Page 10 - 2026 Brochure
P. 10
British Isles
GRAND TOURS LerwickHarbour - VisitScotland © StuartBrunton
Shetland & Orkney - Wildlife & History
Tuesday 19 May to Tuesday 2 June 2026
A comprehensive tour of these beautiful islands, alive with wildlife and steeped in history, starting in Glasgow and ending in Edinburgh. Enjoy stays
in Aberdeen and Inverness and jouneys on the Keith & Dufftown and Strathspey Railways.
Day 1 - Welcome to Glasgow Day 5 - Sumburgh & St. Ninians reconvene mid-afternoon to board the Northlink
We meet in Glasgow for a welcome dinner and Head southwards today to find seabirds galore at ferry to Orkney. Time to enjoy a 3-course dinner
1-night stay. Why not arrive a day or two early to Sumburgh Head - Puffins, Guillemots, Razorbills, onboard (included), before a late evening arrival in
enjoy the sights of this lively city – we would be Kittiwakes and Fulmars can all be found here. Tour Kirkwall for a 4-night stay.
happy to arrange this for you. the impressive prehistoric archaeological site of
Jarlshof containing remains dating from 2500 BC up Day 8 - Skara Brae & Sea Stacks
Day 2 - North to Aberdeen Explore Skara Brae - the best-preserved group of
Enjoy a morning at leisure in Glasgow – Prince’s to the 17th Century. Time also to enjoy a walk on the prehistoric houses in Western Europe, this village
Square, one of Scotland’s most famous buildings famous tombolo at St. Ninians Isle. was thriving long before Stonehenge or even the
is within easy walking distance, as is the Gallery of Day 6 - Northwest Shetland Pyramids were built. Our visit includes entry to Skaill
Modern Art. We take an afternoon train to Aberdeen Driving northwards this morning, our first stop is House, a 17th-Century mansion on the same site.
for a 1-night stay. Mavis Grind - this narrow isthmus is said to be the We also call at the village of Birsay, home to a tidal
only place in the UK where you can throw a stone island, and later, take a short walk out to the Yesnaby
Day 3 - Aberdeen at Leisure
This compact, friendly city is located on the coast from the Atlantic Ocean into the North Sea! From Sea Stacks.
and there is plenty to see, from sand dunes to ships here, we head out to Shetland’s volcanic coast to Day 9 - Heart of Neolithic Orkney
which dock right up to the city streets. Admire the discover the spectacular cliff scenery at Eshaness. Today we focus on the UNESCO Heart of Neolithic
sparkling granite architecture, walk to the pretty Our return journey takes us via the harbour village Orkney World Heritage Site. This encompasses 4
village of ‘Fittie’ or explore the cobbled streets of of Aith, home to the most northerly lifeboat station monuments (including Skara Brae) and around 5,000
the old town. We check in for our overnight ferry in Britain. years of history. Our local guide will take us around
to Shetland late afternoon. Onboard we have Day 7 - Lerwick & Ferry the famous archaeological treasures of the Ring of
comfortable private cabins and a 3-course dinner Enjoy most of the day at leisure to explore. The Brodgar, the Standing Stones of Stenness and the
and breakfast is included. Shetland Museum is well worth a visit, as is the Lerwick Maeshowe chambered tomb. Lunch and a tour of
Brewery – advance booking is recommended. We Orkney Brewery is also included today.
Day 4 - Shetland Mainland & Mousa
After breakfast we disembark and board our private
coach for a day of sightseeing, focusing on the central
mainland. Our first stop is Hamnavoe, where seals
are often spotted lazing in the harbour, and we visit
Meal Beach before arriving at Scalloway – home of
the Shetland Bus, an important WW2 operation.
Weather depending, we take a private charter boat
to the uninhabited island of Mousa. This is an RSPB
nature reserve, and home to the best-preserved ItalianChapel - VisitScotland © Fionn McArthur
broch in the world. Return to Lerwick and our hotel Puffin - VisitScotland © Paul Tomkins
for the next 3 nights. Dinner is included each evening
here.
5 Over 50 Years of Unforgettable Rail Journeys