Highlights of Orkney and Shetland by Air

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.

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.

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.

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.