8 day tour
Orkney and Shetland Explorer
From
£2369.00
Tour Summary
Orkney and Shetland Explorer
8 day/7 night tour
Begin your trip in Aberdeen, where you'll have two nights to explore the city and visit dramatic Dunottar Castle. Sail on an overnight ferry to Shetland to discover its dramatic scenery, Viking heritage and the renowned archaeological site of Jarlshof. Continue to Orkney to visit the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Skara Brae and the Ring of Brodgar. On the mainland, visit John O'Groats, travel part of the North Coast 500, and spend two nights in Pitlochry, where you can choose to relax or visit Inverness by train, with the option to visit Loch Ness.
Aberdeen - discover the many attractions of the Granite City
Shetland - explore the islands, famed for their wild beauty and Viking heritage
Orkney - step inside a world of awe‑inspiring prehistoric sites
Pitlochry - relax in the heart of Highland Perthshire
Inverness - visit the lively cultural capital of the Highlands
Movie Locations - Local Hero, The Edge of the World and Skyfall
Hotel accommodation included
Full Tour Itinerary
Select Day:
Day 1 - Travel to Aberdeen
Travel by rail from your local station to the silver city of Aberdeen, enjoying ever-changing scenery as you head north through rolling countryside and along stretches of dramatic coastline.
Sit back and relax as the landscape unfolds beyond your window, from fertile farmland and gentle hills to glimpses of the North Sea, passing through charming towns along the way.
As you approach Aberdeen, notice the distinctive grey granite buildings that give the city its famous nickname.
On arrival, transfer to the stylish Malmaison Hotel, your base for the next two nights. After settling in, enjoy free time to explore at your own pace, perhaps exploring Old Aberdeen, visiting the harbour, or strolling along the sweeping sandy beach.
Later, join your fellow travellers for a welcome meal, a relaxed introduction to the journey ahead.
Overnight: Malmaison Hotel, Aberdeen (or similar) (2 nights)
Day 2 - Discovering Aberdeen
After a leisurely breakfast, the day begins with an introduction to Aberdeen, highlighting its unique charm and surrounding countryside. The first stop is Dunnottar Castle, set on cliffs above the North Sea near the town of Stonehaven. This famous ruin has Pictish origins and played a pivotal role in safeguarding the Scottish Crown Jewels during the 17th‑century wars.
The tour continues with a look at Aberdeen's main sights. You'll visit the fishing village of Footdee, well known for its small cottages and seafaring history, and enjoy the calm of Union Terrace Gardens and colourful Duthie Park.
Next, you'll explore Old Aberdeen, where the cobbled streets and old buildings show Aberdeen's long history. We’ll see the University of Aberdeen (founded in 1495) and a 15th-century cathedral.
After a day of exploring, you'll head back to the hotel with time to unwind before dinner.
Day 3 - Aberdeen - Free Time - Lerwick
You'll start the day with free time in Aberdeen, so you can explore however you like. You might take a last walk through the city's granite streets, visit some local shops, or enjoy the views along the harbour before you leave. Later, you'll head by road to the ferry terminal and board a NorthLink ferry for the overnight trip to Lerwick in Shetland.
After you board, you'll have time to get comfortable and check out the ship's facilities. As the ferry leaves, you can watch the coastline of northeast Scotland slowly disappear, giving way to open sea and wide horizons. The lounges are a great place to relax, and you can head out on deck for fresh sea air and maybe spot some seabirds along the way.
Dinner is served on board, so you can enjoy a relaxed meal as you travel north. Afterwards, you can head to your private en-suite cabin for the night. After a night's rest, you will arrive in Shetland the next morning.
Overnight: Northlink Ferry
Day 4 - Lerwick - Jarlshof - Kirkwall
After breakfast on the ship, it’s all ashore to start exploring Shetland. These islands offer a mix of interesting history, unique wildlife, and striking scenery. The land and culture here often feel more Scandinavian than Scottish. During your guided tour, you'll see how Viking heritage and ancient sites have shaped these islands.
You'll visit the impressive settlement of Jarlshof, where history stretches back thousands of years from the Bronze Age to Viking times, plus a medieval farmstead and 16th-century house. Next, explore Scalloway, which is dominated by the castle built in 1600 by the notorious Earl Patrick Stewart. Lerwick, the island's busy modern capital, is our destination. Watch for seabird colonies and the famous Shetland ponies along the way.
Later, you'll board the ferry and sail southwards towards Orkney. Enjoy dinner on board as you sail through the northern waters, with time to relax and reflect on a day of discovery. You'll reach Orkney in the evening and transfer to the Kirkwall Hotel for a comfortable two-night stay.
Overnight: Kirkwall Hotel, Kirkwall (or similar) (2 nights)
Day 5 - Exploring the Orkney Islands
Today starts with a guided tour of Orkney, known for its history and striking coastline. These islands are home to some wonderful prehistoric treasures that have been designated UNESCO World Heritage sites.
The first stop is Skara Brae, a well-preserved Neolithic village uncovered by a storm in 1850, which is even older than Stonehenge. Here, you can see stone homes, furniture and relics that have lasted for over 5,000 years.
Next, visit Skaill House, a large mansion with views of the Bay of Skaill. Inside, you'll find displays about the island's history and artefacts from Skara Brae. Afterwards, head to the Ring of Brodgar, a striking stone circle in a wide natural setting that hints at the mystery and spiritual life of Orkney's ancient people.
