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Highlights
Sitting off the north coast of Scotland, the Orkney islands are a world apart. Surprisingly lush and fertile, for many centuries this beautiful archipelago belonged to Norway; even today Orcadians retain a distinctive identity and are keenly aware of their Scandanavian heritage. Orkney is an island enthusiast's paradise, with not one but an amazing 20 inhabited islands...and a further 50 or so that are uninhabited. Most tours concentrate on the largest of these islands (called "Mainland" by Orcadians) but here at Hidden Hebrides we like to do things differently. On this brilliant holiday we will, of course, be visiting Mainland Orkney, with its world famous archaeology. However, we will also be taking day or overnight trips to 3 of Orkney's fabulous smaller islands - Hoy, Rousay & Westray. Orkney has outstanding wildlife and landscapes, but its real attraction is its archaeology and cultural heritage. Nowhere in northern Europe is there such a dramatic concentration of spectacular archaeological sites. Stone circles, burial mounds, a stone age village, iron age forts...almost everywhere you turn there are more traces of our early ancestors. It is no wonder that central Mainland has been designated a World Heritage Site for its outstanding collection of archaeological remains. Our Orkney Islands tour is one of our most relaxed walking holidays. Distances covered are generally modest (average 5 - 6 miles a day) and the terrain is easier than many other Scottish islands. We will be taking time to visit some of the finest archaeological sites, as well as keeping a good lookout for the spectacular wildlife that the islands have to offer. One final point to note about this holiday is the quality of the food - Orkney has some really excellent restaurants and pubs and we will be sampling as many of these as we can fit in during the week! |
2019 Dates:
Sat 4th - Fri 10th May Full Sat 8th - Fri 14th June 2 places left Sat 13th - Fri 19th July Full Sat 27th July - Fri 2nd August 1 place left Sat 24th - Fri 30th August 2 places left Sat 21st - Fri 27th September 2 places left 2020 Dates: Sat 2nd - Fri 8th May Sat 6th - Fri 12th June Sat 11th - Fri 17th July Sat 22nd - Fri 28th August Sat 19th - Fri 25th September How long: 6 nights, 5 days walking Grade: Easy / Moderate (see our Grading Information page for more details on how we grade our tours) Start / Finish: Inverness Cost: £1,245. Single supplement: £120. The above price assumes pick up in Inverness on the first day and ferry travel to Orkney with the group leader. If you choose to fly direct to and from Kirkwall the price is reduced by £25. |
Tour Details
(please note that this schedule may be subject to change depending on weather conditions during the trip).
DAY 1 - TRAVEL TO ORKNEY
The tour starts with a pick up outside the front entrance of Inverness train station at 1.30pm. From Inverness we will travel by minibus to John O' Groats at the northern tip of Scotland where we will catch the evening Pentalina ferry across to Orkney. Once on the islands you will be taken to your guest house in Kirkwall, the island's attractive and historic capital. We will be eating most nights in some of the town's excellent restaurants and pubs.
DAY 2 - SKARA BRAE, MARWICK HEAD & BROUGH OF BIRSAY
We will start the week in style with a visit to Skara Brae. This remarkable village appeared out of the sand dunes after a storm in the 19th Century and is now widely recognised as the best preserved stone age settlement in Europe. In the afternoon we will walk along the spectacular cliff tops of Marwick Head, visiting the striking memorial to Lord Kitchener who was drowned when his ship hit a mine and sank a few miles off this headland in 1916. We will end the day with a stroll around the beautiful tidal island of Birsay, with its fascinating remains of a Viking village.
DAY 3 - WESTRAY
Our second day will involve a ferry day trip to one of Orkney's most northerly outliers, the beautiful island of Westray. We will be taking several leisurely walks around the island, including a visit to the spectacular cliffs of Castle O' Burrian, home to Orkney's most accessible population of puffins!
