Shetland and Orkney, the Magical Northern Isles of Scotland
May 16th - 31st, 2025
Nothing captures the Romantic wonder of Scotland more than the Highlands and Islands. If you have never experienced the Isles of Scotland, I cannot do them justice in just a few words! We have been including Orkney into our Highlands and Islands tours for several years and Shetland for about the last five years, even so, we can never get enough of them! On this tour we spend one week each in two of our favourite places on earth! We both have Orkney ancestry and when we are here, we are home! We would love to find some Shetland ancestry because we feel just at home there as we do in Orkney. How could it be any better than spending one week in each location? Join us for an unforgettable journey that you will treasure always.
Our Islands tours are ever changing as ferry crossings may be delayed or cancelled or venues change times or dates. We try to keep to the itinerary exactly as it is, but sometimes things out of our control happen. We will have many wildlife adventure on this tour, but unfortunately we cannot guarantee the sighting of any listed wildlife. You must be able to easily go with the flow on this tour because changes can happen. Although we provide the very best level of accommodation available, we are sometimes limited for choice when we are out in the Hebrides, Orkney and Shetland Islands. Even so, the two accommodations we have chosen for our islands adventure are indicative of what you will find on Orkney and Shetland and as far as we are concerned, the very best choices available.
Our Shetland accommodation is at Busta House Hotel on the shore of sheltered Busta Voe on mainland Shetland. The earliest part of the house was built in 1588 and then extended in 1748 and it has quite a history! If you have ever watched the Shetland TV Series you will recognize parts of the house. You can watch the sun set on the sea as you enjoy specially prepared Shetland lamb and seafood in the understated elegance of the Pitcairn Room restaurant. The unfussy cooking features good quality basic ingredients which include Scallops from Busta Voe and Locally Sourced Haddock or Plaice. We would not stay anywhere else on Shetland and once you experience its rich history, beautiful settings and warm hospitality we think you’ll agree!
Our Orkney accommodation is at Lynnfield Hotel just on the outskirts of Kirkwall. This small country-house hotel looks northwards over Orkney’s capital, to Kirkwall Bay and the north isles beyond. It offers beautifully furnished accommodation, with each room being unique. They are also renowned for the exceptional food which is presented from their restaurant, perfect for a special meal whilst looking over the Orkney countryside. All of the hotels bedrooms are spacious and tastefully decorated, furnished with antique beds and complemented by very modern en-suites. You won’t find better accommodation throughout Kirkwall, or indeed the whole of Orkney!
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Tour price includes 15 nights of accommodation including overnight ferry. Full Scottish breakfast each morning, all dinners and lunches listed in the itinerary, porterage of one suitcase per person, minibus travel including tour guide, knowledgeable guide for all tourist venues, all sightseeing as indicated in itinerary including any entrance fees and all taxes and service charges.
$9,995US per person. Sold out!
$1695 single supplement.
$500 per person deposit to reserve.
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"I have been fortunate to travel with Shannon and Mario twice and am so looking forward
to my third trip in September! Not only have I been treated with the utmost in care, I have
enjoyed learning about the real Scotland from two who know it so well. Every detail of every
day is planned to provide the richest of experiences and every trip I have made new and
life-long friends. Shannon and Mario are delightful, knowledgeable and share the love
they have for Scotland and its people in a way that is truly memorable." Barb from Washington State
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Day 1 - May 16th - We will meet this morning at our Edinburgh Airport Accommodation and begin our journey north to Aberdeen. We will take the spectacular eastern coast of Scotland with a few stops along the way. Our first stop will be Arbroath and Arbroath Abbey, founded by William the Lion in 1178, in memory of martyr Thomas Becket. Here we explore the origins of the most famous document in Scottish history – the Declaration of Arbroath. Scotland’s nobles swore their independence from England in this letter to the Pope, sent from Arbroath Abbey in 1320. The abbey remained one of the nation’s grandest monasteries for almost 400 years and much later, the Stone of Destiny had a starring role in Arbroath Abbey’s story. We will have Afternoon Tea along the way before making our way to the Aberdeen Airport to prepare to board our very short flight over the North Sea to Shetland. As soon as we are checked into our flight we will gather for a Welcoming Drink in the terminal before we board. Overnight Shetland. (B,L)
