Scotland's Orkney Islands (5 destinations)

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Description

Summary

Starts
Inverness
Duration
5 days
Languages
English
Minimum age
15 years

Description

Embark on a captivating multi-day tour through the enchanting landscapes and rich history of Scotland's Orkney Islands. From the bustling city of Inverness to the serene beauty of Kirkwall, this adventure offers a perfect blend of cultural exploration and natural wonder. Discover ancient archaeological sites, marvel at stunning architecture, and immerse yourself in the vibrant local culture. With comfortable accommodations and expert guidance, each day promises new experiences and unforgettable memories. Whether you're a history enthusiast, nature lover, or simply seeking a unique getaway, this tour is your gateway to the heart of Orkney's timeless allure.

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Included

4 breakfasts, 1 lunch

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All Intrepid group trips in Europe are accompanied by one of our local European group leaders. ’Local’ in this context means a leader who is European or lives in Europe. The aim of the group leader is to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best trip possible. Intrepid endeavours to provide the services of an experienced leader however, due to the seasonality of travel, rare situations may arise where your leader is new to a particular region or training other group leaders. Your leader takes care of logistics, will provide information on the places you are travelling through, offer suggestions for things to do and see, recommend great local eating venues and introduce you to our local friends. While not being guides in the traditional sense you can expect them to have a broad general knowledge of the places visited on the trip, including historical, cultural, religious and social aspects.

At Intrepid we also aim to support local guides in the individual cities or locations we travel to. If you are interested in delving deeper into the local culture at a specific site or location then your leader can recommend an optional local guide service in most of the main destinations of your trip.

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Kirkwall - Leader-led Walking Tour

Orkney Islands - Ring of Brodgar Standing Stones

Orkney Islands - Italian Chapel

Orkney Islands - Orkney Mainland Day Tour

Orkney Islands - Picnic lunch with Local Orkney Produce in an old schoolhouse

Orkney Islands - Churchill Barriers & Scapa Flow

Orkney Islands - Skara Brae Prehistoric Village Visit

Island of Hoy - Coastal Walk

Island of Hoy - Day Trip

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OCCASIONAL ALTERNATIVE ACCOMMODATION :

The style of accommodation indicated in the day-to-day itinerary is a guideline. On rare occasions, alternative arrangements may need to be made due to the lack of availability of rooms in our usual accommodation. A similar standard of accommodation will be used in these instances.

TWIN SHARE BASIS :

Accommodation on this trip is on a twin/multishare basis. We pair up solo travellers with another traveller of the same gender as per the gender marker on each of their passports. Please note there may be times where facilities will be shared rather than ensuite and rare occasions when you share a room with passengers travelling on different Intrepid trips than your own.

CHECK-IN TIME :

Throughout the trip we request that our hotels prepare rooms in time for our arrival, especially if we're arriving prior to normal check in time. However this isn't always possible which means we won't be able to check-in immediately on arrival at some hotels. Instead, we can store our luggage and explore our new destination.

PRE/POST TRIP ACCOMMODATION :

If you've purchased pre-trip or post-trip accommodation (if available), you may be required to change rooms from your trip accommodation for these extra nights.

FACILITIES :

Your accommodation may not always have private en suite facilities or air-conditioning. European hotels generally don't provide kettles or fridges.

Guesthouse (4 nights)

guesthouse: 4 night(s);

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TRANSPORT IN SCOTLAND:

One of the highlights of this trip is our use of a combination of public and private transportation. Public transport is not only a cost-effective way to travel but also provides a unique glimpse into Scottish life as we traverse picturesque landscapes. Private vehicles, on the other hand, allow us to make frequent stops at intriguing points of interest that may not be reachable via public transport. Need a taxi, no problem, please speak to your group leader should you require a taxi outside of what is included. We believe that this blend of travel options is the ideal approach for exploring Scotland as a group.

Train , Public bus , Private vehicle , Taxi , Ferry , On foot

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Destinations

Orkney Islands - region in United KingdomKirkwall
Highland - region in United KingdomInverness

Map

Attractions

Maeshowe Visitor Centre, Orkney Islands, Scotland, United KingdomMaeshowe Visitor Centre
Standing Stones of StennessStanding Stones of Stenness
RSPB Scotland Marwick Head Nature Reserve, Orkney Islands, Scotland, United KingdomRSPB Scotland Marwick Head Nature Reserve
Ring of BrodgarRing of Brodgar
St Magnus CathedralSt Magnus Cathedral

Daily Itinerary

Day 1

Day 1 – Day 1: Inverness to Kirkwall

  • Inverness
  • Kirkwall - Arrival day
  • More
  • Standing Stones of Stenness
  • More

Begin your Scottish adventure in the charming city of Inverness, where you'll meet your fellow travelers and local guide. Embark on a scenic train journey to Thurso, followed by a short taxi ride to Scrabster port. Here, you'll board a ferry to Stromness, keeping an eye out for the majestic Old Man of Hoy along the way. Upon arrival in Stromness, a local bus will take you to your cozy accommodation on the outskirts of Kirkwall. Unwind after your travels and perhaps venture into Kirkwall for a delightful meal and drinks at a local pub.

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Day 2

Day 2 – Day 2: Discover Kirkwall

  • Kirkwall
  • More
  • RSPB Scotland Marwick Head Nature Reserve
  • St Magnus Cathedral
  • More

Today, immerse yourself in the vibrant history and culture of Kirkwall with a guided walking tour. Explore the town's rich Viking heritage and marvel at the 12th-century architecture of St Magnus Cathedral. Enjoy birdwatching at the Peedie Sea and wander through the narrow, winding streets that host the traditional 'Ba' game. The afternoon is yours to explore at leisure. Visit local craft shops, museums, or the renowned Highland Park whisky distillery. Plan your activities early to make the most of your day in this captivating town.

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Day 3

Day 3 – Day 3: Orkney's Historic Treasures

  • Kirkwall
  • More
  • Scapa Beach
  • Ring of Brodgar
  • Cuween Hill Chambered Cairn
  • More

Venture deeper into Orkney's rich history with a private vehicle tour of its most iconic sites. Begin with a visit to the Italian Chapel, a beautiful testament to the creativity of Italian POWs. Cross the Churchill Barriers, marveling at the engineering feats and shipwrecks that dot the waters. Discover the ancient village of Skara Brae, a UNESCO World Heritage site older than Stonehenge. Enjoy a picnic lunch of local Orkney produce before visiting the Ring of Brodgar, another UNESCO site. Return to Kirkwall for dinner and share stories of the day's adventures.

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Day 4

Day 4 – Day 4: Hoy Island Exploration

  • Kirkwall
  • More
  • Maeshowe Visitor Centre
  • More

After breakfast, travel to Houton and board a ferry to the island of Hoy. Explore the Scapa Flow Museum, which houses a fascinating collection of wartime artifacts. If you're up for it, take a coastal walk to enjoy stunning views of Orkney. Return to Kirkwall in the afternoon, where you can relax or join your guide for a whisky tasting session featuring malts from the Orkney Islands and beyond. End your day with traditional music and camaraderie in a local bar.

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Day 5

Day 5 – Day 5: Return to Inverness

  • Kirkwall
  • Inverness - Departure day
  • More

Conclude your Orkney adventure with a return journey to Inverness. Enjoy the scenic landscapes as you travel back with your group, arriving in the late afternoon. Upon reaching Inverness, you're free to explore further or extend your stay with additional accommodation options. Whether you choose to continue your Scottish journey or head home, this tour promises unforgettable memories and new friendships.

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