We will meet at Glasgow Airport and head straight to Aberdeen where we will spend the night. The drive takes about three hours but there are a number of interesting places to stop along the way, including a pair of Iron Age hillforts known as the Caterthuns and some superbly carved Pictish Stones at Aberlemno.

Old Keig Recumbent Stone Circle

We will spend the day travelling from Aberdeen to Gill’s Bay, near John o’Groats where we will catch the ferry to Orkney. There are a number of stone circles, Neolithic tombs, Pictish stones, and Iron Age brochs to keep us occupied along the way.

Saint Margaret's Hope

The day will be taken up with a trip to the western part of the island. In the morning we will visit the well-preserved Neolithic site at Skara Brae, which emerged virtually intact out of the sand dunes during a fierce Atlantic gale in the 1850’s. In the afternoon, we will return to Kirkwall and explore the town including the Saint Magnus Cathedral and the Bishop and Earl’s Palace.

Skara Brae

Today will be spent visiting the prehistoric monuments around Lochs Harray and Stenness. These include two of the largest and best-preserved stone circles in the British Isles—the Stones of Stenness and the Ring of Brodgar. Adjacent to Stenness are the remains of the small settlement of Barnhouse, presumably the homes of the builders of the stone circle or perhaps the priests who looked after it. A short distance away is the great tomb of Maes Howe, the largest chambered tomb in Britain.

The Ring of Brodgar

The day will be taken up exploring some of the Iron Age and Viking remains in Evie and Birsay. The exact sequence of events is dependent on the tides, but we will certainly be visiting Gurness, the site of a particularly fine fortified Iron Age tower known as a broch. We will also explore the island of Birsay, which can only be reached at low tide. There was a Pictish settlement and a later Viking one on the island—the remains of the latter are still visible. On the Mainland opposite are the ruins of the Earl’s Palace, built by the notorious Earl Robert Stewart in the 16th century.

The Broch of Gurness

In the morning, we will take the short ferry ride across Eynhallow Sound to the island of Rousay, where there are a number of important prehistoric monuments.  These include the Neolithic chamber tombs at Blackhammar and Taversoe Tuick.  At Midhowe there is not only one of the largest chamber tombs in the islands, with no less than twelve compartments but, immediately adjacent, is another well-preserved broch settlement.  We shall be returning to Kirkwall late in the afternoon.

Knowe of Yarso. Neolithic Tomb on Rousay

Today we will spend most of our time in the West Mainland, walking the cliffs at Margate Head and Yesnaby along with the Loons nature reserve. The region is one of outstanding natural beauty and is a haven for a wide variety of sea birds.

Yesnaby looking towards Hoy

In the morning we will take the short ferry ride across Scapa Flow, the main anchorage of the Royal Navy during both World Wars, to the island of Hoy. Below the waters lie the remains of the battleship HMS Royal Oak along with 833 of her crew. The ship was sunk in a daring attack by a German submarine, U47, at the beginning of the Second World War. Nearby are the remains of German High Seas Fleet, scuttled by their crews in 1919. On Hoy we will visit the Dwarfie Stane, a chambered tomb carved out of a single massive block of stone. From there, we will proceed to Rackwick Bay, and those who wish can hike to the Old Man of Hoy and back.

The Old Man of Hoy

Today we will explore the East Mainland. In the morning, we will visit the unique and enigmatic site of Minehowe in Tankerness. Essentially it is a chamber inside a large earthen mound reached by a steep stone staircase. It is probably Iron Age in date and undoubtedly served some sort of ritual purpose but exactly what that was remains a mystery. We will then drive out to visit the Brough of Deerness and the Gloup, a large chasm formed when the landward side of a cave collapsed.

Deerness

Today will be taken up by an excursion to one of the other islands, either Eday or Sanday, each of which has its archaeological attractions. Sanday, low and, well, sandy, has an very well preserved tomb at Quoyness while Eday has the spectacular standing stone known as the Stone of Setter.

Sty Wick, Sanday. View to Quoyness (the pimple on the horizon)

In the morning, we will drive over the Churchill Barriers, which link the islands of Burray and South Ronaldsay to the Mainland. The barriers were built to close the gaps in the defences of Scapa Flow in the aftermath of the sinking of the Royal Oak. Much of the work was done by Italian prisoners of war who were also responsible for the construction of the Italian Chapel on Lambs Holm. Using a couple of Nissen huts, concrete and scrap metal they built a most moving testament to the human spirit. We will carry on to South Ronaldsay to visit the Tomb of the Eagles at Isbister.

The Italian Chapel

Today we head out to spend a couple of days in the North Islands of Westray and Papa Westray. We will follow the Swan’s Path, the old Viking route north to Westray, the larger of the two, where we will spend two nights. After checking into our hotel in Pierowall, we will spend the rest of the day exploring the southern part of the island, visiting the ruins of the medieval church known as Cross Kirk and the Viking settlement at Tuquoy.

Pierowall, Westray

Papa Westray is only four miles long and one across but, despite its remoteness and size, has the oldest standing building in Europe at Knap of Howar. The crossing from Westray is a short one and we will have a whole day to explore the island and its even smaller companion, Holm of Papa Westray. The latter has a very impressive tomb of the Maes Howe type.

Knap of Howar

We will take the late afternoon ferry back to Kirkwall but, before we leave, we will have ample time to explore the northern part of Westray. The most important archaeological sites are the neolithic village at Links of Noltland and the recently discovered Viking village at Quoygrew. The scenery along the Atlantic coast is dramatic and beautiful, and we will spend part of the day strolling along the Noup Cliffs bird sanctuary.

Noup Cliffs, Westray

We will spend a relaxed day on the south mainland at Stromness, Orkney’s second town. Stromness has strong links with Canada because it was the headquarters and chief recruiting centre for the Hudson’s Bay Company. We will have time to visit the Museum and wander the streets of this charming town. On the way back to Kirkwall, we will stop at Orphir and visit the Viking Heritage Centre and the ruins of a circular Viking church at Bu.

Stromness

It will be an early morning crossing back to Gill’s Bay on the mainland. From there we will make our way south to Inverness. Along the way, we will stop at the Hill o’ Many Stanes (a set of neolithic stone alignments) and the Grey Cairns of Camster, a group of megalithic tombs similar to some of the Orkney cairns but with their own distinctive features.

Departing St. Margaret's Hope

The trip will end with two nights in Edinburgh, the capital city. We will be staying in a very pleasant hotel in Bruntsfield, which is within easy walking distance of the Royal Mile and Prince’s Street. The city’s attractions are many and varied and you will be free, with the assistance of your tour guides, to organize your own agenda.

A free day in Edinburgh.

Edinburgh. View from Calton Hill

Tour ends.