In certain locations youll may be joined by a local guide who will provide local insight and show you the highlights. Shetland is home to a world-class diversity of wildlife, from puffins and seals to purpoises and even whales. All room types, other than twin rooms, are subject to availability. Later you could take a 10 minute ferry journey to the Isle of Bressay to explore the rich natural heritage and incredible wildlife. Your accommodation is great for the little personal touches. Orkney and Shetland are a haven for wildlife. Contact us via email: While these are some of the most impressive ancient sites in Europe, youll find other beguiling places of interest scattered across the whole island chain. You will start your journey in the cosmopolitan city of Aberdeen where you will board the well-equipped Northlink Ferry and sail overnight in your modern and comfortable twin-berth cabin. Based on 1 salaries posted anonymously by Saga Group Mi Analyst employees in Seaham, England. In some cases, due to ferry or other travel connections, the tour may depart earlier or arrive later your tour director will advise you if this will be happening on your tour. Meet Shetland ponies in their natural habitat. Relaxing hotel-based holidays in the sun, with a Saga host on hand. How do I get there? As well as having full board accommodation in your choice of cabin, the services of a professional crew and on-board entertainment are also included. Nearby sits the Bishop's Palace and Earl's Palace, which was reputedly built using forced labour. We depart Aberdeen at 19:00 hrs, and a short time later, dinner will be served in the ship's restaurant. Theres an opportunity to learn about Shetlands heritage at the Tangwick Haa museum today as we circumnavigate the beautiful Eshaness peninsula. However the earldom began, by the time of Earl Sigurd we are heading into more reliable territory - although still laced with myth and folklore. It is a wild and dramatic place. Today is your final day in Shetland, but as the ferry does not leave until late afternoon you could take the opportunity to explore Shetlands ancient capital Scalloway. The thousands of prehistoric Neolithic sites which have survived to tell their tale at the Heart of Neolithic Orkney UNESCO world heritage site are both spectacular and mysterious. Our sociable ships have been designed with more than 100 single balcony cabins, the widest selection on the ocean wave. Walking is a wonderful way to discover the Orkney Islands. Highlights of Orkney and Shetland6 day/5 night. Both have featured recently on the BBC, yet in very contrasting ways: Orkney is hailed for its rich folklore, prehistoric sitesand abundance of wildlife, while Shetland owes its ever increasing popularity to thehit TV series Shetland based on Ann Cleeves gritty and fictional crime stories. 2,268. and 'why?'. This island adventure starts with a tour to Aberdeen to catch the overnight ferry service bound for Lerwick in the Shetlands, Britain's most northerly island archipelago. Known as the Churchill Barriers, we will use these causeways to reach the little island of Lamb Holm. 01273 823 700 . and a self-drive holiday of Shetland and Orkney guarantees memories to last a . All we ask is that you write to us within 7 days of your return and explain your reason for claiming the refund. You are able to walk in and out and around them, just imagining how people used to survive here. While most tour operators use hotels around the capital, Lerwick, we choose to stay somewhere you can really appreciate Shetlands remote beauty. Shetland - South Mainland. More details & Book Bank Holiday Escape to Scenic Scotland . Usually the coach will arrive at the overnight stop between 16:30 and 17:00 hrs each day. Our self-drive touring holiday of Orkney & Shetland gives you the opportunity to experience the landscapes, wildlife and archaeological heritage of these magical, and very different, parts of the UK. Shetland's other great Viking site is over on the northern island of Unst, reached by a succession of roll-on, roll-off car ferries from Mainland, the largest island in the group. It's a similar story by rail, with trains available to both Aberdeen . These mysterious stone circles are amongst the most significant in Europe and are some 5,000 years old. Fred Olsen. This will ensure that we can improve the experience for all our future guests. The Shetland Islands are the most northerly part of the United Kingdom, a group of islands 100 miles / 160 km north of mainland Scotland. FAQsPlease see the FAQ section for more information on this tour. Come explor. Well also visit the impressive archaeological site of Jarlshof. It also comprises larger 4* Hotels selected for their high standard of accommodation, exceptional service, and great location. Experience the unique islands of Shetland and Orkney, with mysterious prehistoric sites, natural wonders and breathtaking scenery waiting around every corner. Connections are available from other airports in the UK, Europ Book with Scapa Travel to get your 50% discount on eligible Scottish routes.The discount applies to residents of Orkney, Shetland, Caithness, NorthWest Sutherland, the Western Isles,Colonsay, Islay and Jura, with a valid Air Discount Scheme card and PIN number. We arrive in Lerwick around 07:30 hrs. This holiday is based on ferry crossings, starting from the north coast of Scotland near Thurso and returning to Aberdeen. Orkney played a vital role during both World Wars, and this afternoon we will travel to see Scapa Flow which provided a sheltered anchorage for the British naval fleet. These unassuming islands have a truly magical quality, and civilisation has thrived here for millennia. Iona AbbeyOne of Scotland's most sacred and historic sites, the Abbey was founded in 563AD and it still retains its spiritual atmosphere today. Discover your ideal travel experience. Welcome to the incredible archipelago of Orkney! Please click below to find the trip notes for your departure date. Many coaches are equipped with WiFi too. Take the ferry from Stromness to Scrabster on the Scottish mainland, where your self-drive tour of Orkney and Shetland will come to an end. Already a firm favourite since her launch in 2019, step aboard Spirit of Discovery and discover the ships selection of grand public rooms, restaurants, balcony cabins and outside spaces. The islands are