The splendid Orkney Islands are only six miles off the Northern Coast of Scotland, yet their unique isolation and the fierce independence of their population makes them feel a world away from the mainland. Drink in the dramatic island landscapes and prehistoric sites on a private Orkney tour with a local guide who wants to share the magic of their homeland with you.

The Orkney island chain is made up of 70 islands, only 17 of them inhabited. Your guide's aim is to keep you away from the summer crowds and show you the true flavour of the islands. Using the causeways, you can hop from island to island, drinking in history both recent and ancient. The Orkneys have the highest concentration of prehistoric sites in Europe - be sure to soak up the energy emanating from the numerous standing stones dotting the landscape.

Your guide is happy to design a private Orkney tour that reflects your unique interests in these ancient and evocative islands.

Orkney

Short tours give travellers a taste of what Orkney has to offer.

This tour will introduce you to the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of the Heart of Neolithic Orkney and the Italian chapel

Standing Stones of Stenness
Ring of Brodgar (self guided)
Skara Brae/Skaill house (self guided from replica house)
Italian Chapel

Introduction to Orkney

Taster Tour of Orkney 5 hours

Join me to explore what many would consider the 'must see' of Orkney while travelling yourself through 5, 000 years of history!

This tour will give you a taste of some of the best Orkney has to offer. The Italian Chapel, built by Italian POW's, the Churchill Barriers, and Scapa Flow, a natural harbor. Also the The Standing Stones of Stenness, Ring of Brodgar, Skara Brae, home of a Neolithic family and Skaill House, the oldest manor house in Orkney.

Visit the heart of Neolithic Orkney, considered a UNESCO World Heritage site and learn what archaeologists think life was in the past!

I have always been an outdoors person and I am eager to show others the stunning things that this city and its surroundings have to offer. My delight is when I tell someone something that they didn't know they wanted to know!

Entrance fees to Skara Brae, Skail House and the Italian Chapel

The Orkney Bucket List

Classic Orkney Full Day Tour

An amazing 5-day Private Guided Tour (your group only) from Edinburgh to Orkney and then Inverness.
Your guide will pick up in Edinburgh and take you on a fascinating historical tour on route to the Ferry Terminal in Aberdeen. The route will depend on your pickup location.
We spend two days in Orkney exploring the amazing historical sites. The tour is private and will be set to your own pace.
On Day 4 we return to the Scottish Mainland via a short Ferry Journey and on route to Inverness, we will visit Dunrobin Castle and the Culloden Battlefield.
Day 5 we start the day with a Loch Ness cruise which includes Urquhart Castle and a hunt for Nessie. We then head to Edinburgh or Aberdeen depending on your drop off location.

This is a private tour for your group only and route/itinerary can be changed to suit.
 
Attractions may be subject to seasonal opening, contact us for details.

Please book 3 nights' accommodation in Kirkwall and 1 nights' accommodation in Inverness.


Aberdeen to Orkney Ferry inc Sleeping Pod

Amazing private tour seeing the best of Scotland

Orkney and Inverness Private Guided Tour (Your group only) from Edinburgh

I look forward to delivering this tour to travellers as a Native Orcadian, I have a lifetime of knowledge to make each tour as immersive as possible. I really do enjoy questions, and if any sites that are not listed in this tour are of interest to you, please just let me know via the chat or on the day and I will do my best to accommodate the request, I'm very flexible and understand that something may come to mind at last minute.

This as well as all of my tours are fully customizable to visitors, and time extensions (although at extra cost) are always possible. I only take one tour per day to enable me to be the most accommodating I can be to your needs.

On this particular tour, we'll enjoy breathtaking views, see ancient monuments and see as much of the island as possible in the time frame all hosted by a Native Islander.

Please note this tour does NOT include site tickets to Skara Brae departing at 09:00 we would arrive for a 11:00 start when booking online.

Let's visit the main sites of Orkney in a 5 hour tour!

Historic Orkney, Weekday 5 hour tour 1

Half Day Guided Tour - Orkney Through the Ages

This tour is a great way to visit the main sites in Orkney in around 5 hours. Ideal if you are on a day trip or a cruise ship and you want to see some of the main highlights of the island. You will be given commentary while driving around Orkney's beautiful scenery and tell you about local customs and traditions of the islands.

This tour takes you through the Heart of Neolithic Orkney visiting some of the most spectacular archaeological sites in the UK and then a coastal drive with panoramic views of the beautiful Scapa Flow to discover Orkney's wartime history with a stop at the Italian Chapel. We also visit Orkney's main town of Kirkwall to see St Magnus Cathedral, built while Orkney was under Norse rule.

