Highlights of Orkney & Shetland

The dramatic island landscape

Highlights of Orkney & Shetland

Enjoy a tour that visits both Orkney and Shetland, stopping to explore archaeological sites that include Jarlshof and Skara Brae. We also visit the RSPB reserve at Sumburgh Head, the striking little Italian Chapel and the ruined castle at Scalloway.

Sail away to lands steeped in history, wildlife and stunning scenery - the Orkney and Shetland isles. Many people have landed there before us, some as early as 3,000 BC. Most famous of all were the Vikings, but they were not alone and all around us on these isles historical treasures can be found. Both islands have their own identities - Orkney is green and fertile, while Shetland has rugged cliff and sea loch landscapes. However, both share a colourful history of Picts, Norsemen, ancient antiquities and seafaring legends - all bound together with an independent spirit that sets them apart from the rest of Scotland. We sail with Serco Northlink Ferries aboard their modern, purpose-built vessels overnight from Aberdeen to Lerwick, and there are two full days to tour Shetland. After rejoining the ship for an evening sailing to Kirkwall, we have two days to explore Orkney. Highlights include the seacliffs of Eshaness, the Prehistoric and Norse settlement of Jarlshof, Sumburgh Head with its RSPB reserve, the standing stones of Stenness and Brodgar, the chambered tomb of Maeshowe, the site of Skara Brae and the striking little Italian Chapel. The tour includes five breakfasts, five dinners, accommodation throughout and all local transport.

From £1295 per adult


Departure days

  • Monday
  • Tuesday
  • Wednesday
  • Thursday
  • Friday
  • Saturday
  • Sunday

May — September

Contact details

Brightwater Holidays

Eden Park House
Cupar
Fife
Scotland
KY15 4HS

Tour information

Starting

  • Aberdeen
  • Dundee
  • Dunfermline
  • Edinburgh
  • Glasgow
  • Kinross
  • Perth

Length

6 Days

Transport

  • Coach
  • Walking

Languages

  • English

Themes

  • Ancestry
  • Archaeology
  • Castles
  • History
  • Island Hopping
  • Landscapes
  • Outdoor Activities
  • Wildlife

Tour prices


From £1295 Per Adult

Book now

Prices are subject to change depending on season

Tour Stops

Brightwater Holidays

Tour company information

Brightwater Holidays

Celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2022, Brightwater Holidays is a well-established specialist in quality, escorted garden holidays and Scenic Scottish tours. The company won a bronze prize at the British Travel Awards in 2020 for Best Coach Holiday Company, and both gold and silver in the 2019 iteration of the awards ceremony for Best Coach Holiday Company and Best Special Interest Holiday Company respectively. It also has a dedicated Private Groups service, with the Private Groups Manager Jenni Duncan being shortlisted for Group Leisure & Travel’s Excellence Award in 2021.

Opening times

9am - 5pm, Monday to Friday

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