Scotland's Orkney Islands
5 Days Starting and ending in Inverness
Visiting: Inverness / Kirkwall / Orkney Islands, Kirkwall / Orkney Islands, Mainland / Kirkwall / Orkney Islands, Island of Hoy/ Kirkwall / Orkney Islands, Kirkwall / Inverness
Tour operator:
Tour code:
BWSO
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
1 - 12
Age range:
15-99
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Tour Overview
The Orkney Islands, off the northern tip of Scotland, are a captivating blend of history, mystery, and stunning landscapes, waiting to be explored by land and sea. Over the course of five days, you’ll experience the best of Orkney, departing from the Highland hub of Inverness and using the picturesque town of Kirkwall as your base. Admire the breathtaking landscapes as you explore the Neolithic village of Skara Brae, which predates Stonehenge, visit the renowned Scapa Flow Museum on the Island of Hoy, and immerse yourself in local history. Along the way, you might even enjoy whisky tastings at local pubs. With a knowledgeable local guide and a group eager to learn, this journey through European history has never been more enticing.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Inverness / Kirkwall / Orkney Islands
Location: Inverness / Kirkwall / Orkney Islands
Accommodation: Guesthouse
Accommodation Name: Guesthouse
Welcome to Scotland, and Inverness, the capital of the Scottish Highlands. This vibrant city is known for its rich history, scenic beauty, and proximity to Loch Ness. Today, instead of searching for Nessie, you’ll meet your local leader and fellow travelers at Inverness Railway Station to begin your journey to the Orkney Isles. Catch a train to Thurso, where we transfer to the nearby port of Scrabster to board the ferry for Orkney. Sit back, relax, and enjoy your evening meal while taking in the stunning views of the Old Man of Hoy, the tallest sea stack in the UK. Upon arrival in Stromness, we take a private transfer to Kirkwall, the island’s principal town. After the long journey, settle into your accommodation. If you'd like to stretch your legs and get your bearings, take a stroll into the town centre for a walk or enjoy a drink.
Day 2: Kirkwall / Orkney Islands
Location: Kirkwall / Orkney Islands
Accommodation: Guesthouse
Accommodation Name: Guesthouse
Meals Included: Breakfast
This morning, we explore the vibrant town of Kirkwall, the heart of Orkney. Our guide will take us on a walking tour, delving into the town’s Viking heritage. Highlights include St Magnus Cathedral (founded in 1137), the ‘Peedie Sea,’ and the maze of narrow streets where the traditional ‘Ba’ game is played each year. The afternoon is free, offering a perfect opportunity to retrace your steps and visit any craft shops, museums, or historic sites you may have passed earlier. For those interested, our guide will lead a short hike up Wideford Hill, offering panoramic views of Kirkwall and the surrounding islands. Alternatively, you can visit a whisky distillery, explore the craft and jewellery shops, or simply relax in a local pub. After dinner, if the skies are clear, our guide will lead a short walk outside Kirkwall to stargaze and, if lucky, catch a glimpse of the elusive Northern Lights!
Included Activities:
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Optional Activities:
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Day 3: Mainland / Kirkwall / Orkney Islands
Location: Mainland / Kirkwall / Orkney Islands
Accommodation: Guesthouse
Accommodation Name: Guesthouse
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Today, we’ll embark on a private coach tour to explore some of Orkney’s most captivating historic sites. Our journey begins by heading south to the Italian Chapel, a remarkable structure crafted from two Nissen huts by Italian prisoners of war. Next, we’ll cross the striking Churchill Barriers, built during the war to protect Scapa Flow from U-boat attacks; several shipwrecks still rise above the water’s surface. We then continue west to one of Orkney’s most renowned landmarks: the prehistoric village of Skara Brae. By now, we’ll have worked up an appetite, so we’ll visit an old schoolhouse for a picnic lunch, showcasing the best of local Orkney produce. Our journey back to Kirkwall takes us to the iconic Ring of Brodgar Standing Stones, a UNESCO World Heritage site that dates back over 5,000 years. Once in Kirkwall, you’ll have the opportunity to join the rest of your group for dinner and reflect on the fascinating sights and experiences of the day.
