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 where we will overnight for the next two days.
A full day on the Orkney mainland that 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. After visiting the Italian Chapel and the Churchill Barriers, the late afternoon is spent in Kirkwall at St Magnus Cathedral and the Earl’s Palace before our overnight stay.
Leaving Kirkwall we visit Stromness where we have a little time to explore this picturesque fishing town before our mid-morning ferry across the Pentland Firth to Scrabster on the Scottish mainland. We then enjoy a beautiful coastal tour back towards Inverness including a mid-afternoon visit to explore the breath-taking Dunrobin Castle with its wonderful gardens.
During our time in Orkney we include an additional day and overnight stay in Kirkwall. Along with a more relaxed pace across the four days, we have some free time in Kirkwall and explore more of Orkney's dramatic coastline around Birsay and Yesnaby. There is also the option to take a whisky distillery tour (advance booking required) at Highland Park or Scapa (home to a beautiful tasting room overlooking Scapa Flow).
Alternatively, for those interested in Orkney's wartime heritage we could spend the extra day visiting the stunning island of Hoy – a 35 minute ferry crossing from the Orkney mainland across Scapa Flow (advance booking required). Along with time at the Scapa Flow Museum, we tour across Hoy to explore the breath-taking scenery of Rackwick Bay.
May to September:
3 Day Tour – £2500
4 Day Tour – £3300
Depart Inverness (8:30am)
Return Inverness
(3 or 4 Days)
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 group size is less than 3 the advertised tour price still applies. Prices include ferry tickets, all taxes and an experienced driver/guide and historian (John Alasdair Macdonald).
Your accommodation costs, entrance fees and meals.
I recommend that you book accommodation in Kirkwall (Day 1 and 2) to make the most of your trip. Whilst I do not book accommodation for you I am happy to help with advice on where to stay and eat. The tour quote will include a list of accommodation recommendations and suggestions for overnight locations.
The tour itinerary is based on experience, previous clients feedback and timings. However, I have a little flexibility and the tour itinerary can be adapted (in advance) to suit specific requests if possible. Please let me know any requests through the 'Extra Information' section when completing a Tour Enquiry Form.
To explore more of the Scottish Highlands, the itinerary for the East Highlands and/or West Highlands days of the 3 Day Highlands Tour can be added as a tour extension. The total tour price would be increased by £600 for each additional day. If you are interested in an extended multi-day trip, this tour can be combined with other tours listed on the website. Please request any tour extensions through the 'Extra Information' section when completing a Tour Enquiry Form for the standard tour.
Ferry sailings are generally reliable in the summer months, but delays and cancellations can occasionally occur. While we cannot be responsible for additional accommodation, food or other costs that clients may incur due to ferry delays and cancellations, we 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.
The Scottish Highlands and Islands are renowned for changeable weather and even in the summer months we are likely to experience some wet and windy weather conditions on tours. As such we always recommend a light waterproof jacket for all tours and decent footwear that you do not mind getting a little bit muddy or wet.
