Start Your Story in Scotland

Where history meets breathtaking beauty, and every visit feels like an escape.

Inspiration for your trip

Step into a land steeped in history and legend, explore our dramatic landscapes and uncover our ancient Celtic roots. Vast lochs, glens and Munros - easily accessible from our vibrant cities and towns - make Scotland the perfect place to lose yourself.

Places to go

Things to do

Accommodation

Travel & planning

Discover unique experiences in Scotland

Discover hidden gems, plan your perfect trip, or find exactly what you need—from scenic hikes and cosy cottages to events and cultural experiences.

Discover Scotland's vibrant events and festivals

FIFA World Cup 2026

Cheer on Scotland at the FIFA World Cup 2026 and find information about fan zones in Scotland, stadium tours and more.

Highland games in Scotland

From the tug o' war to the caber toss, Scotland's Highland games are not to be missed.

Edinburgh Festivals

Discover Edinburgh's summer festivals, including the world-famous Edinburgh International Festival and Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

Events and festivals in Scotland

There's something happening in Scotland right now that the whole family will love.

Countdown to Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games

Less than 100 days to go until 11 days of world-class action across the city, bringing 3,000 athletes from 74 nations together to compete across 10 sports.

Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games

Start planning your summer break

Witness Scotland step into summer, with longer days and plenty of experiences to enjoy from coastal walks to fun exhibitions.

Summer holidays & breaks in Scotland

Find ideas and inspiration, from family days out to top camping spots, walks and outdoor activities.

Scotland's islands

Find out about the hundreds of islands in Scotland including Arran, Lewis, Skye, Outer Hebrides and Shetland. Plan the perfect island getaway today.

Scottish music festivals

Find out what’s happening in Scotland this year

The best tours of Scotland - luxury & scenic tours

Tour Scotland at your own pace with these fantastic ideas.

Your Scottish adventure starts here

Use our interactive map to explore wild landscapes, vibrant cities, rich culture, and hidden historic gems to craft your personal Scottish experience.

Map of Scotland

As seen on TV!

From Tara Lipinski and Johnny Weir's luxury Scotland itinerary to local suggestions on the highlights of Glasgow and Dumfries & Galloway, check out this top advice on trips across Scotland.

Tara & Johnny's luxury Scotland itinerary

Have you been inspired by Tara & Johnny's Scotland itinerary as seen on NBC's Extra Mile Club? Read on and plan your own Scottish adventure.

Channel 4's Where to next? Scotland itinerary

Follow in the footsteps of comedians Fatiha El-Ghorri and John Tothill on their unforgettable journey through Scotland.

Scotland trip itineraries

Plan your days in Scotland with the help of our suggested itineraries.

Your pictures of Scotland

Share your images by tagging @VisitScotland 

JavaScript needs to be enabled to see social media images for this place. You can turn this on in your browser settings.

Join our Newsletter Clan

Get Scotland inspiration direct to your inbox. Don't miss the inside track from our Scotland experts on exciting trip ideas, unique attractions and hidden gems loved by locals.

Get the Scotland newsletter

Ward Hill

© Marry Harris

Hoy

The Island of Hoy Maxi Tour

Hoy derives from the old Norse word Haey, which means high. It is the highest and arguably the most beautiful scenery in Orkney. See the causeway linked isles of both Hoy and South Walls. The tour starts and ends at the ferry port in Lyness, Hoy.

You will be taken on a driver guided tour of southern Hoy and all around the island of South Walls, visiting the RNLI Longhope Lifeboat and Lifeboat Museum.  We will also stop and pass through the island’s only village of Longhope, where you can visit the island shop and see where most folk on this lovely isle live.

Then we travel north through wilderness to the Hills of Hoy, Rackwick Bay, cliffs (highest vertical in the UK) & beach, where we stop for a picnic (please bring a packed lunch).  We then visit the mysterious Dwarfie Stane and Betty Corrigall’s grave.

We will break for free hot/cold drinks and snacks at Lyrawa Hill (111m) for breath taking panoramic views of the whole of Scapa Flow, looking from the Atlantic Ocean to the North Sea, the Pentland Firth and the Orkney South Isles. We also travel through the former WW1 & 2 Naval Base and the Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery, for an opportunity to hear of Hoy’s dramatic wartime history.  

Our guides have a sharp eye for wildlife, so will be looking for sea eagles, hen harriers, red throated divers, merlins, curlews, otters, seals, mountain hare and the omnipresent and infamous bonxie (great skua)!

Due to there being so much to see, unfortunately we can't fit the three hour return walk to the Old Man of Hoy in to this tour,  (please see private tour).

The tour will end with a visit to the Scapa Flow Visitor Centre (temporary exhibition) or a short cliff top nature walk at the Hill of White Hamars, where the most fascinating coastal geology and many types of seabird can be seen.   After which, we will transfer you back to the ferry at Lyness.