DAY 4 - ORKNEY WORLD HERITAGE SITE
Many of Mainland Orkney's finest archaeological sites are nestled in a relatively small strip of land between the Loch of Stenness and the Loch of Harray. Today we will be exploring this area - the Neolithic Orkney UNESCO World Heritage Site. We will walk between most of the sites, including the spectacular burial tomb of Maes Howe, the fine standing stones at the Ring of Brodgar and the Stones of Stenness, as well as visiting the exciting ongoing excavations at the Ness of Brodgar.
In the afternoon we will explore Orkney's second town, Stromness - home to the wonderful Orcadian poet and author George Mackay Brown - taking a short coastal walk before eating in one of the town's excellent restaurants.
DAY 5 - ROUSAY
Another day trip today, this time to the lovely island of Rousay. Fabulous coastal walking, with yet more remarkable archaeology - the walk along Rousay's south west coast has been described as including the most important historical mile in Britain. Highlights include a monumental chambered burial cairn and Mid Howe Broch, an impressive Iron Age circular fort on a spectacular coastal promontory.
DAY 6 - OLD MAN OF HOY
Back on the ferries again today, this time for a day trip to Hoy, the most rugged of the Orkney islands. In the morning we will take a walk out to the famous "Old Man", a spectacular sea stack first climbed by Chris Bonnington in 1966. Before returning back to our base on mainland we will go to the south of Hoy to visit the fascinating musuem at Lyness, which records the experience of islanders and servicemen during the two world wars.
DAY 7 - DEPART
Our departure day will involve taking the ferry back to John O' Groats then driving back to Inverness. We will arrive back at Inverness train station at approximately 4pm.
(please note that this schedule may be subject to change depending on weather conditions during the trip).
DAY 1 - TRAVEL TO ORKNEY
The tour starts with a pick up outside the front entrance of Inverness train station at 1.30pm. From Inverness we will travel by minibus to John O' Groats at the northern tip of Scotland where we will catch the evening Pentalina ferry across to Orkney. Once on the islands you will be taken to your guest house in Kirkwall, the island's attractive and historic capital. We will be eating most nights in some of the town's excellent restaurants and pubs.
DAY 2 - SKARA BRAE, MARWICK HEAD & BROUGH OF BIRSAY
We will start the week in style with a visit to Skara Brae. This remarkable village appeared out of the sand dunes after a storm in the 19th Century and is now widely recognised as the best preserved stone age settlement in Europe. In the afternoon we will walk along the spectacular cliff tops of Marwick Head, visiting the striking memorial to Lord Kitchener who was drowned when his ship hit a mine and sank a few miles off this headland in 1916. We will end the day with a stroll around the beautiful tidal island of Birsay, with its fascinating remains of a Viking village.
DAY 3 - WESTRAY
Our second day will involve a ferry day trip to one of Orkney's most northerly outliers, the beautiful island of Westray. We will be taking several leisurely walks around the island, including a visit to the spectacular cliffs of Castle O' Burrian, home to Orkney's most accessible population of puffins!
DAY 4 - ORKNEY WORLD HERITAGE SITE
Many of Mainland Orkney's finest archaeological sites are nestled in a relatively small strip of land between the Loch of Stenness and the Loch of Harray. Today we will be exploring this area - the Neolithic Orkney UNESCO World Heritage Site. We will walk between most of the sites, including the spectacular burial tomb of Maes Howe, the fine standing stones at the Ring of Brodgar and the Stones of Stenness, as well as visiting the exciting ongoing excavations at the Ness of Brodgar.
In the afternoon we will explore Orkney's second town, Stromness - home to the wonderful Orcadian poet and author George Mackay Brown - taking a short coastal walk before eating in one of the town's excellent restaurants.
DAY 5 - ROUSAY
Another day trip today, this time to the lovely island of Rousay. Fabulous coastal walking, with yet more remarkable archaeology - the walk along Rousay's south west coast has been described as including the most important historical mile in Britain. Highlights include a monumental chambered burial cairn and Mid Howe Broch, an impressive Iron Age circular fort on a spectacular coastal promontory.
