Departing by Coach. 8.4/5 (52 reviews) Great place! Youre also sure to come across plenty of roaming Shetland ponies on your travels. Weve had a long love affair with Orkneys family-run Merkister Hotel, not least for its enviable setting on the shores of Harray Loch. Standing guard to warn the passing ships is the Sumburgh Lighthouse, designed by the grandfather of the famous author Robert Louis Stevenson. The Old Man of Hoy. In certain locations youll may be joined by a local guide who will provide local insight and show you the highlights. Seabirds flock to this rocky outcrop in their thousands during breeding season and colonies of common and grey seal spend autumn in the waters of the bay. How do I get there? 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. 8 nights from. If you are happy with the details you have provided above then click Submit Form to send us your enquiry. But there are two other, very distinctive, island groups off Scotland's north coast that are well worth the effort of reaching: Orkney and Shetland. Click the heart icon on the search or holiday pages to pin a holiday. (Do find time to pop in for a tour of the traditional whisky making process.) The islands are also blessed with an extraordinary natural beauty. In each case, it is not necessarily added to the bill. Starts from: Edinburgh. Theres an opportunity to learn about Shetlands heritage at the Tangwick Haa museum today as we circumnavigate the beautiful Eshaness peninsula. You will also find no end of delicious local produce to tempt you and a busy programme of annual festivals. Nowhere else in Britain, and hardly anywhere else in Europe, can you get so close, so easily, to so many seabirds. The coach will continue on to Glasgow, for passengers wishing to end their tour there. Exciting destinations. Toggle navigation. . Usually the coach will arrive at the overnight stop between 16:30 and 17:00 hrs each day. We then have two full days to tour Shetland. Stop at Weisdale to see artists at work at Shetland Jewellery, before arriving at Northmavine where you could travel to the spectacular Eshaness Cliffs with their imposing lighthouse, or hike up to the top of Ronas Hill. The breadth of history to be discovered here is without parallel in Scotland and is sure to amaze you. Your hotel is an historic building, complete with nooks and crannies, winding corridors, steep steps, creaky floorboards and supposedly a resident ghost. We'll make a visit to view the remarkable paintings that can be found inside the simple corrugated metal exterior. enquiries@absoluteescapes.com. To purchase a policy speak to your insurance broker or undertake a search on-line. Clicking on the link below will redirect you to the Wilderness England website. Think of this itinerary as a starting point which can be tailored into something completely unique to you by our award-winning specialists. A key event in the global calendar, the annual Up Helly Aa Winter Fire . More details & Book Bank Holiday Escape to Scenic Scotland . From 565, the time when Orkney and Shetland were Christianised, three generations, or ninety-nine years, would be ample time to account for the Pictish ecclesiastical monuments of which the remains have been found. Our latest all-balcony boutique ship launched in the summer of 2021. Youll board your ferry to Orkney in the afternoon and arrive in Kirkwall, the historic capital of Orkney, later this evening. 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. Language: EnglishCurrency: Pound SterlingTime Zone: GMTTipping: 10 to 12% is usual for hotels with 10 to 15% being usual for restaurants. Entry RequirementsWhen travelling between the UK, Northern Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man in most cases an official form of identification such as a Driver's License will be ok. The sea route from the coast of Norway due west to the remotest parts of the British Isles is a classic offshore voyage of around 200 miles. A holiday to the islands of Orkney and Shetland has it all. Meanwhile, the rich ancient history and numerous archaeological sites offer a fascinating glimpse into the past, with many details of life preserved. If you're looking to visit the islands north of Scotland, Orkney and Shetland are connected to the mainland and each other by NorthLink Ferries. 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. Later you could take a 10 minute ferry journey to the Isle of Bressay to explore the rich natural heritage and incredible wildlife. While we make every effort to adhere to the described itinerary, we may take an alternative route, or vary the running order for weather and/or operational reasons. EU nationals need to have either a valid passport or identity card.Visas for the UK are not required by those travelling from Australia, Canada, USA or EU for stays of up to six months.Any other nationality looking to visit the UK must contact the local embassy to check visa requirements. How does the Care Funding Advice Service work? To prevent further attacks, a series of four barriers were constructed using Italian prisoners of war. If you enjoy the art of first-class travel whilst enjoying amazing value then an Escorted Tour is just for you. Written around AD 1200 by an unnamed Icelandic author, the Orkneyinga Saga is an intriguing fusion of myth, legend and history. At 1,475 feet (450m) this is Shetlands highest peak. Wildflowers bloom throughout the summer, covering the green cliffs with colour and the exquisite . Orkney & Shetland Start your journey by travelling from Orkney from Scrabster near Thurso, where you will find your hotel which is . Sail away to lands steeped in history, wildlife and stunning scenery, far from the jostling crowds, to the haunting beauty of the Orkney and Shetland Isles. 