Day 2 - May 17th - This morning we wake up in Shetland, a natural world where wildlife is truly wild and where you can watch otters and seals at play and where the air is filled with the sound of seabirds crowding extraordinary cliffs in huge, noisy colonies. So we will grab our to go lunch bags from the hotel and then make our way to the very most Northerly Point in the Shetlands on the Island of Unst. Our journey will take us north on Mainland Shetland to Toft where we board a wee ferry to cross the Island of Yell. We then travel further northward to the top of yell to Gutcher where we board a wee ferry for the crossing to Unst. We will explore the wilds of the Shetlands and then stop at Saxa Vord Distillery home to Shetland Reel Gin where we will have a Guided Tour through the Distillery and learn about the distilling process and understand the inspiration behind each gin and the chosen key botanicals. And then the best part, we relax and sample several of their gins. Then we drive to the most northerly point of Unst where we can look out to Out Stack, and uninhabited island that is the last land mass before the North Pole! While here we will have our Picnic Lunch while we gaze upon the most Northerly House in the whole of the UK and then you can stand at the point where the Oceanic Crust meets with the Continental Crust. After a lovely days outing of exploring and amazing photo ops we get settled into our home for the week before we meet up for dinner. Dinner and Overnight Shetland. (B,L,D)
Day 3 - May 18th - This morning we take in the multi-period Jarlshof Prehistoric Norse Settlement. Jarlshof lies at the most southernly tip of Mainland Shetland and provides an insight into the way of life of the inhabitants at particularly interesting periods – the late Bronze Age, Iron Age, Pictish Era, Norse Era and the Middle Ages. It includes oval- shaped Bronze Age houses, Iron Age Broch and Wheelhouses, Viking Long Houses, Medieval Farmstead and a 16th Century Laird’s House. Next we make our way to Sumburgh Head, one of the most accessible Seabird Colonies in Britain and is a well-established RSPB Nature Reserve. The cliffs surrounding the site are teeming with seabirds throughout the summer, including Puffins, Guillemots, Razorbills, Kittiwakes and Fulmars. On our way to Lerwick, the largest town in the Shetlands we will visit the The Croft House Museum, a mid- nineteenth century Shetland Croft, which was lived in until the late 60’s. A typical family unit included grandparents, parents and children. The sea, not the land, was the main provider and the crofter was a fisherman, seaman or whaler. His wife and family worked the land in his absence. We next visit Clickimin Broch on the shore of Clickimin Loch, an outstanding example of a sophisticated type of stone-built round house found only in Scotland. The broch has evidence of a settlement spanning over a thousand years. Dinner and Overnight Shetland. (B,L,D)
Day 4 - May 19th - We will make our way out of Lerwick to Eshaness and the Eshaness Lighthouse in the area of Northmavine. Eshaness boasts one of the highest energy coastlines in the world. Blasted by the full force of the North Atlantic it displays a stunning array of stacks, blowholes and geos (narrow inlets). The area of Northmavine boasts a wonderful range of wildlife and habitats. Seals, Otters, Porpoises and occasionally Dolphins and Whales can be seen from the shore. Inland expanses of peat and heather are home to Mountain Hares, Rabbits, Polecats and a multitude of birds, including the elegant Red-throated Diver which can be seen on many lochs. The lighthouse, which is visible for miles, is perched on the rim of fabulous volcanic cliffs where the full Atlantic fury has shaped some of Shetland's most dramatic cliff scenery. You can walk along to the head of Calder's Geo, where the sea has gouged out a deep inlet along a line of weakness in the rock. Fulmars float on air currents above the surging waves and nest among the crannies of the vertical rock faces, which are transformed into hanging gardens. We then return to Busta House for Lunch and an afternoon free to explore the surround. Dinner and Overnight Shetland. (B,L,D)
Day 5 - May 20th - This morning we make our way back to Lerwick where we join a Seabirds-and-Seals Two Hour Boat Trip around Bressay and Noss National Nature Reserve, where you will get to enjoy more of Shetland's Abundant Seabirds and Seals. The views are awesome, giving us photographic opportunities with the awesome Noss Cliffs in the background. You won't believe how close they'll take us to the 25,000 Gannets, Thousands of Guillemots and Hundreds of Puffins, Razorbills, Black Guillemots, Gulls, Shags and Skuas! You sometimes even meet Porpoises and occasionally Whales, Otters and Dolphins! We’ll sail through the magnificent rock of the Giant’s Leg and then into the beautiful Orkneyman’s Cave. Once back in Lerwick we will stop for lunch and then visit Clickimin Broch. On the shore of Clickimin Loch is an outstanding example of a broch, a sophisticated type of stone-built round house found only in Scotland. Clickimin Broch has evidence of settlement spanning over a thousand years. The broch tower still stands to an impressive height and the whole promontory is enclosed by a stout wall. Once inside, the enigmatic blockhouse rises up in front of the broch itself. To the west of the broch tower are the remains of a number of different structures dating from around 1000 BC to 500 AD.
