The drive north covers wonderful coastal scenery and normally takes around 3-4 hours including photo stops and a brief visit to the historic town of Dornoch. Orkney and Shetland, off the north coast of Scotland. Depart Lerwick at the end of the afternoon for the overnight journey on the cruise class Northlink Ferries service to Aberdeen. . The nearby seaport of Stromness is famed for the Pier Arts Centre which showcases the work of artists and sculptors from Orkney and beyond. Search. Shetland & Orkney Island - Premier Holidays Highlights of Orkney and Shetland - 6 day tour - Scottish Tours Discover your ideal travel experience. Please see Terms and Conditions for further details. Scotland's Northern Isles by Motorhome. Simply pop your details in the box below for the latest news, travel advice, destination inspiration, and special offers delivered straight to your inbox. An interesting tour, with lots of great historical commentary and beautiful landscapes. Orkney & Shetland Guided Island Hopping Holiday, Hebridean Hopscotch Guided Island Hopping Holiday, Lewis & Harris Guided Island Hopping Holiday, Experience wild and windswept natural landscapes, Spot wildlife on these relatively untouched islands, Comfortable en-suite rooms in our partner accommodation(s), Cooked or continental breakfast every morning, Full-board or half-board (please refer to trip notes), Three-course evening meals, plus tea & coffee, Guided walks with an experienced HF Holidays Leader, All transport to and from walks where necessary, Suitable footwear such as waterproof walking boots that provide ankle support and good grip, Waterproof and windproof jacket, preferably insulated, Comfortable clothing (jeans & waterproof capes are not suitable), Several base layers (long-sleeve or short-sleeve), Cushioned walking socks to avoid blisters, First aid kit, including plasters and insect repellent, Rubbish bag (remember to always leave no trace). During the summer it is still light when you arrive. For some magnificent coastal drama of a different kind, take a trip to Eshaness and watch the waves crashing around the sea stacks and pounding the cliffs. Enjoy a fascinating talk from historian Nick Card on the Orkney Islands' Neolithic past. It's a short drive to our hotel for the next three nights. Registered Office: Enbrook Park, Folkestone, Kent, CT20 3SE. Please ensure you tick the reCAPTCHA checkbox to show you're not a spam bot! Orphir has a Viking museum, the Orkneyinga Saga Centre, and the remains of Scotland's only . Be aware of your surroundings and don't venture off on your own. Make the most of your time on the islands on this carefully-curated itinerary accessible by flight from central Scotland. The islanders themselves feel a strong local identity and you can be guaranteed a warm island welcome and some fantastic local fresh food. Shetland Islands, also called Zetland or Shetland, group of about 100 islands, fewer than 20 of them inhabited, in Scotland, 130 miles (210 km) north of the Scottish mainland, at the northern extremity of the United Kingdom. Registered office 11 Bridge Street, Kirkwall, Orkney, KW151 HR. This means one or two nights at sea followed by sailing in Shetland and Orkney. The card payment providers above are used for taking your payments by operators featured on our site. However it has an account of Mousa Broch being used as part of an elopement (the same episode is mentioned in Egil's Saga too) and is an excellent place to . Our smaller ships are the perfect choice if youre cruising solo. The far-flung Orkney and Shetland Isles offer the active traveller an invigorating and rewarding holiday experience, with jaw-dropping natural scenery and wildlife spectacles. We suggest an early start today - there's a lot to fit in! A stunning six day private tour from Inverness through the Highlands to the Northern Isles of Orkney and Shetland. Travel back in time to the Stone Age and discover an ancient civilisation at The Heart of Neolithic Orkney a UNESCO World Heritage Site which includes the four awe-inspiring sites of the Ring of Brodgar, the Stones of Stenness, the Maeshowe tomb and Skara Brae. (Do find time to pop in for a tour of the traditional whisky making process.) Buses and trains to Orkney. Excellent and Friendly Staff!! Please contact us for more details. Sail away to lands steeped in history, wildlife and stunning scenery, far from the jostling crowds, to the haunting beauty of the Orkney and Shetland Isles. More than a million birds breed in