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! From Glasgow and Edinburgh, we travel northwards through the Kingdom of Fife to reach Dundee, which sits overlooking the River Tay. An experienced tour manager will lead the tour and your coach will be expertly driven by a professional driver. Spend some time exploring this fascinating seaport where you could visit. Look out for the gargoyles which a former owner rescued from the Houses of Parliament in London. 2,268. We will make it easy for you to opt-out of receiving communications, to check what data we hold on you or to request us to delete your data altogether. Explore the islands' Norse heritage on a coach holiday, where the sound of fiddles can still be heard drifting through the fresh air. For all their differences, these islands share a similar feel: weather-beaten archipelagos with more in common with the Faroes than mainland Scotland. Please note: All fields marked * are required, Please select a date or 1-2 months if flexible. The services were taken over by NorthLink Orkney and Shetland Ferries in 2002. Make sure you visit Jarlshof, another incredible prehistoric site exposed in violent storms in the last couple of centuries. The only medieval chronicle to have Orkney as the central place of action, it tells of an era when the islands were still part of the Viking world, beginning with their conquest by the . During the summer it is still light when you arrive. , Duration: 9 Days / 8 Nights. Another day you might head for South Ronaldsay now connected by the famous Churchill Barriers to the Mainland. Tallest Sea Cliffs in Britain. Their warm hospitality is sure to be a highlight of your Scottish experience. Dinner will be served on board and we will arrive in Kirkwall around 23:00 hrs. Read 20 . Getting to Orkney via public transport is simple. Overnight Shetland. The expedition starts in Oban and we sail, via the scenic and bird-rich island of Handa, to the enchanting Orkney Islands. Check-in: TBA hrs
menu. Arrive in Aberdeen at 0700 and enjoy breakfast on board before disembarking and continuing your onward journey. If you fancy some retail therapy, Kirkwall has a wealth of independent shops and craftworkers studios to be explored. This elevated viewpoint affords extensive views over Shetland and of Fair Isle to the south. Outside these hours you can email one of our team atreservations@hfholidays.co.uk, or make a booking online. A genuine feel pervades this small family owned hotel, located on the edge of Kirkwall. However the earldom began, by the time of Earl Sigurd we are heading into more reliable territory - although still laced with myth and folklore. Our full season of 2023 cruises and early 2024 cruises are on sale now. Wildlife watching here is superb. Please choose from one of our accommodation categories below. Written in the early 13 th century when Shetland and Orkney were Norse possessions it really centers on Orkney which was undoubtedly the richer and more important of the two island groups. Keep an eye on everyone in your party and do not go off with people you do not know. Duration 6 Days. It's a similar story by rail, with trains available to both Aberdeen . Island hop the wild Scottish Northern Isles on this week's holiday to Orkney and Shetland From 895 to 1015 7 days ex flights. 3.91. Soak up the history and imagine life in eras gone by! The largest town, Lerwick, is closer to Norway than to Edinburgh, and culturally and geographically they feel more Norse than Scottish. 2023 HF Holidays Limited. The far-flung Orkney and Shetland Isles offer the active traveller an invigorating and rewarding holiday experience, with jaw-dropping natural scenery and wildlife spectacles. Welcome to the incredible archipelago of Orkney! They left carvings behind which are considered to be some of the finest examples of runic inscriptions in the World. NB these cruise details have been updated - Please see the new trip page - Orkney, Shetland, Faroe Islands and St Kilda cruise.. Look out for the lighthouse, opened in 1929 its powerful light can be seen from 46 km away. For those people coming to the UK from the EU, you are allowed to bring an unlimited amount of most goods for your own use without paying tax or duty.However, if you are travelling to the UK from outside of the EU, you are given an allowance of how much alcohol, tobacco, perfume, souvenirs and other goods. Earl Sigurd takes control. Spend two days exploring some of the many island treasures, including Scalloway Castle and Jarlshof, an outstanding example of a prehistoric and Norse settlement. When's the best time to visit? We suggest an early start today - there's a lot to fit in! All Rights Reserved. The last part of the journey takes us through the Kingdom of Fife and across the Forth Estuary into Edinburgh. Overnight Orkney, Take the opportunity to visit one of Orkneys smaller isles. Overnight Orkney. If you plan to bring your own vehicle, we are also able to offer this itinerary without a rental car. Available from April to October. We can book package holidays including flights from the UK, hotel accommodation and car hire. As well as having full board accommodation in your choice of cabin, the services of a professional crew and on-board entertainment are also included. Sign up today and start discovering. Availability is individually checked for a hand-picked selection of smaller hotels, guest houses and other independent businesses, so please bear with us and we will respond in 1-2 working days. Fiercely independent and sprinkled with Scandinavian tradition, this pair of wild windswept archipelagos offer an island-hopping holiday that ticks-off squawking seabird colonies, staggering scenery, and some of the best-preserved Neolithic ruins in Europe. In the Shetlands, its all about Busta House. If you are keen to take more ferry trips, then island hop through Yell to Unst in the far north.