From £59 per adult

Departure days

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

March — October

Book now

Contact details

Island Tours of Hoy

Ness House
Longhope
Stromness
Orkney
Scotland
KW163PG
View tour provider details

Tour information

Starting

  • Hoy

Length

1 Day

Transport

  • Driver guide
  • Minibus

Type

  • Small Group (1-16)

Themes

  • Geology
  • History
  • Landscapes
  • Walking
  • Wildlife

Tour prices

From £59 Per Adult £29 Per Child

Book now

Prices are subject to change depending on season

Tour gallery

Island Tours of Hoy

Tour company information

Island Tours of Hoy

Hoy, the second largest island in the Orkney archipelago with a population of approximately only 400 residents. Hoy is unique, and very different from the Orkney Mainland and other isles. The vertical cliffs are the highest in the British Isles, there are vast swathes of wilderness, an abundance of wildlife, with a history stretching from the Neolithic era to modern day.

Visit Island Tours of Hoy

Opening times

March to October
08:00-18:00

Other tours from this company

VisitThe Island of Hoy Private Tour
The Island of Hoy Private Tour

The Island of Hoy Private Tour

Departs: Hoy

We will design a tour of this wonderful island with your specific interests in m...

Length:

1 day(s)

Price from:

On request

Visit Website
VisitThe Island of Hoy Standard Tour
The Island of Hoy Standard Tour

The Island of Hoy Standard Tour

Departs: Hoy

Hoy derives from the old Norse word Haey, which means high. It is the highest...

Length:

1 day(s)

Price from:

£49pp

Visit Website

The content of many of our web listings is provided by third party operators and not VisitScotland. VisitScotland accepts no responsibility for (1) any error or misrepresentation contained in third party listings, and (2) the contents of any external links within web listings ((1) and (2) together hereinafter referred to as the "Content"). VisitScotland excludes all liability for loss or damage caused by any reliance placed on the Content. The Content is provided for your information only and is not endorsed by VisitScotland.

Start Your Story in Scotland

Where history meets breathtaking beauty, and every visit feels like an escape.

Inspiration for your trip

Step into a land steeped in history and legend, explore our dramatic landscapes and uncover our ancient Celtic roots. Vast lochs, glens and Munros - easily accessible from our vibrant cities and towns - make Scotland the perfect place to lose yourself.

Places to go

Things to do

Accommodation

Travel & planning

Discover unique experiences in Scotland

Discover hidden gems, plan your perfect trip, or find exactly what you need—from scenic hikes and cosy cottages to events and cultural experiences.

Discover Scotland's vibrant events and festivals

FIFA World Cup 2026

Cheer on Scotland at the FIFA World Cup 2026 and find information about fan zones in Scotland, stadium tours and more.

Highland games in Scotland

From the tug o' war to the caber toss, Scotland's Highland games are not to be missed.

Edinburgh Festivals

Discover Edinburgh's summer festivals, including the world-famous Edinburgh International Festival and Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

Events and festivals in Scotland

There's something happening in Scotland right now that the whole family will love.

Countdown to Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games

Less than 100 days to go until 11 days of world-class action across the city, bringing 3,000 athletes from 74 nations together to compete across 10 sports.

Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games

Start planning your summer break

Witness Scotland step into summer, with longer days and plenty of experiences to enjoy from coastal walks to fun exhibitions.

Summer holidays & breaks in Scotland

Find ideas and inspiration, from family days out to top camping spots, walks and outdoor activities.

Scotland's islands

Find out about the hundreds of islands in Scotland including Arran, Lewis, Skye, Outer Hebrides and Shetland. Plan the perfect island getaway today.

Scottish music festivals

Find out what’s happening in Scotland this year

The best tours of Scotland - luxury & scenic tours

Tour Scotland at your own pace with these fantastic ideas.

Your Scottish adventure starts here

Use our interactive map to explore wild landscapes, vibrant cities, rich culture, and hidden historic gems to craft your personal Scottish experience.

Map of Scotland

As seen on TV!

From Tara Lipinski and Johnny Weir's luxury Scotland itinerary to local suggestions on the highlights of Glasgow and Dumfries & Galloway, check out this top advice on trips across Scotland.

Tara & Johnny's luxury Scotland itinerary

Have you been inspired by Tara & Johnny's Scotland itinerary as seen on NBC's Extra Mile Club? Read on and plan your own Scottish adventure.

Channel 4's Where to next? Scotland itinerary

Follow in the footsteps of comedians Fatiha El-Ghorri and John Tothill on their unforgettable journey through Scotland.

Scotland trip itineraries

Plan your days in Scotland with the help of our suggested itineraries.

Your pictures of Scotland

Share your images by tagging @VisitScotland 

JavaScript needs to be enabled to see social media images for this place. You can turn this on in your browser settings.

Join our Newsletter Clan

Get Scotland inspiration direct to your inbox. Don't miss the inside track from our Scotland experts on exciting trip ideas, unique attractions and hidden gems loved by locals.

Get the Scotland newsletter