b'ClassicExplore the beauty of Orkney and Shetland on an island-hopping holiday, delving into ancient history, captivating8 DAYS fromwildlife and beautiful landscapes. 2,395 ppYOUR ITINERARY Orkney2 Lerwick1 1Days 1-2. From Edinburgh to the granite city of AberdeenYour holiday begins in Edinburgh, whereafter checking in to our hotel andScrabster John o Groats 1meeting the Tour Manageryoure at leisure to start exploring Scotlands capital. The UNESCO-listed city comprises an ancient Old Town and a Georgian New Town. Tonight we dine at our hotel. On Day 2, we board a1 Invernesstrain to Aberdeen. Travelling over the acclaimed Forth Bridge, we see sandy beaches, rugged cliffs and farmland. In Aberdeen, we take a guided tour bySCOTLAND Aberdeencoach, from the fishing village of Footdee to Old Aberdeen, where cobbled1roads lead to the 14th-century St Machars Cathedral. Next, in AberdeensEdinburghcity centre we view the grand buildings of the Merchant Quarter and Kings College, and see the granite statue of Queen Victoria. There is time over lunch before we board the ferry for an overnight crossing with dinner included.WHATS INCLUDED:Days 3-4. The sights and wildlife of the Shetland IslandsShetland is Britains northernmost outpost and is closer to Bergen in Norway 5 nights 4-Star hotel than Edinburgh, with landscapes displaying a Norse influence. Disembarkingaccommodationin Lerwick after breakfast, we travel by coach to the fishing port of Scalloway. 2 nights in a private cabin on The islands are renowned for Shetland ponies, and we meet these charmingNorthlink Ferries animals and hear about their history. Later, we discover more about the Standard Class rail travelislands at the Scalloway museum. We travel back to Lerwick for a walking tour, with the option for time at leisure. A scenic evening drive takes us to our All rail, ferry and coach travel hotel in Brae, where theres time to unwind before dinner. On Day 4 a localthroughout your tourguide joins us for a coach trip to Eshaness via the fjord at Ronas Voe. Here, aExpertise of a UK Tour Manager short clifftop walk along an ancient volcano reveals dramatic coastal views.from start to finishWe continue to the Hillswick Wildlife Sanctuary to see some rescued seals and otters. After a lunch break, we stop at a croft where Shetland ponies are bred.Breakfast and dinner each day,We continue to Lunna, which played a role in World War Two history.1 lunchAll guided tours and excursionsDays 5-6. Norse Shetlands and Neolithic OrkneyOn Day 5 we travel by coach to St Ninians Isle, an uninhabited island where we visit the remains of 8th-century St Ninians Chapel and discover its Pictish history. We stop to see the golden sands of Rerwick Bay, on our way to ancient Jarlshof. Here, some of Europes oldest signs of life are revealed by a range of Neolithic and Norse structures. We travel to Sumburgh Head, a protected nature reserve for seabirds. Then we board a ferry to Orkney with dinner on board, checking in to a hotel in Stromness late tonight. A talk fromTour Code: SOS| per person based onarchaeologist Professor Nick Card, who has overseen excavations at the2 sharing. Supplement for solo travellers Neolithic Ness of Brodgar, awaits on Day 6. We visit the Italian Chapel, built byfrom 500.PoWs during World War Two. After viewing St Magnus Cathedral we visit the Ring of Brodgar, a vast stone circle, the Standing Stones of Stenness, and other2025 Departures: ancient monoliths. Next we see the preserved 5,000-year-old village of SkaraAPR, JUN, JUL, AUG, SEP, OCTBrae, known as the Scottish Pompeii.We have dinner in Stromness before boarding an overnight ferry to Scrabster. Days 7-8. John OGroats & homeward bound MobilityReaching Scrabster early this morning, we drive to the Castle and Gardens ofRating 1 2 3 4Mey. Once the Queen Mothers home in Caithness, this is the northernmost castle on mainland Britain. Theres time to discover the castle and its walled gardens before a photo stop at John OGroats on our way to Thurso, where we board a train through the Highlands to Inverness. After checking in to ourSecure your place nowhotel in Inverness, there is time to explore before our final dinner. On Day 8with a 525pp depositwe travel by rail through the Cairngorms to Edinburgh where you can make your way home or continue exploring independently.Search greatrail.com/SOS25SCOTLAND 17'