Scotland: Exploring the Orkneys & Shetlands
Scotland: Exploring the Orkneys & Shetlands
7 Days Starting in INVERNESS and ending in SHETLANDS
Visiting: Inverness, Skara Brae Prehistoric Village, Hoy, Orkney, Shetland, Bonxie Marketing Ltd t/a Virtually IT People
Tour operator:
Tour code:
SCO
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
4 - 12
Physical rating:
High, Moderate / High
Age range:
1-99
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians, Please contact Wild Frontiers with any specific dietary requirements
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Private Available:
Request A Private Tour
Tour Overview
Join us on a journey to the wild frontiers of our home - the United Kingdom. Starting in the capital of the Highlands - Inverness - we venture north on a journey which will make you question how well you know your own country. Our key destinations are the northern island groups of Orkney and Shetland - each closer to Oslo than London - where the locals consider themselves to be Orcadians and Shetlanders, rather than Scottish or British. Each island group has its own flag, unique cultures and long history. In Orkney, we’ll explore historic sites from as far back as Neolithic times to as recent as the end of WWII - each as fascinating as the other. Taking a ferry to Shetland, we’ll push north and eventually hike to the most northerly point of the United Kingdom - a nature reserve full of birds and a view across to the storm-lashed lighthouse of Muckle Flugga. Here, you can breath in the fresh sea air, gaze north knowing there is no land between you and the Arctic Circle, and pause in wonder at the diversity of the island group that we call home.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Tour Starts In Inverness
Location: Inverness
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Lynnfield or similar
Meals Included: Lunch, Dinner,
Meeting in the capital of the Highlands, Inverness, this morning we will transfer north along the spectacular north east coast of the Highlands before travelling over the Pentland Firth to the fabled Orkney Islands. Rich in history and ancient mythology, this is a fabulous place to start our adventure. On our way to our accommodation we will stop at the Italian Chapel, two Nissan huts converted into a place of worship by prisoners of war. A tranquil place with an incredible history makes a great start to our holiday.
Day 2 : Ancient Villages And Jagged Coastlines
Location: Skara Brae Prehistoric Village
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Lynnfield or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner,
The Stone Age village of Skara Brae was discovered in 1850 after a storm cleared away the sand dunes that were covering it. Take a walk around Europe’s most complete Neolithic village and imagine what life was like for the residents 5000 years ago on this windswept coastline. Later on we will head to Brough Head and enjoy a superb walk that follows the coast south to Marwick Head - one of the largest seabird colonies in the Northern Isles.Approx. 3hrs walking (6kms, 120m ascent)
Day 3 : The Old Man Of Hoy
Location: Hoy
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Lynnfield or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner,
Today we will enjoy exploring one of the other islands in this wonderful part of the world. Boarding the ferry at Stromness, we will head across to Hoy where we will enjoy a wonderful hike out to see The Old Man of Hoy - the famous sea stack surrounded by some of Britain’s highest sea cliffs. If time allows we may also visit the Dwarfie Stane - Orkney’s only chambered tomb cut from stone - which, if local legends are to be believed, was the work of giants. Approx. 4hrs walking (9kms, 220m ascent)
Day 4 : The Heart Of Neolithic Orkney
Location: Orkney
Accommodation: Overnight Ferry
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch,
Our destination for today is to take a step back in time to the Neolithic times. Here on Orkney there is an epicentre around where many ancient sites have been uncovered, leading to speculation that they are all somehow related. Our first stop will be at the wonderful Ring of Brodgar. There are various myths surrounding this ring, one of which was giants dancing through the night until they were turned into stone by the rising of the sun. From here we get a good view towards our other stops for today, the Stones of Stenness and the ancient chambered cairn of Maes Howe. Dinner is not included - choose an early dinner in one of the local eateries or dine on the ferry itself. As we travel overnight, bound for Shetland, you’ll be lulled to sleep by the gentle rock of the boat.
Day 5 : Welcome To Shetland
Location: Shetland
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Busta House or similar
Meals Included: Lunch, Dinner,
After an early breakfast on the ferry, we arrive in Shetland this morning and will head north to explore the little island of Muckle Roe and stretch our legs after a night at sea. This wonderful walk offers some superb coastal scenery and a great way to see some of the amazing wildlife that Shetland is famous for. We will arrive at our hotel in the late afternoon and enjoy a delicious dinner of local produce and perhaps a wee dram or two from the extensive collection of whisky!Approx. 5.5hrs walking (12kms, 285m ascent)
Day 6 : The Most Northerly Point In The Uk
Location: Bonxie Marketing Ltd t/a Virtually IT People
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Busta House or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner,
These wonderful islands are made up of around 100 islands but only 16 of these are inhabited. Today we will head north to the islands of Yell and Unst to explore the most northerly regions and the home to one of the largest breeding colonies of Bonxie in the world, Hema Ness. From this part of Unst we can gaze out across the sea to the sensationally placed lighthouse on the island of Muckle Flugga and the tiny rock of Out Stack, which is the most northerly point of land in the United Kingdom. On our return if time allows, we will enjoy a wonderful coastal walk on Yell to see the White Wife of Otterswick, a very unusual memorial to lives lost when a German vessel sank here in a storm.Approx. 6.5hrs walking (17kms, 215m ascent)
Day 7 : Tour Ends In The Shetlands
Location: Shetland
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch,
Our last morning will be spent enjoying time on St Ninian’s Isle. Walking across the sandy tombolo that connects this island with the mainland we are affording incredible views back to the mainland and out to the island of Foula. The chapel that was dedicated to Shetland’s patron saint is where the earliest Christian burials took place. Afterwards, there is time to visit the fascinating prehistoric site of Jarlshof, which was home to more than 4,000 years of human settlement in the same location. The site is located just 5 minutes from Sumburgh Airport, where the tour ends early afternoon in time for people to connect onward flights or ferries.Approx. 4.5hrs walking (11kms, 110m ascent)
What's Included
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MEALS
5 x Breakfasts, 7 x Lunches, 5 x Dinners
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GROUP SIZE
Maximum: 8
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TRANSPORT
On this tour we will use minibuses and ferries.
