Travel to Orkney by ferry from Caithness, on the north coast of Scotland, with the crossing taking just under an hour. This island adventure starts with a tour to Aberdeen to catch the overnight ferry service bound for Lerwick in the Shetlands, Britain's most northerly island archipelago. The best time to visit is during what Shetlanders call the . The Orkney Mainland is just Getting to Orkney can be easier and quicker than you may think. Read more, Need something more tailored? In a land that's been largely tamed, they remain rare unspoiled outposts of rugged coastline and remote beauty. If you enjoy the art of first-class travel whilst enjoying amazing value then an Escorted Tour is just for you. On many tours youll have the chance to personalise your touring experience by participating in some carefully planned optional excursions. Specialists in offering a range of adventure holidays, tours and incredible wilderness experiences. All our carefully-curated itineraries are designed by our experts. Accept. Overnight Shetland. Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly Revealed. Photo: Lis Burke, CC BY-SA 2.0. Some of them are: Skara BraeThought to be one of Orkney's most visited tourist spots, Skara Brae is an ancient site which is older than Stonehenge. The capital, Lerwick, is home to Shetlands main museum and local art centre by the harbour, as well as various locations used in the filming of the Shetland TV series. The Vikings left their mark, such as the beautifully proportioned round church at Orphir as well as their grafitti which we now admire as works of art! Only a short distance away is Sumburgh Head Nature Reserve with its famous lighthouse overlooking the cliffs. In Shetland, inter-island ferry travel is operated by the council , while Orkney Ferries connect the archipelago's 13 island destinations. Both have featured recently on the BBC, yet in very contrasting ways: Orkney is hailed for its rich folklore, prehistoric sitesand abundance of wildlife, while Shetland owes its ever increasing popularity to thehit TV series Shetland based on Ann Cleeves gritty and fictional crime stories. See the landscapes of Shetland and Orkney; Visit Trshavn, with its Viking heritage; Itinerary From. menu. Youll find pre-history at almost every turn across the Orkney islands: from neolithic chambered cairns, stone circles and standing stones through to the fascinating Stone Age village at Skara Brae. Take in the breathtaking Old Man of Hoy a 450 foot sea stack and perhaps Orkneys most famous landmark. If you fancy sampling the local water of life, why not take a tour at the Highland Park Distillery the most northerly whisky distillery in the entire world. They constitute the Shetland Islands council area and the historic county of Shetland. Day 5. On arrival, we visit Sumburgh Head RSPB reserve. Nearby sits the Bishop's Palace and Earl's Palace, which was reputedly built using forced labour. 9 miles (14km) with 760 feet (230m) of ascent. Last month I was in Orkney for the first time. Island hop the wild Scottish Northern Isles on this week's holiday to Orkney and Shetland From 895 to 1015 7 days ex flights. With 70 magical islands its difficult to know where to begin. A quick introduction. They branded their services "P&O Ferries" from 1975 to 1989 and "P&O Scottish Ferries" thereafter. View our Full Privacy Notice, Read independent reviews from ourcustomers. We depart Aberdeen at 19:00 hrs, and a short time later, dinner will be served in the ship's restaurant. Tastefully decorated rooms provide a comfortable place to sleep and on a clear night you can gaze up at the starry skies and search for the swirling ribbons of neon green, pink, and purple known as the northern lights. This amazingly well-preserved village was built 5,000 years ago. From area guides to interesting articles and event guides, NorthLink Ferries have everything you'll need to enjoy a fantastic holiday in the unique and memorable Orkney and Shetland islands. Our first walk on Orkney follows a clifftop coastal path from Marwick Bay to the Brough of Birsay, overlooking RSPB Marwick Head reserve. Experience the unique islands of Shetland and Orkney, with mysterious prehistoric sites, natural wonders and breathtaking scenery waiting around every corner. North Hanover Street Bus Stance, Glasgow, G1 2BP. Topped by a prehistoric chambered burial cairn, the summit offers a breathtaking panorama across this ice-carved landscape. If you would like to spend an extra night or two on either Orkney or Shetland, wed be delighted to assist. Thousands of seabirds including gannets, guillemots and kittiwakes nest and feed in the Noss Nature Reserve. NB these cruise details have been updated - Please see the new trip page - Orkney, Shetland, Faroe Islands and St Kilda cruise.. Single cabins now available on 2023 winter cruises, Interest rates and costs of equity release. Scotland's Northern Isles by