Orkney & Shetland Guided Walking with Sightseeing

Arrive on Orkney and settle in to the Merkister Hotel. Your leader will be in reception at 18:30 to give you a quick introduction to the holiday before dinner.

Our first walk on Orkney follows a clifftop coastal path from Marwick Bay to the Brough of Birsay, overlooking RSPB Marwick Head reserve. In the afternoon we’ll visit Maes Howe, one of the most treasured Neolithic sites in Europe. This mysterious tomb was built from huge sandstone blocks over 5,000 years ago and aligns perfectly with the winter solstice – testament to an advanced knowledge of astronomy by its architects. We’ll 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.

9 miles (14km) with 760 feet (230m) of ascent.

A superb coastal trail along the 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.

9½ miles (15.5 km) with 1,280 feet (380m) of ascent.

One of the most beautiful and rugged of the Orkney Islands, Hoy is much more akin to the Scottish Highlands than the rolling countryside and crofts found across the archipelago. Today’s 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.

8½ miles (13.5km) with 850 feet (260m) of ascent.

Today we leave Orkney and head north to Shetland. On arrival, we visit Sumburgh Head RSPB reserve. It’s the most southerly point of mainland Shetland and where thousands of species of seabird come ashore to nest on the cliffs. This elevated viewpoint affords extensive views over Shetland and of Fair Isle to the south. We’ll also visit the impressive archaeological site of Jarlshof. Over 4,000 years old, discoveries here include everything from Stone Age settlements and Bronze Age dwellings to Norse longhouses and medieval farms.

2 miles (3km) with 200 feet (60m) of ascent. We then rejoin our transport for the scenic transfer to Busta House.

There’s an opportunity to learn about Shetland’s heritage at the Tangwick Haa museum today as we circumnavigate the beautiful Eshaness peninsula. Wildlife watching here is superb. Seabirds flock to this rocky outcrop in their thousands during breeding season and colonies of common and grey seal spend autumn in the waters of the bay. 

9 miles (14km) with 1,060 feet (320m) of ascent.

A fitting finale to the holiday, this walk along the magnificent granite coastline around Muckle Roe offers a chance to admire the windswept isolation and remote beauty of Shetland.

7½ miles (12km) with 1,360 feet (420m) of ascent.

Group transfer to Sumburgh airport for your return flight.

Welcome! On our Fully Escorted departures, your HF Holidays leader will meet you at the airport prior to your flight and will travel with you to your hotel ready to start your holiday. 

Please meet your HF Holidays Leader 2 hours 30 minutes before your flight departure Dundee Airport: 

Group Meeting Point - Central Check-in-Hall. Look out for the HF Holidays sign. 

Your HF Holidays Leader will then travel with you to the hotel, helping you settle in and ensuring a smooth and enjoyable start to your holiday.

Our first walk on Orkney follows a clifftop coastal path from Marwick Bay to the Brough of Birsay, overlooking RSPB Marwick Head reserve. In the afternoon we’ll visit Maes Howe, one of the most treasured Neolithic sites in Europe. This mysterious tomb was built from huge sandstone blocks over 5,000 years ago and aligns perfectly with the winter solstice – testament to an advanced knowledge of astronomy by its architects. We’ll 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.

9 miles (14km) with 760 feet (230m) of ascent.

A superb coastal trail along the 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.

9½ miles (15.5 km) with 1,280 feet (380m) of ascent.

One of the most beautiful and rugged of the Orkney Islands, Hoy is much more akin to the Scottish Highlands than the rolling countryside and crofts found across the archipelago. Today’s 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.

8½ miles (13.5km) with 850 feet (260m) of ascent.

Today we leave Orkney and head north to Shetland. On arrival, we visit Sumburgh Head RSPB reserve. It’s the most southerly point of mainland Shetland and where thousands of species of seabird come ashore to nest on the cliffs. This elevated viewpoint affords extensive views over Shetland and of Fair Isle to the south. We’ll also visit the impressive archaeological site of Jarlshof. Over 4,000 years old, discoveries here include everything from Stone Age settlements and Bronze Age dwellings to Norse longhouses and medieval farms.

2 miles (3km) with 200 feet (60m) of ascent. We then rejoin our transport for the scenic transfer to Busta House.

There’s an opportunity to learn about Shetland’s heritage at the Tangwick Haa museum today as we circumnavigate the beautiful Eshaness peninsula. Wildlife watching here is superb. Seabirds flock to this rocky outcrop in their thousands during breeding season and colonies of common and grey seal spend autumn in the waters of the bay. 

9 miles (14km) with 1,060 feet (320m) of ascent.

A fitting finale to the holiday, this walk along the magnificent granite coastline around Muckle Roe offers a chance to admire the windswept isolation and remote beauty of Shetland.

7½ miles (12km) with 1,360 feet (420m) of ascent.

Group transfer to Sumburgh airport for your return flight.