Walking Scotland’s Orkney Islands

Our journey begins at Inverness Rail Station, from where we embark on a scenic drive along the northeast coast of the Highlands. We then board a ferry at Scrabster port, sailing across the Pentland Firth to Stromness town on Mainland, the principal island of Orkney. Our final destination for the day is the historic town of Kirkwall, where we check into our hotel. The day concludes with an introductory briefing by the Tour Leader.

We start the day with a ferry ride from Kirkwall to Westray, the 'Queen o' the Isles'. Our highlight for the day is a circular walk to Noup Head, home to one of the largest seabird colonies in the British Isles. We also visit the ruins of Noltland Castle and, if time permits, Pierowall village before returning to Kirkwall.

Today, we explore the easternmost part of the Mainland, the Deerness Peninsula. Our walk takes us to the Brough of Deerness, a well-preserved Viking Age settlement, and the Gloup, an impressive collapsed sea cave. We also visit the Italian Chapel on Lambholm Island and learn about wartime history at the Churchill Barriers and Scapa Flow.

We start the day with a short drive to Stromness, where we embark on a walk along the west coastline of Mainland. We pass the impressive sea stacks of Yesnaby and North Gaulton, and finish at the 5000-year-old Skara Brae, one of the best-preserved Neolithic villages in Europe.

Today, we explore the archaeological sites of the Ring of Brodgar and the Stones of Stenness, both older than Stonehenge. We also visit the town of Stromness, home of Orkney's most famous poet George Mackay Brown, and the Orkney Museum in Kirkwall.

We start the day with a ferry ride to Rousay Island, known as 'The Egypt of the North'. We visit the Midhowe Neolithic chambered cairn and the Midhowe Iron age Broch Tower, and walk over the moors to Knitchen Hill and Blochnie Hill, the highest point on the island.

After checking out of the hotel, we drive back to Stromness ferry terminal for the departure. From Scrabster, we drive south to Inverness, arriving at the rail station in the afternoon, marking the end of our memorable journey.