Winter - The Orkney Isles

Day 1 - Travel to Orkney

We meet in Inverness and transfer north. Our journey to the Orkney Islands follows the north-east coast of the Highlands and onwards over the Pentland Firth. We reach Orkney this afternoon where we’ll enjoy a short clifftop walk, offering superb views over Scapa Flow, Flotta and Hoy. Continuing on to Kirkwall, there’ll be time for a quick orientation tour so you can get acquainted with the picturesque streets and independent shops. Arriving at our hotel this evening, there is time to settle in before enjoying a welcome dinner to toast the start of your trip. (L, D)

Walk details: 2.7km / 1.75 miles | approx. 1 hour

Day 2 - The Gloup, Mull Head, Distillery Tour & Standing Stones Sunset

Today our walk starts at the Gloup, a partially collapsed sea cave, which gets its name from the sound the sea makes as it rushes in and out of the cave. From there, we head north along the coast to Mull Head to watch the restless sea and ever-changing skies. This afternoon we take a tour of the local distillery that uses the Orkney Islands’ fiercely Viking heritage as inspiration for their warming spirits. At sunset, we head to the heart of Neolithic Orkney to visit a World Heritage Site, the Ring of Brodgar. Placed in the centre of a massive natural cauldron formed by the surrounding hills, the stones have stood firm through sunshine and storms, withstanding the elements for thousands of years. We’ll appreciate quiet moments as we watch the last of the light cast long shadows as the sun sinks below the horizon. (B, L)

Walk details: 9km/ 6 miles | approx. 4 hrs

Day 3 - Skara Brae and Yesnaby Cliffs

This morning starts with a visit to the Stone Age village of Skara Brae, discovered in 1850 after a storm cleared away the sand dunes that were covering it. Built 5,000 years ago – long before Stonehenge or the Egyptian pyramids – Skara Brae is the best-preserved Neolithic settlement in Western Europe. After exploring, we’ll head out onto the cliff tops to hike to the impressive Yesnaby Castle sea stack. As we walk, watch the powerful waves roll in from the Atlantic throwing themselves against the rocks as the gulls hang at eye level in thermals that rush up the cliff sides. It’s easy to see how these powerful elements hid an entire village and then revealed it again all those years later. Back in Kirkwall there’ll be more time to explore its historic centre. (B, L)

Walk details: 10km/ 6 miles | approx. 4-5 hrs

Day 4 - The Old Man of Hoy

A short drive along the edge of Scapa Flow takes us to Houton where we catch the ferry to the Island of Hoy. A beautiful and dramatic walk takes us to the famous Old Man of Hoy sea stack and some of Britain’s highest sea cliffs. Here we watch the seabirds wheeling in the wind and shags drying their outstretched wings. Returning to Rackwick Bay, keep an eye out for hunting hen harriers and the white winter coat of mountain hares. (B, L, D)

Walk details: 10km/ 6 miles | approx. 5 hrs

Day 5 - Italian Chapel & Return To Inverness

After breakfast this morning, we’ll take one last walk on the beach and then visit the Italian Chapel, two Nissen huts converted into a place of worship by prisoners of war. Heading to the ferry terminal, we’ll return to the mainland and onwards to Inverness via the rugged but spectacular coastal scenery of the northern tip of Scotland. (B, L)