The Ring of Brodgar in the Heart of Neolithic Orkney. In the afternoon well visit Maes Howe, one of the most treasured Neolithic sites in Europe. Cycling for Softies is a luxury cycling tour operator providing gourmet cycling adventures in France and Italy. King Charles coronation holiday rejected by Shetland councillors Orkney & Shetland Mini Cruise - DC Thomson Travel Once checked-in onboard head to your comfortable twin-berth cabin with en-suite bathroom or enjoy time exploring the ship's many facilities. The services were taken over by NorthLink Orkney and Shetland Ferries in 2002. Orkney To Shetland Via Fair Isle & Shetland To Orkney Via Fair Isle. 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. Please contact us for more details. The holiday described is based on taking your own car, but ask us if you would like a fly-drive proposal, flying to and between the islands andhiring a car on each island. Here we will have some free time to explore this charming town with its stone-paved alleys, granite houses and independent shops. Earl Sigurd takes control. Please choose from one of our accommodation categories below. Fiercely independent and sprinkled with Scandinavian tradition, this pair of wild windswept archipelagos offer an island-hopping holiday that ticks-off squawking seabird . Depart Lerwick at the end of the afternoon for the overnight journey on the cruise class Northlink Ferries service to Aberdeen. NB these cruise details have been updated - Please see the new trip page - Orkney, Shetland, Faroe Islands and St Kilda cruise.. Take in the breathtaking Old Man of Hoy a 450 foot sea stack and perhaps Orkneys most famous landmark. They branded their services "P&O Ferries" from 1975 to 1989 and "P&O Scottish Ferries" thereafter. Take in the breathtaking Old Man of Hoy a 450 foot sea stack and perhaps Orkneys most famous landmark. How do I get there? 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. Sign up for our newsletter and be the first to hear about trip news, blogs and offers. Both Shetland and Orkney offer a good chance of spotting the Northern Lights, particularly in autumn and winter. Outstanding scenery, exceptional wildlife, ancient history, traditional crafts and world-class diving. With 70 magical islands its difficult to know where to begin. The strong historical and cultural influence of Norway upon these islands is clear in their timber-framed and brightly coloured architecture. Please ensure you tick the reCAPTCHA checkbox to show you're not a spam bot! Travel to Orkney by ferry from Caithness, on the north coast of Scotland, with the crossing taking just under an hour. This iconic sea stack is only a few hundred years old. While most tour operators use hotels around the capital, Lerwick, we choose to stay somewhere you can really appreciate Shetlands remote beauty. It's a favourite with twitchers, who flock here to enjoy sensational seabird colonies and rare species. Popular attractions Orkney Wireless Museum and St. Magnus Cathedral are located . And as more than fifth of our guests cruise solo, youll always be in good company. All room types, other than twin rooms, are subject to availability. In West Mainland, dont miss the hauntingly beautiful Heart of Neolithic Orkney UNESCO World Heritage Site. Selecting the right sleeping arrangements can be a little bit confusing, so here is a description of what you can expect from the hotel accommodation offered as part of your tour: Single room - this is a room for one person sleeping in a single bed. 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. Sign up today and start discovering. Further south on Mainland is Sumburgh Head, an ideal spot for twitchers with unobstructed views of the seabird colonies; Old Scatness, a recently excavated Iron Age village; and the Jarlshof Prehistoric and Norse settlements, with archaeological treasures from over 4,000 years. Overnight: Busta House Hotel/Brae Hotel, Shetland (or similar). The coach will continue on to Glasgow, for passengers wishing to end their tour there. 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. Highlights of Orkney and Shetland6 day/5 night. Orphir has a Viking museum, the Orkneyinga Saga Centre, and the remains of Scotland's only . Experience the unique islands of Shetland and Orkney, with mysterious prehistoric sites, natural wonders and breathtaking scenery waiting around every corner. The UKs bestselling monthly subscription magazine. Tallest Sea Cliffs in Britain. The drive north covers wonderful coastal scenery and normally takes around 3-4 hours including photo stops and a brief visit to the historic town of Dornoch. Your hotel is a short drive away from the ferry port, in the islands capital, Kirkwall. Think of this itinerary as a starting point which can be tailored into something completely unique to you by our award-winning specialists. Our last visit of the day is to Skara Brae. Well also visit the impressive archaeological site of Jarlshof. Simply pop your details in the box below for the latest news, travel advice, destination inspiration, and special offers delivered straight to your inbox. The Old Man of Hoy. It also comprises larger 4* Hotels selected for their high standard of accommodation, exceptional service, and great location. On Mainland, is the capital Kirkwall whose sights include St Magnus Cathedral, the Bishops and Earls palaces and the Orkney Museum. All sorts of nature abound here, from seals and otters to ponies and hundreds of birds, making it a wildlife lover's paradise. 