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Orkney Island Explorer

What's Included?

    Saturday 12th – Friday 18th September 2026

    Spectacularly located off the northern tip of Scotland, Orkney is a unique destination with a distinctive culture of Norse rule and a landscape sculptured by the sea. Focusing on the island’s fascinating war and maritime history from the scuttling of the German Fleet in Scapa Flow to the sinking of the Royal Oak our expert local guides take us to familiar and unfamiliar sites giving you a feel of what life was like for the personnel who guarded Orkney’s shores and the civilians who lived here during the World Wars protecting the British Grand and Home Fleets based at Scapa Flow.

    YOUR HOLIDAY INCLUDES

    • Door to Door Service *Our own courier service

    • Club Class Extra Legroom Coach

    • 6 nights half board

    • Return Ferries to/from Orkney

    • Entrance to Blair Castle

    • Guide for two days touring on Orkney

    • Admission to Italian Chapel

    • Included donation visit to St Magnus Cathedral

    • Admission to Skara Brae Prehistoric Village & Skaill House

    • Admission to Ness Battery

    Not included: All lunches.

    YOUR HOTELS

    1st & 2nd NightFishers Hotel, Pitlochry - 4-Star Standard

    3rd, 4th & 5th Nights Kirkwall Hotel, Kirkwall, Orkney – 3 –Star Standard

    6th Night Kingsmills Hotel, Inverness-- 4-Star Standard

    Facility Symbols (All Hotels) En Suite Bedrooms * TV * Hospitality Tray

    All hotels are varied in style and standards. Travellers should consider the fact that they will often be in beautiful, yet isolated locations where hotel availability is extremely limited. All have restaurant, bar & lounge. All have a lift to all floors.

    Mobility Grade 3: This is a touring holiday and although most of the sightseeing is from the comfort of our coach, there are ferries to board and three different hotels, along with steps and stairs to negotiate. Please note that due to the nature of this holiday, customers with mobility difficulties may be limited in their enjoyment.

    Supplements:

    Single Room: £408

    Holiday Insurance: £46

    All prices are per person & are for the entire tour.

    Orkney Island Explorer

    Itinerary


    Saturday

    We drive north through the Scottish Borders to our 2-night stay at the Fishers Hotel in Pitlochry.

    Sunday

    Today we visit Blair Castle, one of Scotland's most historic castles, home to the Dukes of Atholl.

    Monday

    Departing after breakfast we drive north to Scotland's far north, boarding the afternoon Northlink Ferries sailing from Scrabster to Stromness, with dinner on board. From here we drive to the Kirkwall Hotel for our 3-night stay.

    Tuesday

    This morning we meet our local guide for a tour which includes the following highlights: The Italian Chapel, the remaining Churchill Barriers, Royal Oak Memorial Garden and Magnus Cathedral. Free time for lunch before continuing to the Standing Stones of Stenness and the Ring of Brodgar.

    Wednesday

    Our Orkney Island guided tour today continues with visits to Skara Brae via Scapa Flow - View the Royal Oak Buoy, hear the stories of the loss of HMS Vanguard in 1917 and the scuttling of 74 WW 1 German warships in 1919 when Scapa Flow was RN Headquarters. We continue to Skara Brae & Skaill House before visiting Stromness. Time to visit Ness Battery (10-15-minute walk if required), before returning late afternoon to our hotel.
    (Please note that there are many other notable sites associated with WWI & II to be found in and around Orkney however many of these are in remote locations or maybe on isolated islands that are inaccessible by coach. Visiting some of these will involve a good deal of walking and hence may not be possible - Your guide will endeavour to assist with any requests, but none can be guaranteed. Warm & Waterproof clothing and stout footwear is recommended for these excursions).

    Thursday

    This morning we catch morning Pentland Ferries sailing to the mainland and continue south to our final nights stay at the 4-star Kingsmills Hotel, Inverness

    Friday

    Departing after breakfast we journey homeward, arriving back during the evening

    Departure dates

    Date Duration From price Book now Call back Favourites
    12 Sep 2026 7 Days £1979.00 Full

    Pick up points

    Find the closest pick up point to you for this trip

    Name Address
    Henley in Arden Depot Park & Ride, Johnsons Depot
    Liveridge House Liveridge Hill, Henley in Arden

    Home pick-up area

    Use the map and postcode lookup to check if home pick-up is available and what it costs.

    Home pick-up: £135.00
    Home pick-up: £115.00
    Home pick-up: £85.00
    Home pick-up: £65.00
    Home pick-up: £35.00
    Home pick-up: £25.00
    Home pick-up: £15.00
    Home pick-up: Free
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