Take the strain off holiday planning with a bespoke package holiday or group trip to Shetland. A quick introduction. Some cruises also incorporate the Faroe Isles. Scattered off the northeast coast of Scotland, Orkney and the Shetland Islands are staggeringly beautiful. BSpoke's cycling experts can tailor-make your perfect cycling holiday where you can travel at your own pace or in a group of like-minded individuals. Youll board your ferry to Orkney in the afternoon and arrive in Kirkwall, the historic capital of Orkney, later this evening. For anyone easily seduced by big skies, sea views, and wide-open spaces, Orkney is always a good idea. Please see Terms and Conditions for further details. Enjoy a fascinating talk from historian Nick Card on the Orkney Islands' Neolithic past. 2023 HF Holidays Limited. The Ski Solutions team are all skiing experts, and their wealth of knowledge and passion for the mountains will ensure you experience a truly memorable ski holiday. Later we make the short drive to Sumburgh Head, where the waters of the North Sea meet the waves of the Atlantic Ocean. Shetland's council workers will not get the extra bank holiday on the Monday after King Charles's coronation. 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. Enjoy a complimentary chauffeur service, wines, premium spirits, speciality dining, gratuities, Wi-Fi and travel insurance. Our self-drive touring holiday of Orkney & Shetland gives you the opportunity to experience the landscapes, wildlife and archaeological heritage of these magical, and very different, parts of the UK. Orkney and Shetland, off the north coast of Scotland. It is worth checking the HM Revenues and Customs website before you travel. Archaeological Treasures of Orkney and Shetland, Location:Northlink Ferry (1); Busta, Shetland Islands (1) and Kirkwall, Orkney islands (3), Admission to Scalloway Castle, Jarlshof, Ring of Brodgar, Stenness Standing Stones, Maeshowe, Skara Brae and Italian Chapel, Touring by luxury air-conditioned coach with reclining seats, All baggage handling and hotel tips are included, Services throughout the tour of a professional Tour Director. Borealis. Please note that if at ten weeks prior to the start of your holiday a sharing partner is unavailable, a single room will be allocated with a resulting single supplement charge outlined above. Travel to the wild and glorious peninsula of Northmavine. The islanders themselves feel a strong local identity and you can be guaranteed a warm island welcome and some fantastic local fresh food. Take in the breathtaking Old Man of Hoy a 450 foot sea stack and perhaps Orkneys most famous landmark. The Vikings left their mark, such as the beautifully proportioned round church at Orphir as well as their grafitti which we now admire as works of art! Their warm hospitality is sure to be a highlight of your Scottish experience. 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. Although a remote wilderness, there is a lot to do in Shetland, Orkney and the Hebrides. All sorts of nature abound here, from seals and otters to ponies and hundreds of birds, making it a wildlife lover's paradise. The card payment providers above are used for taking your payments by operators featured on our site. High levels of cover from an award winning provider, 3-year fixed price with no tie-ins - T&Cs apply. Highlights of Orkney and Shetland6 day/5 night. . Jersey; Guernsey; Herm, Sark & Alderney; Isles of Scilly; Isle of Wight ; Isle of Man ; Shetland & Orkney Islands ; North America. and 'why?'. For group bookings of 10+ people click here. If you go above this allowance you may have to pay tax or duty. Callanish Standing StonesLocated in the Outer Hebrides on the west coast of Lewis, the Callanish Standing Stones are a must-see attraction for all visitors to the Western Isles. It is a wild and dramatic place. The thousands of prehistoric Neolithic sites which have survived to tell their tale at the Heart of Neolithic Orkney UNESCO world heritage site are both spectacular and mysterious. Guide Lorraine gives an insight into this ancient archipelago. Contact us via email: Depart Lerwick at the end of the afternoon for the overnight journey on the cruise class Northlink Ferries service to Aberdeen. 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. We guarantee to refund this service charge if you believe that arranging your holiday through McKinlay Kidd has not met your expectations for value. Soak up the history and imagine life in eras gone by! As a British citizen you will be entitled to free emergency health care on the NHS.If you are visiting Scotland from outside the United Kingdom and fall ill or are involved in an accident and are from any member of the European Economic Area or Switzerland, you can obtain free or reduced cost treatment with The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). enquiries@absoluteescapes.com. Also includes hotels in Alderney, Sark and Herm, plus the Isle of Wight, Isles of Scilly, Isle of Man and Shetland & Orkney Islands. Ferry: Sail from Shetland to Orkney on the evening sailing on a Monday, Wednesday & Friday, depart Lerwick at 1730 and arrive in Kirkwall at 2300. 