Your holiday summary
| Holiday type |
Art & archaeology Tours |
|---|---|
| Country |
United Kingdom |
| Travel type |
Coach Fly |
| Price range | From £815 |
| Travel partner | Brightwater Holidays |
| Duration | 5 nights |
|
Need help with your booking? 0330 333 6701 |
Highlights of Orkney & Shetland
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We are delighted that Clive Warsop of Edinburgh University will give us the benefit of his extensive knowledge and bring to life the fascinating ancient relics that litter the islands of Orkney and Shetland.
The islands of Orkney and Shetland are littered with archaeological remains. People first came here over 5000 years ago and many of their remains survive. New architectural sites are discovered every year. Some, such as Skara Brae, were buried under sand, only to be exposed by a winter storm thousands of years later; Skara Brae presents a fascinating glimpse of stone age life from the beds with their little shelves and cubby holes, to the remains of jewellery and medicine. Research is ongoing here and elsewhere excavation by archaeologists continues to uncover new information. The islands are therefore of enormous interest to anyone who enjoys first-hand contact with ancient settlements and buildings, and the people who once lived here. During our time on Shetland we will visit the uninhabited island of Mousa with its 2000 year old full size broch; the prehistoric and Norse settlement of Jarlshof; St Ninian’s Isle with its 6th century church and the ruined castle of Scalloway.
We then travel to Orkney where we visit the Italian Chapel; the Tomb of the Eagles, which offers a unique ‘hands-on’ experience - an opportunity to handle 5000 year old artefacts excavated from an extensive cliff-top site; Maeshowe, the finest chambered tomb in Western Europe and Skara Brae & Skaill House. En route to Aberdeen, we will also see the Loanhead of Daviot Stone Circle and the Maiden Stone. We will stay on both Orkney and Shetland, allowing more time to appreciate the special charm of these islands. We sail with Northlink Ferries on their modern, purpose-built vessels, the Hrossey and the Hjaltland, from Aberdeen overnight to Lerwick. We then have two full days to tour Shetland, staying overnight at the Sumburgh Hotel (or similar). After rejoining the ship for an evening sailing to Kirkwall, we have a further two full days touring Orkney, while based at the comfortable Kirkwall Hotel, before our final overnight sailing back to Aberdeen.
The islands of Orkney and Shetland are littered with archaeological remains. People first came here over 5000 years ago and many of their remains survive. New architectural sites are discovered every year. Some, such as Skara Brae, were buried under sand, only to be exposed by a winter storm thousands of years later; Skara Brae presents a fascinating glimpse of stone age life from the beds with their little shelves and cubby holes, to the remains of jewellery and medicine. Research is ongoing here and elsewhere excavation by archaeologists continues to uncover new information. The islands are therefore of enormous interest to anyone who enjoys first-hand contact with ancient settlements and buildings, and the people who once lived here. During our time on Shetland we will visit the uninhabited island of Mousa with its 2000 year old full size broch; the prehistoric and Norse settlement of Jarlshof; St Ninian’s Isle with its 6th century church and the ruined castle of Scalloway.
We then travel to Orkney where we visit the Italian Chapel; the Tomb of the Eagles, which offers a unique ‘hands-on’ experience - an opportunity to handle 5000 year old artefacts excavated from an extensive cliff-top site; Maeshowe, the finest chambered tomb in Western Europe and Skara Brae & Skaill House. En route to Aberdeen, we will also see the Loanhead of Daviot Stone Circle and the Maiden Stone. We will stay on both Orkney and Shetland, allowing more time to appreciate the special charm of these islands. We sail with Northlink Ferries on their modern, purpose-built vessels, the Hrossey and the Hjaltland, from Aberdeen overnight to Lerwick. We then have two full days to tour Shetland, staying overnight at the Sumburgh Hotel (or similar). After rejoining the ship for an evening sailing to Kirkwall, we have a further two full days touring Orkney, while based at the comfortable Kirkwall Hotel, before our final overnight sailing back to Aberdeen.
Included
- 1 night dinner, bed and full breakfast at the Sumburgh Hotel & Lodge, Shetland (or similar) and 2 nights’ bed and breakfast (plus one dinner) at the Kirkwall Hotel, Orkney, All rooms have private facilities
- Return scheduled flights from London to Aberdeen (Other airports available at a supplement)
- 2 nights accommodation in 2-berth cabins on Northlink Ferries MV Hrossey/Hjaltland. Outside cabins are available for a small supplement
- Two breakfasts and two dinners on board ship; one dinner in an Orkney restaurant
- Two full day coach tours of mainland Orkney including entrance to Skara Brae and Maeshowe
- Two full day coach tours of mainland Shetland including entrance to Jarlshof
- Comfortable coaching throughout
- Services of a professional tour leader
Not included
Day 1
We depart from London on a morning flight to Aberdeen (other airports may be available on request). On arrival in Aberdeen we will be transferred to the ferry terminal to board the Northlink Ferry ‘Hrossey’ and the ‘Hjaltland’ overnight to Lerwick. Once on board we shall check-in to our comfortable, twin-berth cabins which all have en-suite facilities. The ship has a delightful restaurant, where dinner is served this evening, together with a bar and lounges where you can relax. There is also a well-stocked gift shop for souvenir shopping or essential items.
