Orkney – 6 days 1150 miles

 

Days One and Two

The journey starts with a sprint up to the Inverness area for a first night.  As we head for John O’Groats the next morning, the landscape grows ever dramatic, sweeping bends and tight hairpins make this section of road technical and always enjoyable.  Crossing the Pentland Firth to Orkney, pass the islands of Stroma and Swona on the ferry crossing. The ferry passes close enough to see a herd of feral cows on Swona, the last residents of this little island.  And in less than an hour we arrive on Orkney!

Days Three and Four

The base on Orkney will be the town of Kirkwall with its 12th Century cathedral.  Visit a stone age village, stone circles as well as an iron age broch or circular fortification. Fortification of another kind can be had at a local distillery in Kirkwall!  Orkney’s maritime role in the two world wars will be explored at Lyness Naval Museum and we will visit the chapel lovingly crafted by Italian prisoners of war.  There’s just three nights on Orkney, but we know you will be completely enchanted by these pretty islands.

Days Five and Six

We route home via Dunrobin Castle and an overnight stop in the highlands.

Price includes all ferries, 3 museums and distillery on Orkney and Dunrobin castle on the mainland.

 

Orkney Rider inc 5 nights dinner, B & B                            £779

Orkney Pillion inc 5 nights dinner, B & B                           £550

Orkney Rider inc 5 nights dinner, B & B (single room)       £829