5 independent reviews for Orkney Islands short break in Scotland
Reviews for Orkney Islands short break in Scotland
Lynn Sellwood review 15 Sep 2025
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Seeing Skara Brae and the brilliant guide.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Think about the travel arrangements.3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
ExcellentJennifer Day review 4 Aug 2025
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The stunning landscape and the archaeological sights, where the visitor centres and guides were excellent.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
You may not be as lucky with the weather as we were, so come with the right gear.3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes, because we travelled there by train and used ferries, buses and the occasional taxi. Also we ate in local restaurants, and I particularly appreciated the lunch we had in the former schoolroom. It was tasty and well-balanced, and we enjoyed talking to the mother and daughter who made it for us. The local guide at The Ring of Brogdar was excellent.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
It was exactly what I had hoped for with the right mix of organised visits and free time. I think the information we received before departure either needed updating or clarifying. For instance there was no information that there was a cafeteria on the ferry providing full meals (also the ferry website was vague on this). Also the information about our accommodation in Kirkwall did not say we were staying in the same place for all 4 nights. If you clicked on each individual day's programme, it indicated what meals were provided and that there was 1 night's accommodation. It left the impression that we might have to stay each night in a different place.Mary Severance review 24 Sep 2025
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
I really enjoyed the visits to neolithic sites -- in particular, the guides we had at Maeshowe and the Ring of Brodgar were great.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
I would say that you should not expect an adventure that includes lots of walking or hiking. I don't mean to say that the description is misleading -- just that people sometimes overlook things!3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
I don't know -- but we did take some public buses and ferries, which I appreciated.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
I really enjoyed it. It was the first time I'd done a tour with that many others (8 tourists plus our guide) -- I'd done self-guided tours and group hiking adventures with just 2 or 3 others. Our lodging was fine, and I thought our guide, Rhys, was really good -- he is well-informed, clearly loves the area we were visiting, relates well to a range of personality types, and leads effectively without making people (e.g., me!) feel infantilized, lectured to, or bossed around. He also pivoted impressively when the weather conditions closed Skara Brae on the day of our scheduled visit.Susan Kirkwood review 25 May 2025
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Visiting the ancient sites and having a local guide at the ring of Brodgar2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Don't believe the trip information. Ask ask and ask again as some of it is missing and some of it is wrong.3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
A bit.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Holiday was good. The support from the office was very poor.Read the operator's response here:
Susan, thank you for taking the time to send through your feedback from your recent trip to Scotland. We are thrilled to hear that you enjoyed your time exploring the ancient sites and locations with your guide in Scotland, but are very sorry to hear that you had difficulties with both the trip notes and with your experience with the sales team pre tour. As these are crucial points to ensure that our travellers get the most out of their time with us, a member of our
Customer Care team will reach out to you privately to discuss your trip in more detail so that we can make the necessary course corrections going forward.
Jessica Nutt review 19 May 2024
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Visiting archaeological sites2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Pack light. Swim in the sea!3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
ExcellentHoliday Reviews
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