4 day Orkney Adventure

Day 1 - Monday 16^th September - Welcome to Orkney

You’ll meet your guide in Inverness, the capital of the Highlands and head north along the dramatic coastline to the port of Scrabster where we board the ferry to the Orkney Isles. The ferry passes some spectacular scenery including the Old Man of Hoy – the highest sea stack in the UK at 449 feet – and jagged sea cliffs, home to many colonies of seabirds. Landing in Stromness, you’ll make your way to the capital of the islands, Kirkwall, and settle into your delightful hotel.

Overnight: Orkney | The Storehouse Restaurant with Rooms
Room Type: Superior Rooms
Meals Included: Lunch

Day 2 - Tuesday 17^th September - Ancient Villages and Jagged Coastlines

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 5,000 years ago on this windswept coastline. Later on you’ll 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.

Overnight: Orkney | The Storehouse Restaurant with Rooms
Room Type: Superior Rooms
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 3 - Wednesday 18^th September - The Heart of Neolithic Orkney

Today you’ll take a step back in time to the Neolithic age. The first stop will be at the wonderful Ring of Brodgar standing stones. 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. You’ll also visit the towering Stones of Stenness and the ancient chambered cairn of Maes Howe, complete with Viking graffiti!  Let your imagination run wild with what all these symbols and standing stones mean in one of the most important collections of Neolithic artefacts in the world!

Overnight: Orkney | The Storehouse Restaurant with Rooms
Room Type: Superior Rooms
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 4 - Thursday 19^th September - The Island of Rousay

Set off this morning to spend the day exploring the Island of Rousay, with its incredible Brochs that show just how the neolithic people used to celebrate and bury their dead.  There may also be time to take a drive around the island and watch out for seals bathing on the sand or whales breaching the waves.  Back in Kirkwall, there will be time to spend a couple of hours mooching around the town – perhaps visiting the boutique shops owned by local crafts people or just taking a moment to drink in the revered silence in St Magnus Cathedral before enjoying one final meal before you depart these ancient islands tomorrow.

Overnight: Orkney | The Storehouse Restaurant with Rooms
Room Type: Superior Rooms
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 5 - Friday 20^th September - Return to Inverness

You’ll take a different route back to Inverness today. Cross the impressive Churchill Barriers, which saved the British fleet from invasion, and then pause to visit the Italian Chapel – two Nissan huts converted into a chapel by Italian prisoners of war.  A truly tranquil place with an incredible history which makes the perfect end to your holiday.  Catching the afternoon ferry back to the mainland, you will take the shorter crossing over the Pentland Firth before arriving back into Inverness late afternoon.