very large colonies. Comprehensive travel insurance is advised for all other nationals planning on visiting Scotland.If you need to contact the emergency services whilst in Scotland simply dial 999 or 112 to ask for an ambulance. The islands are a birdwatchers' paradise and one of the major seabird breeding and feeding areas in the North Atlantic. But there are two other, very distinctive, island groups off Scotland's north coast that are well worth the effort of reaching: Orkney and Shetland. Faroe Islands Cruise Tour: Shetland & Orkney Islands | National Tours of Shetland and Orkney Islands - Scotland Tours Orkney and Shetland Tour | Brightwater Holidays Please click here to see full flight schedules to Shetland & Orkney Island. Wherever you cruise on Spirit of Adventure and Spirit of Discovery, youll always step aboard here in the UK. Go Scotland Tours is offering a private guided tour combining the Western Isles of Skye, Harris and Lewis with Orkney. Written around AD 1200 by an unnamed Icelandic author, the Orkneyinga Saga is an intriguing fusion of myth, legend and history. A fitting finale to the holiday, this walk along the magnificent granite coastline around Muckle Roe offers a chance to admire the windswept isolation and remote beauty of Shetland. This iconic sea stack is only a few hundred years old. Take the opportunity to visit one of Orkneys smaller isles. The sea route from the coast of Norway due west to the remotest parts of the British Isles is a classic offshore voyage of around 200 miles. Orkney & Shetland Mini Cruise - DC Thomson Travel Pop into the Shetland Crofthouse Museum in Dunrossness, a restored 19th century Shetland croft which was inhabited until the 1960s. Meanwhile seals laze on rocks beneath the cliffs or nose around the boat. On Mainland the capital, Lerwick, has a good range of shops, restaurants and pubs as well as the outstanding Shetland Museum and Archives and a thriving music scene. From jagged cliffs to unspoilt beaches and stone circles left by settlers some 4,000 years ago, the region is steeped in age-old history. Scapa Travel sells travel services on behalf of Hays Travel Limited and benefits from Hays Travel's membership of ABTA with membership number P8418. More likely we will be sailing for part of a night or a very early/late start and a long day. Providing inspiring active experiences, immerse yourself in the unique landscapes, history, culture and wildlife on a Wilderness England adventure. Later return to Kirkwall where dinner is served in our hotel. This island adventure starts with a tour to Aberdeen to catch the overnight ferry service bound for Lerwick in the Shetlands, Britain's most northerly island archipelago. We have the application forms in our office at 11 Bridge Street.For more information see www.airdiscountscheme.com, Sign-up to our mailing list for Exclusive Offers. Getting to Orkney via public transport is simple. These are wonderfully charming and intimate and run with great flair by their owners. Arrive on Orkney and settle in to the Merkister Hotel. Aberdeen and Caithness, the Scottish Mainland are where the ferries sail from are also covered, and you'll find business listings also to help you plan . Your Holiday in Shetland and Orkney | NorthLink Ferries Usually the coach will arrive at the overnight stop between 16:30 and 17:00 hrs each day. All our holiday prices include a service charge of 9 per person per night towards the costs we incur in researching, planning and designing your holiday. Family room - this is a room for three people sleeping in one large bed (2 people) and one single bed (1 person). Recently hailed as one of Lonely Planets Best in Europe for 2019, the ruggedly handsome Shetland Islands comprise around 100 different islands with just 15 inhabited. Exciting destinations. Book your tailor-made holiday to Offers with Premier Holidays. It lay covered for centuries, if not millennia, before a sandstorm in the 1920s revealed the amazing ruins. Small group travel: 2023: 15 Apr, 13 May. Contact usEmail: info@scapatravel.co.ukTelephone: 01856 889040, Our opening hours are:Monday to Friday 10am to 4pmSaturday 11am to 3pm. The Orkney Islands were the Orcades of ancient classical literature. As you sail below, the screeching is deafening, and youll feel very outnumbered, a stranger invading their territory. Travel to the spectacular Eshaness Cliffs or hike up to the top of Ronas Hill, Shetlands highest peak, to experience breathtaking views of this dramatic