Walking Scotland’s Orkney Islands

United Kingdom - Trip code ORK Walking and Trekking
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149Kg of CO²e
Average carbon footprint per person
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Carbon Footprint
You deserve to know everything about your holiday, from what is included, what to expect and every kilogram of CO2 emitted on average per person along the way.

We've partnered with ecollective to measure the carbon footprint of this tour based on an average group size. Find out more about how we calculate this and why we think it's important here.

 

Discover the beautiful landscapes, world-famous archaeological sites, and birdlife of the Orkney Isles. Highlights include clifftop walks, wildflowers, puffin colonies, fresh seafood, and Skara Brae - the finest Stone Age village in Europe. Along the way, we'll enjoy generous Orcadian hospitality and experience the relaxed pace of island life.

Why we love this trip
  • Ancient history - Discover Iron Age villages and Neolithic sites including Skara Brae.
  • Orcadian and Norse traditions - Unearth the Orkney's history, heritage, and local traditions.
  • Breathtaking landscapes - Explore some of Britain's most pristine regions on foot.

  • Included meals

    Breakfast: 6

    Dinner: 3

  • Trip staff

    Explore Tour Leader

    Driver(s)

  • Transport

    Ferry

    Minibus

    On Foot

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    Accommodation

    6 nights comfortable hotel

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    Walking grade:

    Leisurely and Moderate

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    Group Size:

    Trip maximum 16
    Explore average 11

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    Wildlife rating

    Expect chance encounters!

Itinerary

Day 1 - Join trip in Inverness

Our trip starts today at the Inverness train station at 2pm.

After gathering our group, we have a scenic three-hour drive along the northeast coast of the Highlands to Scrabster Port. Here, we board our first ferry and sail (90 minutes) across the Pentland Firth to Stromness town on Mainland, the principal island of Orkney. Upon arrival on the Mainland, we'll drive to our hotel in the historic town of Kirkwall - this will be our base for the week.

We expect to arrive at the hotel around 9pm and our tour leader will meet us for a welcome meeting either upon arrival, or after check-in. You're free to grab dinner on the ferry across.

Kirkwall is situated on the northern coast of the Mainland and is the largest settlement and administrative capital of the Orkneys with a population of about 9,300. At its heart stands St. Magnus Cathedral, which was founded in memory of Saint Magnus Erlendsson, one of the Norse earls of Orkney (1108-1117), who became its patron saint. Next to the Cathedral are the ruins of the former Bishop's Palace and Earl's Palace. Kirkwall has many 17th-18th century houses and other structures in the local vernacular style.

If you're not joining the tour by rail, you can also reach Kirkwall by flight or take the ferry from Aberdeen. Please advise us at the time of booking if you plan to make your own way to the hotel.

Please note, that due to unpredictable weather and changing ferry schedules, we may occasionally change the order of our itinerary at the last minute.

Accommodation:

The Orkney Hotel (or similar)

Grade: Comfortable Hotel

Single room available

Meals Provided: None

Day 2 - Isle of Westray coastal walk

This morning, we'll take the ferry from Kirkwall harbour to Westray in the far northwest, a fantastic voyage out along the old Viking Sea route called the Swan's Path that will take us around 90 minutes. Westray is the second largest of the Orkney Isles, affectionately known as the 'Queen o' the Isles', with a population of just 600 people.

Today's highlight is a circular walk out to Noup Head to see one of the largest seabird colonies in the British Isles, second only to St Kilda. Here we'll find guillemot, kittiwake, razorbill, shag, and fulmar as well as wildflowers, caves, and lighthouses. Puffins are normally seen on Westray between the end of April and mid-August. The open ground above the cliffs offers superb views and is often beautifully carpeted with yellow, white, and purple flowers. From here we continue our walk south along the west coast of Westray. After the walk, we visit Noltland Castle ruins, built around 1560 for Mary Queen of Scots. If time allows, we might also visit Pierowall Village before catching the ferry back to Kirkwall.

Today's leisurely-graded walk will take approximately three hours and will cover a distance of 9 kilometres/5.6 miles along grassy clifftop trails with a total ascent and descent of 200 metres/656 feet.