We then return home before dinner. Dinner and Overnight Shetland. (B,L,D)
Day 6 - May 21st - This morning we take the short ferry crossing to the island of Bressay where we find Garth's Croft where we will have a tour. A tour of the croft comprises an initial introduction and refreshments within the byre with examples of fleeces, equipment, images and a digital display. The tour subsequently moves outside to view and meet the livestock and finally into the walled garden, woodland and polycrub. Chris Dyer who owns the croft is a professional archaeologist, who for over twenty years has worked on a wide variety of heritage projects, initially as a fieldworker on multi-period archaeological excavations across the north of England before moving to Shetland in 2006 to take the position of Assistant Archaeologist for Shetland Amenity Trust. Since his move to Shetland, he has been involved in public heritage and the promotion, curation and interpretation of Iron Age, Viking and twentieth century military sites of historical interest – delivering walks, talks and related content the length and breadth of the islands! We will have a light lunch on the island followed by guided visits to sites of natural wonder and historical significance on the island such as the multiperiod landscape overlooking the National Nature Reserve of Noss - Noss Sound, and the deserted Victorian townships of Cullingsbrough. Dinner and Overnight Shetland. (B,L,D)
Day 7 - May 22nd - Today will be a lovely day starting out with an outdoor pursuit with the Shetland Pony Experience. No visit to Shetland is complete without getting up close and personal with some more friendly Shetland ponies. The experience is very hands on and includes plenty of picture perfect photo opportunities while you lead the ponies through the idyllic, picturesque, rugged coastal fields to a secluded beach. The we a chartered guided boat across to explore the enchanting Island of Moussa. With its magnificent Iron Age broch and wonderful wildlife this really is the perfect place for visitors to experience the essential nature of Shetland. Mousa Broch is the best preserved Iron Age tower in existence, where the visitor can still climb the staircase to marvel at the commanding view and workmanship of this 2000 year-old building. The broch is truly legendary featuring in a couple of the old Norse Sagas as a place of captivity and hiding, and in comparatively more recent times as the secret store for smugglers. We then on our way home we make a short stop in Scalloway, once the ancient capital of Shetland. We will stop at “The Scord”, one of the most iconic and breathtaking views that Shetland has to offer, with harbour, castle, bridge and the scattering of smaller isles in the harbour approaches. Scalloway is home to Scalloway Castle, which is unfortunately closed for renovations. The castle was the home of Patrick Stewart, Earl of Orkney and Shetland. ‘Black Patie’, as he became known in Shetland, was notorious for his oppression of the Shetland people. The castle itself stands as a sophisticated and impressive example of a late 1500s tower house. One of only two castles constructed in Shetland, for many it stands as a symbol of Earl Patrick’s harsh rule. Dinner and Overnight Shetland. (B,L,D)
Day 8 - May 23rd - This morning we make our way back to Sumburgh Airport to make the short journey by plane to Kirkwall. After we deplane we make our way immediately to Orkney Distillery home to Kirkjuvagr Gin for a tour and a taste. The tour will begin with a short introductory video followed by a presentation by one of the guides who will walk us through some of their Orkney-grown botanicals, demonstrating the vast array of flavours and aromas you’ll find in their gin. Next, we'll be guided through a tasting of their four core Kirkjuvagr gins - a voyage through Orkney's seasons and moods. The second half of the tour will take you though the working processes of the distillery, where you’ll see the crafting of our artisanal spirits up close. The tour will conclude in our front bar which overlooks Kirkwall's historic harbour-front, where you can enjoy a complimentary drink of your choice. Fortunately it is just a hop, skip and a jump to get checked into our accommodation for the next week as it is right up the road. Dinner and Overnight Kirkwall, Orkney. (B,D)