scenery. Sign up for our newsletter and unlock exclusive tips and inspiration from our team of travel specialists. Later we make the short drive to Sumburgh Head, where the waters of the North Sea meet the waves of the Atlantic Ocean. We will communicate with you from time to time about our products and services, similar to those currently featured on our website. Sailing Type - Mostly Coastal Day Sailing but the passage to Fair Isle is an open-water sea passage and there is a chance of an overnight passage on this voyage where you would be part of the watch system. Later, in medieval times, farmsteads were also built here. If you plan to bring your own vehicle, we are also able to offer this itinerary without a rental car. After breakfast, we travel to the very south of the mainland to visit Jarlshof, where waves of settlers lived for more than 4,000 years. Orkney Holidays 2023 - Expedia Once we make landfall expect day sailing among the islands and skerries. Once your unforgettable excursion comes to an end, make your way to your next base. Language: EnglishCurrency: Pound SterlingTime Zone: GMTTipping: 10 to 12% is usual for hotels with 10 to 15% being usual for restaurants. Earl Sigurd takes control. Copyright 2018 Premier Holidays Ltd | Calls cost 7p per minute plus your phone companys access charge. Continue to the rugged Shetland archipelago to visit Lerwick as it hosts the annual Tall Ships Races. Cycling for Softies is a luxury cycling tour operator providing gourmet cycling adventures in France and Italy. Some of them are: Skara BraeThought to be one of Orkney's most visited tourist spots, Skara Brae is an ancient site which is older than Stonehenge. The Shetland Islands | The Unbelievable Hidden Treasure of Scotland Tour Returns: TBA hrs. ABTA and ABTA Members help holidaymakers to get the most from their travel and assist them when things do not go according to plan. We also offer a fly-drive holiday as an alternative way to visit Orkney & Shetland. Availability is individually checked for a hand-picked selection of smaller hotels, guest houses and other independent businesses, so please bear with us and we will respond in 1-2 working days. It took 300 years to complete and is one of the finest examples of Norman architecture in Europe. Built in 1600, this castle was once the home of the Earl of Orkney. Situated just off the north-eastern tip of Scotland on the near-edge of Europe, Shetland, Orkney and the Hebrides are a wilderness in which to shake off the cobwebs. Selecting the right sleeping arrangements can be a little bit confusing, so here is a description of what you can expect from the hotel accommodation offered as part of your tour: Single room - this is a room for one person sleeping in a single bed. Offers - Premier Holidays Orkney.com | This is Orkney Visit the Orkneyinga Viking history interpretation centre to learn more. The Old Man of Hoy. Norse settlers named it Fridarey - 'the island of peace' - but this stepping stone in the sea was also vital in times of strife, when the Earls of Orkney, and . Orkney boasts inspirational landscapes where verdant fields stretch down to pristine beaches and dramatic seas crash against towering cliffs. Theres an opportunity to learn about Shetlands heritage at the Tangwick Haa museum today as we circumnavigate the beautiful Eshaness peninsula. Although parts date back to the 1500s, most of the building was completed in the eighteenth century by a wealthy landowning family as their own home. In certain locations youll may be joined by a local guide who will provide local insight and show you the highlights. This 16th century lairds manor has bags of historic charm, as well as a roaring fireplace for chilly days, and a well-stocked whisky selection. These treasures are of such importance that UNESCO has designated them a World Heritage site. P&O took over the routes from the long-established North of Scotland, Orkney & Shetland Steam Navigation Company in 1971. A BSpoke Tour is all about being as restful or as adventurous as you desire. For all their differences, these islands share a similar feel: weather-beaten archipelagos with more in common with the Faroes than mainland Scotland. 