Trip Overview

Discover Shetland and Orkney’s boundless, salt-stung beauty on an unforgettable 9 day walking holiday. Known for their spectacular coastal scenery and rich ancient history, enjoy exploring these wild isles off of Scotland’s most northerly coast.

With your knowledgeable Wilderness guide, hike to iconic sea stacks, cavernous caves and sheer cliffs that shimmer with thousands of seabirds. Visit National Nature Reserves and beaches where the sea breaks turquoise on crescents of white sand. Spot wildlife synonymous with these islands, including grey seals, brown hares, stocky Shetland ponies and a myriad of birds such as guillemots, fulmars, puffins and kittiwakes. Rich in heritage, tradition and folklore, visit fascinating archaeological sites and thoughtful, engaging museums. If you’re familiar with the gripping TV crime drama ‘Shetland’, which grew out of Ann Cleeves’ award-winning detective novels, you’ll be gifted with many recognisable stunning destinations when visiting the northerly archipelago. Where gannets dive like arrows beneath the surf and ethereal light shifts across the Atlantic, enjoy a guided walking adventure to the Shetland and Orkney Isles.

Day 1 – Welcome to Shetland Read Less: Day 1
Welcome to Shetland
Meet your Wilderness Guide on Shetland this morning at Lerwick Ferry Terminal or Sumburgh Airport. Once the group has assembled, head off for a beautiful circular hike – a true Shetland classic. We wind our way along the coast and ascend Sumburgh Head, the southernmost point of Shetland and a brilliant place to see puffins up close during the summer season. On our return, we explore Jarlshof, a remarkable archaeological site comprising prehistoric and Norse settlements. Afterwards, transfer north to our lovely hotel and enjoy dinner.
Meals Included: Lunch and Dinner
Walk Details: 6 km / 3 miles | 200 m / 656 ft | Approx: 3 hrs

Day 2 – Hiking Ness of Hillswick Read Less: Day 2
Hiking Ness of Hillswick
After a leisurely breakfast, the group sets out with a guide for a coastal circuit around the diamond shaped peninsula. The beginning of the hike offers fantastic opportunities to spot otters and, further along, seals and a myriad of seabirds. The tiny modern lighthouse at Baa Taing provides a lovely spot for a picnic lunch and to admire the stunning scenery. In the afternoon, another short hike reveals amazing views of a dark sea cave, before returning via a loch and the crumbling remains of a broch. As evening approaches, the hotel’s quiet sloping garden beckons, where one can relax with a drink as the soft notes of dusk settle on the breeze.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Walk Details: 11 km / 7 miles | 300 m / 984 ft | Approx: 5 hrs

Day 3 – Hermaness National Nature Reserve Read Less: Day 3
Hermaness National Nature Reserve
This morning, head out to explore Hermaness National Nature Reserve. Located on the far tip of Unst (Shetland’s most northerly isle), it is home to more than 100,000 birds in the breeding season. Enjoy a spectacular walk along the clifftops whilst chatting with your knowledgeable guide as the drama of the reserve fills the cliffs, sea and skies. This afternoon, we visit Haroldswick and learn about Shetland’s rich Viking heritage as the group explores the Skidbladner (a replica Gokstad ship) and a Viking Longhouse reconstruction. Return to the hotel and enjoy a delicious dinner.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Walk Details: 11 km / 7 miles | 285 m / 935 ft | Approx: 4 hrs

Day 4 – No Ness Peninsula and Afternoon Boat Trip Read Less: Day 4
No Ness Peninsula and Afternoon Boat Trip
After breakfast, we set out to enjoy a beautiful walk around the peninsula of No Ness. From the pretty village of Sandwick, strike out south along the road, following the tarmac until it becomes a grassy track and gradually ribbons its way onto the clifftop. The eastern side of the peninsula is impressive – the cliffs are rocky and sheer above the consistent swell. After passing the ruins of an Iron Age broch, continue following the coast north and arrive back in Sandwick. This afternoon, we transfer to Lerwick and hop aboard a boat to visit Noss National Nature Reserve. Enjoy the noisy spectacle of the ‘seabird city’, looking out for seals and soaking up the incredible views.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Walk Details: 8 km / 5 miles | 180 m / 591 ft | Approx: 3.5 hrs

Day 5 – Visiting Shetland Museum and Travel to Orkney Read Less: Day 5
Visiting Shetland Museum and Travel to Orkney
As the syrupy sunlight glides across the water, join your guide for an engaging walk out across the clifftops. Providing incredible views of magnificent sea stacks and dark, salt-stung caves, we wind our way along the heath, looking out at the weathered arches that stand like ancient battlements above the swell. On our return, we nosy our way to Lerwick and have lunch, spending some time in the award-winning museum before boarding the ferry to Orkney. As we sail steadily towards Kirkwall, chat with your group over dinner as the silhouette of Shetland fades on the horizon. Later this evening, we arrive at our elegant Orcadian hotel and enjoy a good night’s sleep.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Walk Details: 9 km / 5 miles | 280 m / 919 ft | Approx: 3.5 hrs

