Scotland · ORKNEY TOURS
Good orkney tours fill up weeks ahead; the great ones go first. Below: the 15 to book early, what each includes and how they differ.
A small-group Orkney day trip from Stromness to Skara Brae, Ring of Brodgar, Stenness, Kirkwall, and Scapa Flow, with guidance included.
“Our driver was great. He was very knowledgeable and we learned a lot about the islands history. We also enjoyed the smaller van groups.”
Small-group coach and ferry from Edinburgh to Orkney and the North Coast, with Skara Brae, Maeshowe, and Culloden admissions included.
“We thoroughly enjoyed this trip through the Highlands of Scotland and Orkney. Every minute of the tour was filled, the number of things we saw and experienced plus the informed and entertaining commentary from our guide/driver kept everyone's interest throughout. The two days in Orkney were particularly good, especially if you were interested in the historic remains such as Maeshowe and Skarra Brae. The Italian Chapel was very moving. The accommodation in Inverness could have been better but the hotels in Kirkwall and Ullapool were excellent. Our guide Karen, was brilliant, when time allowed she took us to see places outside the itinerary, her local knowledge and love of Scotland…”
Orkney West Mainland Tour from Kirkwall. Small group half-day with Scapa Flow views, Skara Brae, Brodgar, Stenness, cliffs, Birsay.
“We had an amazing day with Rachel. She took as around the beautiful Orkney island, told us historic stories, was knowledgeable, pleasant and nice all around. Highly recommended”
Hit Orkney’s top Neolithic sites, plus Scapa Flow history and dramatic cliffs, on a private 5 to 6 hour highlights tour.
“We had a great day with Garry as our tour guide. He is very knowledgeable about the history and prehistoric sights around Kirkwall. He is passionate about where he lives and loved sharing that passion with us. We thoroughly enjoyed our excursion with Garry and highly recommend him as a guide.”
Semi-private Orkney and Kirkwall tour from Kirkwall Pier with a small group, visiting Stenness, Gurness, Italian Chapel, St Magnus, Ring of Brodgar.
“Chris was our driver for our day in Orkney. He has a thick Scottish accent, but we soon learned how to communicate without any difficulties! He was funny, kind, considerate, intellectual, and sensitive to our needs. Most importantly, he knows the area like the back of his hand and guided us through our various stops expertly! We would highly recommend this tour for anyone wanting to see the island”
8 days from Edinburgh to Isle of Skye, Orkney and Scotland’s North Coast 500, with B&B stays and the Jacobite Steam Train.
“Packed itinerary showcasing the best of the Scottish Highlands. As a couple, we were part of a group of 14 travelling on a small, comfortable coach. Our driver/guide, Rich, was extremely knowledgeable, and mixed factual narrative with funny stories about family and friends. He really made all the daily journeys thoroughly enjoyable, and helped us all get to know each other as the days passed. The overnight accommodation was generally good overall, and Rich always recommended good places to eat in every location we stayed. In summary, this tour was an excellent overview of the Scottish Highlands, and we would definitely recommend it (particularly if you are lucky enough to…”
A 3-day small-group Orkney adventure from Inverness, with Neolithic sites, Kirkwall time, and hassle-free touring by 16-seat Mercedes.
“We enjoyed the trip-Scotland is of course gorgeous .The arrangements were great. Helen at the wheel who drove very well and was a great guide, informative and humorous, made the whole experience even more memorable. Shall certainly spread the word.”
Private Kirkwall to Orkney Mainland day with Scapa Flow, Neolithic sites, Skara Brae, Skaill House, and Italian Chapel entry included.
“Davey was a great guide. We were able to tailor the tour to our interests. Davey even took us to places we would have never dreamed existed. Plus we didn’t have to drive the narrow roads or mingle with large tour groups.”
Private, car-free Orkney tour with a local guide, covering Italian Chapel, Skara Brae, cairns, cliffs, and Kirkwall in about 5 hours.
“Calum gave us a great tour of the historical spots on the island. Since not all guides are local, he gave some inside info. With only 4 of us, he adapted the timing to our wishes and made a stop at a store so I could buy scotch.”
A 7-hour private Orkney Mainland tour with Paul, covering the Italian Chapel, Scapa Flow, Stenness, Brodgar, Skara Brae, and Brough of Birsay.
“Our family was so fortunate to take this tour with Paul. We booked it well in advance as we knew he was good per his reviews. It did not disappoint. Paul was so personable, knowledgeable and engaging. We learned so much at each of his stops, and thoroughly enjoyed each one. He made us feel so comfortable and by the end of the day he felt like part of our family. Orkney is a beautiful part of Scotland and Paul is very proud to show it off!”
8 days from Edinburgh to Skye and Orkney with B&Bs, ferry, and guided stops, from Loch Ness to Neolithic sites and Culloden.
“Overall, a wonderful experience. Our guides, Brodie and Kenny, were fantastic! Both were so knowledgeable about the locations and the associated history and legends. Brodie even got most of the group together one evening in a pub to enjoy traditional Scottish music and dance. Kenny managed to veer off the beaten path to show us sites that weren't necessarily on the itinerary, but were remarkable. We always felt safe with both of them. Both were safe drivers on some challenging roads. The B&Bs were a little hit and miss. Our expectation was that they would be better than they were, given what we paid. Two B&Bs were very nice. The…”
5 days from Edinburgh to Orkney and the Highlands with a driver-guide, four nights included, daily breakfast, and major sites.
“Our five day tour of Orkney couldn’t have been better. Our guide, Stefan went above and beyond his responsibilities. He was the most wonderful tour guide I’ve ever experienced. He was so knowledgeable so informative, so generous with his information and his goodwill. he added discretionary stops to our bus ride to show us beautiful and unusual sites. He told us very thoroughly the background of the events, the etymology of the words the history of the and any useful information, all the while, pointing out birds flying by and facts about climate and terrain. He had a translation of the Orkney saga and had me read relevant passages as…”
Private Orkney highlights by car with door-to-door pickup, flexible stops, and a Neolithic day of Skara Brae, cliffs, and stone circles.
“A very nice experience with Anna who is not only very kind but also a real connoisseur of every place’s history and secrets Thank you Anna”
5 days from Edinburgh to Orkney and the North Coast 500, mixing whisky, Viking sites, and 5,000-year-old stones in a small group.
“An absolutely wonderful experience from start to finish. The tour operator - Scotland's Wild - did a great job in every detail. We greatly appreciated both the planned itinerary and the opportunities to make changes as needed. The guides - Calum and Karen - were great company and really enhanced the trip with their knowledge of Scottish geography, history and lore. I particularly valued the many stops at ancient archaeological sites, especially on Orkney, and every stop on every day added a lot to the overall enjoyment of the trip.”
Private car-led tour of Orkney Neolithic sites, visiting Skara Brae, Ring of Brodgar, Stenness and Yesnaby Cliffs.
“We had a wonderful day with Gail driving around the sites of the Orkney Islands. She was wonderful!!”
Pick the kind of day you want and see what is worth booking.
