Orkney Islands short break in Scotland
Description of Orkney Islands short break in Scotland
Discover one of the most fascinating and dramatically beautiful regions of Scotland with this Orkney Islands short break, as part of a small group led by a knowledgeable local guide. The history, culture and mysteries of this remote archipelago off Scotland’s northern tip are brought to life as you explore key sites, and places that are even further off the beaten track, such as Shapinsay Island.
An archipelago of 70 islands (only 20 of which are inhabited), a short ferry journey from the Scottish mainland, Orkney is one of the country’s most fabled walking destinations, as well as a fascinating capsule of ancient island culture. Explore the best-known sites on the largest island, Mainland, including:
• The Italian Chapel – built by WWII prisoners of war from two Nissen huts
• The prehistoric village of Skara Brae, older than Stonehenge and the Egyptian pyramids
• The Standing Stones that make up the 5,000-year old Ring of Brodgar
Basing yourselves in Kirkwall, the Orkney capital, you’ll spend a day roaming this thriving town that was once a Viking base and whose narrow streets host games of Ba – traditional mass games of football that can involve hundreds of players and last for hours.
On Mainland your walking will be broken up by a delicious picnic featuring locally made products – depending on when you visit, you may have a chance to meet the people who made them. And another highlight comes with a day spend strolling along the coast of Shapinsay, an island even further off the beaten track, with the chance to encounter seals.
A small group tour is a lovely way to enjoy Orkney. A very sociable way to travel, it ensures that your group can stay in smaller, often locally owned hotels. Furthermore, you’ll be escorted throughout by a local tour leader who can provide cultural insights as well as introductions to people in the communities you visit, allowing for meaningful, memorable encounters.
And although you’ll be following a set itinerary, this short break in the Orkney Islands includes plenty of free time for you to do your own thing either alone or with others from the group. You might tour an island whisky distillery, pop into a pub to catch some live Orcadian music, or shop for handcrafted souvenirs in little shops around Kirkwall.
Returning across the sea to the mainland, you’ve got the option to continue exploring the Scottish Highlands by road or rail after this tour ends. Be warned, however, that wherever you head next may suffer a little in comparison to the charms of Orkney.
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5 Reviews of Orkney Islands short break in Scotland
Reviewed on 04 Aug 2025 by Jennifer Day
The stunning landscape and the archaeological sights, where the visitor centres and guides were excellent. It was exactly what I had hoped for with the right mix of organised visits and free time. Read full reviewReviewed on 24 Sep 2025 by Mary Severance
I really enjoyed it. It was the first time I'd done a tour with that many others. I really enjoyed the visits to neolithic sites -- in particular, the guides we had at Maeshowe and the Ring of Brodgar were great. Read full reviewReviewed on 25 May 2025 by Susan Kirkwood
Holiday was good. The support from the office was very poor. Read full reviewResponsible Travel
Planet
We’re traveling in a small group. The Orkney Island’s beauty is remarkable, and we would like it to stay like that for generations to come. By keeping our group size to a maximum of 12 travellers (average 10) we’re leaving no trace, and we are making sure our footprint is minimal, both in an environmental sense as well as considering the impact on the local community. We do not want to get in the way of the everyday life of the locals, but we rather want to understand and interact. Therefore, in a small group it is easier, and more respectful to participate in some fun activities. In our opinion this is the way to show respect to the local community. The beautiful countryside should not be flooded with masses of people at the same time.This trip cuts down on carbon emissions, as arrival to Orkney is by public transport. First the group will take a train to Thurso, then continue by ferry to the port of Stromness, and finally by public bus to your accommodation in the main town of Kirkwall. The trip to Shapinsay Island is also done by public ferry, while we hire a local transfer company for our day trip around the main island itself (there is no public transport to replace this).
Waste. Minimising waste is very important. It’s impossible to reduce it to zero of course, but we encourage our clients to think about products they use. We always suggest using reusable water bottles. In all places we visit, finding a drinkable water tap is not a problem. Having reusable bottle on hand helps reducing plastic waste. We advise our clients prior to travel that bringing reusable bottle will make a difference.
People
The Orkney Islands are a little visited group of islands in the North Sea off the Northern tip of Scotland, well off the beaten tourist trail. By travelling to the Orkneys you support a remote community that has been hit hard by the effects of Covid-19. For our travellers, it is the beauty of the landscape without any of the crowds experienced on the Scottish mainland. By visiting we are able to support many smaller businesses and local shops that have suffered greatly in the past year.Our smaller group sizes allow us to support local, family or community run businesses otherwise inaccessible to coach tours. One night the group will head out to the local pub for some live music and during our day trip around the main island we meet a local producer who will put on a picnic for the group in an old schoolhouse on hill with perfect views.
This trip stays centre based in Orkney’s main town of Kirkwall. This minimises the need to move around generating more carbon emission and gives a great chance to immerse into the local way of life. We’ll shop in the best local stores; we’ll stay in family owned guesthouse and our private transport arrangements are supplied by a local operator. This, in our opinion, is a way to support local communities!
It is in our genes to support local communities wherever we travel to, and it is no different even if we travel close to home.
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