Accommodation:

The Orkney Hotel (or similar)

Grade: Comfortable Hotel

Single room available

Meals Provided: Breakfast & Dinner

Day 3 - Deerness Peninsula coastal walk and Scapa Flow

The Deerness Peninsula is on the easternmost part of the Mainland. We'll start our first walk here today and before long, we'll reach the Brough of Deerness - a well-preserved Viking Age settlement on top of a sea stack - and an impressive collapsed sea cave called the Gloup that produces strange mysterious noises. From here, we continue along the coastline around Mull Head until we reach the Covenanters Memorial - commemorating 200 prisoners who perished off the coast in 1679. Finally, our walk brings us back to the vehicles.

Later today, we'll drive to see the simple Italian Chapel (note, there is a small entry fee) on Lambholm Island, built by POWs in WWII, and discover more wartime history at the Churchill Barriers and Scapa Flow. We plan to be back in Kirkwall in the late afternoon, where you can visit St Magnus Cathedral (closes 5pm).

Today's leisurely-graded walk will take approximately three hours and will cover a distance of 10 kilometres/6.2 miles along grassy trails with a total ascent and descent of 150 metres/492 feet.

Accommodation:

The Orkney Hotel (or similar)

Grade: Comfortable Hotel

Single room available

Meals Provided: Breakfast & Dinner

Day 4 - West Mainland coastal walk to Skara Brae

This morning, we'll start the day with a short drive back to Stromness where we commence our walk northwards following the west coastline of Mainland and passing the impressive sea stacks of Yesnaby and North Gaulton. Along the way, look out for the Primula Scotia (Scottish Primrose), Orkney's most famous flowering plant.

Our walk finishes at the site of 5,000-year-old Skara Brae, one of the best-preserved Neolithic villages in Europe. There's the option to visit Skail House, a 17th-century Laird's manor house. If we have time, we might also drive a short distance to visit the Earl's Palace - the remains of a 16th-century castle built by Robert Steward Earl of Orkney and or include a stop at the Kirbuster Museum (1595 house, FOC).

Today's moderately-graded walk will take approximately four-to-five hours and will cover a distance of 12.5 kilometres/7.8 miles along grassy clifftop trails, sometimes boggy, with a total ascent and descent of 300 metres/984 feet.

Accommodation:

The Orkney Hotel (or similar)

Grade: Comfortable Hotel

Single room available

Meals Provided: Breakfast

Day 5 - Heart of Neolithic Orkney UNESCO site and Stromness

On a small stretch of land between the Loch of Stennis and the Loch of Harray on Orkney's Mainland, we'll find the archaeological sites of the Ring of Brodgar and the Stones of Stenness (both older than Stonehenge). Together with Skara Brae, they form the Heart of Neolithic Orkney UNESCO World Heritage Site.

This morning, we'll explore these extraordinary 5,000-year-old sites, including the ongoing Ness of Brodgar Excavation (open July-August). We'll also visit the pretty town of Stromness, Orkney's second biggest town and home of Orkney's most famous poet George Mackay Brown. You might like to visit the highly recognised Arts Pier Centre.

Later in the afternoon, we'll travel back to Kirkwall where we'll have time to visit the Orkney Museum that's housed in one of Scotland's best-preserved 16th-century town-houses - Tankerness House and Gardens - displaying prehistoric, Pictish, and Viking collections of international importance.

Today is a relaxed day with around 3 kilometres/1.9 miles of walking between the Neolithic sites.

Accommodation:

The Orkney Hotel (or similar)

Grade: Comfortable Hotel

Single room available

Meals Provided: Breakfast & Dinner

Day 6 - Isle of Rousay

After breakfast this morning, we'll drive a short distance to Tingwall port to catch the ferry across the waters to Rousay Island - known as 'The Egypt of the North' due to its proliferation of archaeological monuments. While there, we'll visit the large Midhowe Neolithic chambered cairn and Midhowe Iron Age Broch Tower. We'll walk over the moors to Knitchen Hill and Blochnie Hill; the highest point on the island at 275 metres/902 feet. This walk is partly within the RSPB-owned Trumland Reserve so we might see raptors and the short-eared owl. Depending on time and weather conditions, we could also walk at Faraclett Head in the far northwest of the island. Both walks provide magnificent views over the seaboard and of the nearby islands Egilsay and Wyre. We'll return to Kirkwall later this afternoon.