DAY 6 - OLD MAN OF HOY
Back on the ferries again today, this time for a day trip to Hoy, the most rugged of the Orkney islands. In the morning we will take a walk out to the famous "Old Man", a spectacular sea stack first climbed by Chris Bonnington in 1966. Before returning back to our base on mainland we will go to the south of Hoy to visit the fascinating musuem at Lyness, which records the experience of islanders and servicemen during the two world wars.
DAY 7 - DEPART
Our departure day will involve taking the ferry back to John O' Groats then driving back to Inverness. We will arrive back at Inverness train station at approximately 4pm.
This holiday starts and ends in Inverness. Your guide will meet you at the entrance to Inverness railway station at 1.30pm where you will join the rest of the group for the drive up to John o' Groats and the ferry to Orkney.
If you prefer you can fly to Orkney instead. Flybe offer direct flights to Kirkwall from Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen and Inverness.
Inverness is easily accessible by plane, train and bus.
Flights
The following airlines offer direct flights to Inverness:
www.flybe.com - Manchester, Birmingham, Belfast, Jersey, Amsterdam.
www.easyjet.com - London Gatwick, London Luton, Bristol.
www.britishairways.com - London Heathrow.
www.aerlingus.com - Dublin.
If you wish to join the holiday in Orkney, the following airline offers flights to Kirkwall:
www.loganair.co.uk - Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness, Aberdeen.
Trains
Inverness can be reached by train from Edinburgh, Glasgow and England. Travellers coming from London and the south of England can take advantage of the overnight Caledonian Sleeper service. For more information on train services see the following websites:
www.scotrail.co.uk
www.nationalrail.co.uk
www.thetrainline.com
www.sleeper.scot
Please note that all train tickets should be purchased in advance of travel. We recommend that you do this as soon as you book your holiday as advance tickets are always considerably cheaper than ones bought at the last minute.
Coaches
The following operator offers coach services from Glasgow and Edinburgh to Inverness:
www.citylink.co.uk
Please note that all coach tickets must be purchased in advance of travel. We recommend that you do this as soon as you book your holiday as coaches can get booked up. Advance tickets can also be considerably cheaper than ones bought at the last minute.
Cars
Driving to Inverness by car is straightforward - it is simply a case of heading for Perth then taking the A9 north. Approximate journey times (not including stops, road works or delays) are as follows:
Edinburgh: 3 hours
Glasgow: 3.5 hours
Newcastle: 5.5 hours
Manchester: 6.5 hours
Birmingham: 7.5 hours
Bristol: 8.5 hours
London: 9.5 hours
If you prefer you can fly to Orkney instead. Flybe offer direct flights to Kirkwall from Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen and Inverness.
Inverness is easily accessible by plane, train and bus.
Flights
The following airlines offer direct flights to Inverness:
www.flybe.com - Manchester, Birmingham, Belfast, Jersey, Amsterdam.
www.easyjet.com - London Gatwick, London Luton, Bristol.
www.britishairways.com - London Heathrow.
www.aerlingus.com - Dublin.
If you wish to join the holiday in Orkney, the following airline offers flights to Kirkwall:
www.loganair.co.uk - Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness, Aberdeen.
Trains
Inverness can be reached by train from Edinburgh, Glasgow and England. Travellers coming from London and the south of England can take advantage of the overnight Caledonian Sleeper service. For more information on train services see the following websites:
www.scotrail.co.uk
www.nationalrail.co.uk
www.thetrainline.com
www.sleeper.scot
Please note that all train tickets should be purchased in advance of travel. We recommend that you do this as soon as you book your holiday as advance tickets are always considerably cheaper than ones bought at the last minute.
Coaches
The following operator offers coach services from Glasgow and Edinburgh to Inverness:
www.citylink.co.uk
Please note that all coach tickets must be purchased in advance of travel. We recommend that you do this as soon as you book your holiday as coaches can get booked up. Advance tickets can also be considerably cheaper than ones bought at the last minute.
