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Orkney and the Shetland Isles

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20242025
8 days From £2,395 per person
4.1 stars(69 reviews)
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Explore the beauty of Orkney and Shetland on an island-hopping holiday, delving into ancient history, captivating wildlife and beautiful landscapes

Mobility Rating 2

2025 Tour code: SOS25

About the tour

Uncover atmospheric castles, ancient archaeological sites and captivating wildlife in Orkney and Shetland. This magnificent Northern Isles holiday takes us from Edinburgh to the Granite City of Aberdeen and by ferry to Shetland and Orkney, before visiting Inverness.

Encounters with Shetland ponies, seals and otters introduce us to the islands' wildlife, while their incredible history is revealed through an astonishing array of ancient locations. Discover Jarlshof, where 4,000 years of history is brought to life and absorb Orkney's neolithic mysteries at the Ring of Brodgar and Skara Brae.

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Unforgettable experiences

Visiting the ancient settlement of Jarlshof
Visiting the ancient settlement of Jarlshof
Occupied for 4,000 years before becoming lost, Jarlshof was only rediscovered in 1897 and showcases Shetland’s history from the Iron Age and Norse settlements through to the 17th century.
Exploring the grounds of the royal Castle of Mey
Exploring the grounds of the royal Castle of Mey
Stroll round the walled garden and grounds of the 16th-century Castle of Mey, the impressive former residence of the Queen Mother and the northernmost castle on the British mainland.
Experiencing the Northern Isles’ mystical neolithic sites
Experiencing the Northern Isles’ mystical neolithic sites
Joined by a local guide, uncover the UNESCO-listed Heart of Neolithic Orkney on visits to the Ring of Brodgar, the Standing Stones of Stenness, the well-preserved village of Skara Brae and Maeshowe’s chambered cairn.
Enjoying encounters with Shetland’s wildlife
Enjoying encounters with Shetland’s wildlife
Meet charming Shetland ponies and learn about their history, and discover the important work of a wildlife sanctuary that rescues and cares for marine mammals, including seals and otters.
Learning about Orkney’s evocative past
Learning about Orkney’s evocative past
Acclaimed archaeologist Professor Nick Card, who has been overseeing excavations at the Ness of Brodgar for 20 years, delivers a fascinating talk on the islands’ neolithic history.

What’s included

Itinerary

Day 1 - Arrival in Edinburgh

Our holiday begins as we arrive at our hotel in Edinburgh, where we're greeted by our Tour Manager. After checking in to our hotel, you're at leisure to start exploring Scotland's capital.

The heart of the city is a UNESCO World Heritage site, with the Old Town's historic buildings and the New Town's award-winning Georgian architecture continuing the contrast between traditional and contemporary. The Royal Mile is rich with history and offers an array of sights. Strolling between the Palace of Holyroodhouse and Edinburgh Castle, you can view Gothic St Giles' Cathedral, fascinating museums and atmospheric alleyways. Explore the grounds of the iconic castle or nearby Victoria Street, a curved cobblestone road towered over by colourful shops.

This evening, we gather at our central hotel for our first dinner together as a group.

Includes
  • Dinner
Day 2 - Discovering the hidden gems of the Granite City

After breakfast this morning, we board a train to Aberdeen. Our journey takes us over the UNESCO-listed Forth Bridge before a series of sandy beaches, rugged cliffs and rolling farmland pass by our windows.

On arrival in Aberdeen, a coach takes us on a guided tour, beginning in Footdee. This old harbourside fishing village - known locally as 'Fittie' - is a charming blend of historic cottages and colourful outbuildings. The tour continues to Old Aberdeen, where cobbled roads lead to the 14th-century St Machar's Cathedral, situated on a site of worship dating back to the sixth century. Next, we head into Aberdeen's city centre to view the grand buildings of the Merchant Quarter and King's College, before seeing the striking granite statue of Queen Victoria at Queen's Cross.

