The last part of the journey takes us through the Kingdom of Fife and across the Forth Estuary into Edinburgh. However the earldom began, by the time of Earl Sigurd we are heading into more reliable territory - although still laced with myth and folklore. 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 holiday can be arranged from March to October. Contact us via email: Shetland's other great Viking site is over on the northern island of Unst, reached by a succession of roll-on, roll-off car ferries from Mainland, the largest island in the group. The islands are a birdwatchers' paradise and one of the major seabird breeding and feeding areas in the North Atlantic. All packages that include flights are ATOL protected. Our newsletter features exciting new itineraries, blog posts from the team, and fabulous competitions. Beautiful beaches, stunning cliffs, ancient settlements and wonderful wildlife-spotting opportunities - Shetland has a lot to offer. Look out for the gargoyles which a former owner rescued from the Houses of Parliament in London. Explore prehistoric sites and experience a very different way of life. In a land thats been largely tamed, they remain rare unspoiled outposts of rugged coastline and remote beauty. You could visit the mighty Cathedral of St Mangus, which was begun in 1137. Once your unforgettable excursion comes to an end, make your way to your next base. However it has an account of Mousa Broch being used as part of an elopement (the same episode is mentioned in Egil's Saga too) and is an excellent place to . To prevent further attacks, a series of four barriers were constructed using Italian prisoners of war. Fair Isle is the southernmost Shetland island and lies 24 miles from the Shetland Mainland and 27 miles from North Ronaldsay, the most northerly island in Orkney. Indulge in a delicious fish and chip lunch overlooking the sea in Brae. Our sociable ships have been designed with more than 100 single balcony cabins, the widest selection on the ocean wave. Prices are based on two people sharing a room for this six night holiday and includes breakfast in both hotels, ferry crossings from Caithness to Orkney, from Orkney to Shetland and from Lerwick to Aberdeen. menu. Nowhere else in Britain, and hardly anywhere else in Europe, can you get so close, so easily, to so many seabirds. The coach will continue on to Glasgow, for passengers wishing to end their tour there. After rejoining the ship for an evening sailing to Kirkwall, we have a further two full days touring Orkney, before our short crossing back to the mainland. Sign up today and start discovering. 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. If a service charge has already been added, no further tip is required. Click the heart icon on the search or holiday pages to pin a holiday. In Shetland, inter-island ferry travel is operated by the council , while Orkney Ferries connect the archipelago's 13 island destinations. 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. 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. Recently hailed as one of Lonely Planets Best in Europe for 2019, the ruggedly handsome Shetland Islands comprise around 100 different islands with just 15 inhabited. ARE YOU A SOLO TRAVELLER WILLING TO SHARE? The largest town, Lerwick, is closer to Norway than to Edinburgh, and culturally and geographically they feel more Norse than Scottish. The Shetland Islands are the UNBELIEVABLE Hidden Treasure of Scotland, the northernmost point of the United Kingdom and formerly part of Norway. A holiday to the islands of Orkney and Shetland has it all. Twin room - this is a room for two people sleeping in two separate beds. We know that after a busy day of sightseeing an exceptional place to stay makes all the difference. (Do find time to pop in for a tour of the traditional whisky making process.) 9 miles (14km) with 1,060 feet (320m) of ascent. Its just six miles from Skara Brae and has an award-winning restaurant overlooking the loch, serving outstanding Scottish seafood and Aberdeen Angus beef. 9 miles (14km) with 760 feet (230m) of ascent. P&O Iona; Anthem of the Seas; Regal Princess; MSC Virtuosa; Queen Mary 2 . Over 4,000 years old, discoveries here include everything from Stone Age settlements and Bronze Age dwellings to Norse longhouses and medieval farms. Today you'll be heading south to experience remarkable heritage sites. The capital, Lerwick, is home to Shetlands main museum and local art centre by the harbour, as well as various locations used in the filming of the Shetland TV series. Enjoy 4 days (3 nights) in Shetland. Other Shetland highlights include Unst, boasting a plethora of fabulous walks and golden beaches; Foula, designated as a Special Protection Area for birds; Fetlar, known as the Garden of Shetland while beguiling Whalsay inspired some of Hugh McDiarmids poetry. Overnight Shetland. Overnight Orkney. The breadth of history to be discovered here is without parallel in Scotland and is sure to amaze you. Our last visit of the day is to Skara Brae. The Stones were erected around 3000BC and it is thought that they were some kind of astronomical calendar associated with the moon. Find out more in our Shetland travel guide. Spirit of Discovery departing Dover. You do not have any pinned holidays. The UK has a famously unpredictable