic Ocean meets the North Sea, offering stunning views and a chance to witness the unique geological formations shaped by millennia of erosion.

Afterwards, we head to Lerwick, a charming town with its narrow lanes, unique shops and historical landmarks such as Fort Charlotte. The waterfront area is particularly picturesque, offering stunning views and a chance to observe local fishing boats and wildlife.

Later, we take the evening sailing to Kirkwall, with dinner served on board. On arrival, we transfer to our hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Accommdation: Kirkwall Hotel or Albert Hotel, Orkney

This morning, we have a full-day excursion of the west mainland Orkney, visiting the Heart of Neolithic Orkney, a World Heritage Site. We begin at Maeshowe, the finest chambered tomb in Western Europe. Built before 2700 BC, Maeshowe was raided by Vikings in the 12th Century. It thus houses the largest collection of runic inscriptions to be found in any one place in the world.

We shall also visit the Standing Stones of Stenness, with the adjacent Neolithic village of Barnhouse, before continuing to Skara Brae, with its new visitor centre depicting the history of this world-famous monument and Skaill House, a fascinating architectural medley to the side of Skara Brae.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodation: Kirkwall Hotel or Albert Hotel, Orkney

This morning, we have free time to explore Kirkwall. Later, we tour the south end of Orkney, crossing the Churchill Barriers and visiting the charming Italian Chapel, which was built on a former prisoner-of-war camp.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodation: Kirkwall Hotel or Albert Hotel, Orkney

After breakfast, we catch the ferry from Stromness back to the mainland. From here, we return to our original pick-up points.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation

Travel between Aberdeen and Shetland aboard Serco NorthLink’s overnight ferries, with comfortable two-berth en-suite cabins. Enjoy dinner and breakfast on board, with restaurants, bars and lounges providing plenty of space to relax as you sail between mainland Scotland and the islands.

Built in 1867, this former laird’s home offers accommodation in an ideal location in the South Mainland of Shetland. All rooms are equipped with free Wi-Fi, Freeview television, direct dial telephone, hairdryer, iron and ironing board and tea/coffee facilities. Please note that due to the age of the building, there are no lift facilities.

Set in the heart of Kirkwall, the Albert Hotel is a comfortable base for discovering Orkney’s capital and surrounding islands. All en-suite rooms include TV, free Wi-Fi, hairdryer and tea and coffee-making facilities. The hotel also has a restaurant and bar, providing a welcoming place to relax after a day exploring.

Situated in almost the exact centre of the Mainland, Kirkwall looks out across the bay to the North Isles beyond. First recorded in the Orkneyinga Saga by its original name Kirkjuvagar (meaning Church by the Bay) Kirkwall was once at the heart of a seafaring empire covering Scandinavia, Iceland, Shetland and the Western Isles, Ireland and the Isle of Man. The town dates from at least the 11th century and alongside the wonderful cathedral and remains of the Bishop’s Palace, is full of independent shops including abundant locally made arts, crafts and textiles and makes an excellent base for our tour to the islands. The Kirkwall Hotel has a total of 54 bedrooms over 2 buildings, The Kirkwall and The Shore. The Kirkwall rooms are over 3 floors and a lift serves all 3 floors. The Shore has no lift and is in a separate building along the Kikrwall. All rooms are en-suite and have a phone, free Wi-Fi, hair dryer, iron, ironing board, complimentary toiletries and tea & coffee making facilities.

Availability & Booking

2027

3rd May from $2,935

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24th May from $3,075

Call to Book

6th September from $2,935

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