Combining Orkney and Shetland into a private tour from Inverness
Orkney and Shetland are two of Scotland's most remarkable island groups, one shaped by five thousand years of Neolithic settlement, the other by the sea and centuries of Norse tradition. Combining both into a single continuous 7 day private tour is entirely possible, and for guests with the time, it is one of the most rewarding trips I guide. It does, however, come with one significant travel catch worth knowing about in advance: the late-night boarding time for the overnight crossing between Orkney and Shetland.
Rather than a standalone product, this is an extended combination built from two of my existing private tours – 4 Day Orkney and Highlands Private Tour and 5 Day Shetland and Highlands Private Tour – merged together into a 7 Day Orkney, Shetland and Highlands Tour from Inverness.
Following the standard Orkney tour for the first three days, we then transit north to Shetland for a further three days of discovery before returning to Inverness via Aberdeen on the seventh day.
How the journey between Orkney and Shetland works
The north-bound route from Orkney to Shetland is not connected by any daytime ferry – the only crossing heading north is an overnight sailing from Kirkwall to Lerwick.
What is the catch?
This is one significant travel factor to consider with this tour. It is not the crossing itself that is the challenge, as private en-suite cabins can make for a comfortable night (weather permitting). Rather, it is the late-night boarding. On Day 3 in Orkney, we tour as normal through the day and you enjoy an evening meal in Kirkwall, before we take a final scenic drive to reach the ferry queue by around 10pm. The ship docks around 11pm and we are generally settled into our cabins by 11.45pm, ready for the 7.30am arrival into Lerwick the following morning.
Is this still a relaxed, unhurried tour?
Bar the late-night boarding on Day 3, this combination keeps exactly the same relaxed pace as all of my tours, with plenty of time at each site, no rushing between stops, and days built around your comfort rather than a rigid schedule. And, on our first day in Shetland, we always finish touring by mid-afternoon so you can settle in and relax in Lerwick.
7 Day Orkney, Shetland and Highlands Private Tour
(Available from April to September)
- Day 1: Inverness to Orkney — Departing Inverness with a morning drive to the far North of Scotland and the ferry port of Scrabster near Thurso. The drive north covers wonderful coastal scenery and normally takes around 3-4 hours including photo stops and a brief visit to the historic town of Dornoch. Our 1½ hour ferry journey across the Pentland Firth to Orkney includes a great view of the Old Man of Hoy before our arrival in Stromness. The mid-afternoon is focused on a tour of Skara Brae, a stunning 5000 year old Neolithic village settlement – one of the highlights of the trip to Orkney. We end the day with a short drive to Kirkwall for our overnight stay.
- Day 2: Orkney — Our first full day in Orkney includes a visit to Maeshowe Neolithic chambered tomb. We also explore the Neolithic standing stones of Stenness, the Ring of Brodgar and the 2000 year old Broch of Gurness. The afternoon takes us to the Italian Chapel and the Churchill Barriers before our return to Kirkwall for our overnight stay.
- Day 3: Orkney — Our second full day on Orkney provides the opportunity to venture beyond the main sites. We can focus on Orkney's dramatic coastline, visiting the towering cliffs of Yesnaby, the tidal island of Birsay, and the Gloup, a dramatic collapsed sea cave in Mull Head Nature Reserve, along with free time in Kirkwall or perhaps a tasting at the Highland Park or Scapa whisky distilleries (advance booking required). Alternatively, for those interested in Orkney's naval history, we can sail across Scapa Flow to the Isle of Hoy, visiting the acclaimed Scapa Flow Museum along with the secluded, towering cliffs of Rackwick Bay. After dinner in Kirkwall, we take the overnight ferry (departing at 11.45pm) to Shetland.
- Day 4: Shetland (South Mainland) — After breakfast on board as we sail into Lerwick, we spend our first day exploring the South Mainland. We visit the towering cliffs of Sumburgh Head, a spectacular haven for seabirds and puffins, before delving into the archaeological layers of Jarlshof. This extraordinary site reveals a sequence of island life spanning from the Bronze Age to the Norse era. We conclude the afternoon at St Ninian’s Isle, where you can walk across the world-famous sand tombolo set against the Atlantic waves.