Motorhome. Getting to Orkney via public transport is simple. Available Until September 2023. Experience a unique blend of Scandinavian and Scottish culture, as the Norse history and heritage still shapes these islands today. We can book package holidays including flights from the UK, hotel accommodation and car hire. We will discover more about this rather unpleasant character and his tyrannical ways during our visit. Recently hailed as one of Lonely Planet's Best in Europe for 2019, the ruggedly handsome Shetland Islands comprise around 100 different islands with just 15 inhabited. When's the best time to visit? The natural beauty of Orkneys landscape boasts a rich variety of scenery. Youll find our Escorted Tours to be memorable - for all the right reasons! Savour your chance to try lamb with its distinctive flavour due to the seaweed diet of the sheep, or sample local seafood including mouth-watering prawns and delicious stir-fried squid. To help us reduce spam, please tick the reCAPTCHA field. In 1468, the impoverished Christian I, King of Denmark, Norway and Sweden, pawned the Orkney Isles to James III of Scotland in lieu of a royal dowry for 50,000 florins. Scalloway CastleWhen visiting the Shetland Isles, why not visit Scalloway Castle? The only medieval chronicle to have Orkney as the central place of action, it tells of an era when the islands were still part of the Viking world, beginning with their conquest by the . Stop at Weisdale to see artists at work at Shetland Jewellery, before arriving at Northmavine where you could travel to the spectacular Eshaness Cliffs with their imposing lighthouse, or hike up to the top of Ronas Hill. 5 Nights No Fly Cruise from 799pp Liverpool, Cruising past Duart Castle, Cruising Sound of Mull, Cruising Loch Hourn, Cruising by The Small Isles, Portree, Isle of Skye, Kirkwall, Orkney Islands, Cruising by Dutchman's Cap (Bac Mr), Cruising Fingal's Cave, Cruise by Iona, Liverpool. This was once the Shetland capital and is the site of Scalloway Castle which was built for the notorious Earl Patrick Stewart in the early 17th Century. During our time here will visit the RSPB reserve which is home to many species of seabirds including puffins, guillemots and razorbills. Warner Bros. Overnight: Kirkwall Hotel/Lynnfield Hotel, Kirkwall (or similar) (3 nights). Duration 6 Days. Rated 4.88 out of 5 based on 5,609 reviews. Accommodation on board in a double/twin en-suite outer cabin is included in the price. This mysterious tomb was built from huge sandstone blocks over 5,000 years ago and aligns perfectly with the winter solstice testament to an advanced knowledge of astronomy by its architects. From wildlife and wool tours to walking holidays and fire festival fun, each celebrate a different aspect of Shetland, so you can choose a trip . The coach will continue on to Glasgow, for passengers wishing to end their tour there. Also includes hotels in Alderney, Sark and Herm, plus the Isle of Wight, Isles of Scilly, Isle of Man and Shetland & Orkney Islands. Enchanting Orkney is a smorgasbord of must-see sites and cultural attractions scattered across70 islands. While these are some of the most impressive ancient sites in Europe, youll find other beguiling places of interest scattered across the whole island chain. Scattered off the northeast coast of Scotland, Orkney and the Shetland Islands are staggeringly beautiful. 7 miles (12km) with 1,360 feet (420m) of ascent. During the Neolithic and Early Bronze Age, the people of Orkney and Shetland were among the first in Britain to begin building Megalithic chamber tombs and later henge monuments. Topped by a prehistoric chambered burial cairn, the summit offers a breathtaking panorama across this ice-carved landscape. We use cookies to provide you with the best online experience. Where Scotland meets Scandinavia, this wild and remote corner of northern Britain is truly remarkable. On Mainland the capital, Lerwick, has a good range of shops, restaurants and pubs as well as the outstanding Shetland Museum and Archives and a thriving music scene. Our packages include car rental and comprehensive insurance for the duration of your holiday. Soak up the history and imagine life in eras gone by! Discover some of the most important Neolithic sites in Europe and uncover the mysteries of a 5,000 year old civilisation at a UNESCO world heritage site. While most tour operators use hotels around the capital, Lerwick, we choose to stay somewhere you can really appreciate Shetlands remote beauty. It was raided by Norsemen in the 12th Century. It is a wild and dramatic place. This will ensure that we can improve the experience for all our future guests. Entry RequirementsWhen travelling between the UK, Northern Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man in most cases an official form of identification such as a Driver's License will be ok. We arrive in Lerwick around 07:30 hrs. The Abbey was restored at the start of the 20thcentury and the Abbey now welcomes visitors from around the world who flock to enjoy its peaceful atmosphere. For all their differences, these islands share a similar feel: weather-beaten archipelagos with more in common with the Faroes than mainland Scotland. There will be a stop where can enjoy time off the coach and buy refreshments. A fitting finale to the holiday, this walk along the magnificent granite coastline around Muckle Roe offers a chance to admire the windswept isolation and remote beauty of Shetland. 