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Scotland's Orkney Islands
Operated by Intrepid Travel
Tripcode: BWSO
Overview
Destination:
United Kingdom,
Start:Inverness, United Kingdom
Finish:Inverness, United Kingdom
Finish:Inverness, United Kingdom
Duration:5 days
Type:Group tour (max 12)
Travel Period
June 2025 - October 2027
The Orkney Islands, off the northern tip of Scotland, are a captivating blend of history, mystery, and stunning landscapes, waiting to be explored by land and sea. Over the course of five days, you’ll experience the best of Orkney, departing from the Highland hub of Inverness and using the picturesque town of Kirkwall as your base. Admire the breathtaking landscapes as you explore the Neolithic village of Skara Brae, which predates Stonehenge, visit the renowned Scapa Flow Museum on the Island of Hoy, and immerse yourself in local history. Along the way, you might even enjoy whisky tastings at local pubs. With a knowledgeable local guide and a group eager to learn, this journey through European history has never been more enticing.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
1. A single supplement is available if you prefer not to share a room during this trip. The supplement applies to all nights and is subject to availability. Please contact your booking agent for more details.
2. The trip begins at 1:30 pm in the ticket hall of Inverness Railway Station on Day 1. Your group will then depart immediately for Kirkwall. The trip concludes upon arrival in Inverness on D5 at approximately 4.30 pm, so please keep this in mind when arranging onward travel.
3. Please be aware that the journey from Inverness to the Orkney Islands and back is quite long (around 7.5 hours), involving a combination of train, taxi, ferry, and local bus.
4. On D1, we’ll arrive in Kirkwall around 9 pm, and on the final day, we’ll return to Inverness around 4.30 pm.
5. If you'd like to extend your exploration of Scotland, consider joining one of our other adventures on the mainland or the Shetland Islands. Just speak to your booking agent in advance to make arrangements.
2. The trip begins at 1:30 pm in the ticket hall of Inverness Railway Station on Day 1. Your group will then depart immediately for Kirkwall. The trip concludes upon arrival in Inverness on D5 at approximately 4.30 pm, so please keep this in mind when arranging onward travel.
3. Please be aware that the journey from Inverness to the Orkney Islands and back is quite long (around 7.5 hours), involving a combination of train, taxi, ferry, and local bus.
4. On D1, we’ll arrive in Kirkwall around 9 pm, and on the final day, we’ll return to Inverness around 4.30 pm.
5. If you'd like to extend your exploration of Scotland, consider joining one of our other adventures on the mainland or the Shetland Islands. Just speak to your booking agent in advance to make arrangements.
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Standard inclusions
- Meals: Meals: 4 breakfasts, 1 lunch.
- Transport: Train, Public bus, Private vehicle, Taxi, Ferry, On foot.
- Accommodation: Guesthouse (4 nights).
- Kirkwall - Leader-led Walking Tour.
- Orkney Islands - Ring of Brodgar Standing Stones.
- Orkney Islands - Italian Chapel.
- Orkney Islands - Orkney Mainland Day Tour.
- Orkney Islands - Picnic lunch with Local Orkney Produce in an old schoolhouse.
- Orkney Islands - Churchill Barriers & Scapa Flow.
- Orkney Islands - Skara Brae Prehistoric Village Visit.
- Island of Hoy - Day Trip.
- Island of Hoy - Scapa Flow Museum visit.
Itinerary
Expand all 
Collapse all
Collapse allDay 1: Inverness / Kirkwall / Orkney Islands
Welcome to Scotland, and Inverness, the capital of the Scottish Highlands. This vibrant city is known for its rich history, scenic beauty, and proximity to Loch Ness. Today, instead of searching for Nessie, you’ll meet your local leader and fellow travelers at Inverness Railway Station to begin your journey to the Orkney Isles. Catch a train to Thurso, where we transfer to the nearby port of Scrabster to board the ferry for Orkney. Sit back, relax, and enjoy your evening meal while taking in the stunning views of the Old Man of Hoy, the tallest sea stack in the UK. Upon arrival in Stromness, we take a private transfer to Kirkwall, the island’s principal town. After the long journey, settle into your accommodation. If you'd like to stretch your legs and get your bearings, take a stroll into the town centre for a walk or enjoy a drink.