Today's moderately graded walk will take approximately three to four hours and will cover a distance of 9 kilometres/5.6 miles on moorland paths, boggy in places, with a total ascent and descent of 350 metres/1,148 feet.

Accommodation:

The Orkney Hotel (or similar)

Grade: Comfortable Hotel

Single room available

Meals Provided: Breakfast

Day 7 - Tour ends in Inverness

After checking out of the hotel this morning, we'll drive back to Stromness ferry terminal for the 11am departure. From Scrabster, we'll drive south to Inverness arriving at the rail station at about 4.30pm where the trip ends. Please note, we don't recommend booking an onward flight from Inverness before 7pm.

If you intend to fly back from Kirkwall, you'll have to make your own way - by taxi or bus - to the airport.

Meals Provided: Breakfast

Trip information

Climate and country information

United Kingdom

Climate

The UK has a temperate but very variable climate. In general the summers are warm with July and August being the warmest. The winters are cool and the lowest temperatures are recorded during January and February. Whatever the season it is advisable to be prepared for rain!

Time difference to GMT

0

Plugs

3 Pin Flat

Religion

Christian

Language

English

Budgeting and packing

Optional activities

The following excursions and/or activities are usually available and may be arranged locally. Estimated costs are provided below for guidance only, are on a per person basis unless shown otherwise, and may depend on the number of participants. Prices quoted are correct as of the date these tour notes were originally issued but may change at any time due to currency fluctuations. Please note: These activities are booked and paid for locally and do not form part of your Explore holiday contract.


Highland Park whisky distillery (one hour tour 15 GBP) - £30 pp 1.15 hours
Orkney Distillery (Gin) 20 GBP
Italian Chapel 3.50 GBP
Stromness Museum - 6 GBP

can be paid cash or card

Clothing

Orkney has a cool temperate climate and you can expect changeable weather from sunshine to windy days and rain. A good quality waterproof jacket and trousers are essential. We recommend hiking trousers, plenty of layers, warm hat and gloves and sunhat. If the forecast is good T shirts and shorts will be fine. Come prepared!

Footwear

Bring a broken in pair of walking boots/walking shoes and a comfortable pair of shoes for about town. Can be wet underfoot at times.

Luggage

20Kg

Luggage: On tour

One main piece of baggage and a waterproof rucksack large enough to carry what you need for the day - waterproofs, warm layer, water, picnic, sun-cream, phone etc.

Equipment

You will need a small rucksack, thermos or water bottle. Binoculars can be good for wildlife spotting. Insect repellent, suncream, good quality sunglasses and a lip salve with sun protection are all useful. You may find walking poles helpful. Gaiters can be useful when it's wet.

Tipping

Explore leader
Tipping isn't compulsory, and we work hard to ensure that our leaders all receive a fair wage. You may however, want to recognise a leader that has done a great job or really added to your trip by giving them a tip. We're often asked about the recommended amount. It is a tricky one, and down to personal preference, but we would recommend £20 to £30 per person per week as a guideline.

United Kingdom

Food and drink

The costs for meals may vary depending upon location, type of restaurant and number of courses eaten and so the prices given are an average guide. Local restaurants located off the beaten track may be less expensive, whereas an upmarket restaurant located in the centre of a major city may charge more.


Lunch price
£10
Dinner price
£18
Beer price
£4
Foreign Exchange
Local currency
Pounds Sterling.
Recommended Currency For Exchange
Carry a combination of UK Sterling cash, ATM and credit cards.
Where To Exchange
Your tour leader will advise you on arrival.
ATM Availability
ATM's are widely available in main towns.
Credit Card Acceptance
Widely accepted.
Transport, Accommodation, Food & Drink

Transport Information

Ferry, Minibus, On Foot

Accommodation notes

During this tour, we stay in comfortable-grade accommodation. Comfortable-grade hotels are generally three to four-star equivalent with good amenities such as en-suite bathrooms, air-conditioning, and WiFi. Occasionally hotels will have extra facilities such as a bar or restaurant and a swimming pool. Please see your final documents for the confirmed accommodation for your departure.