Cars
Driving to Inverness by car is straightforward - it is simply a case of heading for Perth then taking the A9 north. Approximate journey times (not including stops, road works or delays) are as follows:
Edinburgh: 3 hours
Glasgow: 3.5 hours
Newcastle: 5.5 hours
Manchester: 6.5 hours
Birmingham: 7.5 hours
Bristol: 8.5 hours
London: 9.5 hours
What's Included: 6 nights accommodation in a comfortable island guest house*, 5 days walking. All meals, including full Scottish or continental breakfasts, packed lunches and evening meals (excludes lunch on final day). All transport during the holiday, including minibus transport from Inverness - Orkney. Ferry crossings to Orkney, plus day trips to Hoy, Rousay and Westray. The services of a qualified and experienced Mountain Leader.
What's Not Included: Transport to / from holiday departure point at Inverness. Entrance to archaeological sites where entrance fee is charged (we can supply clients with Historic Scotland Orkney Explorer passes for £18 per person which provide free entry to most sites). Travel insurance. (Note: We prefer to let people choose their own way to get to the islands, to maximise people's choice of how to travel. However, whether you prefer to bring your own car, to catch the bus or take a flight, we can help arrange your travel for you).
*We will be staying in comfortable guest houses in or near Kirkwall, Orkney's attractive little capital. All rooms will have ensuite or private bathrooms. We usually manage to accommodate the entire group in the same guest house on this trip, but occasionally we may have to split the party up between several guest houses. However, we will be dining together each evening in local restaurants so there will be plenty of opportunities for socialising with the rest of the group.
What's Not Included: Transport to / from holiday departure point at Inverness. Entrance to archaeological sites where entrance fee is charged (we can supply clients with Historic Scotland Orkney Explorer passes for £18 per person which provide free entry to most sites). Travel insurance. (Note: We prefer to let people choose their own way to get to the islands, to maximise people's choice of how to travel. However, whether you prefer to bring your own car, to catch the bus or take a flight, we can help arrange your travel for you).
*We will be staying in comfortable guest houses in or near Kirkwall, Orkney's attractive little capital. All rooms will have ensuite or private bathrooms. We usually manage to accommodate the entire group in the same guest house on this trip, but occasionally we may have to split the party up between several guest houses. However, we will be dining together each evening in local restaurants so there will be plenty of opportunities for socialising with the rest of the group.
Easy / Moderate. The walking on Orkney is generally easier than that on our other island holidays. Distances each day are generally modest (usually about 5 - 6 miles) and the terrain tends not to be as rough as that found on many Hebridean islands.
We will be walking for around 4 - 5 hours each day but the pace will be gentle, with lots of opportunites for photographs, wildlife watching or just admiring the gorgeous Orkney scenery.
You will, however, need a basic level of fitness, be used to walking on uneven ground and be capable of some sections of uphill. The walk to the Old Man of Hoy, for example, follows a good path but does involve about 200m (650ft) of ascent.
See our Grading Information page for more information about how we grade our holidays.
We will be walking for around 4 - 5 hours each day but the pace will be gentle, with lots of opportunites for photographs, wildlife watching or just admiring the gorgeous Orkney scenery.
You will, however, need a basic level of fitness, be used to walking on uneven ground and be capable of some sections of uphill. The walk to the Old Man of Hoy, for example, follows a good path but does involve about 200m (650ft) of ascent.
See our Grading Information page for more information about how we grade our holidays.
The following reviews are taken from the Hidden Hebrides page on TripAdvisor: For reviews of our other holidays click here.
F.S. (Tyne & Wear) July 2018
I was one of a group of 8 who visited Orkney this July with John Groom. We gelled very quickly, we all looked after each other & I was thus able to get over the challenging stiles that we encountered on our first walk. We enjoyed beautiful cliff walks, amazing archaeology & lots of close up flora & fauna. The accomodation in Kirkwall at "BellaVista" was very homely & we were well looked after. Evening meals were varied & all good.Having booked the holiday in deepest winter I felt that I had invested a lot emotionally . It did not disappoint.
J.F. (Worcester, UK) June 2018
A wonderful trip highlighting the very different island landscapes. Mick, our guide, had everything timed to perfection which meant we could relax and enjoy the walks to the full. There was never a dull moment. This was my third Hidden Hebrides holiday and I am already considering the options for number four.