2,599. Today we bid farewell to island life and make the journey to St Margaret's Hope where the fast Pentland Ferries catamaran waits to transport us across the Pentland Firth. A collection of quality 4* Guest Houses and 3* Hotels often located in beautiful locations which provide an excellent standard of accommodation. The Italian Prisoners constructed a chapel out of a pair of Nissen Huts. With their northerly location, the best time to visit is between March and November, with the long days of summer a particularly appealing time. We also analyse data in order to develop and improve our products and our service in the future. Book your tailor-made holiday to Offers with Premier Holidays. Fiercely independent and sprinkled with Scandinavian tradition, this pair of wild windswept archipelagos offer an island-hopping holiday that ticks-off squawking seabird colonies, staggering scenery, and some of the best-preserved Neolithic ruins in Europe. Enjoy 3 days (3 nights) in Orkney. Easy to download as a PDF, our trip notes provide detailed information for every holiday. 2023 HF Holidays Limited. In certain locations youll may be joined by a local guide who will provide local insight and show you the highlights. Book a package holiday. The unspoilt landscape of Shetland has a rugged beauty shaped by the sea at the end of the last Ice Age. To help you have an enjoyable holiday in Shetland, Orkney and the Outer Hebrides, take a look at these useful tips and advice provided by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO): Health and Travel InsuranceBritish Citizens are advised by some of our tour operators to have travel insurance before going on a tour or holiday, even if it happens to be in your country of residence. The nearby seaport of Stromness is famed for the Pier Arts Centre which showcases the work of artists and sculptors from Orkney and beyond. VAT Number 125 4899 87. The Tower has been restored over the past century, however not all of the original structure still remains. The UKs bestselling monthly subscription magazine. A holiday to the islands of Orkney and Shetland has it all. Each one is all inclusive, and youll have your own private balcony to enjoy every destination in style. Shetland is home to a world-class diversity of wildlife, from puffins and seals to purpoises and even whales. Iona AbbeyOne of Scotland's most sacred and historic sites, the Abbey was founded in 563AD and it still retains its spiritual atmosphere today. After breakfast, we travel to the very south of the mainland to visit Jarlshof, where waves of settlers lived for more than 4,000 years. Come explor. Usually the coach will arrive at the overnight stop between 16:30 and 17:00 hrs each day. We can book package holidays including flights from the UK, hotel . You could visit the mighty Cathedral of St Mangus, which was begun in 1137. Discover the Castle of Mey and its magnificent gardens. These are wonderfully charming and intimate and run with great flair by their owners. At Aberdeen Harbour, we join the Northlink ferry for the overnight crossing to Shetland. Discover more at the visitor centre which provides touch-screen presentations and a wide range of artefacts that have excavated from the site. We love the opportunity to use our first-hand knowledge and experience to design and deliver the perfect, bespoke holiday experience for you. The Old Man of Hoy. Are you sure you would like to continue with this room size? It's a similar story by rail, with trains available to both Aberdeen . Both Shetland and Orkney offer a good chance of spotting the Northern Lights, particularly in autumn and winter. Orkney & Shetland Start your journey by travelling from Orkney from Scrabster near Thurso, where you will find your hotel which is . FAQsPlease see the FAQ section for more information on this tour. Archaeological Treasures of Orkney and Shetland, Location:Northlink Ferry (1); Busta, Shetland Islands (1) and Kirkwall, Orkney islands (3), Admission to Scalloway Castle, Jarlshof, Ring of Brodgar, Stenness Standing Stones, Maeshowe, Skara Brae and Italian Chapel, Touring by luxury air-conditioned coach with reclining seats, All baggage handling and hotel tips are included, Services throughout the tour of a professional Tour Director. Overlooking Skaill Bay, we'll discover a settlement of Stone Age houses complete with chairs, beds and