How much does it cost?

From £2,089 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $2,822 at ECB reference rates. Departures, room types and dates can price differently; the operator's page is the final word.

Is train travel included?

A little. Rail travel from your home station to Aberdeen and back is included, and day 7 offers an optional included return rail trip from Pitlochry to Inverness. The rest of the tour travels by coach and ferry.

Is it escorted or independent?

Escorted, with an experienced Railtrail Tour Manager throughout.

Which hotels are used?

The Malmaison Hotel in Aberdeen, then either the Albert Hotel or Kirkwall Hotel in Kirkwall depending on your departure month, then Fishers Hotel in Pitlochry.

What is included with meals?

Bed, breakfast, and an evening meal each of the seven nights, including dinner aboard the NorthLink ferry to Shetland.

Railtrail Tours · Escorted tour

Orkney & Shetland Explorer 2027

Orkney and Shetland tour by coach and ferry from Aberdeen

Railtrail Tours runs this eight-day escorted tour to Orkney and Shetland, travelling by rail, coach, and ferry with an experienced Tour Manager throughout. After two nights in Aberdeen, an overnight NorthLink ferry crossing reaches Shetland for a guided tour of Jarlshof's Viking remains, then an evening sailing on to Orkney for two nights based in Kirkwall, taking in Skara Brae, the Ring of Brodgar, and the Italian Chapel. A ferry back to the mainland passes the Old Man of Hoy sea stack before the coach reaches John O'Groats and continues to Pitlochry for two more nights, where day 7 leaves a choice between a day at leisure or an included rail trip to Inverness. Because most days involve coach and ferry travel rather than rail, this suits travellers drawn to Orkney and Shetland's history and scenery more than to train riding itself, with a moderate amount of walking on guided tours throughout.

What to know before you look closer

The Kirkwall hotel depends on your departure date: the Albert Hotel for May and August departures, the Kirkwall Hotel for the September departure.
Most days are coach and ferry travel between Aberdeen, Shetland, Orkney, and Pitlochry; the only included train ride is an optional return trip from Pitlochry to Inverness on day 7.

Day by day

Day 1overnight: Malmaison Hotel, Aberdeen
Aberdeen
Journey from your home station to Aberdeen and check in to the Malmaison Hotel for a two-night stay.
Day 2overnight: Malmaison Hotel, Aberdeen
Aberdeen City Tour
Orientation tour of Aberdeen including Dunnottar Castle, Footdee, Union Terrace Gardens, Duthie Park, the Old Town, and the Castlegate.
Day 3overnight: NorthLink Ferry (en route to Lerwick)
Overnight Ferry to Shetland
Free time in Aberdeen before boarding the NorthLink ship overnight to Lerwick, with evening meal on board.
Day 4overnight: Albert Hotel (or Kirkwall Hotel in September), Kirkwall
Shetland & Overnight Ferry to Orkney
Guided tour of Shetland including Jarlshof, Scalloway, Lerwick, and Shetland ponies, then an evening sailing to Orkney arriving late, checking in to Kirkwall.
Day 5overnight: Albert Hotel (or Kirkwall Hotel in September), Kirkwall
Orkney
Guided tour of Orkney including Skara Brae, Skaill House, the Ring of Brodgar, the Churchill Barriers, and the Italian Chapel.
Day 6overnight: Fishers Hotel, Pitlochry
Old Man of Hoy, John O'Groats & Pitlochry
Ferry to Scrabster passing the Old Man of Hoy, then coach to John O'Groats and on to Pitlochry for a two-night stay.
Day 7railovernight: Fishers Hotel, Pitlochry
Pitlochry & Inverness at Leisure
Day at leisure in Pitlochry or an included return rail trip to explore Inverness.
Day 8
Homeward Journey
After breakfast, we bid farewell to Pitlochry and make our way to the station for our homeward journeys.

The moments this trip is built around

Day 2A guided orientation tour of Aberdeen takes in Dunnottar Castle, Footdee, and the Old Town.
Day 4A guided tour of Shetland visits the Viking-age remains at Jarlshof and Shetland ponies, before an evening ferry crossing to Orkney.
Day 5Orkney's Neolithic village of Skara Brae, the Ring of Brodgar stone circle, and the wartime Italian Chapel are visited on a guided tour.
Day 6The ferry to Scrabster passes the Old Man of Hoy sea stack before the coach reaches John O'Groats, the top of mainland Britain.
Day 7An included return rail trip from Pitlochry to Inverness offers a free day exploring the Highland capital.

Included

7 nights bed, breakfast & evening meal
Services of experienced Railtrail Tour Manager
Rail travel & seat reservations from your Home Station to Tour Base (Standard or First Class)
Rail & coach travel, with transfers as described
All excursions & admissions as detailed

Questions travellers ask

How much does it cost?: From £2,089 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $2,822 at ECB reference rates. Departures, room types and dates can price differently; the operator's page is the final word.
Is train travel included?: A little. Rail travel from your home station to Aberdeen and back is included, and day 7 offers an optional included return rail trip from Pitlochry to Inverness. The rest of the tour travels by coach and ferry.
Is it escorted or independent?: Escorted, with an experienced Railtrail Tour Manager throughout.
Which hotels are used?: The Malmaison Hotel in Aberdeen, then either the Albert Hotel or Kirkwall Hotel in Kirkwall depending on your departure month, then Fishers Hotel in Pitlochry.
What is included with meals?: Bed, breakfast, and an evening meal each of the seven nights, including dinner aboard the NorthLink ferry to Shetland.