Orkney Archaeology Tours - Bespoke private tours

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 private tours and small group holidays 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 private all-inclusive tours can be customised to your exact requirements. Our 4-night, 3-day 'Orkney Insights' archaeology tour shows you the best of the Orkney Mainland, and the linked South Isles including the Churchill Barriers. Our 6-night, 5-day 'Orkney Experience' archaeology tour includes full day excursions to the neighbouring islands of Rousay and Hoy. If you have limited time in Orkney or would like to arrange your own accommodation we can also offer private day tours.

We use the Ayre Hotel in Kirkwall, Orkney’s capital, as the base for all our group holidays and private tours. This harbour front hotel has been recently renovated and all rooms are en-suite with a choice of double, twin or large single, with a lift to all floors. You can relax in the evening over a hearty meal prepared using local Orkney produce. On our holidays you are not restricted to the usual basic ‘tour group menu’. You instead have a completely free choice from the hotel’s extensive à la carte menu, with fresh local produce such as hand-dived scallops, crab and salmon or of course a decent steak from one of our wonderful grass-fed beef cattle, followed perhaps by Orkney fudge cheesecake and Orkney ice cream. Please note we cannot be held responsible for any weight you may gain during your holiday with us!

About Us

Tour leader Dr Caz Mamwell BSc MA PhD FSA Scot is a professional archaeologist who has worked in archaeology since graduating from the University of Bradford in 1985. She gained her MA (with distinction) in Archaeological Practice from University of the Highlands and Islands. Her PhD research on the Orcadian Bronze Age was undertaken through the University of Edinburgh, resulting in a thesis entitled 'It rained a lot and nothing much happened: Settlement and Society in Bronze Age Orkney'.  

Tour leader Dr Dave Lawrence BSc MSc PhD FSA Scot is a professional archaeologist who has worked in archaeology since graduating from the University of Bradford in 1985, where he returned to complete an MSc (with distinction) in Human Osteology and Palaeopathology (he also has an MSc in Marine Resource Management from Heriot Watt University). His PhD, also with the University of Bradford, was entitled 'Orkney’s First Farmers: Reconstructing biographies from osteological analysis to gain insights into life and society in a Neolithic community on the edge of Atlantic Europe'. Dave is also the osteoarchaeologist for ORCA – the Orkney Research Centre for Archaeology.

Please visit our website for more information and brochures