Enjoy a relaxing break over the May Day Bank Holiday; Join ORCA on deck of Bolette to spot whales ; Below is a list of some tour operators that organise regular trips to the islands. This week-long fully-escorted Orkney & Shetland tour is a new addition to the McKinlay Kidd programme, building on our extensive knowledge of the destinations. I have never been that far north before. In some cases, due to ferry or other travel connections, the tour may depart earlier or arrive later your tour director will advise you if this will be happening on your tour. Meet Shetland ponies in their natural habitat. Highlights of Orkney and Shetland6 day/5 night. Tastefully decorated rooms provide a comfortable place to sleep and on a clear night you can gaze up at the starry skies and search for the swirling ribbons of neon green, pink, and purple known as the northern lights. All sorts of nature abound here, from seals and otters to ponies and hundreds of birds, making it a wildlife lover's paradise. Its a great way to make new friends! (Do find time to pop in for a tour of the traditional whisky making process.) 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. During the course of the day youll normally be travelling for no more than 2 hours at a time before making a stop to enjoy a visit to an attraction or for a comfort break/meal stop. 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. During the Neolithic and Early Bronze Age, the people of Orkney and Shetland were among the first in Britain to begin building Megalithic chamber tombs and later henge monuments. 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. 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. 2023 HF Holidays Limited. How does the Care Funding Advice Service work? You are able to walk in and out and around them, just imagining how people used to survive here. Studio Tour London - Harry Potter, Peaky Blinders Filming Location Tours 2023. We guarantee to refund this service charge if you believe that arranging your holiday through McKinlay Kidd has not met your expectations for value. If you fancy some retail therapy, Kirkwall has a wealth of independent shops and craftworkers studios to be explored. 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. Rooms are simple but homely and all come with TV and tea and coffee making facilities. The Ayre Hotel. To prevent further attacks, a series of four barriers were constructed using Italian prisoners of war. For all their differences, these islands share a similar feel: weather-beaten archipelagos with more in common with the Faroes than mainland Scotland. Scattered off the northeast coast of Scotland, Orkney and the Shetland Islands are staggeringly beautiful. There are so many reasons why Saga stands out from other cruise lines. 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. 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. They left carvings behind which are considered to be some of the finest examples of runic inscriptions in the World. Earl Sigurd takes control. Days 5-8 Orkney. HF Holidays LimitedUnit 1, First FloorImperial PlaceMaxwell RoadBorehamwoodHertfordshire WD6 1JNUnited Kingdom, Monday to Friday: 9.00am - 5.30pmSaturday: 9.00am - 1.00pmSunday: ClosedBank Holidays: 9.00am - 1.00pm. Tour Details. We are obliged to maintain a high standard of service to you by ABTA's Code of Conduct. Available Until September 2023. 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. However the earldom began, by the time of Earl Sigurd we are heading into more reliable territory - although still laced with myth and folklore. 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! The Ring of Brodgar in the Heart of Neolithic Orkney. It is a wild and dramatic place. You will travel aboard a state of the art motorcoach with air-conditioning, reclining seats, oversized windows and emergency washroom. A collection of quality 4* Guest Houses and 3* Hotels often located in beautiful locations which provide an excellent standard of accommodation. Visitors can climb up the tower of the Castle and visit the Scalloway Museum which is located next door. Although parts date back to the 1500s, most of the building was completed in the eighteenth century by a wealthy landowning family as their own home. It's a convenient crossing point for otters too, who, in these islands, are sea-dwelling. Later you could take a 10 minute ferry journey to the Isle of Bressay to explore the rich natural heritage and incredible wildlife. From 799pp. UNESCO World Heritage Site. The UK has a famously unpredictable climate so it's best to be prepared for weather thats sunny one minute and raining the next. Overnight Orkney. On many tours youll have the chance to personalise your touring experience by participating in some carefully planned optional excursions. 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. Our local guide will help you to discover ancient civilisations, archaeological delights and bountiful wildlife from our base in the island capital of Kirkwall. Lake District, Yorkshire & Hadrians Wall, Classic Yorkshire: Whitby, York & The Dales, East of England: Cambridge, Norfolk & Suffolk. Historic and Cultural Tours. 9 miles (15.5 km) with 1,280 feet (380m) of ascent. 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. Photo: juvlai, CC BY-SA 2.0. 