Shetland and Orkney

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. Wind your 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 your return, explore Jarlshof, a remarkable archaeological site comprising prehistoric and Norse settlements. Afterwards, transfer north to your lovely hotel and enjoy dinner. (L, D)

Walk details: 5.5 km/3.5 miles | 200 m/650 ft of ascent | approx. 3 hours

Day 2 – Hiking Ness of Hillswick

After a leisurely breakfast, join your guide for a coastal circuit around the diamond-shaped peninsula. The beginning of the hike is a fantastic place to spot otters and, further along, seals and a myriad of seabirds. The tiny modern lighthouse at Baa Taing is a lovely spot to stop for a picnic lunch and admire the stunning scenery. This afternoon, enjoy another short hike which provides amazing views of a dark sea cave, before returning via a loch and the crumbling remains of a broch. This evening, enjoy a drink in your hotel’s quiet sloping garden as the soft notes of dusk settle on the breeze. (B, L, D)

Walk details: 11 km/7 miles | 300 m/980 ft of ascent | approx. 5 hours

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, chatting with your knowledgeable guide as the drama of the reserve fills the cliffs, sea and skies. This afternoon, visit Haroldswick and learn about Shetland’s rich Viking heritage as you explore the Skidbladner (a replica Gokstad ship) and a Viking Longhouse reconstruction. Return to your hotel and enjoy a delicious dinner. (B, L, D)

Walk details: 10.5 km/6.5 miles | 285 m/935 ft of ascent | approx. 4 hours

Day 4 – 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, wind your way along the heath, looking out at the weathered arches that stand like ancient battlements above the swell. On your return, nosy your way to Lerwick and have lunch, spending some time in the award-winning museum before boarding your ferry to Orkney. As you sail steadily towards Kirkwall, chat with your group over dinner as the silhouette of Shetland fades on the horizon. Later this evening, arrive at your elegant Orcadian hotel and enjoy a good night’s sleep. (B, L, D)

Walk details: 8.5 km/5.25 miles | 280 m/920 ft of ascent | approx. 3.5 hours

Day 5 – Hiking Mull Head

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, hike one of the finest coastal circuits on mainland Orkney. The route takes you 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 your hotel for a locally sourced, seasonal dinner this evening. (B, L, D)

Walk details: 7 km/4.5 miles | 195 m/640 ft of ascent | approx. 3 hours

Day 6 – The Old Man of Hoy

After breakfast, 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. Enjoy 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 your 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. (B, L)

Walk details: 10 km/6 miles | 220 m/720 ft of ascent | approx. 4 hours

Day 7 – 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. Enjoy the spectacular views across the tempestuous Hoy Sound and the twin peaks of Cuilags and Ward Hill. Arrive back in the pretty stone village of Stromness and pop into a couple of artisanal shops before returning to your hotel for dinner.
(B, L, D)

Walk details: 8 km/5 miles | 45 m/150 ft of ascent | approx. 4 hours

Day 8 – Visiting Skara Brae and a Whisky Distillery Tour

This morning, 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 what life would have been like on the island over 5000 years ago. After lunch, enjoy a walk from the RSPB Reserve Marwick Head to the unique tidal island of Brough of Birsay. Later, enjoy a tour of Highland Park Distillery and learn about its history before sampling some signature single malts. Dinner at your hotel this evening will be a celebratory experience as you enjoy your final night on the salt-soaked shores of this beautiful island. (B, L, D)

Walk details: 8 km/5 miles | 160 m/525 ft of ascent | approx. 4 hours

Day 9 – Ferry to the Mainland and Depart

This morning, 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, 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. (B, L)