Experience the rugged beauty and long standing heritage of Orkney with us in this year on our new tour to the islands. We’ll take you to the main sights including Skara Brae, the Italian Chapel and Kirkwall, all from our comfortable base in The Ayre Hotel, Kirkwall. Gain a fascinating insight into Orkney with a tour of the island and marvel at the outstanding natural beauty of the northern archipelago whilst visiting such sites as Meashowe, Standing Stones of Stenness and Brodgar and Kirkwall Cathedral. The islands are a haven for Scottish wildlife as well, and we are sure you will come home dreaming of the day you can return to this truly magical area of Scotland.
HOLIDAY INCLUDES
- 2 Nights Dinner, Bed & Breakfast in Orkney
- 2 Overnight Stays in the Highlands
- Luxury Coach Travel
- All Ferry Crossings
- Excursions
- Single Room Supplements £100
DAY 1
Today we travel north and enjoy an overnight stay in the Highlands.
DAY 2
After breakfast we travel north through Sutherland and arrive in Gills Bay for the ferry crossing at lunchtime to Orkney. Arriving in St Margaret's Hope enjoy a visit to The Italian Chapel on Lamb Holm, built on the site of a former POW camp. Crossing Scapa Flow over the Churchill Barriers we arrive on the mainland of Orkney and you will have time to spend in Kirkwall, where you have a few hours to explore St Magnus Cathedral, museum or Bishop's Palace ruins before travelling to Kirkwall and enjoying a delicious dinner on your first night in Orkney.
DAY 3
A full day excursion of Orkney mainland today. We visit the Neolithic village of Skara Brae; 5000 years old and still standing to this day. Explore the village here and its new visitor centre before we travel to see the Ring of Brodgar and Standing Stones of Stenness. Time in Stromness before we return to the hotel in Kirkwall for dinner.
DAY 4
After an early breakfast we depart the Ayre Hotel in Kirkwall and join the ferry back to Gills Bay and return to the mainland. Enjoy a tour along the NC500 route with a visit to John O’Groats, Wick and a stop in the Royal burgh of Dornoch before we stay our last night in the Highlands in a local hotel.
DAY 5
Enjoy a hearty breakfast in the hotel this morning before we depart for the journey back home.
AYRE HOTEL - ORKNEY
Set in Kirkwall, Orkney, family-run Ayre Hotel & Ayre Apartments overlooks Kirkwall harbour. It offers local produce in its restaurant and traditionally styled rooms, with free Wi-Fi. Free private parking is available on site. Rooms are each equipped with a flat-screen TV, telephone and free tea and coffee. Sea view rooms are available, whilst all have a private bathroom with a hairdryer. Ironing facilities are available on request.
Cooked breakfasts are on offer in the Ayre Hotel & Ayre Apartments’ restaurant, which also provides lunch, bar and evening menus. Local ingredients are used, including Orkney Lamb, steaks and freshly caught fish. The North Isles Ferries are just a few minutes’ walk away, and the Aberdeen/Lerwick ferry terminal is only 2 miles away.
**2 Overnight Stops Included