A relaxed drive through the West Mainland

Orkney Scenic Route Tour

A casual guided minibus drive taking in Orkney’s coast, broch and cliffs, with local guide Jean Ross.

In short

This relaxed guided minibus tour takes a scenic drive through Orkney’s West Mainland, including Finstown and Evie, the Iron Age Broch of Gurness and the Woolshed, the Brough of Birsay (tide permitting), and the cliffs at Yesnaby: a beauty spot for geology, wildlife and the rare Primula Scotica in season.

Jean Ross, Green Badge tourist guide, Great Orkney Tours

I’m Jean, your Orkney tour guide

This is the relaxed one, a gentle drive with time to stop wherever the view, the wildlife or the light is at its best.

A day for the scenery

If you’d like to take Orkney at an easy pace, this is the tour for you. We follow the coast and countryside of the West Mainland, with plenty of stops for photos, wildlife and the views.

It’s a relaxed day, shaped around what catches your eye.

The Brough of Birsay on Orkney's west coast
Open countryside on Orkney's West Mainland

What will you see?

  • Finstown & Evie: a gentle drive through the West Mainland countryside.
  • Broch of Gurness & the Woolshed: an Iron Age village and a local craft stop.
  • Brough of Birsay: a walk across when the tide is out (tide permitting).
  • Yesnaby: dramatic cliffs and geology, with the rare Primula Scotica in season.

Frequently asked questions

A full day is around 8 hours, usually 9am to 5pm, and the start and finish times are flexible. It’s an easy-going drive, so a shorter half day works well too. Let me know how long you have and I’ll shape the route to suit.

Yes, private for your group, or join a small group. Up to 8 passengers in the minibus.

You can do as much or as little as you like; the Brough of Birsay crossing depends on the tide.

The Scottish primrose flowers in two flushes, roughly May into June and then again in July into August. It’s a tiny flower, so it’s well worth asking me to point it out.

Take Orkney at an easy pace

If you’d rather soak up the scenery than rush between sites, let me know. I’ll plan a relaxed day around the coast, broch and cliffs. Up to 8 passengers, private or small group.

Book Your Tour

Your guide: Jean Ross, Green Badge Tourist Guide since 2008, born and brought up in Orkney.