Aberdeen is named the 'Granite City' due to the many buildings constructed from the distinctive rock. There is time at leisure to admire the architecture and get lunch before we board the ferry for an overnight crossing. As we set sail, we enjoy a three-course dinner on board this evening.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 3 - Exploring the charming Shetland Islands

Shetland is Britain's northernmost outpost and is closer to Bergen in Norway than Edinburgh with landscapes displaying a unique Norse influence. Disembarking in Lerwick after breakfast, we travel by coach to Scalloway and admire this small fishing port huddled on a spit of land between fjord-like inlets before a highlight of our holiday.

The islands are renowned for Shetland ponies, and we meet these charming and diminutive animals close-up while learning about their history. There is also the opportunity to lead them through the fields to a picturesque beach. Returning to Scalloway, we discover the islands' history at the town's fascinating museum, including the story of the 'Shetland Bus', a clandestine World War Two operation helping rescue people from occupied Norway. Afterwards, we travel back to Lerwick for a walking tour of the islands' largest town - although there is also the option to spend time at leisure.

This evening, a scenic drive takes us to our hotel in Brae, where there's time to unwind before dinner.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4 - The wildlife of the Shetlands

The islands' breathtaking scenery is uncovered after breakfast today. A local guide joins us for a coach trip to Eshaness via the beautiful fjord at Ronas Voe. Here, a short clifftop walk along a flank of an ancient volcano reveals amazing coastal views of waves crashing against the sheer cliffs.

Next, we visit the Hillswick Wildlife Sanctuary where rescued marine mammals are cared for. With 1,700-miles of rugged coastline, remote Shetland is one of the UK's most important habitats for seals and otters. We spend time admiring these much-loved animals and learning about the dedication that goes into caring for them. After a lunch of fish and chips, we stop at a croft where award-winning Shetland ponies are bred. Following introductions to the delightful herd as well as dogs and sheep, we continue to Lunna.

As the headquarters of the Shetland Bus during World War Two, Lunna played a fascinating part in 20th-century history. Here, we view the base of operations, Lunna House, and the hamlet's historic church. Returning to our Brae hotel, we sit down for dinner this evening.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 5 - Incredible views and Norse history in the Shetlands

Enjoying a full day of sightseeing after breakfast, we travel by coach to St Ninian's Isle. This picturesque uninhabited island is connected to the mainland by a long spit of sand, or tombolo. There is time to visit the remains of 8th-century St Ninian's Chapel and discover its Pictish history.

After pausing to view the golden sands of Rerwick Bay, we arrive at ancient Jarlshof. Exploring the site, we see some of Europe's oldest signs of life revealed through a range of neolithic and Norse structures and buildings dating from around 2700 BC to the 17th century. Occupied for 4,000 years, the settlement was lost, with only the remains of the 16th-century Laird's House visible - until a storm in 1897 revealed a cluster of buried buildings.

From here, we travel the short distance to Sumburgh Head, a protected nature reserve where thousands of seabirds nesting on the cliffs, including puffins, guillemots, razorbills and fulmars. Returning to Lerwick, we board our ferry for an evening sailing to Orkney with dinner on board, checking in to our hotel in Stromness late tonight.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 6 – Uncovering Orkney’s ancient sights

Our day begins with a leisurely breakfast followed by a talk from archaeologist Professor Nick Card, who has overseen excavations at the Ness of Brodgar, one of western Europe's most important neolithic sites.

We then visit the Italian Chapel, an ornate Catholic chapel built by Italian PoWs during World War Two. In Kirkwall, Orkney's main town, we view the soaring St Magnus Cathedral before uncovering the islands' neolithic history in the impressive cluster of UNESCO-listed monuments called the Heart of Neolithic Orkney. Our first stop is the awe-inspiring Ring of Brodgar, a vast stone circle in a wild and mysterious landscape. At the nearby Standing Stones of Stenness, we view monoliths believed to date from 3100 BC. Continuing to the Brough of Birsay and Broch of Gurness we reach the remarkably preserved 5,000-year-old village of Skara Brae, often referred to as the 'Scottish Pompeii'. Our final stop is Maeshowe, a chambered cairn with Viking graffiti and runes etched into the walls.