- Day 5: Shetland (Isle of Unst) — Today we journey to the very northern edge of the country: the Isle of Unst. After two short ferry crossings via the Isle of Yell, we reach the most northerly inhabited island in Scotland. We spend the day exploring a landscape of Norse heritage and wild geology, visiting the ruins of Muness Castle and the dramatic shores of Burra Firth. From the heights of Saxa Vord, we look out towards Muckle Flugga lighthouse – Scotland's northernmost point – before making our scenic return journey to Lerwick.
- Day 6: Shetland (North Mainland) — We head to the wild North Mainland to witness the sheer power of the Atlantic at Eshaness. Here, the dark volcanic cliffs and jagged sea stacks offer some of the most dramatic coastal scenery in the islands. We then tour the ancient capital of Scalloway and the picturesque islands of Burra, connected by bridges to the mainland. After a visit to the award-winning Shetland Museum in Lerwick to explore the islands' maritime history, we board our overnight sailing (in the mid-to-late afternoon) back to the mainland.
- Day 7: Aberdeen to Inverness — Arriving into Aberdeen harbour in the early morning (7am) we enjoy a leisurely breakfast on the ferry before heading east towards to Elgin to explore the stunning 700 year old ruins of Elgin Cathedral and the Pictish standing stones of the area. The afternoon takes us back to Inverness where we end the tour with a visit to the 4000 year old burial cairns and standing stones at Clava followed by a guided walk of Culloden Battlefield.
Private Tour Price (per tour)
April to September: £6500
Depart Inverness
Return Inverness
(7 Days)
Depart Inverness
Return Inverness
(7 Days)
What's Included
What's included in the tour price?
Tours are exclusively for your private group only (up to 3 persons) and prices are per tour. I only offer private tours and do not combine individuals or separate groups – if your private group size is less than 3 the advertised tour price still applies. Your private tour price includes:
- Private tour for your group only (1, 2 or 3 persons)
- An experienced driver-guide and historian (John Alasdair Macdonald)
- A comfortable tour vehicle with good visibility and generous legroom
- All ferry tickets (I take care of all ferry bookings)
- All taxes and fees
What's excluded?
The tour price does not include your accommodation costs, overnight ferry cabin costs (details below), entrance fees, meals and refreshments.
Where should I book accommodation?
To make the most of your tour I recommend you book accommodation in:
- Kirkwall (Day 1 and 2)
- Lerwick (Day 4 and 5)
Whilst I do not book accommodation directly, I am always happy to offer advice on where to stay and eat. Your tour quote will include a full list of recommended accommodation options for every overnight location along with suggestions for evening meals.
Route & Logistics
Which days does this tour start on?
This tour is available on Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday start days from Inverness.
Where does the tour start from?
Enjoy the ease of a private pickup – I will meet you directly at your Inverness accommodation on the morning of Day 1 to begin the tour. At the end of the tour I will drop you off at your preferred Inverness location.
What about overnight ferry accommodation?
During this tour we will take two overnight ferry sailings where you can book overnight en-suite cabins. Prices depend on your cabin choice (for example, for 2026 bookings, a twin outer cabin in peak season is between £153 and £190 per cabin depending on class). The tour quote will include full details of the cabin options and their current prices. More information about the cabin choices can be found on the Northlink Ferries website.
What about the extended Day 3?
We start around 9.30am and tour Orkney until 5pm, followed by an evening meal in Kirkwall and a final scenic drive before joining the ferry queue (see "What is the catch?" above for the overnight crossing details). Once in Shetland the following morning, we tend to finish touring by mid-afternoon so you can settle in and relax in Lerwick.
What about the ferry sailings?