dressers all made from stone. The largest town, Lerwick, is closer to Norway than to Edinburgh, and culturally and geographically they feel more Norse than Scottish. Spend some time exploring this fascinating seaport where you could visit Shetland Museum to gain an invaluable introduction to the islands history, or explore Fort Charlotte originally built in 1665 to protect Shetland from Dutch warships. Spend two days exploring some of the many island treasures, including Scalloway Castle and Jarlshof, an outstanding example of a prehistoric and Norse settlement. These unassuming islands have a truly magical quality, and civilisation has thrived here for millennia. If you are planning to bring alcohol, tobacco or souvenirs into the country, you need to be familiar with the UK's custom laws. Once your unforgettable excursion comes to an end, make your way to your next base. Go Scotland Tours is offering a private guided tour combining the Western Isles of Skye, Harris and Lewis with Orkney. The Orkneyinga saga (Old Norse: [orknyje s]; also called the History of the Earls of Orkney and Jarls' Saga) is a narrative of the history of the Orkney and Shetland islands and their relationship with other local polities, particularly Norway and Scotland.The saga has "no parallel in the social and literary record of Scotland" and is "the only medieval chronicle to have . Further south on Mainland is Sumburgh Head, an ideal spot for twitchers with unobstructed views of the seabird colonies; Old Scatness, a recently excavated Iron Age village; and the Jarlshof Prehistoric and Norse settlements, with archaeological treasures from over 4,000 years. AccommodationThe price of this tour includes hotel accommodation/ferry cabin with en-suite bathroom. Our self-drive touring holiday of Orkney & Shetland gives you the opportunity to experience the landscapes, wildlife and archaeological heritage of these magical, and very different, parts of the UK. Please choose from one of our accommodation categories below. Look out for the gargoyles which a former owner rescued from the Houses of Parliament in London. Non-member fee: 30 per person. 8.4/5 (52 reviews) Great place! This elevated viewpoint affords extensive views over Shetland and of Fair Isle to the south. A superb coastal trailalongthe spectacular sea cliffs from Yesnaby to the impressive ancient settlement of Skara Brae a remarkable feat of ancient engineering predates the pyramids of Egypt and even Stonehenge. Please see Terms and Conditions for further details. Advertised flight prices are based on UK flights departing from London. All holidays are subject to availability. For anyone easily seduced by big skies, sea views, and wide-open spaces, Orkney is always a good idea. This area of great archaeological significance includes Skara Brae, Europes best-preserved Stone Age village; the Ring of Brodgar; the Stones of Stenness and the Maeshowe chambered tomb. Let Scapa Travel use their extensive local knowledge to create a memorable holiday, tailored specifically for you. Tour departure and return times will be advised in your tour documentation. P&O took over the routes from the long-established North of Scotland, Orkney & Shetland Steam Navigation Company in 1971. ABTA and ABTA Members help holidaymakers to get the most from their travel and assist them when things do not go according to plan. Scattered off the northeast coast of Scotland, Orkney and the Shetland Islands are staggeringly beautiful. Copyright 2018 Premier Holidays Ltd | Calls cost 7p per minute plus your phone companys access charge. Sign up for our newsletter and be the first to hear about trip news, blogs and offers. These tours are immensely popular so expect to be travelling in the company of like-minded travellers from around the world. Many coaches are equipped with WiFi too. These are leisurely cycling tours winding through vineyards and staying in high end accommodation where the emphasis is as much on the food and wine as the cycling. Check-in: TBA hrs Spirit of Discovery departing Dover. Honest and easy 2 minute travel guide including what makes Shetland Islands so special as well as map and highlights. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. The islands geographic location makes it a crossroad for wildlife. It lay covered for centuries, if not millennia, before a sandstorm in the 1920s revealed the amazing ruins. Meanwhile, the rich ancient history and numerous archaeological sites offer a fascinating glimpse into the past, with many details of life preserved. Visit the Bishops and Earls Palaces where you can learn of a time when Orkney was part of the Norse-held kingdom of Nordreyjar. In Kirkwall you will find a bustling and friendly town with a great selection of restaurants, pubs, and local art shops, as well as the most northerly cathedral in Britain dating back to the 12th century.
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