The 3-star Orkney Hotel in the centre of Kirkwall dates back to 1670. It offers modern amenities, while retaining its original features and charms. The hotel has a recently refurbished bar area for socialising in the evening.

The Albert Hotel in the centre of Kirkwall is comfortable-grade with good facilities, including a bar.

Arrival and departure information

Transfers to and from our accommodation are not provided for this trip. If you are planning to arrive or depart by train, this information may be useful to you. Whilst we are unable to make a reservation for you, we have provided contact numbers to enable you to make a direct booking.

Arriving from Inverness Airport: There are a number of taxi companies that can be hailed from the airport to take you to Inverness train station to start the trip. Alternatively, you may pre-book with:
Taxi Inverness: 01463 800 069
Inverness Airport Taxi: 01463 264 064
The journey should take around 20 minutes.
Alternatively the Jet Bus line 11 is an airport shuttle that takes you to Inverness, stopping close to the central railway station.

United Kingdom

Food and drink

Can you drink the water? 
It is generally possible to drink the local tap water, therefore to reduce the need for single-use plastic bottles we recommend you bring a refillable water bottle with you. Your leader will advise you on refill points each day. 

Essential Information

Government Travel Safety Advice

We strongly recommend that you check your government's travel advisory for up-to-date information and advice about your destination's safety and security, entry requirements, health, local laws and customs. Relevant government website links for UK, US, Canadian, Australian and New Zealand citizens are available on our Travel Safety page.

If you'd like some inital information on country-specific entry requirements, such as visas or any health declaration forms, please refer to our Entry Requirements page.  The services and information on this page are provided by a third party, and so we will still recommend that you cross check this against your government website for the latest advice.
 

Under 18 immigration guidance

Please note that some countries require proof of parental consent when travelling overseas with under 18s. Please check requirements with the relevant embassy or consular office well in advance of travel if this applies to your party.

Price Guarantee

Once your booking has been confirmed we guarantee the price will not increase, whatever the circumstances. However, please note that if you voluntarily make any changes to your booking including changing your trip or departure date, any additional costs or charges incurred will not be covered. Before booking please ensure you have read our important tour pricing information.Booking Conditions
 

Visa and Passport Information

UK: Visas are not required by UK, Australian, New Zealand, US and Canadian citizens. Other nationalities should consult their local embassy or consular office.

Australian, New Zealand, US, EU and Canadian citizens visiting the UK for tourism, work, leisure are required to obtain an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA). Australians can apply for an ETA through the UK ETA app https://www.gov.uk/guidance/using-the-uk-eta-app or online https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-an-electronic-travel-authorisation-eta. The ETA costs approximately AU$20 and takes about three days to process. Once approved, ETAs are valid for up to two years and tourists do not need to reapply for subsequent visits within that period.


If you do require assistance in obtaining a visa then you may be able to apply through Explore's recommended visa service in the UK, Travcour. See www.travcour.com to download the relevant visa application for your trip, if applicable (UK citizens only), along with details of how to apply for your visa through Travcour. The Team at Travcour will be happy to answer specific questions relating to visa applications, please call them directly on 0208 5431846.

It is your responsibility to ensure that you are in possession of a full passport, with the correct validity for your chosen destination.
 

Booking conditions

Before booking your Explore trip, please ensure that you read both our Essential Information and Booking Conditions.
 

Minimum age restrictions

For our group tours, the minimum age is 16. The minimum age on Family trips varies between 7 and 11 - please check the 'Family information' section of the trip page for more information. 


Your safety and enjoyment on tour

We want everyone to have a safe and enjoyable holiday, so we ask you to confirm when booking this trip that you are fit and able to fully participate in all elements of the itinerary. If you have any concerns about your fitness or ability to complete any of the activities, please get in touch with our Customer Relations team at cr@explore.co.uk as soon as possible. Our tour leaders are trained and experienced in managing differing abilities within a group, but if they have concerns about a group member’s ability to safely participate in any element of the itinerary or believe someone’s presence could affect the safety or enjoyment of the holiday for others, in accordance with our Booking Conditions our tour leaders have the authority to ask an individual to miss an activity or activities. This decision would never be taken lightly, but on the rare occasions our tour leaders ask someone to sit out part of the tour, refunds will not be offered and individuals may be liable for additional costs incurred. 
 

