The Scottish Isles of Orkney

SUMMARY

Dates: Thursday August 24th to Tuesday August 29th

Guide:  Stef Lauer

Walking Grade: 2 Goats

Base: Ferry Inn at the harbour in Stromness – a traditional , very popular Orkney pub with rooms. The pub is lively at weekends and will introduce you to a little live Scottish music!

Getting there : There are many ways to travel to Orkney – overland by car,train or bus or by plane. The journey can be an adventure in itself if you travel across Scotland and take the ferry across to Stromness. Full details in the link below.

https://www.orkney.com/plan/getting-here

Price:£1770 per person for this fully inclusive holiday:

• Bed and Breakfast in ensuite double room for solo occupancy
• Packed Lunches on 6 walking days
• All evening meals – 3 courses
• Local transport for walks to explore the island fully
• Experienced Guide

If you can bring a friend/partner and share a room their is a discount of £200 pp and the price is £1570 per person . We will discount your final bill once you have paid your deposit.

Not included:

• Travel to Stromness
• Drinks from the bar

DETAILS

The Orkney Islands are a fascinating group of around 70 islands with only twenty inhabited. The largest island is known as the Mainland and we base ourselves in Stromness from where we will explore the area. Stromness is also known as Hamnavoe, the safe haven.

The locals, called Orcadians, are a seafaring nation who live under big skies, with lush green rolling hills and with water all around them.

On our trip, we will walk on stunning beaches, visit Neolithic sites and take the ferry to experience another outlying island, Hoy. There are mysterious standing stones, Viking stories and ancient sites, marine wildlife including the elusive selkie. As well as the proud tradition of all the local produce created here – local beer, whisky and various foods all ready for you to try.

ITINERARY

Day 1 – Thursday, August 24 – Arrival 

Sailing times for August yet to be announced but we will meet late afternoon at the Ferry Inn which is just across from the ferry terminal. If flying to Kirkwall there is a bus to Stromness.

Welcome, evening stroll & evening meal together at the Ferry Inn.

Day 2: 

We are taking a day to explore Orkney’s Mainland and the Southern Isles by minibus today. Stopping, admiring and walking at :

• Standing Stones of Stenness
• Ring of Brodgar
• Brough of Birsay and Earl’s Palace
• South Ronaldsay & Churchill Barriers
• St Margarets Hope
• Orphir

This should give us a good overview of the thousands of years of history and heritage on this island.

Day 3: To Skara Brae 6 hours, 19km, 320m ascent

Today we’re taking the bus to Skara Brae which is one of the most fascinating sites in all of Scotland. A stone-built neolithic settlement on a stunning sandy beach which dates back to around 3,000 years BC. This is proper time travel!

After exploring this incredible place, we head off along the West Coast of the Mainland. Keeping the sea to our right, we have time to marvel at sandstone sea stacks, plenty of sea birds and the views across to Hoy.

More information here

https://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/orkney/stromness-bay-of-skaill.shtml

Return for a late evening meal at the Ferry Inn together

Day 4: 

After viewing the high-lying island of Hoy from a distance yesterday, we are boarding a small passenger ferry which takes us across the water to set foot on it. Rackwick Glen reminds us of the empty glens of Scotland’s north-west but it’s the Old Man that we are seeking. The Old Man of Hoy is one of the tallest sea stacks in the whole of the UK and the destination of our walk today. Perhaps we might even spot a pair of climbers tackling this magnificent cliff.

Day 5: 

We’re giving our legs a bit of a rest as we are exploring Orkney’s largest town, Kirkwall (population: 8,500) and learn about the history of its cathedral, St Magnus. It was built almost 900 years ago and is dedicated to one of the earliest Earls of Orkney, his life immortalised in the Icelandic Orkneyinga Sagas.

There is plenty to see around Kirkwall and we might also climb its highest point, Wideford Hill, on our day out today.

Day 6, Tuesday, August 29

Departure after breakfast