G.H. (Lancashire, UK) June 2018
My Second trip with Hidden Hebrides. Mick is very experienced in general knowledge of the area - geology, birds, wild flowers, history and archaeology - very well organised trip, excellent accommodation. Well chosen quality restaurants for evening meal.
With enough time taken for photos and being in awe of such sea and land scapes. Great inland and coastal walks, white sandy beaches, to suit all levels of walkers. Exceptional week away and meeting new people from being picked up at Inverness train stn to being dropped off. Wonderful.
C.H. (Devon, UK) May 2017
Having been bowled over by the Hidden Hebrides Highlights last year I returned with friends for the Orkney tour last week. I hadn't realised how much there was to see and do, but Mick's planning was meticulous as always and we managed to walk, spot birds & flowers, visit 3 other islands and see many of the major ancient sites. The B&B we were booked into (Bellavista) was very comfortable and we ate in a different restaurant every night, all of them being excellent.
I can't recommend these holidays highly enough. Apart from the weather, which was dry but absolutely freezing, I couldn't fault it.
R.W. (London, UK) June 2016
This was my first trip to the Orkneys and I could not have found a better company to introduce them to me. We explore 3 islands plus the 'mainland' itself. We went on several walks, the longest of which was about 3 hours. There was a variety of scenery and wildlife especially the seabirds. We also visited some of the key archaeological Neolithic sites which were fascinating. We stayed in B&Bs which were universally excellent and a of a higher standard, in my opinion, than those found in England. We ate together as a group in local restaurants whose standards exceeded my expectations. Mick, our leader and owner of the company was an excellent and very knowledgeable guide. I am already planning another trip with this company.
C.G. (Bristol, UK) June 2016
A fantastic holiday, well led and organised by Mick, which provided a wonderful combination of walking, natural beauty, and fascinating archeology. Add to that comfortable accomodation, good food and company. We could relax and enjoy a most varied and interesting trip, carefully planned so that we got the best out of our short visit to these beautiful islands.
M.C. (London, UK) June 2016
This is a well organised trip which allowed our group to see and do a lot - we visited 3 islands all with interesting walks and sights. Mick is a great guide and knowledgeable about wildlife, plants and the wealth of wonderful archaeological sights. He also took us to some wonderful local restaurants. A great trip with a lovely group of people
J.D. (Sussex, UK) July 2016
Our base for the week was in Kirkwall and our day started with one of Patsy's excellent Orkney breakfasts. We visited many of the islands each containing unique archeological sites. A huge variety of sea birds and one day Mick took us to a spot where he thought we may be lucky enough to find the Scottish Primrose which is one of the UK's rarest flowers ... And we did! Mick our leader was good humoured, unflappable, flexible, thoughtful and considerate. All in all a most enjoyable and rewarding week.
J.S. (Kent, UK) June 2016
This was my first visit to the Orkneys, which I was attracted to as it included day trips to the islands of Westray and Rousay as well as exploring the better known sites on Mainland. Mick was an excellent tour leader who took us to sites that some other visitors may never see.
P.M. (Lancashire, UK) May 2016
Brilliant organisation by Mick. The walks, the scenery, the archeological sites were all amazing The food was amazing Highly recommend this trip.
From the Hidden Hebrides Facebook page:
M.C. (Bristol, UK) July 2016
The Orkney trip was really well organised, Mick Blunt's depth of knowledge and interest in subject matter, from geology, birds and fauna to histories, ancient peoples and local customs was fabulous. Plus the accomodation and meals were more than satisfactory. All was much better described than in the brochure! I would certainly recommend this holiday.
F.S. (Tyne & Wear) July 2018
I was one of a group of 8 who visited Orkney this July with John Groom. We gelled very quickly, we all looked after each other & I was thus able to get over the challenging stiles that we encountered on our first walk. We enjoyed beautiful cliff walks, amazing archaeology & lots of close up flora & fauna. The accomodation in Kirkwall at "BellaVista" was very homely & we were well looked after. Evening meals were varied & all good.Having booked the holiday in deepest winter I felt that I had invested a lot emotionally . It did not disappoint.