Day 6 – Mull Head Walk Read Less: Day 6
Mull Head Walk
After a slightly later arrival last night, enjoy a lovely laid-back morning before heading out to visit a charming Italian Chapel with your guide. Located on the small, uninhabited island of Lamb Holm, it was built back in World War II. Under a big blue sky, learn about the chapel’s poignant history before returning to the main isle for lunch. This afternoon, we hike one of the finest coastal circuits on mainland Orkney. The route takes us past a dramatic gloup (‘gloup’ is a word of Norse origin describing a collapsed sea cave or large blow hole) and provides wonderful views across the waves. Return to the hotel for a locally sourced, seasonal dinner this evening.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Walk Details: 7 km / 4 miles | 195 m / 640 ft | Approx: 3 hrs

Day 7 – The Old Man of Hoy Read Less: Day 7
The Old Man of Hoy
Today, join your guide for a short drive along the edge of Scapa Flow to catch the ferry to Hoy. The island is distinctive, dramatic and wild with mountainous moorland and glaciated valleys. We embark on a beautiful coastal hike to the incredible sea stack of Old Man of Hoy, carrying on to St John’s Head – the highest vertical seacliff in the UK. On our return, keep an eye out for skuas and peregrine falcons hunting along the coastline. Tonight, enjoy a free evening, perhaps strolling into Kirkwall to enjoy dinner at one of the local restaurants.
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch
Walk Details: 10 km / 6 miles | 220 m / 722 ft | Approx: 4 hrs

Day 8 – The Heart of Neolithic Orkney Read Less: Day 8
The Heart of Neolithic Orkney
Enjoy learning more about Orkney’s fascinating history this morning as you visit some of its most treasured ancient sites. A short drive will take you to the beautiful and mysterious Ring of Brodgar (Scotland’s largest Neolithic stone circle), the Stones of Stenness and Maeshowe Chambered Cairn. After lunch, join your guide for a lovely circular walk along an easy coastal path to Warbeth Beach. We will take in the spectacular views across the tempestuous Hoy Sound and the twin peaks of Cuilags and Ward Hill. Later, arrive back in the pretty stone village of Stromness and pop into a couple of artisanal shops before returning to the hotel for dinner.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Walk Details: 8 km / 5 miles | 45 m / 148 ft | Approx: 4 hrs

Day 9 – Visiting Skara Brae and a Whisky Distillery Tour Read Less: Day 9
Visiting Skara Brae and a Whisky Distillery Tour
This morning, we visit the fascinating Stone Age village of Skara Brae. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, this Neolithic semi-subterranean settlement was uncovered by a winter storm in 1850 and gives a remarkable picture of life on the island over 5000 years ago. After lunch, a walk from the RSPB Reserve Marwick Head leads to the unique tidal island of Brough of Birsay. Later, a tour of Highland Park Distillery provides insights into its history, followed by sampling some signature single malts. Dinner at the hotel this evening offers a celebratory experience for the final night on the salt-soaked shores of this beautiful island.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Walk Details: 8 km / 5 miles | 160 m / 525 ft | Approx: 4 hrs

Day 10 – Ferry to the Mainland and Depart Read Less: Day 10
Ferry to the Mainland and Depart
After a leisurely breakfast, wind your way to Stromness to catch the ferry back to the Scottish mainland. On the crossing, enjoy the stunning views of the islands across the white-flecked waves and watch the birds that coast along on the salty breeze. Once back on the mainland, we have lunch at a local cafe before returning to Inverness. Upon arrival at the railway station, bid your guide farewell and begin your onward journey.
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

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Luxury & Deluxe

Highlights of Shetland and Orkney

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Trip Dates & Prices

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Trip Dates for 2025	Availability	Status	Price	Book
4th Aug - 13th Aug 2025	4 place(s) left	Guaranteed	£3,685	Book Now
18th Aug - 27th Aug 2025	Trip Full	Guaranteed	£3,685
25th Aug - 3rd Sep 2025	2 place(s) left	Guaranteed	£3,685	Book Now
1st Sep - 10th Sep 2025	6 place(s) left	Guaranteed	£3,685	Book Now
15th Sep - 24th Sep 2025	Trip Full	FULLY BOOKED	£3,685

Make This Trip Private

Fancy this trip just for your group? Get together with family and friends spend quality time exploring wild places. A private trip allows you to benefit from all the features of the group departure, including hand-picked accommodation and expert local guides but with the advantage of the flexibility to tailor the days to your group. Make the trip more or less challenging depending on your experience or choose to add in some optional extras like castle or distillery visits depending on your interests. The price of a private trip will depend on the number of travellers in your group. Let us know your preferred departure date and we'll take care of the rest.

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Luxury & Deluxe

Highlights of Shetland and Orkney

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Trip Details

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Accommodation Read More

Our accommodation partners are carefully chosen according to several factors: charming locations, very good facilities and a reputation for providing excellent hospitality. Accommodation is in a choice of double or twin rooms with ensuite facilities.

Single Rooms

There is no supplement charged to solo travellers, however, you will be required to share a room with another person of the same sex. If you request a double room for single occupancy, a supplement of £680 is charged.

Due to the nature of the accommodations we use, single supplements are limited and are allocated on a first come first served basis.

