5 day tour
Highlights of Orkney and Shetland by Air
From
£2420.00
Tour Summary
Highlights of Orkney and Shetland by Air
5 day/4 night
On this five-day adventure of the Orkney and Shetland Isles, you will fly from Edinburgh to Sumburgh and back from Kirkwall. During your two-night stay on the Shetland Islands, discover the prehistoric settlement of Jarlshof and ancient Scalloway Castle. Sail to the little island of Mousa to visit the fascinating Iron Age broch and enjoy some nature spotting. Fly southwards to the Orkney Islands to visit the Italian Chapel and the UNESCO World Heritage treasures of Maeshowe, Skara Brae and the Standing Stones of Stenness. There is time to explore the island capital of Kirkwall and the towering St Magnus Cathedral before flying back to the mainland.
Jarlshof - learn the prehistoric and Norse history of this remarkable archaeological site
Scalloway - discover this historic fishing port and see the striking ruins of 17th Century Scalloway Castle
Mousa - marvel at the ruins of the Iron Age broch that towers 13 metres high
Italian Chapel - visit this ornate chapel fashioned by Italian prisoners of war from two simple huts
Neolithic Orkney - explore stone circles, chambered burial chambered tombs and Stone Age villages
Hotel accommodation included
Full Tour Itinerary
Select Day:
Day 1 - Edinburgh - Sumburgh - Shetland Islands
We depart Edinburgh on an early morning scheduled flight to Sumburgh, Shetland Islands.
We will start our island adventure by driving to Sumburgh Head, where Shetland's east and west coasts meet. You will be amazed by the views from the cliffs and the birds at the RSPB reserve.
Next, we will explore Jarlshof, a remarkable site that reveals the history of Shetland from the Stone Age to the Middle Ages. You will see the remains of different types of houses, built by the people who lived here for over 3000 years.
In the afternoon, we will go to Scalloway, the old capital of Shetland, where we will visit the castle of the notorious Earl Patrick Stewart, who ruled the islands with an iron fist in the 17th century.
We will then drive north to Eshaness, a peninsula formed 360 million years ago. It’s the site of spectacular cliffs and stunning sea views.
Watch for the 'Otters Crossing' sign at Mavis Grind, a narrow isthmus separating the Atlantic Ocean from the North Sea.
Finally, we head for our hotel where there will be time to relax before dinner.
Overnight: Busta House Hotel, Shetland (or similar) (2 nights)
Day 2 - Exploring Shetland and Mousa
After a relaxing breakfast, we travel to Lerwick, the capital of Shetland, where you will have some free time. You might want to visit the innovative Shetland Museum to discover more about this fascinating group of islands.
In the afternoon, we will pass through small villages like Gulberwick and Cunningsburgh on our way to Sandwick. There, we will take the ferry to visit the small island of Mousa*. Towering by the sea is the 2000-year-old broch which retains its 13m tall walls.
The island is also home to many animals and birds. You can see storm petrels, Arctic terns and Skuas nesting, and harbour seals resting by the shore. You might also see porpoises and killer whales in the surrounding waters.
If things don’t go to plan due to bad weather or other issues, we will go to Scatness Broch on the main island instead.
Later, we head back to our hotel for dinner.
* Please be aware that the trail on Mousa is uneven, steep, narrow, and can be stony or boggy in sections. It is not suitable for visitors who require additional mobility support or who are not sure-footed. Sturdy walking boots or Wellington boots, along with waterproof clothing, are recommended. There are no toilets, seating areas, or shelter available on the island.
Day 3 - Sumburgh - Italian Chapel - Kirkwall
After breakfast, we head to Sumburgh Airport to catch the flight to Kirkwall in the Orkney Islands.
On arrival, we join the coach for a tour of the south of mainland Orkney. We will cross the impressive Churchill Barriers. Following the sinking of HMS Royal Oak in October 1939, these huge concrete blocks were installed here to protect the natural harbour from further German attacks in World War II.