18 Hours of Midsummer Sun. Orkney, an ancient cluster of 70 islands brimming with history and dramatic coastlines, lie off the north west coast of Scotland. Topped by a prehistoric chambered burial cairn, the summit offers a breathtaking panorama across this ice-carved landscape. You will also find no end of delicious local produce to tempt you and a busy programme of annual festivals. If so, please follow the booking process for a twin room and we will do our best to find you another group member of the same gender to share with. Sign up for our newsletter and be the first to hear about trip news, blogs and offers. Honest and easy 2 minute travel guide including what makes Shetland Islands so special as well as map and highlights. ORKNEY AND SHETLAND HISTORICAL - JSTOR Home This week-long fully-escorted Orkney & Shetland tour is a new addition to the McKinlay Kidd programme, building on our extensive knowledge of the destinations. If you are happy with the details you have provided above then click Submit Form to send us your enquiry. As well as having full board accommodation in your choice of cabin, the services of a professional crew and on-board entertainment are also included. We also analyse data in order to develop and improve our products and our service in the future. 638 ratings70 reviews. This mysterious tomb was built from huge sandstone blocks over 5,000 years ago and aligns perfectly with the winter solstice testament to an advanced knowledge of astronomy by its architects. The far-flung Orkney and Shetland Isles offer the active traveller an invigorating and rewarding holiday experience, with jaw-dropping natural scenery and wildlife spectacles. I have never been that far north before. Next, sail southwards to reach the Orkney Islands, where we'll discover the Heart of Neolithic Orkney, a UNESCO World Heritage site that includes Skara Brae, Maeshowe and the Ring of Brodgar Stone Circle. While most tour operators use hotels around the capital, Lerwick, we choose to stay somewhere you can really appreciate Shetlands remote beauty. Available from April to October. , Duration: 9 Days / 8 Nights. In Kirkwall you will find a bustling and friendly town with a great selection of restaurants, pubs, and local art shops, as well as the most northerly cathedral in Britain dating back to the 12th century. Its the most southerly point of mainland Shetland and where thousands of species of seabird come ashore to nest on the cliffs. Thats why all of the accommodation we select is hand-picked using our first-hand knowledge of the best places to stay. In some cases, due to ferry or other travel connections, the tour may depart earlier or arrive later your tour director will advise you if this will be happening on your tour. Includes 9 nights accommodation (2 of which will be on the ferry to and from Shetland) and ferry costs. We also include a Boat trip around Noss during your time on Shetland (please note this only runs between May and mid-September). Discover what makes the perfect boutique cruise experience, every time. To help us reduce spam, please tick the reCAPTCHA field. View our privacy policy. Our destination is Lerwick, the island's attractive capital. If, like us, you cant get enough of the archeological discoveries, head over to Rousay with its Midhowe Broch and Cairn. Regional departures and/or connections to London, if available, can be requested. The event is taking place on Saturday 6 May, with the additional bank holiday on 8 May. If you enjoy the art of first-class travel whilst enjoying amazing value then an Escorted Tour is just for you. We would also suggest checking your home policy or credit card contract as many suppliers include travel insurance as part of their offering. View our Full Privacy Notice, Read independent reviews from ourcustomers. Its name, meaning Earls House, was bestowed by Sir Walter Scott when he used the ruins of the sixteenth century lairds house as a fictional setting. Join us on a stunning journey to the unforgettable Orkney Islands, a little-visited archipelago of some 70 small islands and skerries due north of the Scottish mainland. Overnight Orkney. ARE YOU A SOLO TRAVELLER WILLING TO SHARE? After rejoining the ship for an evening sailing to Kirkwall, we have a further two full days touring Orkney, before our short crossing back to the mainland. Tourist officesFor further information about the Scottish Isles you can visit their official tourist board websites at: The Shetland Isles: shetland.orgThe Orkney Isles:visitorkney.comThe Outer Hebrides:visithebrides.com. Only a short distance away is Sumburgh Head Nature Reserve with its famous lighthouse overlooking the cliffs. Everything's taken care of on a Saga escorted tour, so you can see and do more. During the Neolithic and Early Bronze Age, the people of