Orkney Guided Walking with Sightseeing

Arrive on Orkney and settle in to the Merkister Hotel. Your leader will be in reception at 18:30 to give you a quick introduction to the holiday before dinner.

Please note the running order of your itinerary may change, the leader will confirm the exact running order while introducing the holiday.

Our first walk on Orkney follows a clifftop coastal path from Marwick Bay to the Brough of Birsay, overlooking RSPB Marwick Head reserve. If tide times allow, we'll head over to explore the tidal island of Birsay and its remains of Pitish & Norse settlements. If the causeway is covered, wildlife watching on this coastline is superb and there's plenty to discover about the history of the island’s fishing and whaling industries, too. In the afternoon we’ll visit Maes Howe, one of the most treasured Neolithic sites in Europe. This mysterious tomb was built from huge sandstone blocks over 5,000 years ago and aligns perfectly with the winter solstice – testament to an advanced knowledge of astronomy by its architects.

 4 miles (7km) with 510ft (160m) of ascent

One of the most beautiful and rugged of the islands, Hoy is much more akin to the Scottish Highlands than the rolling countryside and crofts of the other islands. Today’s walk takes us to the famous sea stack known as the Old Man of Hoy before returning to Rackwick Bay. 

6 miles (9.5km) with 700ft (210m) of ascent

Today we visit the Orcadian capital, Kirkwall. Enjoy a guided tour of the town to hear tales of Viking settlers and shipwrecks or explore independently. Visit the Kirkwall Museum and St Magnus cathedral, stop by a whisky distillery, or spend time exploring the craft and coffee shops of the town. 

A historical town trail and a coastal walk are on offer today, both together totalling 6 miles (9.5km) with little ascent

A superb coastal trail along the spectacular sea cliffs from Yesnaby to the impressive ancient settlement of Skara Brae – a remarkable feat of ancient engineering predates the pyramids of Egypt and even Stonehenge. We’ll also visit the Ring of Brodgar and the Standing Stones of Stenness, which together with Skara Brae and Maes How, form the Heart of Neolithic Orkney UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Total for the two walks: 6 miles (10km) with 500ft (150m) of ascent

Distance: 3 miles (5 km) 

Ascent: 400ft (120m) 

We head for the Broch of Gurness this morning. This circular stone tower on the shores of Eynhallow Sound is an impressive Iron Age archaeological site and one of Scotland’s best-preserved examples of a prehistoric settlement. In the afternoon we’ll hop aboard a coach and journey to Stromness where you can check out the shops and cafes independently or join your leader for a short walk around this picturesque old herring port.

Hear the story of Orkney’s ornate Italian Chapel built from a pair of WWII shelters before a short invigorating coastal walk overlooking Scapa Flow and the islands of Flotta and Hoy.  Visit the World War II batteries at Hoxa Head as well as the Sands o’ Wright beach where we’ll be on the lookout for wildflowers on the shore and dolphins and whales in the water. If the Tapestry Gallery is open, there’s time to look inside and be amazed by the handwoven creations on display. We'll also visit the Fossil & Heritage centre.

4.5 miles (7km) with 310ft (90m) of ascent

A group transfer takes us back to Kirkwall for the flight back to the mainland.