Day 9 - May 24th - This morning you will wake up in Orkney’s Vibrant Capital of Kirkwall, a Viking Town at heart, with a skyline dominated by the magnificent 12th century Norse Cathedral of St Magnus. You can have breakfast at your at the leisure and as we are half way through the tour, the rest of the day will be entirely at your leisure as well. There is any number of things you can do nearby or you may just want to have a down day. In Kirkwall, the largest city on the islands you will find St. Magnus Cathedral. Begun in 1137 this cathedral built from alternating bands of local red and yellow sandstone is one of the finest and best preserved medieval cathedrals in Scotland. We will take in the Cathedral as a group later in the tour, so you just want to take in the ruins of the Bishop's and Earl's Palaces which are back behind the Cathedral. The medieval Bishop’s Palace was built around the same time as St Magnus Cathedral, in the early 1100s. The builder may well have been Bishop William the Old, crusader and friend of Earl Rognvald, St Magnus’s nephew and patron of the new cathedral. Across the road you'll find the Earl's Palace, which was constructed around 1606 by Patrick, Earl of Orkney - one of Orkney's most notorious rulers. His Renaissance palace was built to impress and featured a first-floor hall with elaborate staircase, inner, outer and guest chambers and accommodation for staff. Huge fireplaces dominated the main hall. The town officially has Scotland's Most Beautiful High Street full of wonderful shops and interesting streets. Overnight Kirkwall, Orkney. (B)
Day 10 - May 25th - We will bring a Picnic Lunch with us this morning to have at some point in the day. First we make our way west to Skara Brae, a neolithic village dating from 2,500 BC which has been hidden under sand dunes, perfectly preserved, for thousands of years and was only rediscovered 150 years ago. We then visit the Broch of Gurness, one of the most outstanding surviving examples of a later prehistoric settlement that is unique to northern Scotland. The Vikings who settled in Orkney from around 800 often used the mounds of earlier settlement sites as burial places, and this was the case at Gurness. Next is the Ring of Brodgar, a stone ring built in a true circle originally containing 60 megaliths. Next we visit we visit the Standing Stones of Stenness dating from 3,100BC making the stones complex one of the earliest stone circles in Britain. Finally we visit Maeshowe, the finest chambered tomb in Western Europe. Built before 2700 BC, it was raided by the Vikings in the mid-12th century and plundered of its 'treasures'. Maeshowe is interesting because of the various runic inscriptions carved into the walls. This is one of the best known collections and includes the Maeshowe Dragon - a very well known Orkney icon. We then make our way back to our accommodation for dinner. Dinner and Overnight Kirkwall, Orkney. (B,L,D)
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Day 12 - May 26th - This morning we make our way to the southernmost point of Orkney on South Ronaldsay. Our journey will take us over the Churchill Barriers, links between island communities, these remarkable structures have become as iconic as many of Orkney’s more ancient landmarks. It was the sinking of HMS Royal Oak more than 80 years ago that set in motion plans to build these four concrete causeways. A German U-boat crawled into Scapa Flow in October 1939 and fired torpedoes at the slumbering battleship, resulting in the loss of 834 lives. The disaster prompted then First Lord of the Admiralty, Winston Churchill, to order the building of the Churchill Barriers to block off the eastern approaches to the naval anchorage of Scapa Flow. We will make a few stops including the Italian Chapel, our favourite place to eat on South Ronaldsay and the furthest southern point of mainland Orkney at Rose Ness. . A shortage of manpower to construct the barriers coincided with the capture of thousands of Italian soldiers fighting in North Africa, so a decision was taken to transport 550 men to Camp 60 on Lamb Holm and a similar number to Camp 34 in Burray. Following a request from the camp priest, Fr Giacobazzi, it was agreed that two Nissen huts would be joined together to provide a chapel. Among the Italians in Camp 60 was an artist, Domenico Chiocchetti, and he was given the task of transforming the two Nissen huts into a chapel.