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 . Both have featured recently on the BBC, yet in very contrasting ways: Orkney is hailed for its rich folklore, prehistoric sites and abundance of wildlife, while Shetland owes its ever increasing . Well also visit the Ring of Brodgar and the Standing Stones of Stenness, which together with Skara Brae and Maes How, form the Heart of Neolithic Orkney UNESCO World Heritage Site. You do not have any pinned holidays. Weve had a long love affair with Orkneys family-run Merkister Hotel, not least for its enviable setting on the shores of Harray Loch. Scattered off Scotland's northeast coast, this wild windswept archipelago offers a far-from-it-all feel just a skip away from the mainland. We will never share your data with third parties for marketing purposes. Tour Departs: TBA hrs Think of this itinerary as a starting point which can be tailored into something completely unique to you by our award-winning specialists. This is a far cry in both style and location from a chain hotel and all rooms are individually decorated. From Glasgow and Edinburgh, we travel northwards through the Kingdom of Fife to reach Dundee, which sits overlooking the River Tay. Earl Sigurd takes control. 9 miles (14km) with 1,060 feet (320m) of ascent. In the afternoon well visit Maes Howe, one of the most treasured Neolithic sites in Europe. Comprehensive travel insurance is advised for all other nationals planning on visiting Scotland.If you need to contact the emergency services whilst in Scotland simply dial 999 or 112 to ask for an ambulance. Explore the islands' Norse heritage on a coach holiday, where the sound of fiddles can still be heard drifting through the fresh air. This morning you will enjoy a real treat a wildlife boat trip. The Abbey was restored at the start of the 20thcentury and the Abbey now welcomes visitors from around the world who flock to enjoy its peaceful atmosphere. Youll be in good company if you choose to take dinner at your hotel, a popular destination for locals as well as visitors. Check-in: TBA hrs Visit the Orkneyinga Viking history interpretation centre to learn more. These unique islands are home to some of the most breathtaking coastal scenery to be found anywhere in Britain. Trade Login Contact 08444 937 531 Destinations UK & Channel Islands. From jagged cliffs to unspoilt beaches and stone . Wildlife watching here is superb. If so, please follow the booking process for a twin room and we will do our best to find you another group member of the same gender to share with. Its just six miles from Skara Brae and has an award-winning restaurant overlooking the loch, serving outstanding Scottish seafood and Aberdeen Angus beef. The rest of this evening is free to relax and, perhaps, enjoy a wee night-cap in the bar or get some fresh sea air before retiring for the night. Scattered off the northeast coast of Scotland, Orkney and the Shetland Islands are staggeringly beautiful. Be inspired by local artisans from jewellery-making to storytelling, the creative spirit on these islands has thrived for thousands of years. 8 miles (13.5km) with 850 feet (260m) of ascent. Welcome to life in the easy lane. 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. Our destination is Lerwick, the island's attractive capital. Overnight Orkney. Our home for tonight is in the delightful village of Bray which overlooks Busta Voe. Absolute Escapes has an excellent relationship with a number of car hire operators and we are able to offer quality vehicles and great value for money. The expedition starts in Oban and we sail, via the scenic and bird-rich island of Handa, to the enchanting Orkney Islands. On arrival at Gills Bay, we join the famous North Coast 500 route as we make the coastal drive southwards across the Dornoch and Cromarty Firths towards Inverness. We arrive in Lerwick around 07:30 hrs. Fiercely independent and sprinkled with Scandinavian tradition, this pair of wild windswept archipelagos offer an island-hopping holiday that ticks-off squawking seabird . With 70 magical islands its difficult to know where to begin. One of the most beautiful and rugged of the Orkney Islands, Hoy is much more akin to the Scottish Highlands than the rolling countryside and crofts found across the archipelago. Shetland Isles wildlife holiday. Age-wise its really difficult for us to give an accurate figure for any given tour departure, but experience has taught us to expect the median age to be between 45 and 50. 8 nights from. Photo: Lis Burke, CC BY-SA 2.0. Known as the Churchill Barriers, we will use these causeways to reach the little island of Lamb Holm. A wonderful car tour of the stunning Shetland and Orkney Isles off the far north coast of Scotland, plus some of Scotland's finest castles and gardens on the way. Book a package holiday. Spend some time exploring this fascinating seaport where you could visit. ABTA and ABTA Members help holidaymakers to get the most from their travel and assist them when things do not go according to plan. Orkney is a land of opportunity forged by 5,000 years of unique history. Registered in England, number 5713R. Copyright 2016 - 2023 Scapa Travel. Days 5-8 Orkney. Group transfer to Sumburgh airport for your return flight. Experience a unique blend of Scandinavian and Scottish culture, as the Norse history and heritage still shapes these islands today. Beautiful beaches, stunning cliffs, ancient settlements and wonderful wildlife-spotting opportunities - Shetland has a lot to offer. Book your tailor-made holiday to Offers with Premier Holidays. These tours are inclusive of superior tourist class accommodation, transportation, selected admission fees and many meals. But the surrounding dwellings and outbuildings date from thousands of years earlier. Tour Details. The South Mainland awaits today home to some of Shetlands most jaw-drapping scenery and best archeological sites, including the Isle of Mousa where you will encounter the best preserved Broch anywhere in the world. Nowhere in Shetland is more than 3 miles from the sea and along the 1,697 miles of coastline you will find some of Britains highest cliffs, s Sumburgh airport, 25 miles south of Lerwick, is open 7 days a week, and direct flights operate from Aberdeen (1hr), Inverness (1hr), Edinburgh and Glasgow(both 