The sea route from the coast of Norway due west to the remotest parts of the British Isles is a classic offshore voyage of around 200 miles. And as more than fifth of our guests cruise solo, youll always be in good company. This island adventure starts with a tour to Aberdeen to catch the overnight ferry service bound for Lerwick in the Shetlands, Britain's most northerly island archipelago. Many people have landed there before you . Tour Departs: TBA hrs We'll always treat your personal details with the utmost care. Indulge in a delicious fish and chip lunch overlooking the sea in Brae. 999 pp. Orkney Islands, group of more than 70 islands and isletsonly about 20 of which are inhabitedin Scotland, lying about 20 miles (32 km) north of the Scottish mainland, across the strait known as the Pentland Firth. This picturesque spring Orkney & Shetland Mini Cruise combines coastal scenery with fascinating history. Registered office 11 Bridge Street, Kirkwall, Orkney, KW151 HR. Meet Shetland ponies in their natural habitat. Includes 9 nights accommodation (2 of which will be on the ferry to and from Shetland) and ferry costs. Although a remote wilderness, there is a lot to do in Shetland, Orkney and the Hebrides. Accommodation on board in a double/twin en-suite outer cabin is included in the price. Wilderness Ireland take their clients to the most remote and beautiful regions of Ireland, all while staying at the most welcoming accommodations and delivering outstanding customer service. HF Holidays LimitedUnit 1, First FloorImperial PlaceMaxwell RoadBorehamwoodHertfordshire WD6 1JNUnited Kingdom, Monday to Friday: 9.00am - 5.30pmSaturday: 9.00am - 1.00pmSunday: ClosedBank Holidays: 9.00am - 1.00pm. Overnight Ferry. Join us on a stunning journey to the unforgettable Orkney Islands, a little-visited archipelago of some 70 small islands and skerries due north of the Scottish mainland. , Duration: 9 Days / 8 Nights. Now it forms part of the World Heritage Site in the centre of the Orkney Mainland, along with the tomb of Maes Howe, the Ring of Brodgar and the mighty Standing Stones of Stenness. 01273 823 700 . Stop off to admire the ornate Italian Chapel, crafted from scraps by prisoners of war, and look out for the many wrecked ships poking their remains out of the water around Scapa Flow. Highlights of Orkney and Shetland6 day/5 night. Todays walk takes us to the famous sea stack known as the Old Man of Hoy and will have bird watchers twitching with excitement at the prospect of spotting arctic and great skuas. Stop at Weisdale to see artists at work at Shetland Jewellery, before arriving at Northmavine where you could travel to the spectacular Eshaness Cliffs with their imposing lighthouse, or hike up to the top of Ronas Hill. For anyone easily seduced by big skies, sea views, and wide-open spaces, Orkney is always a good idea. During the hour-long sailing look out for porpoises, dolphins and minke whales that can often be seen. Usually the coach will arrive at the overnight stop between 16:30 and 17:00 hrs each day. From jagged cliffs to unspoilt beaches and stone circles left by settlers some 4,000 years ago, the region is steeped in age-old history. Its name, meaning Earls House, was bestowed by Sir Walter Scott when he used the ruins of the sixteenth century lairds house as a fictional setting. Finally, a laird's house was constructed on the site in the 1600s. These treasures are of such importance that UNESCO has designated them a World Heritage site. Saga Cruises; Disney Cruises; Cruise Ships. Its just six miles from Skara Brae and has an award-winning restaurant overlooking the loch, serving outstanding Scottish seafood and Aberdeen Angus beef. Another day you might head for South Ronaldsay now connected by the famous Churchill Barriers to the Mainland. These are leisurely cycling tours winding through vineyards and staying in high end accommodation where the emphasis is as much on the food and wine as the cycling. Be aware of your surroundings and don't venture off on your own. Average salary for Saga Group Mi Analyst in Seaham, England: [salary]. Below is a list of some tour operators that organise regular trips to the islands. Later return to Kirkwall where dinner is served in our hotel. The island's attractions include . Photo: juvlai, CC BY-SA 2.0. The breadth of history to be discovered here is without parallel in Scotland and is sure to amaze you. It is a wonderful way to get a real feel for both the culture and the wildlife of these islands, with knowledgeable guides on hand to inform. Your hotel is