saga holidays orkney and shetland

From Glasgow and Edinburgh, we travel northwards through the Kingdom of Fife to reach Dundee, which sits overlooking the River Tay. Please see Terms and Conditions for further details. As you sail below, the screeching is deafening, and youll feel very outnumbered, a stranger invading their territory. ABTA and ABTA Members help holidaymakers to get the most from their travel and assist them when things do not go according to plan. The UKs bestselling monthly subscription magazine. Our journey continues through the fertile farmland of Angus to reach the granite city of Aberdeen by late afternoon. Double room - this is a room for two people sharing one large bed. Group transfer to Sumburgh airport for your return flight. On many tours youll have the chance to personalise your touring experience by participating in some carefully planned optional excursions. The strong historical and cultural influence of Norway upon these islands is clear in their timber-framed and brightly coloured architecture. See the landscapes of Shetland and Orkney; Visit Trshavn, with its Viking heritage; Itinerary From. Our newsletter features exciting new itineraries, blog posts from the team, and fabulous competitions. 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. 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. Buses and trains to Orkney. This means one or two nights at sea followed by sailing in Shetland and Orkney. All our carefully-curated itineraries are designed by our experts. 9 miles (15.5 km) with 1,280 feet (380m) of ascent. The Old Man of Hoy. P&O took over the routes from the long-established North of Scotland, Orkney & Shetland Steam Navigation Company in 1971. If you fancy sampling the local water of life, why not take a tour at the Highland Park Distillery the most northerly whisky distillery in the entire world. The Ayre Hotel. Explore prehistoric sites and experience a very different way of life. Welcome to the incredible archipelago of Orkney! This picturesque spring Orkney & Shetland Mini Cruise combines coastal scenery with fascinating history. Registered Office: Enbrook Park, Folkestone, Kent, CT20 3SE. 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. Trade Login Contact 08444 937 531 Destinations UK & Channel Islands. More details & Book Bank Holiday Escape to Scenic Scotland . The only medieval chronicle to have Orkney as the central place of action, it tells of an era when the islands were still part of the Viking world, beginning with their conquest by the . We'll always treat your personal details with the utmost care. A chat with your warm and friendly hosts and fellow guests over breakfast will arm you with local knowledge and tips for the day ahead. If so, please follow the booking process for a twin room and we will do our best to find you another group member of the same gender to share with. 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. We depart Aberdeen at 19:00 hrs, and a short time later, dinner will be served in the ship's restaurant. Further south on Mainland is Sumburgh Head, an ideal spot for twitchers with unobstructed views of the seabird colonies; Old Scatness, a recently excavated Iron Age village; and the Jarlshof Prehistoric and Norse settlements, with archaeological treasures from over 4,000 years. A selection of cruises incorporating the islands are available, with ports of call including Stornoway (Isle of Lewis) and Kirkwall (Isle of Orkney), as well as Edinburgh. [1] An experienced tour manager will lead the tour and your coach will be expertly driven by a professional driver. Its just six miles from Skara Brae and has an award-winning restaurant overlooking the loch, serving outstanding Scottish seafood and Aberdeen Angus beef. Stop at Weisdale to see artists at work at Shetland Jewellery, before arriving at Northmavine where you could travel to the spectacular Eshaness Cliffs with their imposing lighthouse, or hike up to the top of Ronas Hill. Meet Shetland ponies in their natural habitat. From jagged cliffs to unspoilt beaches and stone circles left by settlers some 4,000 years ago, the region is steeped in age-old history. It is a wild and dramatic place. Stop off to admire the ornate Italian Chapel, crafted from scraps by prisoners of war, and look out for the many wrecked ships poking their remains out of the water around Scapa Flow. Excellent, informative, enjoyable tour. Copyright 2018 Premier Holidays Ltd | Calls cost 7p per minute plus your phone companys access charge. The far-flung Orkney and Shetland Isles offer the active traveller an invigorating and rewarding holiday experience, with jaw-dropping natural scenery and wildlife spectacles. 