J.F. (Worcester, UK) June 2018
A wonderful trip highlighting the very different island landscapes. Mick, our guide, had everything timed to perfection which meant we could relax and enjoy the walks to the full. There was never a dull moment. This was my third Hidden Hebrides holiday and I am already considering the options for number four.
G.H. (Lancashire, UK) June 2018
My Second trip with Hidden Hebrides. Mick is very experienced in general knowledge of the area - geology, birds, wild flowers, history and archaeology - very well organised trip, excellent accommodation. Well chosen quality restaurants for evening meal.
With enough time taken for photos and being in awe of such sea and land scapes. Great inland and coastal walks, white sandy beaches, to suit all levels of walkers. Exceptional week away and meeting new people from being picked up at Inverness train stn to being dropped off. Wonderful.
C.H. (Devon, UK) May 2017
Having been bowled over by the Hidden Hebrides Highlights last year I returned with friends for the Orkney tour last week. I hadn't realised how much there was to see and do, but Mick's planning was meticulous as always and we managed to walk, spot birds & flowers, visit 3 other islands and see many of the major ancient sites. The B&B we were booked into (Bellavista) was very comfortable and we ate in a different restaurant every night, all of them being excellent.
I can't recommend these holidays highly enough. Apart from the weather, which was dry but absolutely freezing, I couldn't fault it.
R.W. (London, UK) June 2016
This was my first trip to the Orkneys and I could not have found a better company to introduce them to me. We explore 3 islands plus the 'mainland' itself. We went on several walks, the longest of which was about 3 hours. There was a variety of scenery and wildlife especially the seabirds. We also visited some of the key archaeological Neolithic sites which were fascinating. We stayed in B&Bs which were universally excellent and a of a higher standard, in my opinion, than those found in England. We ate together as a group in local restaurants whose standards exceeded my expectations. Mick, our leader and owner of the company was an excellent and very knowledgeable guide. I am already planning another trip with this company.
C.G. (Bristol, UK) June 2016
A fantastic holiday, well led and organised by Mick, which provided a wonderful combination of walking, natural beauty, and fascinating archeology. Add to that comfortable accomodation, good food and company. We could relax and enjoy a most varied and interesting trip, carefully planned so that we got the best out of our short visit to these beautiful islands.
M.C. (London, UK) June 2016
This is a well organised trip which allowed our group to see and do a lot - we visited 3 islands all with interesting walks and sights. Mick is a great guide and knowledgeable about wildlife, plants and the wealth of wonderful archaeological sights. He also took us to some wonderful local restaurants. A great trip with a lovely group of people
J.D. (Sussex, UK) July 2016
Our base for the week was in Kirkwall and our day started with one of Patsy's excellent Orkney breakfasts. We visited many of the islands each containing unique archeological sites. A huge variety of sea birds and one day Mick took us to a spot where he thought we may be lucky enough to find the Scottish Primrose which is one of the UK's rarest flowers ... And we did! Mick our leader was good humoured, unflappable, flexible, thoughtful and considerate. All in all a most enjoyable and rewarding week.
J.S. (Kent, UK) June 2016
This was my first visit to the Orkneys, which I was attracted to as it included day trips to the islands of Westray and Rousay as well as exploring the better known sites on Mainland. Mick was an excellent tour leader who took us to sites that some other visitors may never see.
P.M. (Lancashire, UK) May 2016
Brilliant organisation by Mick. The walks, the scenery, the archeological sites were all amazing The food was amazing Highly recommend this trip.
From the Hidden Hebrides Facebook page:
M.C. (Bristol, UK) July 2016
The Orkney trip was really well organised, Mick Blunt's depth of knowledge and interest in subject matter, from geology, birds and fauna to histories, ancient peoples and local customs was fabulous. Plus the accomodation and meals were more than satisfactory. All was much better described than in the brochure! I would certainly recommend this holiday.