Your Tour Leader

All tours aside from extensions, Galapagos cruises and polar expeditions will be led by one of our experienced Tour Leaders. We believe that our Tour Leaders are the key to the success of our tours; they are local experts who are bursting with first-hand knowledge which they love to share, and their unique insights will bring the destination to life. Your Tour Leader will be on hand throughout your tour to make sure arrangements run smoothly, to organise all the local logistics and to keep you safe. Your Tour Leader should be your first point of contact if you encounter any difficulties or disappointments in country – please raise any concerns, however small, with your Tour Leader as they are best placed to assist you.

Transfers

Find out more about Trip Transfer Terms and Conditions before you book.

Booking a land only package with Explore

Customers who have chosen to book on the ‘Land Only’ arrangements of our tour, please ensure that you have checked your tour specific ‘Joining Instructions’ prior to booking your own travel arrangements. Your joining instructions can be found below in the dates and prices information. 

You may also be eligible for the Free Explore Transfer.


Joining Tour Abroad

Customers booked on the ‘Land Only’ arrangements will receive a Free Transfer, provided you arrive and depart on the tour only itinerary start and end dates. The complimentary transfers will be arranged from the Explore designated airport or train station to your trips joining point, and then back from the ending point to the designated airport or train station. Generally the airport or station that Explore have selected will be the one that is closest to the town or city where the trip starts, or the one nearest to the joining point. It will be either an airport or train station but not both.

The exception to this rule is customers who are booked on a tour where the joining and ending point is at the designated airport or train station.  

Free transfers are not available for Polar customers.

If you are not eligible for the Free Transfer then you will need to make your own way through to the joining and ending point. On a majority of our tours Explore will be able to provide a private transfer at an additional cost. Please ask for a quote at the time of booking.  

For more information regarding the Explore Free Transfer click here

Insurance

It is a condition of booking with Explore that you have adequate valid travel insurance. It is your responsibility to arrange appropriate travel insurance and ensure you have read and understood the full terms and conditions of your travel insurance policy to ensure that you are covered for all activities you intend to undertake whilst on the tour, including all optional activities. Your Insurance Policy must fully cover you for medical expenses and emergency repatriation to your home country. Please ensure your policy includes medical emergency helicopter evacuation in the event of illness or injury and covers the entire duration of your holiday. If you are trekking at altitude please ensure that there is no upper altitude limit which may limit or exclude cover for your trip. The cost of many of our Polar Voyages will exceed the capped amount covered by standard insurance premiums and you will be required to pay an additional premium to cover the full value of your trip. Please ensure that you are covered for the full amount of your holiday cost, as insufficient cover could invalidate a claim under the policy. Medical and repatriation insurance cover is not mandatory for UK residents who are travelling on trips within the United Kingdom.
Read more information about what travel insurance is required.

Flight information

Explore can arrange your flights for you, to make joining and leaving our trips easy. Read more about them here.


Flight Information

You are able to book this tour on a 'land only' basis or as a ‘flight inclusive’ package. Your flight inclusive package will be fully protected by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) ATOL protection scheme.

 

Booking a flight inclusive package with Explore

We have a good selection of flights not only from London but from many regional airports around the UK allowing us to compare fares between scheduled carriers as well as low cost and charter airlines. Our dedicated flights team will match the best flight options to your arrival and departure airport.

On our website we display the price of the tour only. Please call us or select the flight option during the online checkout to receive a quote for a flight inclusive package. To avoid paying supplements or to secure your preferred flight option, we recommend booking as early as possible, especially for peak travel dates.

Ability to swim

No

United Kingdom

Vaccinations

Nothing compulsory, we recommend protection against tetanus, diphtheria, polio and hepatitis A. The above is not an exhaustive list. Information regarding vaccinations and travel health advice can be found by on the NaTHNaC website and from your local healthcare provider. Visa and vaccination requirements are subject to change and should be confirmed before departure.

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Airport Transfers
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