Orkney and Shetland were among the first in Britain to begin building Megalithic chamber tombs and later henge monuments. Ayre Road, Kirkwall, Scotland, KW15 1QX. The UKs bestselling monthly subscription magazine. Day 9. "The staff was xtrenely king and helpful! Orkney and Shetland Islands holidays set out for two of the most northerly outposts in Britain. Shetland and Orkney Islands Tour from Inverness - The Hebridean Explorer Already a firm favourite since her launch in 2019, step aboard Spirit of Discovery and discover the ships selection of grand public rooms, restaurants, balcony cabins and outside spaces. Clicking on the link below will redirect you to the Wilderness England website. Below is a list of some tour operators that organise regular trips to the islands. Orkney and Shetland, being the nearest western land to Norway, would be first visited. 8.4/5 (52 reviews) Great place! Further south on Mainland is Sumburgh Head, an ideal spot for twitchers with unobstructed views of the seabird colonies; Old Scatness, a recently excavated Iron Age village; and the Jarlshof Prehistoric and Norse settlements, with archaeological treasures from over 4,000 years. During our time here will visit the RSPB reserve which is home to many species of seabirds including puffins, guillemots and razorbills. From jagged cliffs to unspoilt beaches and stone . and 'why?'. Jna Tours of Iceland, see the Nothern Lights and more P&O Scottish Ferries - Wikipedia Accept. Once checked-in onboard head to your comfortable twin-berth cabin with en-suite bathroom or enjoy time exploring the ship's many facilities. North Hanover Street Bus Stance, Glasgow, G1 2BP. Stretching off Scotlands north coast are Shetland and Orkney, two very special archipelagos where Scotland meets Scandinavia. Orkney To Shetland Via Fair Isle & Shetland To Orkney Via Fair Isle. Make sure you visit Jarlshof, another incredible prehistoric site exposed in violent storms in the last couple of centuries. Shetland travel guide - Responsible Travel Relaxing hotel-based holidays in the sun, with a Saga host on hand. All our carefully-curated itineraries are designed by our experts. Covid-19 Travel Requirements Covid-19 Travel Updates and FAQs Cruise Deals; Cruise Lines; . Specialists in offering a range of adventure holidays, tours and incredible wilderness experiences. Also includes hotels in Alderney, Sark and Herm, plus the Isle of Wight, Isles of Scilly, Isle of Man and Shetland & Orkney Islands. Our home for tonight is in the delightful village of Bray which overlooks Busta Voe. Over 4,000 years old, discoveries here include everything from Stone Age settlements and Bronze Age dwellings to Norse longhouses and medieval farms. HF Holidays LimitedUnit 1, First FloorImperial PlaceMaxwell RoadBorehamwoodHertfordshire WD6 1JNUnited Kingdom, Monday to Friday: 9.00am - 5.30pmSaturday: 9.00am - 1.00pmSunday: ClosedBank Holidays: 9.00am - 1.00pm. 8 miles (13.5km) with 850 feet (260m) of ascent. Orkney and Shetland Island Hopping - Best of Scotland We arrive in Lerwick around 07:30 hrs. Our ships are smaller, but wonderfully spacious. Let Scapa Travel use their extensive local knowledge to create a memorable holiday, tailored specifically for you. Their warm hospitality is sure to be a highlight of your Scottish experience. With a maximum of 15 passengers per group, you can be sure of . Shetland & Orkney Holiday 2023 & 2024 | Self-Drive Road Trip Copyright 2016 - 2023 Scapa Travel. In 1919 the German Navy scuttled itself as a grand act of defiance and, in 1939, HMS Royal Oak was sunk here by a U-boat. Balmoral Cruise Deals - Planet Cruise Orkney played a vital role during both World Wars, and this afternoon we will travel to see Scapa Flow which provided a sheltered anchorage for the British naval fleet. At 1,475 feet (450m) this is Shetlands highest peak. The innovative Shetland Museum and Archives tells the fascinating story of these islands and is well worth visiting. Nowhere else in Britain, and hardly anywhere else in Europe, can you get so close, so easily, to so many seabirds. UK: +44 (0)1479 420 020 US: 1-866-740-3890 [emailprotected], Wilderness Scotland Dalfaber Drive Aviemore Highland Scotland PH22 1ST, 2022 Wilderness Group Ltd | Registered in Scotland SC211011, Cookies & Privacy | Terms & Conditions | Sitemap | Site Credits. A selection of cruises incorporating the islands are available, with ports of call including Stornoway (Isle of Lewis) and Kirkwall (Isle of Orkney), as well as Edinburgh.