climate so it's best to be prepared for weather thats sunny one minute and raining the next. Today is your final day in Shetland, but as the ferry does not leave until late afternoon you could take the opportunity to explore Shetlands ancient capital Scalloway. Today we bid farewell to island life and make the journey to St Margaret's Hope where the fast Pentland Ferries catamaran waits to transport us across the Pentland Firth. If you go above this allowance you may have to pay tax or duty. Below is a list of some tour operators that organise regular trips to the islands. The Orkney Mainland is just Getting to Orkney can be easier and quicker than you may think. During the summer it is still light when you arrive. The Orkneyinga saga (Old Norse: [orknyje s]; also called the History of the Earls of Orkney and Jarls' Saga) is a narrative of the history of the Orkney and Shetland islands and their relationship with other local polities, particularly Norway and Scotland.The saga has "no parallel in the social and literary record of Scotland" and is "the only medieval chronicle to have . This mysterious place of long days and colourful night skies is home to a wealth of sea life and sea birds, not . Please contact us for more details. Go Scotland Tours is offering a private guided tour combining the Western Isles of Skye, Harris and Lewis with Orkney. Britain's original ski travel agency and tailor-made ski tour operator, Ski Solutions has been arranging ski holidays for over 30 years across Europe and North America. We strongly recommend that you have travel insurance in place for your trip to Scotland, especially if you are visiting from overseas. Small group travel: 2023: 15 Apr, 13 May. Day 1 - Departing Inverness with a morning drive to the far North of Scotland and the ferry port of Scrabster, near Thurso. Overnight Shetland. Explore archaeological wonders such as Skara Brae, Jarlshof, the Ring of Brodgar, and the Standing Stones of Stenness. Soak up the history and imagine life in eras gone by! A collection of quality 4* Guest Houses and 3* Hotels often located in beautiful locations which provide an excellent standard of accommodation. The natural beauty of Orkneys landscape boasts a rich variety of scenery. Wild Atlantic Way Discover Cork & Kerry, North Highlands & Orkney Guided Rail Tour, Loch Ness, The Jacobite & Skye Guided Rail Tour, Don't just take our word for it, read independent reviews, Exploring ancient civilisations in Orkney, The Best of Scotlands Highlands & Islands. Where Scotland meets Scandinavia, this wild and remote corner of northern Britain is truly remarkable. Welcome to the incredible archipelago of Orkney! Overnight Shetland. Experience a unique blend of Scandinavian and Scottish culture, as the Norse history and heritage still shapes these islands today. Meanwhile seals laze on rocks beneath the cliffs or nose around the boat. If you fancy sampling the local water of life, why not take a tour at the Highland Park Distillery the most northerly whisky distillery in the entire world. 8 nights from. It also comprises larger 4* Hotels selected for their high standard of accommodation, exceptional service, and great location. 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. We will discover more about this rather unpleasant character and his tyrannical ways during our visit. Other notable islands include Hoy for the dramatic Old Man of Hoy sea stack and Scapa Flow Visitor Centre and Museum; the Brough of Birsay with its Norse ruins; Rousay for over 100 archaeological sites; and North Ronaldsay which has a unique heritage and history. The event is taking place on Saturday 6 May, with the additional bank holiday on 8 May. With Orkney in his hands, Sigurd had the means to expand his territory and, according to the saga, soon took Caithness, Sutherland and sections of Argyll on the Scottish . Exciting destinations. We then rejoin our transport for the scenic transfer to Busta House. Highlights of Orkney & Shetland. Iona AbbeyOne of Scotland's most sacred and historic sites, the Abbey was founded in 563AD and it still retains its spiritual atmosphere today. You will start your journey in the cosmopolitan city of Aberdeen where you will board the well-equipped Northlink Ferry and sail overnight in your modern and comfortable twin-berth cabin. They left carvings behind which are considered to be some of the finest examples of runic inscriptions in the World. Usually the tour will depart the hotel between 08:00 hrs and 08:30 hrs in the morning. Discover squawking seabird colonies, staggering scenery, and some of the best-preserved Neolithic ruins in Europe as you island hop between Mainland . Our destination is Lerwick, the island's attractive capital. 18 Hours of Midsummer Sun. Overnight Orkney. 5 Nights No Fly Cruise from 799pp Liverpool, Cruising past Duart Castle, Cruising Sound of Mull, Cruising Loch Hourn, Cruising by The Small Isles, Portree, Isle of Skye, Kirkwall, Orkney Islands, Cruising by Dutchman's Cap (Bac Mr), Cruising Fingal's Cave, Cruise by Iona, Liverpool. Highlights of Orkney and Shetland6 day/5 night. Savour your chance to try lamb with its distinctive flavour due to the seaweed diet of the sheep, or sample local seafood including mouth-watering prawns and delicious stir-fried squid. Shetland: The northernmost part of the UK, Shetland is wild, rugged and beautiful. Fiercely independent and sprinkled with Scandinavian tradition, this pair of wild windswept archipelagos offer an island-hopping holiday that ticks-off squawking seabird colonies, staggering scenery, and some of the best-preserved Neolithic ruins in Europe. Tour Returns: TBA hrs, Outside Reception at the Delta Hotels by Marriott Edinburgh111 Glasgow Road Edinburgh EH12 8NF, Check-in: TBA hrs Rated 4.88 out of 5 based on 5,609 reviews. and 'why?'