an historic building, complete with nooks and crannies, winding corridors, steep steps, creaky floorboards and supposedly a resident ghost. The best time to visit is during what Shetlanders call the . This will ensure that we can improve the experience for all our future guests. Norse settlers named it Fridarey - 'the island of peace' - but this stepping stone in the sea was also vital in times of strife, when the Earls of Orkney, and . An interesting tour, with lots of great historical commentary and beautiful landscapes. I have never been that far north before. On Mainland the capital, Lerwick, has a good range of shops, restaurants and pubs as well as the outstanding Shetland Museum and Archives and a thriving music scene. While most tour operators use hotels around the capital, Lerwick, we choose to stay somewhere you can really appreciate Shetlands remote beauty. Our smaller ships are the perfect choice if youre cruising solo. These unassuming islands have a truly magical quality, and civilisation has thrived here for millennia. Stretching off Scotland's north coast are Shetland and Orkney, two very special archipelagos where Scotland meets Scandinavia. It also comprises larger 4* Hotels selected for their high standard of accommodation, exceptional service, and great location. Wildlife watching here is superb. Historic and Cultural Tours. Meanwhile seals laze on rocks beneath the cliffs or nose around the boat. Studio Tour London - Harry Potter, Peaky Blinders Filming Location Tours 2023. How do I get there? However the earldom began, by the time of Earl Sigurd we are heading into more reliable territory - although still laced with myth and folklore. Situated just off the north-eastern tip of Scotland on the near-edge of Europe, Shetland, Orkney and the Hebrides are a wilderness in which to shake off the cobwebs. A stunning island destination closer to home, the Shetland Isles are one of Scotland's most popular and it is not hard to see why. Travel to Orkney by ferry from Caithness, on the north coast of Scotland, with the crossing taking just under an hour. Florida; Las Vegas & The West . At 1,475 feet (450m) this is Shetlands highest peak. Our latest all-balcony boutique ship launched in the summer of 2021. During the Neolithic and Early Bronze Age, the people of Orkney and Shetland were among the first in Britain to begin building Megalithic chamber tombs and later henge monuments. The Ayre Hotel. Ayre Road, Kirkwall, Scotland, KW15 1QX. If so, please follow the booking process for a twin room and we will do our best to find you another group member of the same gender to share with. If, like us, you cant get enough of the archeological discoveries, head over to Rousay with its Midhowe Broch and Cairn. These tours are immensely popular so expect to be travelling in the company of like-minded travellers from around the world. Later we travel to the dramatic sea cliffs at Eshaness which have been created by the constant pounding of the Atlantic waves. Tallest Sea Cliffs in Britain. Before your departure, you will receive personalised holiday information including full directions, recommended routes, and suggestions on places to visit depending on your interests and our local knowledge to help you get the most from your holiday. Step back into the Stone Age in the Orkney and Shetland Islands, and come face-to-face with the legacy of the Vikings amid the turf-roofed cottages and ancient sites of the Faroes. We suggest an early start today - there's a lot to fit in! Think of this itinerary as a starting point which can be tailored into something completely unique to you by our award-winning specialists. We will make it easy for you to opt-out of receiving communications, to check what data we hold on you or to request us to delete your data altogether. 7 miles (12km) with 1,360 feet (420m) of ascent. Day 5. If you're flying here, public bus services connect with all the main airports in Scotland too. Orkney and Shetland Islands holidays set out for two of the most northerly outposts in Britain. See the Tall Ships in Lerwick. Sign up for our newsletter and be the first to hear about trip news, blogs and offers. Overnight Shetland. This week-long fully-escorted Orkney & Shetland tour is a new addition to the McKinlay Kidd programme, building on our extensive knowledge of the destinations. Only a short distance away is Sumburgh Head Nature Reserve with its famous lighthouse overlooking the cliffs. Explore archaeological wonders such as Skara Brae, Jarlshof, the Ring of Brodgar, and the Standing Stones of