Meals Read More: On this trip, all meals are included from lunch on day one to lunch on day ten, apart from dinner on day seven. Your guide will let you know the options for dinner on day seven and help you make the necessary reservations, and then they’ll take the evening off. Included dinners are two courses as standard and special dietary requirements can be catered for.

Inclusions Read More

10 days of professional guiding.
9 nights accommodation.
All meals from lunch on your day of arrival, to lunch on the final day, except for dinner on day 7 (Meals included indicated as B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner)
Vehicle transport throughout from meeting in Lerwick, Shetland to finishing in Inverness, Scottish mainland, including the ferry between Shetland and Orkney and Orkney and the Scottish mainland.
Entrance and admission fees to sites stated in the itinerary.

Grading Read More: Green Graded 1-3
Green graded walking holidays are suitable for active travellers who are reasonably fit and enjoy moderate hikes. We walk at a comfortable pace and you can expect to be out for 5-6 hours a day. The terrain will be mostly good paths and hill trails but these can still be muddy and rough in places. Some hikes may involve an ascent up to a max of approx 1,500 feet / 450m. Distances will be typically 8-10km but there may be the odd slightly longer day. Daily hike details are available in the itinerary.

Travel - Arrival and Departure Read More

You will be met by your Wilderness Scotland Guide at either Lerwick Ferry Terminal, Shetland at 8.30am or Sumburgh Airport, Shetland at 10.00am on Day 1 of your trip. If staying in Shetland the night before, we recommend finding accommodation in Lerwick.

The trip will conclude at Inverness Railway Station at 5.00pm on the final day of the trip.

There are overnight ferries to Lerwick, Shetland departing from Aberdeen each evening operated by Northlink Ferries. Flights to Sumburgh Airport, Shetland leave from Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen or Inverness airports and are operated by Loganair. Please note that Sumburgh Airport is 25 miles from Lerwick and is served by bus or taxi.

On the final day, we will depart Orkney by ferry and travel south to Inverness. If you would prefer, you are welcome to leave the trip after breakfast and organise your own flight to depart Orkney. Flights from Kirkwall Airport, Orkney depart for Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen or Inverness and are operated by Loganair.

Upon booking the trip, please confirm whether you will be travelling by ferry or plane.

For further advice on getting to and from Scotland, please see our travel advice page: www.wildernessscotland.com/faq/travel-to-scotland/

Trip Reviews

Rated 5.00 out of 5 based on 13 review(s) of Deluxe Walking – Highlights of Shetland and Orkney

Every client receives a feedback survey when they return from their guided, self guided or tailor made holiday with us. Once completed the review is published on our website just as soon as our database updates. The little touches and details are important to us and where issues are raised we make positive changes to our trips to improve your experience.

That’s why we read each of our client’s reviews and although we don’t respond to all of them, if it’s glowing feedback then we get the satisfaction of helping to make your holidays truly memorable.

Trish Halls

Reviewed on 16/10/2024

Age: 60 - 70
Country: Australia
Trip Date: 27/08/2024
Trips Taken: 1

The Bottom Line

The Bottom Line

I was initally a bit doubtful because of the high cost (and los Aus dollar) that this would be fully worthwhile, but it exceeded my expectaions. I could never have seen and done everything on my own - it was well worth it.

Elise MacIntyre

Reviewed on 30/09/2024

Age: 80 - 90
Country: USA
Trip Date: 17/09/2024
Trips Taken: 1

The Bottom Line

The Bottom Line

This trip as our previous trips with WS was excellent. We felt well cared for and our expectations were well met. In particular we commend WS for providing the opportunity for our blind participant by accommodating her service dog, In this case both she and the dog were amazing. Well Done Wilderness Scotland !!!

Kirsten French

Reviewed on 30/09/2024

Age: 30 - 40
Country: USA
Trip Date: 17/09/2024
Trips Taken: 1

The Bottom Line

The Bottom Line

This was an incredible experience; I would highly recommend this to anyone!

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Wilderness Scotland

Highlights of Shetland and Orkney

Trip Overview

Day by DayItinerary

Day 1

Welcome to Shetland

Day 2

Hiking Ness of Hillswick

Day 3

Hermaness National Nature Reserve

Day 4

No Ness Peninsula and Afternoon Boat Trip

Day 5

Visiting Shetland Museum and Travel to Orkney

Day 6

Mull Head Walk

Day 7

The Old Man of Hoy

Day 8

The Heart of Neolithic Orkney

Day 9

Visiting Skara Brae and a Whisky Distillery Tour

Day 10

Ferry to the Mainland and Depart

Trip Dates & Prices

Make This Trip Private

Trip Details

Single Rooms

Green Graded 1-3

Speak to an Expert

Bridget Brown

Meet Your Guide

Difficulty Grades Explained

Green Graded 1-3

Trip Reviews

Pre-Trip Service

Trip Comments

Accommodation & Food

Your Guide

The Bottom Line

Pre-Trip Service

Trip Comments

Your Guide

The Bottom Line

Pre-Trip Service

Trip Comments

Accommodation & Food

Your Guide

The Bottom Line

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