Orkney and Shetland Minicruise

Our mini cruise to Orkney and Shetland is a popular tour offering people a rare chance to visit two of the most northerly British Isles. Unique and unlike any other region of Great Britain, their distinctive prehistoric ruins play a key part in their attraction, having been continuously inhabited since Neolithic times. The highlight of the tour is undoubtedly the time spent on Orkney and Shetland, in addition to cruising with Northlink Ferries. The delights of this tour are further enhanced with the journey north through the spectacular highlands and the wonderful opportunities for sight-seeing en-route. Our tour includes half board throughout, hotel accommodation and the required ferry crossings. A full itinerary can be offered for this tour to include visits, guides and admissions. Ask us for details.

Kirkwall • Skara Brae • Scapa Flow • Italian Chapel • Ring of Brodgar • Lerwick • Jarlshof

Day 1 Travel into Scotland with an overnight stay in an appropriate location.

Day 2 Continue north with a recommended stop in Pitlochry, where an optional distillery visit can be arranged. Travel through the mountainous Highlands via the towns of Aviemore and the highland capital of Inverness. Time at leisure in Inverness before completing today's journey to Wick.

Day 3 Enjoy a day at leisure in Wick. Alternatively a half day excursion can be made to the famous tourist spot of John O'Groats, 837 miles from Lands End.

Additionally you may wish to include a visit to the Queen Mother's Castle of Mey (additional cost applies). The Castle is situated on the north coast of Caithness, 15 miles east of Thurso and 6 miles west of John O'Groats. It stands on rising ground 400 yards from the seashore, overlooking the Pentland Firth and the Orkney Islands and is an impressive sight with its jutting turrets, typical of 16th century architecture. The gardens are equally impressive.

Day 4 Depart Scrabster at 13.15 with Northlink Ferries on the 90 minute crossing to Stromness. A lunch voucher will be provided for use on the ferry. Reboard the coach in Stromness.

Orkney boasts some of the best preserved archaeological sites in Europe, including Neolithic villages, burial tombs and impressive stone circles. It is possible for an additional cost to include the services of a guide and admission to Skara Brae, an incredibly well preserved stone village dating back 5,000 years and the nearby Skaill House. For more recent island history travel via Scapa Flow, a 50 square mile expanse of deep water, forming one of the largest, sheltered anchorages in the world. Relics of two world wars lie both within and around the Flow: seven German ships, the Churchill Barriers with their beached blockships and the inspiring Italian Chapel (additional cost applies for admission). Don't miss the magnificent Ring of Brodgar, originally 60 stones in a vast circle between the Stenness and Harray Lochs, 27 of which remain standing. A late dinner is taken in a local restaurant in Kirkwall.

Proceed to Kirkwall port to board Northlink Ferries' 11pm service to Shetland. Comfortable twin bedded cabins are provided.

Day 5 Breakfast is served on board before rejoining the coach in Lerwick. The island has 900 miles of coastline with dramatic cliffs and beautiful scenery. Enjoy a leisurely coastal tour of South Mainland to include a photo stop at Rerwick beach. For an additional cost it is possible to visit the outstanding site of Jarlshof Prehistoric and Norse Settlement, dramatically located on a headland overlooking the West Voe of Sumburgh. A must is time in the bustling capital, Lerwick. Dating from the 17th century, it is sheltered by the island of Bressay, has an excellent natural harbour and is a hive of activity in the summer months.

Re-board the ferry and enjoy a carvery-style dinner prior to the overnight sailing to Aberdeen.

Day 6 Breakfast is served on board before disembarking in Aberdeen and your homeward journey

All tours are tailored to your requirements and can be adapted for travel by coach and/or air as you prefer. Occasionally itineraries change. Please see our current brochure or contact us for the latest version.

Northlink Ferries

Providing excellent standards of service and dining, their minicruise is always a popular option for exploring the Orkney and Shetland Isles.

• Boarding 1 hour prior to departure

• Reserved dining area for groups with carvery dinner and self-service breakfast

• 20 twin cabins allocated per group with side by side berths and en suite shower room

• Onboard facilities include a shop, cinema and spacious bar

• Full names, gender, nationality and dates of birth are required for all passengers prior to departure and photographic ID is required on board the ferries

• For easier cabin access, Northlink recommend that passengers travel with hand luggage only onboard ship

Norseman Hotel, Wick

The hotel overlooks the River Wick and is only a few minutes' walk from the town centre. Ongoing refurbishment has seen the hotel's rating rise.

• 3 star • 48 bedrooms

• No lift, but plenty of ground floor rooms

• Coach parking

Your tour includes:

• 1 night half board on the outbound journey

• 2 nights half board in Wick with:
Porter service
Full Scottish breakfast
3 course dinner with choice and tea/coffee

• 2 nights on board Northlink Ferry with meals as detailed in itinerary

• Lunch voucher on Day 4

• Restaurant dinner on Orkney

For a quotation, or to enquire about this tour, fill in our online form, send us an email or call us on 01432 277666.