Stenness. As a British citizen you will be entitled to free emergency health care on the NHS.If you are visiting Scotland from outside the United Kingdom and fall ill or are involved in an accident and are from any member of the European Economic Area or Switzerland, you can obtain free or reduced cost treatment with The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). Built in 1600, this castle was once the home of the Earl of Orkney. enquiries@absoluteescapes.com. Double room - this is a room for two people sharing one large bed. Warner Bros. All room types, other than twin rooms, are subject to availability. But there are two other, very distinctive, island groups off Scotland's north coast that are well worth the effort of reaching: Orkney and Shetland. Discover more at the visitor centre which provides touch-screen presentations and a wide range of artefacts that have excavated from the site. In 1468, the impoverished Christian I, King of Denmark, Norway and Sweden, pawned the Orkney Isles to James III of Scotland in lieu of a royal dowry for 50,000 florins. Click the heart icon on the search or holiday pages to pin a holiday. Shetland and the Tall Ships. Written in the early 13 th century when Shetland and Orkney were Norse possessions it really centers on Orkney which was undoubtedly the richer and more important of the two island groups. NB these cruise details have been updated - Please see the new trip page - Orkney, Shetland, Faroe Islands and St Kilda cruise.. This means one or two nights at sea followed by sailing in Shetland and Orkney. From 565, the time when Orkney and Shetland were Christianised, three generations, or ninety-nine years, would be ample time to account for the Pictish ecclesiastical monuments of which the remains have been found. This was once the Shetland capital and is the site of Scalloway Castle which was built for the notorious Earl Patrick Stewart in the early 17th Century. Registered office: Gilbridge House, Keel Square, Sunderland SR1 3HA. 2,599. Some cruises also incorporate the Faroe Isles. In the afternoon well visit Maes Howe, one of the most treasured Neolithic sites in Europe. This mysterious place of long days and colourful night skies is home to a wealth of sea life and sea birds, not . 10 Day Shetland & Orkney Car Tour. Rated 4.88 out of 5 based on 5,609 reviews. The South Mainland awaits today home to some of Shetlands most jaw-drapping scenery and best archeological sites, including the Isle of Mousa where you will encounter the best preserved Broch anywhere in the world. The Orkney Islands were the Orcades of ancient classical literature. the west of Scotland and Ireland in 795. P&O took over the routes from the long-established North of Scotland, Orkney & Shetland Steam Navigation Company in 1971. Once checked-in onboard head to your comfortable twin-berth cabin with en-suite bathroom or enjoy time exploring the ship's many facilities. Spend two days exploring some of the many island treasures, including Scalloway Castle and Jarlshof, an outstanding example of . Orkney and Shetland Isles Holidays. Today you'll be heading south to experience remarkable heritage sites. Our destination is Lerwick, the island's attractive capital. From here you can gaze out to the Muckle Flugga lighthouse. Also includes hotels in Alderney, Sark and Herm, plus the Isle of Wight, Isles of Scilly, Isle of Man and Shetland & Orkney Islands. Consequently, bedrooms and bathrooms come in varying shapes and sizes. All our carefully-curated itineraries are designed by our experts. Youll find pre-history at almost every turn across the Orkney islands: from neolithic chambered cairns, stone circles and standing stones through to the fascinating Stone Age village at Skara Brae. We will hold your data securely within our organisation, McKinlay Kidd Limited. Later we make the short drive to Sumburgh Head, where the waters of the North Sea meet the waves of the Atlantic Ocean. Regional departures and/or connections to London, if available, can be requested. Please contact us for more details. Just a short flight from mainland UK and accessible from a wide range of regional airports. All sorts of nature abound here, from seals and otters to ponies and hundreds of birds, making it a wildlife lover's paradise. It took 300 years to complete and is one of the finest examples of Norman architecture in Europe. Currently on offer are holidays to Iceland in winter and summer, plus fantastic trips to The Shetland Isles, Southern Ireland, Hidden France and Romandy Switzerland and the Dordogne.