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Great Rail Journeys · Escorted Small Group Tour

Orkney & the Shetland Isles

Island-hopping through Orkney and Shetland by rail, ferry and coach from Edinburgh

Illustration of Orkney & the Shetland Isles

Great Rail Journeys operates this 8-day escorted tour of Orkney and Shetland, departing Edinburgh and ending in Inverness. The journey combines rail travel across mainland Scotland, overnight ferry crossings in cabin accommodation, and coach excursions led by local guides. Day 2 takes guests by train over the UNESCO-listed Forth Bridge to Aberdeen for a walking tour of its fishing villages and historic quarters. Days 3 to 5 are spent in Shetland, where visitors meet Shetland ponies, walk along clifftops at Eshaness, and explore the 4,000-year-old settlement of Jarlshof and its surrounding neolithic sites. Days 6 and 7 focus on Orkney's archaeological treasures, including a talk from an archaeologist on the Ness of Brodgar excavations, the neolithic village of Skara Brae, and a visit to the Castle of Mey. The return journey on Days 7 and 8 includes a scenic train ride through the Cairngorms. All rail, ferry, coach travel, hotels, breakfast, dinner and guided excursions are included. This tour suits history-lovers, photographers and repeat rail travellers who want a guided structure with substantial included experiences.

What to know before you look closer

  • The single supplement (GBP 3,369) is approximately 35 percent above half the double price, making solo travel significantly more expensive.
  • Two nights are spent in Northlink Ferries cabins rather than hotels; confirm your preferences for cabin type and facilities before booking.
  • Maximum group size is 22 travellers, so the tour is not a small or intimate experience.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Edinburgh

    Arrival in Edinburgh

    Holiday begins on arrival at the hotel in Edinburgh, greeted by the Tour Manager. At leisure to explore Scotland's capital. The heart of the city is a UNESCO World Heritage site with the Old Town's historic buildings and the New Town's Georgian architecture. The Royal Mile offers sights including the Palace of Holyroodhouse, Edinburgh Castle, Gothic St Giles' Cathedral and atmospheric alleyways. First dinner together as a group.

    Meals: Dinner

  2. Day 2railovernight: Northlink Ferry (overnight crossing)

    Discovering the hidden gems of the Granite City

    After breakfast, board a train to Aberdeen, travelling over the UNESCO-listed Forth Bridge with views of sandy beaches, rugged cliffs and rolling farmland. On arrival, a guided coach tour begins in Footdee (Fittie), a historic harbourside fishing village, then continues to Old Aberdeen with cobbled roads and 14th-century St Machar's Cathedral. Visit the Merchant Quarter, King's College and the granite statue of Queen Victoria at Queen's Cross. Free time at leisure for lunch before boarding the overnight ferry. Three-course dinner on board.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  3. Day 3overnight: Brae, Shetland

    Exploring the charming Shetland Islands

    Disembark in Lerwick after breakfast. Coach to Scalloway to admire the small fishing port. Meet Shetland ponies close-up, learn about their history and lead them through fields to a picturesque beach. Visit Scalloway Museum including the story of the 'Shetland Bus' WWII operation. Walking tour of Lerwick or time at leisure. Scenic drive to hotel in Brae for dinner. (Running order for Shetland sightseeing on Days 3-5 may vary.)

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  4. Day 4overnight: Brae, Shetland

    The wildlife of the Shetlands

    Coach trip with a local guide to Eshaness via the fjord at Ronas Voe. Short clifftop walk along an ancient volcano with coastal views. Visit Hillswick Wildlife Sanctuary caring for rescued seals and otters. Lunch of fish and chips. Stop at a croft breeding award-winning Shetland ponies, with introductions to the herd, dogs and sheep. Continue to Lunna, headquarters of the Shetland Bus WWII operation, to view Lunna House and the historic church. Return to Brae hotel for dinner.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  5. Day 5overnight: Kirkwall, Orkney (via overnight ferry)

    Incredible views and Norse history in the Shetlands

    Coach to St Ninian's Isle, a picturesque uninhabited island connected by a tombolo, with remains of 8th-century St Ninian's Chapel and Pictish history. View the golden sands of Rerwick Bay. Visit ancient Jarlshof with neolithic and Norse structures dating from around 2700 BC to the 17th century. Travel to Sumburgh Head nature reserve to see puffins, guillemots, razorbills and fulmars. Return to Lerwick and board the evening ferry to Orkney with dinner on board. Check in to hotel in Kirkwall late tonight.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  6. Day 6overnight: Northlink Ferry (overnight crossing to Scrabster)