The causeways connect the islands of Burray and South Ronaldsay to mainland Orkney. We will stop to visit the Italian Chapel, an elaborately decorated chapel made by Italian prisoners of war from two simple Nissen huts. The inside has beautiful paintings by Domenico Chiocchetti, one of the prisoners who has returned to maintain and repaint them.
We will return to Kirkwall, the capital of the Orkneys, where you will have some free time to relax and explore your new surroundings.
You can visit St. Magnus Cathedral, one of the finest medieval buildings in Europe. It took three centuries to build and is an excellent example of Romanesque architecture.
Nearby, the historic district contains the Earl’s Palace, built for the infamous Earl Patrick Stewart and the Bishop’s Palace, which features a hall and tower house.
Later, we make our way to our hotel for dinner.
Overnight: Kirkwall Hotel, Kirkwall (or similar) (2 nights)
Day 4 - Exploring Neolithic Orkney
Today, we will explore the rich heritage and stunning scenery of Orkney’s west coast, home to many World Heritage Sites of great value and beauty.
After a hearty breakfast, we will head into the Heart of Neolithic Orkney and marvel at the ancient tomb of Maeshowe. This impressive monument, dating back to 2800 BC, overlooks the Lock of Harray and boasts some of the best runic inscriptions in Europe within its chambers and passages.
We will also visit the majestic Stones of Stenness, which have endured this wind-swept location for millennia.
Next to the sacred stone circle, we will discover the Neolithic village of Barnhouse, where the ruins of 15 houses reveal the lives of our Stone Age ancestors.
The high point of this incredible journey through history is the well-preserved and renowned settlement of Skara Brae, where we can walk in the shoes of Neolithic farmers, hunters and fishermen.
Our last stop of the day will be Skaill House, a charming 17th-century manor house, where we will enjoy its historical and cultural attractions before returning to our cosy hotel in time for dinner.
Day 5 - Return to Edinburgh
Sadly, as our island adventure draws to an end we transfer to Kirkwall Airport for the return flight back to Edinburgh.
Frequently Asked Questions
Tell me more about the air-inclusive tour?
This specially designed holiday includes direct flights from Edinburgh, saving you hours of travel and an overnight ferry journey. Shetland is a mere 85-minute flight away, where you will join your tour director and fellow passengers on your island adventure.
Everything is taken care of so you can sit back and relax, knowing that your tour has been expertly planned and nothing has been left to chance. Carefully selected accommodation with breakfast and dinner are included. Touring is by luxury coach transport, and inter-island flights from Sumburgh to Kirkwall and Kirkwall to Edinburgh are provided.
You'll find these tours well-paced with the perfect balance of organised sightseeing and free time so you can do your own thing. Most admission charges are included, so there are no unexpected expenses.
A comprehensive tour itinerary will be issued as part of your tour documents, which you'll receive around two weeks before travel.
What type of room should I choose?
This tour includes guest house accommodation.
There are different bedroom types to choose from. Here is what you can expect:
Single room - one person sleeping in a single bed
Twin room - two people sleeping in two separate beds
Double room - two people sharing one large bed
Family room - three people sharing a room, sleeping in one large bed (2 people) and one single bed (1 person)
Please note that a family room can be a standard double room with either a sofa bed or a rollaway bed.
Can you cater for special dietary needs?
Yes, it is possible to cater for passengers who are vegetarian or have medically-recommended diets. Please advise any special dietary requirements that you may have at time of booking.
Unfortunately it is not possible to arrange meals in accordance with strict religious requirements.
Where can I purchase travel insurance?
We strongly recommend that you have travel insurance in place for your trip to Scotland, especially if you are visiting from overseas. To purchase a policy speak to your insurance broker or undertake a search on-line.
We would also suggest checking your home policy or credit card contract as many suppliers include travel insurance as part of their offering.
Can I reserve specific seats on the coach?
Seating on this tour is on a first come, first served basis and cannot be pre-booked.
If you are travelling as part of a group please make sure that all members of the party arrive at the departure point together.
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