This tour can also be tailored to suit you so please get in touch for more info.

The magnificent Neolithic village of Skara Brae.

Italian Chapel built by Italian Prisoners of War during World War 2

Standing Stones of Stenness, believed to be the oldest stone circle in the UK

Churchill Barriers and blockships, some of Orkney's World War 2 history

Discover the Tour that Takes you Back 5000 Years Until Modern Day

A full day of visiting the MAIN sites in Orkney and also some of the sites coaches cannot access such as Unstan cairn a 5000 year old cairn/tomb

This tour is perfect for travellers with limited time or an extensive list of historic sites they would like to see on the Orkney Mainland.

We will have short stops for photos and most of the guiding and history will be given in the vehicle en route. If there is anywhere you are keen to see let me know. Its YOUR tour.

Also suitable for travellers wanting a scenic panoramic drive with light walking.

Orkney in a Day

Explore and See Orkney 7 hours

Half Day Orkney Highlights - Private Tour

I will take you to what many would consider the 'must see' of Orkney, this tour travels through 5, 000 years of history and gives you taste of some of the best Orkney has to offer, we will visit the Italian Chapel, Churchill Barriers and Scapa Flow, The Standing Stones of Stenness, a drive past the Ring of Brodgar, plus a quick tour of Skara Brae.

I will explain how Scapa Flow, (a natural harbour) UB47 (a submarine) Churchill barriers (a roadway) and the Italian Chapel (built by Italian POW's) are linked in one story, a story that changed the Geography, the Geology, the Economy and Orkney itself forever.

we will go to one of my favourite places in Orkney, the heart of Neolithic Orkney a UNESCO World Heritage site, l will explain what archaeologists think life was like 5, 000 years ago, explore the home of a Neolithic family at Skara Brae, walk, touch and wonder why the stone circles were built.

Entrance Fees to Skara  Brae and Italian Chapel

The Must See's at Speed!

I look forward to delivering this tour to travellers as a Native Orcadian, I have a lifetime of knowledge to make each tour as immersive as possible. I really do enjoy questions, and if any sites that are not listed in this tour are of interest to you, please just let me know via the chat or on the day and I will do my best to accommodate the request, I'm very flexible and understand that something may come to mind at last minute.

This as well as all of my tours are fully customizable to visitors, and time extensions (although at extra cost) are always possible. I only take one tour per day to enable me to be the most accommodating I can be to your needs.

On this particular tour, we'll enjoy breathtaking views, see ancient monuments and see as much of the island as possible in the time frame all hosted by a Native Islander.

Please note this tour does NOT include site tickets to Skara Brae departing at 09:00 we would arrive for a 11:00 entry when booking online.

The main sites of Orkney in a 5 hour tour!

Historic Orkney, 5 hour Weekend Tour 1

An amazing 5-day Private Guided Tour (your group only) from Aberdeen to Orkney and then Inverness.

Your guide will pick up in Aberdeen and take you on a fascinating historical tour on route to the Ferry Terminal in Aberdeen. The route will depend on your pickup location.

We spend two days in Orkney exploring the amazing historical sites. The tour is private and will be set to your own pace.

On Day 4 we return to the Scottish Mainland via a short Ferry Journey and on route to Inverness, we will visit Dunrobin Castle and the Culloden Battlefield.

Day 5 we start the day with a Loch Ness cruise which includes Urquhart Castle and a hunt for Nessie. 

We then head to Aberdeen for your drop off.

This is a private tour for your group only and route/itinerary can be changed to suit.
 
Attractions may be subject to seasonal opening, contact us for details.

Please book 3 nights’ accommodation in Kirkwall and 1 nights’ accommodation in Inverness.


Orkney to Inverness Private Guided Tour (Your group only) from Aberdeen 

The Orkney Highlights Tour allows you to visit some of the Orkney Islands' most popular visitor attractions, including Skara Brae, Ring of Brodgar, and the Italian Chapel.

This tour is perfect if you are short of time in Orkney and want to make the most of your trip.

Visit Orkney's Most Popular Visitor Attractions in 7 Hours

Orkney Highlights Tour Full Day

I will take you to what many would consider the 'must see' of Orkney, this tour travels through 5, 000 years of history and gives you taste of some of the best Orkney has to offer, we will visit the Italian Chapel, Churchill Barriers and Scapa Flow, The Standing Stones of Stenness, a drive past the Ring of Brodgar, plus a quick tour of Skara Brae.