8 miles (13.5km) with 850 feet (260m) of ascent. Honest and easy 2 minute travel guide including what makes Shetland Islands so special as well as map and highlights. Scapa Travel is a trading name of Scapa Travel Limited who are registered in Scotland with company number SC438791, and VAT number 115719224. Among the settlements on Mainland, the largest island, is Scalloway, a fishing port. Shetland - South Mainland. Arrive into Lerwick, Shetland early this morning. 01273 823 700 . CrimeMost destinations are generally trouble-free, however as with all places that you are not familiar with, keep an eye on your belongings and if necessary lock them away somewhere safe back at your hotel if possible. Shetland Islands Tours/Holidays - DC Thomson Travel Be aware of your surroundings and don't venture off on your own. It makes everything so easy, especially when youre chauffeur driven from your own front door. Outstanding scenery, exceptional wildlife, ancient history, traditional crafts and world-class diving. Shes the beautiful sister to Spirit of Discovery, but has a whole host of surprises of her own, including exciting new restaurants. Tours of Shetland and Orkney Islands - Scotland Tours Also includes hotels in Alderney, Sark and Herm, plus the Isle of Wight, Isles of Scilly, Isle of Man and Shetland & Orkney Islands. While these are some of the most impressive ancient sites in Europe, youll find other beguiling places of interest scattered across the whole island chain. and 'why?'. Visitors can climb up the tower of the Castle and visit the Scalloway Museum which is located next door. In each case, it is not necessarily added to the bill. If you're flying here, public bus services connect with all the main airports in Scotland too. See the landscapes of Shetland and Orkney; Visit Trshavn, with its Viking heritage; Itinerary From. Let Scapa Travel use their extensive local knowledge to create a memorable holiday, tailored specifically for you. 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. As you sail below, the screeching is deafening, and youll feel very outnumbered, a stranger invading their territory. During the summer it is still light when you arrive. At this fascinating site, we will discover the remains of oval houses from the Bronze Age, an Iron Age broch and Viking longhouses. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking and breakfast. Find out everything you need to know about planning a trip to Scotland's incredible Northern Isles. Call for options 01904 521 936. VAT Number 125 4899 87. Shetland is home to a world-class diversity of wildlife, from puffins and seals to purpoises and even whales. The nature reserve is the perfect place to spot seabirds such as puffins, guillemots and kittiwakes. 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. Look out for the gargoyles which a former owner rescued from the Houses of Parliament in London. 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. Our journey south takes us through Mavis Grind, an isthmus so narrow it is said to be possible to throw a stone from the North Sea to the Atlantic Ocean. Day 5. Shetland & Orkney Holiday - Hart Holidays Scottish Holiday Specialist At the ancient settlement of Jarlshof you can explore 4,000 years of human history. Spot dolphins and porpoises in the coastal waters, or breeding seabirds such as puffins and guillemots at Hermaness Nature Reserve. Rooms are simple but homely and all come with TV and tea and coffee making facilities. 8 nights from. 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). A collection of 3* B&Bs and Guest Houses offering comfortable accommodation close to local attractions. On many tours youll have the chance to personalise your touring experience by participating in some carefully planned optional excursions. [1] 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 . Last month I was in Orkney for the first time. From getting to know you by name to remembering your favourite drink at the bar, youll always receive personal, attentive service. The Shetlands were pawned for a further 8,000 florins. 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. Orkney Islands, group of more than 70 islands and isletsonly about 20 of which are inhabitedin Scotland, lying about 20 miles (32 km) north of the Scottish mainland, across the strait known as the Pentland Firth.