After our explorations, we arrive at Stromness to enjoy dinner at a restaurant before boarding an overnight ferry to Scrabster.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 7 – Royal Castle of Mey and John O’Groats

Arriving in Scrabster early this morning, we transfer to our coach for a journey to the beautiful Castle and Gardens of Mey. Previously a royal residence and the Queen Mother's home in Caithness, this is the northernmost castle on mainland Britain. On a clear day, you can see Orkney in the distance across the Pentland Firth. There's time at leisure to explore the castle, its attractive walled gardens and the grounds.

Heading east, we call at John O'Groats for a photo stop at the famous sign that points the way to Land's End, 874 miles away. Returning to Thurso, we board the train for a scenic railway journey through the Scottish Highlands to Inverness. Enroute, breathtaking mountains, lochs and coastal views pass our windows before sweeping moors and hilltop castles start to appear. After

checking in to our hotel in Inverness, there is time to freshen up or stroll out to explore the Capital of the Highlands before our final dinner together.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 8 - Homeward bound

After a week of exploring the historic 'Granite City' of Aberdeen, setting sail into the wild Shetlands, enjoying time with ponies and marine mammals, and discovering the rich history of the Shetlands and Orkney, our holiday comes to a close this morning.

A relaxed breakfast precedes a train journey through the Cairngorms to Edinburgh. Scenes of mountain peaks, winding rivers and cascading waterfalls drift by the train windows, occasionally interrupted by historic towns and villages on our way to the Scottish capital.

Arriving back in Edinburgh, our holiday comes to an end, and you are free to make your own way home or continue exploring independently.

Includes
  • Breakfast

Additional information

Departure times

Provisional departure and return times, where available, can be found together with our dates and prices by clicking on the 'Prices & Availability' button. We write to all booked customers approximately 10 weeks prior to the start of their tour to advise the exact departure and return time for their particular group.

Mobility information

Due to the nature of our tours they are generally unsuitable for those with restricted mobility. If you’d like to discuss any particular holiday with us in this respect, then please don’t hesitate to call us.

Hotels

Mercure Haymarket Hotel, Edinburgh

Mercure Haymarket Hotel, Edinburgh

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Best Western Palace Hotel & Spa, Inverness

Best Western Palace Hotel & Spa, Inverness

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The Brae Hotel, Shetland Islands

The Brae Hotel, Shetland Islands

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Stromness Hotel, Stromness

Stromness Hotel, Stromness

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Reviews

4.1 stars4.1 / 5 · 69 reviews

  1. 5 stars
    (29)
  2. 4 stars
    (24)
  3. 3 stars
    (10)
  4. 2 stars
    (5)
  5. 1 star
    (1)

Thomas Parr

5 stars

Submitted 27/Jun

We thoroughly enjoyed the holiday and the group got on really well. The guides were well informed and we learned a lot about the islands and island life. Travel was also well organised. The only criticism we could make is that the itinerary was a little too intense. I notice you have added an extra day on Shetland for next year. This will give guests a little breather half way through the week.

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Gill

5 stars

Submitted 22/Jun

An amazing experience. Well planned and led.

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Louise

5 stars

Submitted 25/May

We thoroughly enjoyed our trip. It was action packed which we liked and the local guides made it especially interesting and informative.

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C Wilding

3 stars

Submitted 23/May

Tour Manager and guides very good and great places to visit. On the other hand too much was crammed into the time allocated and some locations on the proposed itinerary e.g. Maeshowe Neolithic chambered cairn on Orkney were missed out altogether, without explanation or apology.

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B Derbyshire

5 stars

Submitted 23/May

Great tour. Local guide Jim in Shetland was so good, explained everything really well. Yvonne Cox was the best Tour Manager we have ever had.

from Great Rail Journeys
Dear B Derbyshire, Thank you for taking the time to leave a review. That is wonderful to hear! I will make sure to pass your lovely feedback across to Yvonne directly! Kind regards, Sophie.
1 comment

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K Richardson

5 stars

Submitted 23/May

Well organised, could have done with more help with cases, especially when the lifts were not always available. The scenic route from Inverness was poor, it was crowded, a lot of passengers with cases it made it difficult to move, Two of our group had inward facing seats, no window,I think 1st class would have made it a GREAT rail journey. I did enjoy the holiday. We had good guides and an excellent tour manager.

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