9 miles (14km) with 1,060 feet (320m) of ascent. Here you can see evidence of many different eras dating as far back as Neolithic times. Highlights of Orkney & Shetland. These stones have continued to mystify and amaze visitors with questions such as 'who built them?' 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. Getting to Orkney via public transport is simple. A collection of 3* B&Bs and Guest Houses offering comfortable accommodation close to local attractions. Enjoy 4 days (3 nights) in Shetland. Arrive on Orkney and settle in to the Merkister Hotel. Day 1 - Departing Inverness with a morning drive to the far North of Scotland and the ferry port of Scrabster, near Thurso. Prices are based on two people sharing a room for this six night holiday and includes breakfast in both hotels, ferry crossings from Caithness to Orkney, from Orkney to Shetland and from Lerwick to Aberdeen. Overnight Shetland. Although a remote wilderness, there is a lot to do in Shetland, Orkney and the Hebrides. FAQsPlease see the FAQ section for more information on this tour. If you're looking to visit the islands north of Scotland, Orkney and Shetland are connected to the mainland and each other by NorthLink Ferries. We will communicate with you from time to time about our products and services, similar to those currently featured on our website. 5 Nights No Fly Cruise from 799pp Liverpool, Cruising past Duart Castle, Cruising Sound of Mull, Cruising Loch Hourn, Cruising by The Small Isles, Portree, Isle of Skye, Kirkwall, Orkney Islands, Cruising by Dutchman's Cap (Bac Mr), Cruising Fingal's Cave, Cruise by Iona, Liverpool. Later we make the short drive to Sumburgh Head, where the waters of the North Sea meet the waves of the Atlantic Ocean. 638 ratings70 reviews. Youre also sure to come across plenty of roaming Shetland ponies on your travels. But forget the . Later you could take a 10 minute ferry journey to the Isle of Bressay to explore the rich natural heritage and incredible wildlife. The natural beauty of Orkneys landscape boasts a rich variety of scenery. P&O Iona; Anthem of the Seas; Regal Princess; MSC Virtuosa; Queen Mary 2 . Advertised flight prices are based on UK flights departing from London. Half way between Orkney and Shetland is Fair Isle, a jewel of an island owned by the National Trust for Scotland and famous for its birds, knitwear and historic shipwrecks. All holidays are subject to availability. Excellent and Friendly Staff!! All sorts of nature abound here, from seals and otters to ponies and hundreds of birds, making it a wildlife lover's paradise. Borealis. Your hotel is an historic building, complete with nooks and crannies, winding corridors, steep steps, creaky floorboards and supposedly a resident ghost. This mysterious place of long days and colourful night skies is home to a wealth of sea life and sea birds, not . We sail with Serco Northlink Ferries and their modern, purpose-built vessels, the Hrossey and the Hjaltland, from Aberdeen overnight to Lerwick. Clicking on the link below will redirect you to the Wilderness England website. Please contact us for information on child prices. We only share data with business partners where it is necessary to fulfil our service. Excellent array of hotels and self-catering options across Jersey and Guernsey. NB these cruise details have been updated - Please see the new trip page - Orkney, Shetland, Faroe Islands and St Kilda cruise.. Breakfast is served onboard from 07:15 hrs after which we board the coach and disembark to begin our island tour. Wed also suggest a day of further island hopping by ferry, perhaps across to nearby Shapinsay for a good stretch of the legs or a visit to more mountainous Hoy for an alternative perspective on the Old Man sea stack. Our Premium category includes a unique collection of luxurious and stylish boutique Guest Houses and small 4* Hotels. They branded their services "P&O Ferries" from 1975 to 1989 and "P&O Scottish Ferries" thereafter. A key event in the global calendar, the annual Up Helly Aa Winter Fire . Well also visit the Ring of Brodgar and the Standing Stones of Stenness, which together with Skara Brae and Maes How, form the Heart of Neolithic Orkney UNESCO World Heritage Site. Book your tailor-made holiday to Offers with Premier Holidays. Orkney boasts inspirational landscapes where verdant fields stretch down to pristine beaches and dramatic seas crash against towering cliffs. We strongly recommend that you have travel insurance in place for your trip to Scotland, especially if you are visiting from overseas. Keep an eye on everyone in your party and do not go off with people you do not know. Citylink buses run to Aberdeen, Gills Bay and Scrabster so you can catch your ferry to the islands. Then trace . The Ski Solutions team are all skiing experts, and their wealth of knowledge and passion for the mountains will ensure you experience a truly memorable ski holiday. Sign up for latest offers and top sellers. We guarantee to refund this service charge if you believe that arranging your holiday through McKinlay Kidd has not met your expectations for value. 