Orkney Express - 3 days Tour by On The Go Tours

3 daysDuration

Small Group TourUsually 8-12 participants, maximum 18 travelers

16 peopleMaximum group size

18 - 80 yearsAge range for participants

EnglishGuide language

Easy

Light physical activity suitable for most people with average fitness levels.

Starts

Inverness, Scotland

Ends

Inverness, Scotland

Highlights

Ring of Brodgar – Marvel at an ancient stone circle steeped in enigma and grandeur

Skara Brae and Maeshowe – Immerse yourself in prehistoric life and explore some of Europe’s most remarkable ancient sites

Kirkwall – Wander through a historic Norse settlement and admire its stunning Medieval cathedral

Caithness Fishing Villages – Discover the charm of Scotland’s remote coastal communities and their picturesque settings

Itinerary

Step into Scotland’s ancient heritage with the “Orkney Express - 3 days” tour. Departing from Inverness, this cultural journey takes you across the northern Highlands and by ferry to the Orkney Islands. Explore Kirkwall, the mysterious Skara Brae settlement, Viking runes at Maeshowe, and the iconic Brodgar Stone Circle. With an easy physical activity rating, this tour is ideal for history enthusiasts and mature travelers eager to delve into remote, storied landscapes. The unique draw: Access to Orkney’s Neolithic and Viking treasures, expertly guided in a small group setting.

day 1 - Welcome to Orkney!

Inverness - Kirkwall. We start early, leaving the 'Capital of the Highlands' and crossing the Black Isle, passing by the grand Dunrobin Castle. Our journey takes us along the dramatic northeast Highland coastline, through Scotland's northernmost mainland village, John o' Groats, to Gills Bay. Here, we board the ferry and cross the Pentland Firth to the Orkney Archipelago.

Upon arrival, we take a short drive to visit the famous Italian Chapel before continuing to Kirkwall, the capital of Orkney. In Kirkwall, we explore the magnificent Viking Cathedral and enjoy wandering its historic, winding streets in the evening.

Please note: Check-in closes at 07:45 (tour departs at 08:00) - Inverness Pick Up, Bus stop next to Inverness Cathedral, Ardross Street, Inverness, IV3 5NS.

Accommodation: Bellavista Guest House, Heatherlea B&B, Hildeval B&B or similar.

OverNight:Kirkwall

day 2 - Exploring Orkney

Today, we delve into the modern and ancient wonders of this captivating archipelago, where lush green pastures meet golden sandy shores, washed by the North Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. We visit the 5,000-year-old village of Skara Brae, the mystical prehistoric stone circle at Brodgar, and the ancient standing stones of Stenness.

Our exploration continues at the cairn of Maeshowe, which houses one of the largest collections of Norse runic inscriptions left by Vikings in the 12th century. After this memorable day, we return to Kirkwall for our second night.

Accommodation: Bellavista Guest House, Heatherlea B&B, Hildeval B&B or similar.

Meals:1 Breakfast

OverNight:Kirkwall

day 3 - Back to Inverness

Kirkwall - Inverness. We start our day with a final chance to shop for gifts and visit the local cathedral in Kirkwall. After taking the ferry back to the mainland, we journey through the historically rich regions of Caithness and Sutherland. Along the way, we delve into the Highland Clearances, a pivotal and somber chapter in Scotland's history, and catch glimpses of some of Scotland's most remote fishing villages. We conclude our adventure, arriving back in Inverness by early evening.

Please note: This tour ends at 19:00 - Inverness Drop Off, Bus stop next to Inverness Cathedral, Ardross Street, Inverness, IV3 5NS

Meals:1 Breakfast

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What's Included

Accommodation

2 nights simple guesthouse

Meals

2 breakfasts

Transport

Transportation in 16 seat Mercedes mini-coach with air-conditioningAll road tolls

Guide

Escorted by a local driver-guide

Others

Admission to MaeshoweAdmission to Skara Brae14kg luggage allowance - This should be one piece of luggage similar to an airline carry-on bag (approximately 55cm x 45cm x 25cm / 22in x 17in x 10in) and a small bag for onboard personal items. Please note: If travelling in April 2026 or later, your luggage allowance increases to 20kg - dimensions remain unchanged.Note: This tour is operated in conjunction with our trusted partner and you will join travellers from different operators, not solely On The Go.

What's Excluded

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This tour has not received any customer reviews yet. However, you can expect a good tour as it is run by a trusted travel specialist who has received 26 reviews for other tours with an average 4.6rating.

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