Good Old Orkney
Home to some of the most famous archaeological remains in the UK, such as Skara Brae, the Ring of Brodgar and the Standing Stones of Stenness, Orkney is steeped in ancient history and endowed with an idyllic, green landscape. These isles offer a wonderful combination of Scottish heritage, maritime flair, rural farming and northern spirit. As the site of two Whisky distilleries, Scapa Flow and St. Magnus Cathedral, the Orkney capital Kirkwall is a cute fishing village graced with cultural attractions and pleasant stone architecture. Have a look for yourself at the landscape of Orkney and gain a measure of inspiration from these moving images:
Our relaxing holiday to Orkney spends four nights at a centrally located hotel in Kirkwall, within close proximity to the pedestrianised High Street and the waterfront. In addition to the Neolithic landmarks, the tour visits the Cliffs of Yesnaby on the west coast of the main island as well as the Brough of Birsay to the north. Sandy beaches, majestic rock formations and windswept hills all feature, as do views of the neighbouring islands of Hoy and Rousay. In terms of World War II history, you travel over the Churchill Barrier causeway, which was built to prevent German submarine attacks and see the beloved Italian Chapel. You'll also have the opportunity to experience the fishing village of Stromness, before making the scenic ferry crossing over the Pentland Firth to Scrabster on the Scottish mainland. This is arguably one of the most spectacular ferry trips in all of the UK as you pass the Old Man of Hoy, a 137 m high sea stack.
To view the full programme of this engaging holiday, please see these two links:
In 2021, we offer our "Far North and Orkney" trip both in July and August. Like so many of our Scottish vacations, this tour combines the best of the Islands with the Highlands and also gives you two nights in Aberdeen at the start and two nights in Inverness and the end. This gives us the opportunity to include numerous steam railways and historic castles in the itinerary, such as the Royal Deeside Railway and Crathes Castle, the Caledonian Railway and Brechin Cathedral, plus of course the Strathspey Railway in the heart of the Cairngorms.
For a rich taste of Scotland's finest, both on and off the beaten path, look no further than our holiday to Orkney and beyond.
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