1hr 30 mins) with Loganair. These are leisurely cycling tours winding through vineyards and staying in high end accommodation where the emphasis is as much on the food and wine as the cycling. We are obliged to maintain a high standard of service to you by ABTA's Code of Conduct. The best time to visit is during what Shetlanders call the . Day 9. If you are happy with the details you have provided above then click Submit Form to send us your enquiry. The island's attractions include . Its the most southerly point of mainland Shetland and where thousands of species of seabird come ashore to nest on the cliffs. Time to return home. We depart Aberdeen at 19:00 hrs, and a short time later, dinner will be served in the ship's restaurant. This will ensure that we can improve the experience for all our future guests. Local Laws and CustomsQueuing is a British Institution - jump a queue at your own risk!Drug offences will carry penalties in the UK, so avoid getting involved with anything whilst in Scotland. Here we will have some free time to explore this charming town with its stone-paved alleys, granite houses and independent shops. The coach will continue on to Glasgow, for passengers wishing to end their tour there. View our privacy policy. FAQsPlease see the FAQ section for more information on this tour. In Kirkwall you will find a bustling and friendly town with a great selection of restaurants, pubs, and local art shops, as well as the most northerly cathedral in Britain dating back to the 12th century. With over 100 islands contributing to over 1,500 miles of coastline, there is something to discover around every corner, from the entrancing blend of Scottish and Scandinavian culture to the dramatic . You will travel aboard a state of the art motorcoach with air-conditioning, reclining seats, oversized windows and emergency washroom. Discover their all-balcony cabins, huge choice of included speciality restaurants and bars, and an outdoor lido with a full wraparound deck. 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. All Rights Reserved. This afternoon we tour through the island, and as we make our journey hopefully, we will see some native Shetland ponies grazing in their fields. Last month I was in Orkney for the first time. Our self-drive touring holiday of Orkney & Shetland gives you the opportunity to experience the landscapes, wildlife and archaeological heritage of these magical, and very different, parts of the UK. This expanse of water has played witness to some monumental events. Includes 9 nights accommodation (2 of which will be on the ferry to and from Shetland) and ferry costs. 7 miles (12km) with 1,360 feet (420m) of ascent. In 1919 the German Navy scuttled itself as a grand act of defiance and, in 1939, HMS Royal Oak was sunk here by a U-boat. 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. Family room - this is a room for three people sleeping in one large bed (2 people) and one single bed (1 person). In each case, it is not necessarily added to the bill. If you only require a specific response to this enquiry and have no interest in receiving occasional information, news or offers from McKinlay Kidd in future, please email unsubscribe at mckinlaykidd dot com. However, some airlines will insist you show a passport so check before you travel.If you are travelling to Scotland from Australia, Canada or the USA, you must have a valid passport for at least three months beyond the length of your stay. The ultimate collection of European cycling holidays. A holiday to the islands of Orkney and Shetland has it all. If, like us, you cant get enough of the archeological discoveries, head over to Rousay with its Midhowe Broch and Cairn. 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. 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. Enjoy free time in Kirkwall this morning. A collection of quality 4* Guest Houses and 3* Hotels often located in beautiful locations which provide an excellent standard of accommodation. Several of the prisoners have returned to Orkney over the years to assist with the restoration of the building. You will also find no end of delicious local produce to tempt you and a busy programme of annual festivals. The largest town, Lerwick, is closer to Norway than to Edinburgh, and culturally and geographically they feel more Norse than Scottish. The natural beauty of Orkneys landscape boasts a rich variety of scenery. Travel by overnight ferry to Lerwick, the capital of Shetland, arriving at 0730 and enjoy a leisurely breakfast on board before disembarking. At 1,475 feet (450m) this is Shetlands highest peak. Our discerning team has a wealth of experience, and we extensively research and regularly review all of the accommodation we select for our clients. Cruising is another great way of accessing this remote Scottish wilderness, allowing you to explore in comfort. These unassuming islands have a truly magical quality, and civilisation has thrived here for millennia. Our first visits are to the Ring of Brodgar and the Standing Stones of Stenness. The Orkney Mainland is just Getting to Orkney can be easier and quicker than you may think. Dine on fresh seafood in cosmopolitan Kirkwall and Lerwick, and enjoy an extensive local craft culture. Topped by a prehistoric chambered burial cairn, the summit offers a breathtaking panorama across this ice-carved landscape. Standing guard to warn the passing ships is the Sumburgh Lighthouse, designed by the grandfather of the famous author Robert Louis Stevenson. The beautiful Cairngorms National Park will bring us to the Pass of Drumocher and Highland Perthshire beyond. Be aware of your surroundings and don't venture off on your own.

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