Day 2
After breakfast on board we will leave the ship and commence our tour of Shetland. We depart for North Mainland where we will visit the spectacular cliffs of Eshaness. We travel through Tingwall Valley, the site of the old Norse parliament (Ting) and through the picturesque areas of Whiteness and Weisdale. Look out for the ‘Otters Crossing’ sign at the narrow isthmus known as Mavis Grind, where it is said to be possible to throw a stone from the North Sea to the Atlantic. We also stop at Scalloway, the former capital of Shetland where we visit the ruined castle built in 1600 by the infamous Earl Patrick Stewart. Following our visit here we transfer to the comfortable Sumburgh Hotel and Lodge, located adjacent to the Jarlshof site. All rooms have en-suite facilities, tv, telephone, hairdryer, trouser press, radio alarm and tea/coffee making facilities. Dinner will be served in the evening.
Day 3
Today we will start with a visit to the outstanding Prehistoric and Norse Settlement of Jarlshof, with over 3 acres of remains, spanning 3000 years since the days of the Stone Age, including oval shaped bronze age houses, iron age broch and wheel houses, Viking long houses and medieval farmhouses. From there we travel to the southern tip of mainland Shetland, Sumburgh Head, where the North Sea on the east meets the Atlantic Ocean on the west. Here we visit the RSPB Reserve, which is home to thousands of seabirds, including puffins, guillemots and razorbills. In the afternoon we travel through small communities such as Gulberwick and Cunningsburgh before we explore the island’s capital town of Lerwick, where we have some free time and an opportunity to visit the state of the art Shetland Museum for more detail on this special set of islands. We will re-join our ship, which sails at 1730 hours for Orkney. Dinner is served on board. On arrival in Orkney (expected 2300hrs) we will transfer the short distance to Kirkwall where accommodation has been arranged at the comfortable Kirkwall Hotel. All rooms are en-suite with colour television, telephone and tea/coffee making facilities.
Day 4
After breakfast today we have an all day excursion of mainland Orkney visiting the many archaeological sites including the Standing Stones of Stenness, lying to the north side of the Orphir Hills. Later we visit the great stone circles of Brodgar and Stenness. To this day the monument’s age remains uncertain, however it is generally thought to have been erected between 2500BC & 2000BC. We continue to Maeshowe, the finest chambered tomb in Western Europe. Built before 2700 B.C. Maeshowe was raided by Vikings in the 12th Century. It houses the largest collection of runic inscriptions to be found in any one place in the world. A visit to Skara Brae is also included, with its new visitors centre depicting the history of this world famous monument. Dinner will be served at the hotel in the evening.
Day 5
Today we will have some free time to explore Kirkwall and its environs at leisure. Places of interest include St. Magnus Cathedral, one of Europe’s greatest architectural masterpieces, its red and yellow sandstone still vibrant after 861 years, and the Bishop’s Palace. Spend some time shopping and enjoy lunch (not included). In the afternoon we will depart on a tour of the south end of mainland Orkney, crossing the Churchill Barriers which were built after the sinking of the HMS Royal Oak in October 1939. The causeways are built of 5 and 10 ton concrete blocks and have good roads on the top connecting Burray and South Ronaldsay to the Orkney mainland. We also stop off at the beautiful Italian Chapel, built on the site of a former prisoner of war camp. Several hundred Italians, captured during the North African campaign of World War II were sent here to work on the Causeways and converted two huts into a chapel. The marvellous paintings in the interior were done by Domenico Chiocchetti, one of the prisoners who returned several times to restore and repaint parts of the building. Dinner shall be served this evening in a local restaurant. Later this evening we will board the Northlink vessel ‘Hrossey’ where you will be able to enjoy a drink in the bar, settle in to your cabin or simply watch the quayside activity of the ship as we prepare for our sailing at 23.45hrs for Aberdeen.
Day 6
After our breakfast on board we will disembark in Aberdeen at 08.30hrs approximately. We will then be transferred back to the airport in time for our return flight to London. A six-day package by coach from a selection of Scottish pick-up points is also available from £715pp – please ask for our separate brochure.
We depart from London on a morning flight to Aberdeen (other airports may be available on request). On arrival in Aberdeen we will be transferred to the ferry terminal to board the Northlink Ferry ‘Hrossey’ and the ‘Hjaltland’ overnight to Lerwick. Once on board we shall check-in to our comfortable, twin-berth cabins which all have en-suite facilities. The ship has a delightful restaurant, where dinner is served this evening, together with a bar and lounges where you can relax. There is also a well-stocked gift shop for souvenir shopping or essential items.
