Orkney Tours
There are a variety of tours available, please have a look below. However, if you are looking for something different please let me know and we can work together to make your day an unforgettable Orkney experience!
Orkney’s Rich Past
Archaeology
Walk around the 5000 year old village of Skara Brae to see how Neolithic people lived.
Ring of Brodgar and Standing Stones of Stenness enjoying their mystery.
Visit the Iron Age site at Broch of Gurness with the village around it, also a Pictish Farmhouse.
Brough of Birsay where the Picts and afterwards the Vikings had a settlement.
Visit the Neolithic chambered tomb of Maeshowe seeing runes left by Vikings in the twelfth century (This is dependant on available space on the tours)
Orkney in WW1 & WW2
Scapa Flow
Drive to Hoxa Head where the Hoxa Battery with the Stanger Head Battery kept the main entrance in the South to Scapa Flow safe. The drive takes us across the four Churchill Barriers with a stop at the Italian Chapel both built in WWII.
Whilst driving to Stromness along the coast of Scapa Flow I will tell you history of HMS Royal Oak and the Scuttling of the German High Seas Fleet.
Stromness was also busy during the World Wars and of course Dr John Rae the Artic Explorer and the famous Hudson’s Bay Trading Company.
A visit to Stromness Museum is included.
The Heart of Orkney
Kirkwall &
South Ronaldsay
St. Magnus Cathedral in the heart of our capital Kirkwall as well as the Earl’s and Bishop’s Palaces.
From there we visit The Gloup in Deerness, then cross the Churchill Barriers stopping at the Italian Chapel.
Carrying on to St.Margaret’s Hope on South Ronaldsay.
The Best Views in Orkney
Scenic Route
Enjoy a casual drive through Finstown and Evie, stop at Broch of Gurness and the Woolshed.
Walk across the path to Brough of Birsay when the tide is out and finally stop at local beauty spot Yesnaby to see some fascinating geology and wildlife, and the rare Primula Scotica when in season.
Drive through our second town of Stromness to see a breathtaking view of the Hoy hills.
Orkney’s Stunning Flora & Fauna
Wildlife Tour
If you enjoy wildlife you are in the right place.
I can take you out on a bird watching day to the many cliffs and islands in Orkney where we have Puffins, Gannets, Red Throated Divers and other sea birds, Loch birds like Swans and ducks and cliff dwelling birds.
Parking at Hobister Hill taking the path to Waulkmill Bay to the salt marsh you will see a number of sea birds as well as Hen Harriers and Short Eared Owls.
At the Brig O’ Waithe watch for seals basking on the shore and stopping at Yesnaby you will be fascinated by the geology, birdlife and wild flowers not to mention the scenery.
A Taste of Orkney
Beer, wine and spirits
Orkney has two whisky distilleries, Highland Park and Scapa, both on the Mainland.
We also have two Breweries in Orkney, the Orkney Brewery and Swanney Brewery.
The Orkney Wine Company started a lot of years ago and make some fabulous wines along with Pirate Gow spiced rum.
In the last few years we now have Gin Distilleries, all three make lovely and very different tasting Gin.
If you fancy a taste of some of the alcohol made in Orkney this is the tour for you.
Guest reviews
What my clients have said about my Orkney tours
“Jean met six of us at Stromness and delivered us safely back to St Margaret’s Hope four days later. She gave us a wonderful three and a half days of touring, was indefatigable, patient and extremely knowledgeable throughout, and showed us sights large and small with grace and friendliness. We all had a wonderful time – Orkney never disappoints but this was the best trip I have been on. Well worth while.”
Personal Orkney tour guide services by Orcadian Jean Ross. Get in touch to find out more.
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