You'll then see the Churchill Barriers, causeways built during World War II to protect Scapa Flow, which was a major naval base during both World Wars. The last stop is the Italian Chapel, a beautifully decorated church built from a simple Nissen hut by Italian prisoners of war. It took 2 years to build and finally opened just before the end of World War II in 1945.
After a day exploring Orkney's sights and history, you'll head back to the hotel for a relaxed and enjoyable dinner.
Day 6 - Kirkwall - John O'Groats - Pitlochry
After breakfast, we leave Orkney behind and cross the Pentland Firth to reach Scrabster on the Scottish mainland. On departure from Stromness, there are fine views of the dramatic island coastline, including the striking Old Man of Hoy, a towering red sandstone sea stack rising 450 feet above the sea.
After disembarking at Scrabster, the journey continues by coach along the rugged northern coast to John O'Groats, the most northerly village on mainland Britain. This windswept location offers expansive views across the Pentland Firth and is the perfect spot for some nature spotting, including coastal seabirds and seals basking along the rugged shoreline.
The route then turns south, following the famous North Coast 500 route. On the journey experience wonderful seascapes and see historic fishing villages hugging the coast. Travel through the Black Isle, then admire the views as you cross the Moray Firth. The glorious scenery of the Cairngorms National Park is next, before the coach descends through the Grampian Mountains to reach Highland Perthshire.
Journey’s end today is Pitlochry, a charming Victorian resort town on the banks of the River Tummel.
Overnight: Fishers Hotel, Pitlochry (or similar) (2 nights)
Day 7 - Free time or excursion to Inverness
Today, you can spend your time as you wish. Relax at the hotel or head out to explore the lovely town of Pitlochry. The town sits among wooded hills by the River Tummel and is known for its Victorian charm, unique shops, and friendly cafés.
A popular attraction is Blair Athol Distillery, where you can discover the traditions of whisky making. On a guided tour you can see where the magic happens, followed by a tutored tasting of a few malts.
If you prefer, you can take the train to Inverness with your included return ticket. The ride north offers beautiful views of the Highlands, with rolling hills, rivers, and open countryside along the way. When you arrive, you'll find Inverness is a lively but easy-to-explore city, often called the capital of the Highlands. You might want to visit Inverness Castle, which overlooks the River Ness and features a fascinating visitor attraction, or see the nearby cathedral.
You can also choose to go further afield and visit Loch Ness, known for its dramatic scenery and the enduring legend of Nessie, the Loch Ness monster. You can enjoy a short cruise across the deep, dark waters of the loch or stop at viewpoints along the shore to capture the ideal picture of this special place.
In the evening, you'll return to Pitlochry and the hotel, where a final dinner offers a relaxed way to end your trip.
Day 8 - Homeward Bound
After breakfast, you'll head to the station for your journey home. As the train travels southwards, take in the last views of Perthshire's wooded hills, rivers, and open countryside before the scenery slowly turns more urban.
Depending on your destination, you may need to change trains at Edinburgh or change stations if you are travelling via Glasgow. Full information will be provided.
The tour concludes at your home station, marking the end of a memorable journey to Scotland's northern islands.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I expect on this Escorted Train Tour?
You can expect a relaxed and memorable holiday through Scotland’s most beautiful landscapes, travelling on a carefully planned itinerary that blends scenic rail journeys, quality hotels, memorable excursions and time to discover at your own pace.
The joy of train travel is an essential element in these tours. You can look forward to a mix of scheduled Scotrail services on some of Scotland’s most scenic lines and heritage railways, specially chosen for their old-fashioned charm.
Throughout the group tour, an experienced Tour Manager will ensure everything runs smoothly. In some locations, local guides will join the group to share information about Scotland’s history, culture, and folklore.
Your holiday includes hotel accommodation, rail travel, many meals and admission to key attractions, with optional excursions - such as distillery visits, loch cruises or additional heritage railways - available to personalise your trip, with full details provided in your travel documents.
How do the Inclusive Rail Fares work?
On this Escorted Rail Tour, you can depart from any mainland railway station in the United Kingdom directly to the town or city where your first night's hotel accommodation is located. At the end of the tour, you will travel back to your home town by the most appropriate route.
Seat reservations, when available, are included.
You can make the journey even more enjoyable by upgrading to First Class.
Please note that some regional routes do not offer First Class, so you will be seated in standard class for these portions of your journey.
Rail travel to the tour departure point and return from the end point are unescorted.
How active are these Escorted Rail Tours?
Most Escorted Rail Tours* are designated as Moderate Activity, with reasonable physical activity, including walking, occasional steps and planned itineraries on most days.
Please bear in mind that you and your party will need to be able to handle your luggage (including lifting it on and off trains and storing it on luggage shelves), walk at a reasonable pace during group activities, and climb steps and stairs comfortably.
* The Picturesque Highland Seasons tour is designated a relaxing tour with more time to relax.
What type of room should I choose?
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.
Twin room - this is a room for two people sleeping in two separate beds.
Double room - this is a room for two people sharing one large bed.
Family room - this is a room for three people sleeping in one large bed (2 people) and one single bed (1 person).
Please note that a family room is normally a standard double or twin room with either a sofa bed or a rollaway bed.
All room types, other than twin rooms, are subject to availability.
What meals are included?
One of the great things about travelling on an Escorted/ Premium Escorted Tour is the generous number of meals included as standard.
Start the day with a freshly cooked breakfast or, if you prefer, there’s always a lighter continental option available too. You’ll find a number of evening dinners included which will give you the opportunity of sampling some local delicacies.
Check the “What’s Included' list on the relevant tour page for the exact number of meals that are featured on your tour.
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