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. The best time to visit is during what Shetlanders call the . Read more, Need something more tailored? Another day you might head for South Ronaldsay now connected by the famous Churchill Barriers to the Mainland. Excellent array of hotels and self-catering options across Jersey and Guernsey. Scapa Travel is a trading name of Scapa Travel Limited who are registered in Scotland with company number SC438791, and VAT number 115719224. If you go above this allowance you may have to pay tax or duty. Spend two days exploring some of the many island treasures, including Scalloway Castle and Jarlshof, an outstanding example of a prehistoric and Norse settlement. The nearby seaport of Stromness is famed for the Pier Arts Centre which showcases the work of artists and sculptors from Orkney and beyond. Fiercely independent and sprinkled with Scandinavian tradition, this pair of wild windswept archipelagos offer an island-hopping holiday that ticks-off squawking seabird . Day 5. If, like us, you cant get enough of the archeological discoveries, head over to Rousay with its Midhowe Broch and Cairn. They are home to a vast array of seabirds and unusual Scottish fauna, such as the rare Scottish Primrose, which means that the natural environment plays a starring role in any trip to these islands. Travel to the wild and glorious peninsula of Northmavine. This amazingly well-preserved village was built 5,000 years ago. Its difficult not to be inspired by sweeping panoramic views as you stroll along deserted white sandy beaches or gaze up at dramatic sea cliffs created by fierce volcanic eruptions and the ravages of the North Sea. Registered office: Gilbridge House, Keel Square, Sunderland SR1 3HA. We have the application forms in our office at 11 Bridge Street.For more information see www.airdiscountscheme.com, Sign-up to our mailing list for Exclusive Offers. We will discover more about this rather unpleasant character and his tyrannical ways during our visit. Buy your own drinks and keep sight of them at all times. Please contact us for more details. Find out everything you need to know about planning a trip to Scotland's incredible Northern Isles. The Stones were erected around 3000BC and it is thought that they were some kind of astronomical calendar associated with the moon. Soak up the history and imagine life in eras gone by! These departure dates can be booked with flights or as land only holiday options. menu. Copyright 2016 - 2023 Scapa Travel. Over 4,000 years old, discoveries here include everything from Stone Age settlements and Bronze Age dwellings to Norse longhouses and medieval farms. Meanwhile, the rich ancient history and numerous archaeological sites offer a fascinating glimpse into the past, with many details of life preserved. On arrival, we visit Sumburgh Head RSPB reserve. Spirit of Discovery departing Dover. 5 Nights No Fly Cruise from 799pp Liverpool, Cruising past Duart Castle, Cruising Sound of Mull, Cruising Loch Hourn, Cruising by The Small Isles, Portree, Isle of Skye, Kirkwall, Orkney Islands, Cruising by Dutchman's Cap (Bac Mr), Cruising Fingal's Cave, Cruise by Iona, Liverpool. Wildflowers bloom throughout the summer, covering the green cliffs with colour and the exquisite . As you sail below, the screeching is deafening, and youll feel very outnumbered, a stranger invading their territory. Make the most of your time on the islands on this carefully-curated itinerary accessible by flight from central Scotland. Beautiful beaches, stunning cliffs, ancient settlements and wonderful wildlife-spotting opportunities - Shetland has a lot to offer. Shetland & Orkney Island Holidays . Available from April to October. Scattered off the northeast coast of Scotland, Orkney and the Shetland Islands are staggeringly beautiful. Just a short flight from mainland UK and accessible from a wide range of regional airports. Spend some time exploring this fascinating seaport where you could visit Shetland Museum to gain an invaluable introduction to the islands history, or explore Fort Charlotte originally built in 1665 to protect Shetland from Dutch warships. Shetland - South Mainland. This trip is operated by our England team. 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. Its just six miles from Skara Brae and has an award-winning restaurant overlooking the loch, serving outstanding Scottish seafood and Aberdeen Angus beef. In the afternoon well visit Maes Howe, one of the most treasured Neolithic sites in Europe. Pop into the Shetland Crofthouse Museum in Dunrossness, a restored 19th century Shetland croft which was inhabited until the 1960s. Discover some of the most important Neolithic sites in Europe and uncover the mysteries of a 5,000 year old civilisation at a UNESCO world heritage site. You will start your journey in the cosmopolitan city of Aberdeen where you will board the well-equipped Northlink Ferry and sail overnight in your modern and comfortable twin-berth cabin. A holiday to the islands of Orkney and Shetland has it all. Weather permitting, enjoy a welcome drink on the small terrace, which overlooks the distinctive pagoda-roof of the neighbours: the Highland Park distillery. Sign up for latest offers and top sellers. Please note: All fields marked * are required, Please select a date or 1-2 months if flexible. Spot dolphins and porpoises in the coastal waters, or breeding seabirds such as puffins and guillemots at Hermaness Nature Reserve. Later this afternoon we travel to the port to join the ferry bound for the Orkney Islands. These tours are inclusive of superior tourist class accommodation, transportation, selected admission fees and many meals. Stop off to admire the ornate Italian Chapel, crafted from scraps by prisoners of war, and look out for the many wrecked ships poking their remains out of the water around Scapa Flow. 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.