I will explain how Scapa Flow, (a natural harbour) UB47 (a submarine) Churchill barriers (a roadway) and the Italian Chapel (built by Italian POW's) are linked in one story, a story that changed the Geography, the Geology, the Economy and Orkney itself forever.

We will go to one of my favourite places in Orkney, the Heart of Neolithic Orkney a UNESCO World Heritage site,
l will explain what archaeologists think life was like 5, 000 years ago, explore the home of a Neolithic family at
Skara Brae, walk, touch and wonder why the stone circles were built.

Entrance fee to Skara Brae and Italian Chapel

Cruise tour Special - Private Tour

Short tours give travellers a taste of what Orkney has to offer.

This tour will introduce you to the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of the Heart of Neolithic Orkney.

Standing Stones of Stenness
Ring of Brodgar (self guided)
Skara Brae (self guided from replica house)
Unstan Cairn (very low entrance to a 5300 yr old chambered tomb)

Heart of Neolithic Orkney 4 hours

I look forward to delivering this tour to travellers as a Native Orcadian, I have a lifetime of knowledge to make each tour as immersive as possible. I really do enjoy questions, and if any sites that are not listed in this tour are of interest to you, please just let me know via the chat or on the day and I will do my best to accommodate the request, I'm very flexible and understand that something may come to mind at last minute.

This as well as all of my tours are fully customizable to visitors, and time extensions (although at extra cost) are always possible. I only take one tour per day to enable me to be the most accommodating I can be to your needs.

On this particular tour, we'll enjoy breathtaking views, see ancient monuments and see as much of the island as possible in the time frame all hosted by a Native Islander.

Please note this tour does NOT include site tickets to Skara Brae or Maes Howe. Ticket availability for both of these sites may change the order of the itinerary.

A 7 Hour tour designed to see the best of Orkney in one day

Historic Orkney Full Day 7 hour Showcase Tour

Creative Walk: A Full Day Tour of Local Orkney Beach

This tour gives the opportunity to walk on some of the more remote beaches of Orkney, getting away from the popular spots where few people go and Beachcombing as we go, who knows what we will find, a Groatie Buckie (locals call a Lucky shell) or a message in a bottle or some old fishing rope.

It's a good chance to slow down and enjoy the coast at its best, walking speed.
Later in our studio we rouse the creative side and put together something from our finds, creating a unique keepsake and reminder of Orkney.

My shoreline treasure is old fishing rope (ghost fishing gear) turning it into something new such as a doormat or a simple rope ring (Quoit) or even a Dream catcher.

Each tour will be different, it will be customized not only by the tide times but recent weather will send us to a beach that may have some new gems, your own interest and likes will also help to fine tune what and where we go.

Old fishing rope washed up on a Orkney beach

Ocean Plait mat made from old fishing rope

A Kringle mat/trivet made from old fishing rope

Looking for What the Tide has Brought in, Creative Beachcombing

I look forward to delivering this tour to travellers as a Native Orcadian, I have a lifetime of knowledge to make each tour as immersive as possible. I really do enjoy questions, and if any sites that are not listed in this tour are of interest to you, please just let me know via the chat or on the day and I will do my best to accommodate the request, I'm very flexible and understand that something may come to mind at last minute.

This as well as all of my tours are fully customizable to visitors, and time extensions (although at extra cost) are always possible. I only take one tour per day to enable me to be the most accommodating I can be to your needs.

On this particular tour, we'll enjoy breathtaking views, see ancient monuments and see as much of the island as possible in the time frame all hosted by a Native Islander.

Please note this tour does NOT include site tickets to The Broch of Gurness or Stromness Museum but these can both be bought on the day.

Kirkwall tours

Explore with 15 tours and 5 guides.

Mary D.

$ 778 (USD)

Mark C.

$ 1,050 (USD)

Malcolm D.

$ 9,282 (USD)

Calum T.

$ 539 (USD)

Garry D.

$ 707 (USD)

Mary D.

$ 853 (USD)

Mark C.

$ 682 (USD)

Calum T.

$ 675 (USD)

Malcolm D.

$ 8,184 (USD)

Garry D.

$ 862 (USD)

Mark C.

$ 805 (USD)

Mary D.

$ 655 (USD)

Calum T.

$ 709 (USD)

Mark C.

$ 900 (USD)

Calum T.

$ 539 (USD)

Meet your local guides in Kirkwall

Customize your tour