Walking Scotland’s Orkney Islands

A fantastic trip to Orkney. We were fortunate with the weather the first week in September and there were still some wildflowers, butterflies and birds around on our coastal walks. However, for me my main reason for visiting Orkney was for the archaeology. I am so pleased I got to see the oldest settlement and stone circle in the UK. It was so worth the visit.

Both tour leaders were excellent - good communicators, good knowledge, good walking leaders, went the extra mile. (Group of 16) The Orkney Hotel isn't great - my bedroom was vary dark with hardly any daylight, shower cubicle and net curtain had mould. Breakfasts were good, dinners ok. The bar was enjoyable. Explore have had poor feedback about the hotel before but still keep using it. Dinners out in three different restaurants (one on Explore, the other two self-pay) were all very good choices, particularly the Kirkwall hotel's restaurant. Itinerary is a good mix of walks, archaeology, and local life. If you want to see puffins pay attention to the dates they will be there (NB having puffins as Explore's main photo for this trip is misleading).

I loved every minute! Thanks to our marvellous guides, Marco and Richie, the week was a well planned mix of walking, history, flora and sea birds plus dolphins and seals (sadly August was too late for puffins). Marco and Richie were so knowledgeable and could not have been more accommodating - and were great fun to boot! The food at the Albert Hotel was not great for two of the nights we ate there, but seemed to improve on the third night after our guide registered a complaint with the hotel. The two restaurants recommended by our guides for the other two nights were great. I would definitely recommend this trip!

One of our best holidays ever: expansive views, stunning cliff top walks, unique Neolithic settlements and excellent knowledgeable, considerate leaders who went out of their way to ensure our safety and make this such an amazing experience. Even the weather was on our side!