Day 2
After breakfast on board we will leave the ship and commence our tour of Shetland. We depart for North Mainland where we will visit the spectacular cliffs of Eshaness. We travel through Tingwall Valley, the site of the old Norse parliament (Ting) and through the picturesque areas of Whiteness and Weisdale. Look out for the ‘Otters Crossing’ sign at the narrow isthmus known as Mavis Grind, where it is said to be possible to throw a stone from the North Sea to the Atlantic. We also stop at Scalloway, the former capital of Shetland where we visit the ruined castle built in 1600 by the infamous Earl Patrick Stewart. Following our visit here we transfer to the comfortable Sumburgh Hotel and Lodge, located adjacent to the Jarlshof site. All rooms have en-suite facilities, tv, telephone, hairdryer, trouser press, radio alarm and tea/coffee making facilities. Dinner will be served in the evening.
Day 3
Today we will start with a visit to the outstanding Prehistoric and Norse Settlement of Jarlshof, with over 3 acres of remains, spanning 3000 years since the days of the Stone Age, including oval shaped bronze age houses, iron age broch and wheel houses, Viking long houses and medieval farmhouses. From there we travel to the southern tip of mainland Shetland, Sumburgh Head, where the North Sea on the east meets the Atlantic Ocean on the west. Here we visit the RSPB Reserve, which is home to thousands of seabirds, including puffins, guillemots and razorbills. In the afternoon we travel through small communities such as Gulberwick and Cunningsburgh before we explore the island’s capital town of Lerwick, where we have some free time and an opportunity to visit the state of the art Shetland Museum for more detail on this special set of islands. We will re-join our ship, which sails at 1730 hours for Orkney. Dinner is served on board. On arrival in Orkney (expected 2300hrs) we will transfer the short distance to Kirkwall where accommodation has been arranged at the comfortable Kirkwall Hotel. All rooms are en-suite with colour television, telephone and tea/coffee making facilities.
Day 4
After breakfast today we have an all day excursion of mainland Orkney visiting the many archaeological sites including the Standing Stones of Stenness, lying to the north side of the Orphir Hills. Later we visit the great stone circles of Brodgar and Stenness. To this day the monument’s age remains uncertain, however it is generally thought to have been erected between 2500BC & 2000BC. We continue to Maeshowe, the finest chambered tomb in Western Europe. Built before 2700 B.C. Maeshowe was raided by Vikings in the 12th Century. It houses the largest collection of runic inscriptions to be found in any one place in the world. A visit to Skara Brae is also included, with its new visitors centre depicting the history of this world famous monument. Dinner will be served at the hotel in the evening.
Day 5
Today we will have some free time to explore Kirkwall and its environs at leisure. Places of interest include St. Magnus Cathedral, one of Europe’s greatest architectural masterpieces, its red and yellow sandstone still vibrant after 861 years, and the Bishop’s Palace. Spend some time shopping and enjoy lunch (not included). In the afternoon we will depart on a tour of the south end of mainland Orkney, crossing the Churchill Barriers which were built after the sinking of the HMS Royal Oak in October 1939. The causeways are built of 5 and 10 ton concrete blocks and have good roads on the top connecting Burray and South Ronaldsay to the Orkney mainland. We also stop off at the beautiful Italian Chapel, built on the site of a former prisoner of war camp. Several hundred Italians, captured during the North African campaign of World War II were sent here to work on the Causeways and converted two huts into a chapel. The marvellous paintings in the interior were done by Domenico Chiocchetti, one of the prisoners who returned several times to restore and repaint parts of the building. Dinner shall be served this evening in a local restaurant. Later this evening we will board the Northlink vessel ‘Hrossey’ where you will be able to enjoy a drink in the bar, settle in to your cabin or simply watch the quayside activity of the ship as we prepare for our sailing at 23.45hrs for Aberdeen.
Day 6
After our breakfast on board we will disembark in Aberdeen at 08.30hrs approximately. We will then be transferred back to the airport in time for our return flight to London. A six-day package by coach from a selection of Scottish pick-up points is also available from £715pp – please ask for our separate brochure.
- 1 night dinner, bed and full breakfast at the Sumburgh Hotel & Lodge, Shetland (or similar) and 2 nights’ bed and breakfast (plus one dinner) at the Kirkwall Hotel, Orkney. All rooms have private facilities
- 2 nights accommodation in 2-berth cabins on Northlink Ferries MV Hrossey/Hjaltland. Outside cabins are available for a small supplement
This holiday is booked by phone. Click 'book now' to make a reservation request to our travel partner who will call you back to confirm your booking details and take payment. To speak to a representative now please call 0330 333 6701.
3 results
| Departure date | Price | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18-Jun-2012 | 815.00 | sold out | |||
| 16-Jul-2012 | 815.00 | reserve | |||
| 27-Aug-2012 | 815.00 | reserve |
3 results
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