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. Explore the islands' Norse heritage on a coach holiday, where the sound of fiddles can still be heard drifting through the fresh air. Scapa Travel sells travel services on behalf of Hays Travel Limited and benefits from Hays Travel's membership of ABTA with membership number P8418. Visit the Bishops and Earls Palaces where you can learn of a time when Orkney was part of the Norse-held kingdom of Nordreyjar. To help us reduce spam, please tick the reCAPTCHA field. This trip is operated by our England team. Wherever you cruise on Spirit of Adventure and Spirit of Discovery, youll always step aboard here in the UK. These mysterious stone circles are amongst the most significant in Europe and are some 5,000 years old. The Vikings left their mark, such as the beautifully proportioned round church at Orphir as well as their grafitti which we now admire as works of art! Situated just off the north-eastern tip of Scotland on the near-edge of Europe, Shetland, Orkney and the Hebrides are a wilderness in which to shake off the cobwebs. Several of the prisoners have returned to Orkney over the years to assist with the restoration of the building. A superb coastal trailalongthe spectacular sea cliffs from Yesnaby to the impressive ancient settlement of Skara Brae a remarkable feat of ancient engineering predates the pyramids of Egypt and even Stonehenge. The Shetland Islands are the UNBELIEVABLE Hidden Treasure of Scotland, the northernmost point of the United Kingdom and formerly part of Norway. From jagged cliffs to unspoilt beaches and stone . All itineraries and room types are presented subject to availability at specific hotels. If you're flying here, public bus services connect with all the main airports in Scotland too. Island hop the wild Scottish Northern Isles on this week's holiday to Orkney and Shetland From 895 to 1015 7 days ex flights. Outer two berth cabins included on the Orkney to Shetland and Shetland to Aberdeen crossings. Find out more in our Shetland travel guide. It also comprises larger 4* Hotels selected for their high standard of accommodation, exceptional service, and great location. In the Shetlands, its all about Busta House. Arrive into Lerwick, Shetland early this morning. 2,599. Spirit of Discovery departing Tilbury. Overnight Shetland. Only a short distance away is Sumburgh Head Nature Reserve with its famous lighthouse overlooking the cliffs. Outstanding scenery, exceptional wildlife, ancient history, traditional crafts and world-class diving. The holiday ideas on our website are just examples of the amazing trips we offer. With a strong norse influence, these island groups provide a surprisingly contrasting cultural experience when compared to the Hebrides. These cliffs are bursting with an extraordinary range of wildlife, such as seals, puffins, gannets and whales. Overnight Orkney. Does equity release affect inheritance tax. A holiday to the islands of Orkney and Shetland has it all. Earl Sigurd takes control. Scalloway CastleWhen visiting the Shetland Isles, why not visit Scalloway Castle? The beautiful Cairngorms National Park will bring us to the Pass of Drumocher and Highland Perthshire beyond. Topped by a prehistoric chambered burial cairn, the summit offers a breathtaking panorama across this ice-carved landscape. Arrive into Lerwick, Shetland early this morning. With their northerly location, the best time to visit is between March and November, with the long days of summer a particularly appealing time. Overnight: Kirkwall Hotel/Lynnfield Hotel, Kirkwall (or similar) (3 nights). Our smaller ships are the perfect choice if youre cruising solo. EU nationals need to have either a valid passport or identity card.Visas for the UK are not required by those travelling from Australia, Canada, USA or EU for stays of up to six months.Any other nationality looking to visit the UK must contact the local embassy to check visa requirements. Available May 2023. Orphir has a Viking museum, the Orkneyinga Saga Centre, and the remains of Scotland's only . We will never share your data with third parties for marketing purposes. Later you could take a 10 minute ferry journey to the Isle of Bressay to explore the rich natural heritage and incredible wildlife. Available from April to October. Travel to Orkney by ferry from Caithness, on the north coast of Scotland, with the crossing taking just under an hour. This morning you will enjoy a real treat a wildlife boat trip. We then rejoin our transport for the scenic transfer to Busta House.