. 638 ratings70 reviews. Its difficult not to be inspired by sweeping panoramic views as you stroll along deserted white sandy beaches or gaze up at dramatic sea cliffs created by fierce volcanic eruptions and the ravages of the North Sea. This holiday is based on ferry crossings, starting from the north coast of Scotland near Thurso and returning to Aberdeen. Discover our last-minute, luxury, all-inclusive, and many other incredible cruise deals. I have never been that far north before. Embark on an all-inclusive cruise to Scotland in 2023 to visit Invergordon, gateway to the Highlands, Urquhart Castle and Loch Ness, and the fishing town of Scrabster, set close to the famous village of John O'Groats. All included in the price. Our local guide will help you to discover ancient civilisations, archaeological delights and bountiful wildlife from our base in the island capital of Kirkwall. Later return to Kirkwall where dinner is served in our hotel. 01273 823 700 . (Read 1 review) Late availability on these dates: 15 Apr, 13 May. Wildlife watching here is superb. 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. It was raided by Norsemen in the 12th Century. All our carefully-curated itineraries are designed by our experts. Orkney is a land of opportunity forged by 5,000 years of unique history. Individually, the sites are masterpieces of Neolithic design and construction, and collectively they represent one of the richest surviving Neolithic landscapes in Western Europe, giving us an incredible insight into the society, skills and spiritual beliefs of the people who constructed them. You are able to walk in and out and around them, just imagining how people used to survive here. 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. Seabirds flock to this rocky outcrop in their thousands during breeding season and colonies of common and grey seal spend autumn in the waters of the bay. The Ring of Brodgar in the Heart of Neolithic Orkney. For group bookings of 10+ people click here. Our ships are smaller, but wonderfully spacious. Spend some time exploring this fascinating seaport where you could visit. View our Full Privacy Notice, Read independent reviews from ourcustomers. Departing by Coach. Any additional charge for the single supplement will be confirmed at the point of final payment and bookings are accepted on this understanding. Our home for tonight is in the delightful village of Bray which overlooks Busta Voe. Its the most southerly point of mainland Shetland and where thousands of species of seabird come ashore to nest on the cliffs. Do take a walk in the gardens which stretch down to the water. These treasures are of such importance that UNESCO has designated them a World Heritage site. Registered in England, number 5713R. Single cabins now available on 2023 winter cruises, Interest rates and costs of equity release. Further south on Mainland is Sumburgh Head, an ideal spot for twitchers with unobstructed views of the seabird colonies; Old Scatness, a recently excavated Iron Age village; and the Jarlshof Prehistoric and Norse settlements, with archaeological treasures from over 4,000 years. To make it easier, heres a list of items you should consider packing. During the course of the day youll normally be travelling for no more than 2 hours at a time before making a stop to enjoy a visit to an attraction or for a comfort break/meal stop. From wildlife and wool tours to walking holidays and fire festival fun, each celebrate a different aspect of Shetland, so you can choose a trip . Accommodation on board in a double/twin en-suite outer cabin is included in the price. This morning you will enjoy a real treat a wildlife boat trip. The services were taken over by NorthLink Orkney and Shetland Ferries in 2002. Our journey continues through the fertile farmland of Angus to reach the granite city of Aberdeen by late afternoon. Let us know if we can tailor-make it for you to link with a self-drive tour of the Scottish Highlands. Check-in: TBA hrs Built in 1600, this castle was once the home of the Earl of Orkney. 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. In each case, it is not necessarily added to the bill. Travel back in time to the Stone Age and discover an ancient civilisation at The Heart of Neolithic Orkney a UNESCO World Heritage Site which includes the four awe-inspiring sites of the Ring of Brodgar, the Stones of Stenness, the Maeshowe tomb and Skara Brae. [1] Designed with our guests in mind, our modern sister ships offer small-ship luxury with a private balcony for every guest. Honest and easy 2 minute travel guide including what makes Shetland Islands so special as well as map and highlights. Some of them are: Skara BraeThought to be one of Orkney's most visited tourist spots, Skara Brae is an ancient site which is older than Stonehenge.