Orkney Archaeology Tours

Orkney Archaeology Tours - for your perfect Orkney holiday.

We offer all-inclusive hotel based small group holidays and private tours led by professional archaeologists who are also qualified Orkney Tourist Guides.

Small group tours with a maximum of 8 guests led by archaeologists.

Please visit our website www.orkneyarchaeologytours.co.uk for full details and availability on our 2013 holidays and tours

Orkney has spectacular archaeology: the world famous Neolithic village of Skara Brae, Maeshowe chambered tomb and the enigmatic henge monuments of Brodgar and Stenness – all part of our World Heritage Site - are just the beginning. There are well over a thousand known archaeological sites, not to mention Orkney's many other attractions: the magnificent 12th century St. Magnus' Cathedral, Scapa Flow, the Italian Chapel, the Churchill Barriers, beautiful scenery, wildlife - the list is endless.

Orkney has it all – abundant wildlife and birds, wildflowers in profusion, spectacular coastal scenery, tranquil inland lochs, traditional music, history and our unique island culture, with its strong Norse influences. We specialize in exclusive tours of Orkney, concentrating on the wonderful archaeology but also showing you as much as possible of our beautiful islands.

We offer all-inclusive holidays and private tours with specialist archaeologist guides, staying at comfortable hotels serving good local food. There are no hidden extras on our tours – simply relax and unwind and let us take care of everything.

Our maximum group size is just eight people with all tours conducted in our own comfortable executive touring vehicle.  With such a small group we can visit sites off the beaten track and you benefit from the personal touch.

Our small group holidays are the ideal way to see the best of Orkney with a small party of like-minded travellers. With group holidays arriving from May until September and a range of itineraries to choose from, we’re sure to have something for you.

For early and late season breaks our private tours are ideal - these can be of any length, and at any time (subject to availability).

 About Us

We are a partnership run by our tour leaders, both professional archaeologists with Bachelors and Masters degrees in archaeology. We are also accredited Orkney Tourist Guides, holding the coveted Green Badge awarded by the Scottish Tourist Guides Association. We have full professional indemnity, public liability and tour operators insurance, whilst our tour vehicle is fully insured and licensed to carry passengers for hire and reward.

You benefit from our local knowledge since (unlike the majority of operators who send tours to Orkney once or twice a year), we live and work in Orkney all year round. We have in depth knowledge of Orkney’s archaeology, cultural traditions and history – as well as knowing all the best places to see seals, and who makes the best chocolate tiffin in Orkney! 

Tour leader Caz Mamwell BSc MA FSA Scot. Caz is a professional archaeologist who has worked in archaeology since graduating in 1985. She gained her MA with distinction in Archaeological Practice from University of the Highlands and Islands, and is currently working on a part-time PhD through the University of Edinburgh, researching the Orcadian Bronze Age. Caz also works during the winter when time permits as freelance archaeologist for ORCA – the Orkney Research Centre for Archaeology.

Tour leader Dave Lawrence BSc MSc FSA Scot, also a professional archaeologist since graduation in 1985. He specializes in human osteology and palaeopathology, currently undertaking his PhD through a collaborative project between the Orkney Museum and the University of Bradford, researching health and society in the Orcadian Neolithic. Dave is also the osteoarchaeologist for ORCA.

Please download our brochure by clicking the link below for full details of our tours