    Uncovering Orkney's ancient sights

    Leisurely breakfast followed by a talk from archaeologist Professor Nick Card on excavations at the Ness of Brodgar. Visit the Italian Chapel built by Italian PoWs during WWII. Continue to Kirkwall for optional tour of St Magnus Cathedral and free time for lunch. Drive via Scapa Flow to the UNESCO-listed Heart of Neolithic Orkney: the preserved 5,000-year-old village of Skara Brae ('Scottish Pompeii'), the Ring of Brodgar stone circle, and the Standing Stones of Stenness (c.3100 BC). Short drive to Stromness for dinner at a restaurant before boarding the overnight ferry to Scrabster.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  7. Day 7railovernight: Inverness

    Royal Castle of Mey and John O'Groats

    Arrive in Scrabster early morning. Coach to the Castle and Gardens of Mey, the northernmost castle on mainland Britain and former home of the Queen Mother. Explore the castle, walled gardens and grounds with views across the Pentland Firth to Orkney on clear days. Head east to John O'Groats for a photo stop at the famous sign pointing to Land's End, 874 miles away. Return to Thurso and board the train for a scenic journey through the Scottish Highlands to Inverness, with views of mountains, lochs, coastal scenery, moors and hilltop castles. Check in to hotel in Inverness and final dinner together. (Note: For October departures, Dunrobin Castle replaces Castle of Mey due to annual closure.)

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  8. Day 8rail

    Homeward bound

    Relaxed breakfast before a train journey through the Cairngorms to Edinburgh, with views of mountain peaks, winding rivers, cascading waterfalls, historic towns and villages. On arrival in Edinburgh, the holiday comes to an end and guests are free to make their own way home or continue exploring independently.

    Meals: Breakfast

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Train from Edinburgh to Aberdeen crosses the UNESCO-listed Forth Bridge, passing sandy beaches, rugged cliffs and rolling farmland.
  • Day 4Coach trip with a local guide to Eshaness includes a short clifftop walk along an ancient volcano and a visit to Hillswick Wildlife Sanctuary with rescued seals and otters.
  • Day 5Visit to Sumburgh Head nature reserve to see puffins, guillemots, razorbills and fulmars before an overnight ferry crossing to Orkney.
  • Day 6Archaeologist Professor Nick Card gives a talk on excavations at the Ness of Brodgar, followed by visits to the Heart of Neolithic Orkney sites including Skara Brae and the Ring of Brodgar.
  • Day 7Coach to the Castle of Mey, the northernmost castle on mainland Britain and former home of the Queen Mother, with views across the Pentland Firth to Orkney, then photo stop at John O'Groats.

Included

  • Expertise of a UK Tour Manager from start to finish
  • 5 nights' 4-star hotel accommodation
  • 2 nights in a cabin on Northlink Ferries
  • Standard Class rail travel
  • All rail, ferry and coach travel throughout the tour
  • Breakfast and dinner each day
  • 1 lunch
  • All guided tours and excursions
  • Talk by archaeologist Professor Nick Card

Not included

  • Cancellation & Travel Insurance

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes. Great Rail Journeys includes Standard Class rail from Edinburgh to Aberdeen, Thurso to Inverness, and Inverness back to Edinburgh via the Cairngorms, plus all ferry and coach travel throughout the tour.
Is this tour escorted or independent?
It is an escorted small group tour. A UK Tour Manager leads the entire journey and all guided tours and excursions are included.
What meals are provided?
Breakfast and dinner are included each day, plus one lunch (fish and chips on Day 4). Other meals are at your own expense.
What accommodation is provided?
Five nights in 4-star hotels: Radisson Blu Edinburgh (1 night), a hotel in Brae (2 nights), Ayre Hotel in Kirkwall (1 night), and Best Western Palace Hotel in Inverness (1 night). Two nights are in Northlink Ferries cabins during overnight crossings.
When does this tour run?
Departures are scheduled in May, June, July, August, September and October, with dates in 2026 and 2027.
How much walking is involved?
A short clifftop walk along an ancient volcano at Eshaness, city walking tours in Aberdeen and Lerwick, and walks to sites such as St Ninian's Isle and Jarlshof. Standard fitness is expected.

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