Dinner and Overnight Kirkwall, Orkney. (B,L,D)
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Day 13 - May 27th - This morning we will take the short journey to the Isle of Hoy. Synonymous with the world famous sea stack the Old Man of Hoy, Orkney's second largest island rises dramatically from the sea. With mountainous moorland and glacial valleys, you will encounter a dramatic highland landscape. Hoy is unlike anywhere else in Orkney. Once on Hoy we visit Dwarfie Stane, a huge block of sandstone in which a Neolithic Burial Chamber has been cut. It is believed to date from around 3000 BC and the tomb was formerly sealed by the blocking stone which now lies in front of the entrance. Hoy is also famous for its birdlife, including the Much Loved Puffin! We will have a Packed Lunch Picnic before we visit Hackness Martello Tower and Battery, part of the extensive military remains on the island. The tower and battery were built in the early 19th century to provide defence for British convoys at the height of the Napoleonic War. Barrack room furniture and other military memorabilia give an idea of life at the barracks and you can stand on the tower and take in the view towards Scapa Flow. Then back to the mainland and to our accommodation for dinner. Overnight Kirkwall, Orkney. (B,L,D)
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Day 11 - May 28th - After breakfast we make our way to one of Orkney's Most Popular Beaches, Scapa. With views out into Scapa Flow, the beach is a brilliant place to be on a bright afternoon with the sun casting its colours over the sky. There is an excellent walk along the cliffs at the west side of the beach taking us to Scapa Distillery, a waterfall and plenty of seabirds, en-route to a small sandy bay. Since we are here, we will stop at Scapa for a Tour and a Taste. Then we take our picnic lunch to Yesnaby, one of the most spectacular stretches of coastline in Orkney, and must see location during a visit to the islands. This wild location offers stunning sea views where you may see huge waves crashing into the cliffs, but in calmer weather there is plenty of seabirds to spot. From the car park we will head south on the coastal path and walk across the Brough of Bigging for a view of the jagged and towering cliffs, and then continue past rocky inlets until we reach Yesnaby Castle, a delicate sea-stack with a natural arch. For the more adventurous you can continue your walk south taking in more beautiful cliff views and sea stacks. On the way home we stop Stromness, Orkney's Second Largest Town and an architectural gem. It is known as an inspiration for artists and writers, and a firm favourite with visitors. This famous seaport that has remained unchanged in centuries, retaining its original maritime charm with narrow winding streets, terraces of houses and steep passageways all leading to its iconic waterfront and harbour. We then return home for dinner on your own. Overnight Kirkwall, Orkney. (B,L,)
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Day 14 - May 29th - This morning we make our way to Kirkwall where we will have a Tour of St. Magnus Cathedral.
St Magnus Cathedral was founded in 1137, and is of international significance. Built from local red and yellow sandstone, the cathedral is mostly Romanesque in style. It is dedicated to St Magnus, Earl of Orkney in the 12th century, at a time when Orkney was part of the Kingdom of Norway. He was killed on the orders of his cousin and rival Hakon, and many miracles were reported after this death. In 1137 Magnus’s nephew Rognvald began construction of the ‘fine minster’ in honour of his saintly uncle; Magnus’s relics remain interred in a pillar of the choir. The cathedral has stood firm against Reformers, Cromwellian troops and wartime danger, and is the most complete medieval cathedral in Scotland. After our tour you will have some time for shopping, grabbing a bite to eat and saying farewell to Orkney. We then make our way back to the Kirkwall Airport for our short flight to Edinburgh. Once we arrive into Edinburgh it is just a short journey to our accommodation where we get checked in before dinner. Dinner and Overnight near Edinburgh. (B,D)
Day 15 - May 30th - We will have a leisurely morning for our last day of the tour and then make our way out and about. Our first visit is to the Falkirk Wheel, the world's one and only rotating boat lift. A marvel of engineering and Scottish Canals' flagship destination, the Falkirk Wheel connects the Forth & Clyde Canal with the Union Canal in a half-turn that takes only five minutes! We will take a boat tour where as our gondolas is lowered, the opposite one rises, keeping the vast, 1800 tonne boat lift in perfect balance as it carries our canal barge over 100 feet into the air in a matter of minutes. We will then stop for afternoon tea before we visit Helix Park to see the Scottish Kelpies, the world's largest equine sculptures. We will have a Guided Walking Tour that takes you through the vision of artist Andy Scott and how history and industry impacted on his designing of these breath-taking sculptures. The pinnacle of the tour is that you get to experience a Kelpie from the inside, and see for yourself the breathtaking engineering and design of the Kelpies. After our visit to the amazing sculptures we make our way back to our accommodation before our Farewell Dinner. Dinner and Overnight Edinburgh. (B,L,D)
Day 16 - May 31st - We return you to Edinburgh International for your flight home.