also blessed with an extraordinary natural beauty. Travel by overnight ferry to Lerwick, the capital of Shetland, arriving at 0730 and enjoy a leisurely breakfast on board before disembarking. Our local guide will help you to discover ancient civilisations, archaeological delights and bountiful wildlife from our base in the island capital of Kirkwall. Meanwhile, the rich ancient history and numerous archaeological sites offer a fascinating glimpse into the past, with many details of life preserved. The wild landscapes featureintricate coastlines marked by towering cliffs, deep caves and giant rock stacks which make for an inspiring backdrop for various activities such as walking and sea kayaking. At the ancient settlement of Jarlshof you can explore 4,000 years of human history. Overnight Shetland. If you are planning to bring alcohol, tobacco or souvenirs into the country, you need to be familiar with the UK's custom laws. Now it forms part of the World Heritage Site in the centre of the Orkney Mainland, along with the tomb of Maes Howe, the Ring of Brodgar and the mighty Standing Stones of Stenness. Day 9. Clicking on the link below will redirect you to the Wilderness England website. Spot dolphins and porpoises in the coastal waters, or breeding seabirds such as puffins and guillemots at Hermaness Nature Reserve. If you go above this allowance you may have to pay tax or duty. We are obliged to maintain a high standard of service to you by ABTA's Code of Conduct. Availability is individually checked for a hand-picked selection of smaller hotels, guest houses and other independent businesses, so please bear with us and we will respond in 1-2 working days. Todays walk takes us to the famous sea stack known as the Old Man of Hoy and will have bird watchers twitching with excitement at the prospect of spotting arctic and great skuas. Shetland Islands, also called Zetland or Shetland, group of about 100 islands, fewer than 20 of them inhabited, in Scotland, 130 miles (210 km) north of the Scottish mainland, at the northern extremity of the United Kingdom. Duration 6 Days. Overnight: Kirkwall Hotel/Lynnfield Hotel, Kirkwall (or similar) (3 nights). Registered Office: Enbrook Park, Folkestone, Kent, CT20 3SE. Look out for the gargoyles which a former owner rescued from the Houses of Parliament in London. The nature reserve is the perfect place to spot seabirds such as puffins, guillemots and kittiwakes. We will discover more about this rather unpleasant character and his tyrannical ways during our visit. Join us on a stunning journey to the unforgettable Orkney Islands, a little-visited archipelago of some 70 small islands and skerries due north of the Scottish mainland. (Do find time to pop in for a tour of the traditional whisky making process.) The diversity of these islands is astounding, a distinctive mixture of Scandinavian history scattered across a rugged Scottish landscape, and a self-drive holiday of Shetland and Orkney guarantees memories to last a lifetime. Available May 2023. Tourist officesFor further information about the Scottish Isles you can visit their official tourist board websites at: The Shetland Isles: shetland.orgThe Orkney Isles:visitorkney.comThe Outer Hebrides:visithebrides.com. Nowhere in Shetland is more than 3 miles from the sea and along the 1,697 miles of coastline you will find some of Britains highest cliffs, s Sumburgh airport, 25 miles south of Lerwick, is open 7 days a week, and direct flights operate from Aberdeen (1hr), Inverness (1hr), Edinburgh and Glasgow(both 1hr 30 mins) with Loganair. "The staff was xtrenely king and helpful! 9 miles (15.5 km) with 1,280 feet (380m) of ascent. 18 Hours of Midsummer Sun. Specialists in offering a range of adventure holidays, tours and incredible wilderness experiences. Saga Cruises; Disney Cruises; Cruise Ships. During the hour-long sailing look out for porpoises, dolphins and minke whales that can often be seen. On Mainland, is the capital Kirkwall whose sights include St Magnus Cathedral, the Bishops and Earls palaces and the Orkney Museum. Go Scotland Tours is offering a private guided tour combining the Western Isles of Skye, Harris and Lewis with Orkney. Other Shetland highlights include Unst, boasting a plethora of fabulous walks and golden beaches; Foula, designated as a Special Protection Area for birds; Fetlar, known as the Garden of Shetland while beguiling Whalsay inspired some of Hugh McDiarmids poetry. At Aberdeen Harbour, we join the Northlink ferry for the overnight crossing to Shetland. We will hold your data securely within our organisation, McKinlay Kidd Limited. Registered in England, number 5713R. We also offer a fly-drive holiday as an alternative way to visit Orkney & Shetland. Savour your chance to try lamb with its distinctive flavour due to the seaweed diet of the sheep, or sample local seafood including mouth-watering prawns and delicious stir-fried squid. Please contact us for more details. In a land thats been largely tamed, they remain rare unspoiled outposts of rugged coastline and remote beauty. To make it easier, heres a list of items you should consider packing. But there are two other, very distinctive, island groups off Scotland's north coast that are well worth the effort of reaching: Orkney and Shetland. Shetland and the Tall Ships. The landscape is wild and remote and, outside of the . Scapa Travel sells travel services on behalf of Hays Travel Limited and benefits from Hays Travel's membership of ABTA with membership number P8418. This 16th century lairds manor has bags of historic charm, as well as a roaring fireplace for chilly days, and a well-stocked whisky selection. We use cookies to provide you with the best online experience. Continue to the rugged Shetland archipelago to visit Lerwick as it hosts the annual Tall Ships Races. If you are keen to take more ferry trips, then island hop through Yell to Unst in the far north. Dine on fresh seafood in cosmopolitan Kirkwall and Lerwick, and enjoy an extensive local craft culture. BSpoke's cycling experts can tailor-make your perfect cycling holiday where you can travel at your own pace or in a group of like-minded individuals. All our carefully-curated itineraries are designed by our experts. Earl Sigurd takes control. Here we will have some free time to explore this charming town with its stone-paved alleys, granite houses and independent shops.