Day 2: Kirkwall / Orkney Islands
This morning, we explore the vibrant town of Kirkwall, the heart of Orkney. Our guide will take us on a walking tour, delving into the town’s Viking heritage. Highlights include St Magnus Cathedral (founded in 1137), the ‘Peedie Sea,’ and the maze of narrow streets where the traditional ‘Ba’ game is played each year. The afternoon is free, offering a perfect opportunity to retrace your steps and visit any craft shops, museums, or historic sites you may have passed earlier. For those interested, our guide will lead a short hike up Wideford Hill, offering panoramic views of Kirkwall and the surrounding islands. Alternatively, you can visit a whisky distillery, explore the craft and jewellery shops, or simply relax in a local pub. After dinner, if the skies are clear, our guide will lead a short walk outside Kirkwall to stargaze and, if lucky, catch a glimpse of the elusive Northern Lights!
Day 3: Mainland / Kirkwall / Orkney Islands
Today, we’ll embark on a private coach tour to explore some of Orkney’s most captivating historic sites. Our journey begins by heading south to the Italian Chapel, a remarkable structure crafted from two Nissen huts by Italian prisoners of war. Next, we’ll cross the striking Churchill Barriers, built during the war to protect Scapa Flow from U-boat attacks; several shipwrecks still rise above the water’s surface. We then continue west to one of Orkney’s most renowned landmarks: the prehistoric village of Skara Brae. By now, we’ll have worked up an appetite, so we’ll visit an old schoolhouse for a picnic lunch, showcasing the best of local Orkney produce. Our journey back to Kirkwall takes us to the iconic Ring of Brodgar Standing Stones, a UNESCO World Heritage site that dates back over 5,000 years. Once in Kirkwall, you’ll have the opportunity to join the rest of your group for dinner and reflect on the fascinating sights and experiences of the day.
Day 4: Island of Hoy/ Kirkwall / Orkney Islands
After breakfast, we’ll travel to Houton and catch a ferry to the island of Hoy, the second largest island in Orkney. Hoy was the main naval base for the British fleet during both World Wars, with Scapa Flow at Lyness being a key location. Today, we’ll visit the renowned Scapa Flow Museum, home to an impressive collection of artifacts from this historic site. Take time to explore the exhibits and, if you wish, enjoy an optional coastal walk with stunning views back towards the Orkney mainland. We’ll return by ferry to Kirkwall in the early afternoon, leaving you with the rest of the day free to relax or explore at your leisure. Later, immerse yourself in Orkney’s rich cultural heritage by enjoying the atmosphere, perhaps by joining your leader for a whisky tasting, featuring exceptional malts from Orkney and beyond.
Day 5: Kirkwall / Inverness
After breakfast, you’ll begin your journey back to Inverness with your group, arriving in the late afternoon. With no activities planned in Inverness, the trip concludes upon arrival at the railway station. However, your adventure doesn’t have to end here! If you'd like to extend your time in the north of Scotland, we can arrange additional accommodation (subject to availability). For those wishing to continue exploring, consider joining one of our other adventures on the mainland or the Shetland Islands. Just speak to your booking agent in advance to make arrangements.
Departure dates
Select your preferred date or enquire
Operator
Intrepid Travel
Intrepid is a small group tour travel company with humble beginnings that now sends over 100,000 travellers a year on grassroots and responsible travel tours.
Important Information
*Terms and conditions
Please note: We are proud to be an independent agent to travel providers of hotels, flights and other related services. We are not a tour operator. Details and information on the offer are provided by 3rd party businesses and although we do our best to verify the information, we cannot guarantee its accuracy on all occasions. These offers are not available in conjunction with any other offer unless otherwise stated. Pricing and availability are subject to change without notice.
For more information, please see Terms of Use
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4 nights
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