Orkney Isles

PICKUP FROM Edinburgh or Glasgow

The road journey up to Orkney is 5.5 hours from Edinburgh, making for a 7.30am departure. We’ll pass through the whole length of the Highlands, including the Cairngorm National Park.
Hike to view the Duncansby sea stacks.

Skara Brae’s 5000 year old village, incorporating a 4km invigorating hike along the cliff tops.
Wander around the Ring of Brodgar set on a narrow isthmus with lochs on either side.
The gigantic Stones of Stenness
Maeshowe burial chamber with monumental interior formed of colossal stone slabs, inscribed with the grafitti of Vikings runes.
Hike over to the Brough of Birsay, a tidal island rich in Pictish and early Christian history.
Pictish village of Gurness with its broch overlooking the Rousay straits.
St Magnus Cathedral - named after a local saint martyred by a rival Viking lord.
Explore the Viking sea ports of Kirkwall and Stromness.
Isle of Hoy, to see the Dwarfie Stone, the impressive sea stack of the Old Man of Hoy and Rackwick’s folk museum.
Tomb of the Eagles, accessed by lying flat on a trolley.
Orkney museum - a graphic overview of Orkney.
St Margaret’s Hope - attractive, historic port.
the Italian Chapel, showcasing how elaborate a group of prisoners of war could decorate a military nissan hut.
On our return road trip, we’ll do a hike to a low-level hill for a magnificent view, a dramatic contrast to the virtually treeless and largely low-lying Orkney countryside.