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CARBON CONTRIBUTIONS
Contributions to carbon offset & tree planting projects for all bookings
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EXPERT TEAM
The full services of a Wild Frontiers Tour Leader with local guides where appropriate
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ACCOMMODATION
All accommodation as outlined in the itinerary
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ENTRANCE FEES
All entrance fees for sights mentioned in the itinerary
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FITNESS RATING
Moderate / High
What's Not Included
We believe in a completely transparent approach to pricing with no hidden extras. As such, please note that the following are not included in the cost of the tour.Visas & Travel Insurance: Visas will always be tour/nationality dependent but travel insurance is mandatoryTips: Always optional but some guidance will be given in the pre-departure information documentsInternational .Flights: Please ask us for an obligation-free quote for flights which originate in the UK.Beverages & any costs of a personal nature: This will include items such as laundry and souvenirs
Visas
For this tour UK passport holders do not require a visa for Scotland.Non-UK passport holders or non-UK residents should contact the relevant embassies for individual requirements.Further details will be sent out to you on booking, however ensuring that correct and valid visas are obtained remains the sole responsibility of the client.
Key Aspects to Consider
Anyone in a good state of fitness who walks regularly should be perfectly able to cope with this tour, however, please note we will be spending one night on an overnight ferry from Orkney to Shetland where we will spend the night in individual ‘sleeping pods’. Please see the accommodation section for further information. Please note also that this tour is operated in conjunction with Wilderness Scotland.
Check out our Q&As
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Are airport transfers included in this tour?
We include complimentary transfers if arriving/departing on the suggested group flights
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Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Yes
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What is the maximum group size?
12
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
We have a complete Covid-19 hub here: https://www.wildfrontierstravel.com/en_GB/covid-hub
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Over 70% of passengers on our group tours are solo adventurers. Unlike many tour operators, we don’t believe in charging solo travellers a premium, so if you are happy to share a room with a fellow traveller of the same sex, you will pay exactly the same as a couple..Occasionally you may even end up with your own room. You can travel as a single traveller on any of our holidays, from our escorte
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Since 2002
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Do I need to be double-vaccinated against Covid-19 to travel with you?
In most cases, yes. Not only are many destinations making double-vaccination a requirement of entry to the country and/or access to restaurants, museums etc., but additionally on all our group tours for the foreseeable future, for everyone’s peace of mind, we are asking that all clients be double vaccinated.
Reviews from Travellers on this Tour
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Book with Confidence
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Free Date Changes
Wild Frontiers allows you to make 2 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 90 days before the start of the tour.
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Low Deposit
Wild Frontiers requires a minimum deposit of 200 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 70 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of wild frontiers charges.
Up to 71 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 51 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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Wild Frontiers' COVID Promise
You will have the right to transfer without any transfer fee, from any of our trips at ANY time if your trip is not Covid Viable (see below).*
We will not ask you to pay your final balance if your trip is not yet Covid Viable.
If your trip is not Covid Viable, by 30 days prior to departure at the latest, we will cancel your holiday and you can either transfer your funds to another departure or have a refund.**
We will only consider a trip Covid Viable*** if pre-departure it meets all of the following criteria:
There is no national lockdown or ban on foreign travel for the period when your trip is due to depart.
Destinations on the tour must not be on the UK’s Red List. ****
No destinations visited on the tour have in place any significant COVID-19 restrictions for travellers.
Tourist visas (if required) are available.
There is reliable airline access to/from the start/end of the trip.
Following an assessment by both Wild Frontiers and our local partners we are confident that your trip is able to run in both a safe and enjoyable manner.*****
** If you were originally booked to travel before 30 April 2020 and transferred to a later date, or if you have a tailor-made booking, there may be some irrecoverable costs which we cannot refund. Please speak to us and we will be able to advise you if this is the case for your booking.
***Since our HQ is in London, Covid Viable status for our Group Tours will be assessed on UK-based travellers. However we are fully aware that many of our clients live in the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and beyond. As such, when we deem a trip to now be Covid Viable, everyone booked will have a chance to review their own personal situation before deciding whether or not to remain booked on the trip. Anyone wishing to, will have the option to transfer without fees to another trip at this time. For tailor made bookings, we may also able to consider additional countries’ travel advice when deciding if a trip is Viable. Please discuss this with us at the time of booking.
**** This relates to bookings from UK clients only. We may operate trips to destinations which the British FCDO advise against travel for Covid reasons. If this is the case, anyone wishing to will have the option to cancel with a refund or transfer to another trip. In some cases we may choose to offer a tour to a Red destination but these will be at both clients’ and Wild Frontiers’ discretion and will be subject to alternative conditions to be discussed on an ad hoc basis.
*****If a destination, that we have deemed to be Covid Viable, subsequently fails any aspect of the criteria for two consecutive weeks, you will have the right under our Covid Promise to transfer without any fees.