Included Activities:
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Day 4: Island of Hoy/ Kirkwall / Orkney Islands
Location: Island of Hoy/ Kirkwall / Orkney Islands
Accommodation: Guesthouse
Accommodation Name: Guesthouse
Meals Included: Breakfast
After breakfast, we’ll travel to Houton and catch a ferry to the island of Hoy, the second largest island in Orkney. Hoy was the main naval base for the British fleet during both World Wars, with Scapa Flow at Lyness being a key location. Today, we’ll visit the renowned Scapa Flow Museum, home to an impressive collection of artifacts from this historic site. Take time to explore the exhibits and, if you wish, enjoy an optional coastal walk with stunning views back towards the Orkney mainland. We’ll return by ferry to Kirkwall in the early afternoon, leaving you with the rest of the day free to relax or explore at your leisure. Later, immerse yourself in Orkney’s rich cultural heritage by enjoying the atmosphere, perhaps by joining your leader for a whisky tasting, featuring exceptional malts from Orkney and beyond.
Included Activities:
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Day 5: Kirkwall / Inverness
Location: Kirkwall / Inverness
Meals Included: Breakfast
After breakfast, you’ll begin your journey back to Inverness with your group, arriving in the late afternoon. With no activities planned in Inverness, the trip concludes upon arrival at the railway station. However, your adventure doesn’t have to end here! If you'd like to extend your time in the north of Scotland, we can arrange additional accommodation (subject to availability). For those wishing to continue exploring, consider joining one of our other adventures on the mainland or the Shetland Islands. Just speak to your booking agent in advance to make arrangements.
What's Included
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Accommodation
Guesthouse (4 nights) -
Meals
4 breakfasts, 1 lunches -
Kirkwall - Leader-led Walking Tour
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Orkney Islands - Ring of Brodgar Standing Stones
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Orkney Islands - Italian Chapel
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Orkney Islands - Orkney Mainland Day Tour
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Orkney Islands - Picnic lunch with Local Orkney Produce in an old schoolhouse
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Orkney Islands - Churchill Barriers & Scapa Flow
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Orkney Islands - Skara Brae Prehistoric Village Visit
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Island of Hoy - Day Trip
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Island of Hoy - Scapa Flow Museum visit
What's Not Included
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International Travel
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Tipping and Gratuities
Transport
- 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.
Accommodation
- 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.
Important Information
- 1. A single supplement is available if you prefer not to share a room during this trip. The supplement applies to all nights and is subject to availability. Please contact your booking agent for more details.
- 2. The trip begins at 1:30 pm in the ticket hall of Inverness Railway Station on Day 1. Your group will then depart immediately for Kirkwall. The trip concludes upon arrival in Inverness on D5 at approximately 4.30 pm, so please keep this in mind when arranging onward travel.
- 3. Please be aware that the journey from Inverness to the Orkney Islands and back is quite long (around 7.5 hours), involving a combination of train, taxi, ferry, and local bus.
- 4. On D1, we’ll arrive in Kirkwall around 9 pm, and on the final day, we’ll return to Inverness around 4.30 pm.
- 5. If you'd like to extend your exploration of Scotland, consider joining one of our other adventures on the mainland or the Shetland Islands. Just speak to your booking agent in advance to make arrangements.
Mode of Transport
- 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.
Check out our Q&As
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Is this trip right for you
Please ensure you consult your local government’s advice regarding domestic travel prior to booking this trip.
Scotland can be chilly at night throughout the year, especially at the start and end of the season. Please bring appropriate clothing for adverse weather conditions, including base layers, hat, gloves, scarf, waterproof clothes/umbrella and anything else that you think may be applicable.
As accommodation on this trip is twin share, single travellers will share a room with another traveller of the same gender. This trip is a great opportunity to get to know other like-minded people, so embrace it while you can. However, if you’d prefer not to share, a single room supplement is available at an additional charge (some exceptions may apply). Please ask your travel consultant for more details. Also, hotels in Europe can seem small by Australian or American standards, and often don't have double beds, but rather two single beds that can be pushed together/apart. -
What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Please contact us for latest COVID-19 policies
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Intrepid Travel has been taking travellers around the world for over 30 years
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Since 2002, The Intrepid Foundation has supported over 130 organisations across the world. We’re creating positive impact through the joy of travel, community and connection.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Over 50% of traveller travel solo with Intrepid. You can choose to share a room with another solo travelle of the same sex for no additional charge, or choose to pay a single supplement if you’d like your own room. Please request this when booking, and we will secure you a single supplement wherever possible. Please note, if you are booking a last-minute trip, it may be harder for us to secure a single room
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Free Date Changes
Intrepid Travel allows you to make 10 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 56 days before the start of the tour.
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Intrepid Travel allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform intrepid travel, 56 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Intrepid Travel requires a minimum deposit of 400 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 56 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of intrepid travel charges.
Up to 56 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 55 days before tour starts: Forfeit 30% of booking price.
At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 60% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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Terms and Conditions