Shetland is in the North Atlantic and the seas can be choppy during overnight ferry sailings even in the summer months, though most are comfortable crossings. Ferry sailings are generally reliable in the summer months, but delays and cancellations can occasionally occur. While I cannot be responsible for additional accommodation, food or other costs that clients may incur due to ferry delays and cancellations, I will make every effort to adapt the tour to minimise disruption. Please note that no refunds will be given for tour and itinerary changes due to ferry changes and cancellations.
Are there seasonal changes to this tour?
Tours in April can see more rain and wind, and I may adjust start and finish times to suit conditions. On windier days, the ferry crossings can be choppy, and occasionally poor weather conditions can lead to ferry delays and cancellations. Most of the itinerary is still accessible during April – and where an itinerary attraction is unavailable, we visit an alternative location instead.
Additionally, the early afternoon sailing to Orkney is limited to weekends only in April. Therefore, for weekday tour starts, we take the evening ferry with a late arrival into Kirkwall (approx. 9pm).
Can the tour itinerary be customised?
The tour itinerary is based on nineteen years of guiding experience, previous client feedback, and practical travel timings. However, there is some flexibility and the itinerary can often be adapted in advance to suit particular interests or requests where possible. Please mention any requests in the 'Extra Information' section when completing a Tour Enquiry Form.
Will we see Jimmy Perez's house?
Absolutely! For those that have enjoyed the Shetland TV series, many of the sites we visit have been shown across the episodes, and along with plenty of time in Lerwick to explore familiar views, no trip to Shetland would be complete without a walk along the waterfront past DI Jimmy Perez's house!
What about puffins?
Shetland is a haven for seabirds and we spend time at Sumburgh Head where puffins are common from mid-May to July.
Comfort & Practicalities
How much walking does this tour involve?
Most stops on this route are short walks from the vehicle to a viewpoint, castle or historic site. The pace is relaxed and there is plenty of time to enjoy each stop. If you would prefer to skip a particular walk or explore at your own pace, that is absolutely fine on a private tour.
How often do we stop?
The tour has plenty of viewpoint, photo and refreshment stops along with regular restroom stops. As it is a private tour, we can pretty much stop whenever you want!
What clothing/footwear should I bring?
Walking shoes or sneakers with good grip is recommended, along with a light waterproof jacket as Highland weather can be very changeable. All walks are entirely optional and can be tailored to your comfort and mobility level.
How much luggage can I bring?
The current tour vehicle comfortably accommodates up to three passengers with room in the rear boot (trunk) for one medium bag/suitcase per person and one small day bag/backpack per person. If you are unsure about luggage capacity, please let me know the size of your cases and I can confirm there is room.
Do you help with the luggage?
I am happy to help with your suitcases at each overnight location – some of the smaller hotels around the Highlands and Islands do not have lifts but I will gladly assist in getting your bags to your room.
Booking & Availability
How far in advance should I book?
I recommend booking this tour as early as possible. Kirkwall and Lerwick are popular destinations and accommodation often books up 9 to 12 months in advance. Securing your tour dates and your accommodation early ensures you get the widest choice of rooms and rates, whereas booking late often means limited availability. Additionally, the overnight ferry sailings have a limited number of private cabins, which tend to sell out far ahead of the departure date – I take bookings up to 18 months in advance.
What are the deposit and payment terms?
A 50% non-refundable deposit is required to secure your dates, with full payment due 60 days before the tour start date. Deposit and balance payments are made securely online and accept Visa, MasterCard and American Express. Full details are available in my Terms and Conditions.
How do I book the tour?
The first step is simply to complete a Tour Enquiry Form with your preferred travel dates. I will then reply with availability and a detailed tour quotation (with absolutely no obligation to proceed at this stage). I usually reply to enquiries within 24 hours.
Can I just chat about the tour before booking?
Of course! Given the scale of this tour, I'm always happy to talk it through before you commit. You can reach me in whichever way is easiest for you:
- Complete a Tour Enquiry Form – just ask any questions in the 'Extra Information' section.
- Email me directly at info@thehebrideanexplorer.com.
- Send a WhatsApp message or call me on +44 7943 863292.