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      | Rackwick Bay, Orkney Isles

      Wilderness Walking

      Winter The Orkney Isles

      52 reviews

      Region: Orkney and Shetland Isles
      Duration: 0 Days / 0 Nights
      Confirmed: When 2 Travellers Book

      Accommodation: Deluxe

      Grading:

      Carbon Footprint: 96kg ? What does this mean?
      Click here to find out about our carbon labelling project and what we're doing to be more sustainable.

      All you need to know about your trip, this essential document is a must for all adventures.

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        Trip Overview

        Created by: Rachael Gavan

        Winter is a spectacular and invigorating time to visit Orkney. Moody skies, crashing waves against stoic cliffs and salty gusts carrying the taste of the sea through this ancient landscape. Winter is the perfect time to escape and be recharged by the unbridled power and majesty of nature. Outside the traditional tourist season, you’ll enjoy the company of locals – hardy wildlife and welcoming people. Connect with the landscape and the earliest Orcadians as you journey through time with visits to Neolithic and Bronze-age sites where you’ll learn about the lives that were shaped by the untamed natural elements of these special islands.

        On this 4 night/5 day trip you’ll hike each day, breathing the fresh sea air and marvelling at the sweeping views. Spend relaxed evenings in front of a crackling fire with hearty food and good whisky to warm your soul as well as your toes. Visit the local distillery for a tour and tasting and spend time wandering through the locally-owned craft shops of Kirkwall. The Orkney Isles is one of the best places in the UK to see the Northern Lights so if the sky is clear, we’ll wrap up warmly and head out under the stars to try and catch a glimpse of the elusive ”Mirrie Dancers”.

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        Day by Day
        Itinerary

        Day 1 – Travel to Orkney Read Less

        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.

        Meals Included: Lunch and Dinner
        Walk Details: 3 km / 2 miles | Approx: 1 hrs

        Day 2 – The Gloup, Mull Head, Distillery Tour & Standing Stones Sunset Read Less

        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.

        Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch
        Walk Details: 9 km / 6 miles | Approx: 4 hrs

        Day 3 – Skara Brae and Yesnaby Cliffs Read Less

        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.

        Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch
        Walk Details: 10 km / 6 miles | Approx: 5 hrs

        Day 4 – The Old Man of Hoy Read Less

        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.

        Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
        Walk Details: 10 km / 6 miles | Approx: 5 hrs

        Day 5 – Italian Chapel & Return To Inverness Read Less

        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.

        Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

        Download Itinerary

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        The Orkney Isles

        To download a PDF copy of our Trip Itinerary, containing full details about this holiday, please complete the form below:

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        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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        The Orkney Isles

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        Trip Details

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        Accommodation Read More

        Our accommodation in Orkney is in a 4-star small hotel, close to Scapa Flow and, somewhat temptingly, next to the Highland Park distillery. Accommodation is in twin or double rooms with en-suite bathroom facilities.

        Meals Read More

        Breakfast and lunch are included each day as well as dinner on your first and last evening.

        On this trip, we generally eat dinner as a group however if you would like to make alternative arrangements you are free to do so. Your guide will have an evening off during this trip where they do not eat with the group. They will recommend options for dinner that evening and will help you make any necessary reservations. Included dinners are two courses as standard.

        The hotel’s restaurant is popular with locals and has a strong focus on local Orkney produce. Naturally, any special dietary requirements can be catered for and the restaurant is fully licensed offering a selection of Orkney malts and ales.

        Inclusions Read More
        • 4 nights accommodation in a four-star, family-owned hotel with views across Kirkwall to the north isles
        • Meals as indicated in the itinerary
        • The services of an experienced and knowledgeable guide/driver throughout
        • All transport throughout the trip starting and finishing in Inverness
        • All private boat and ferry transfers
        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

        Your Guide will meet you at the centre of Inverness Railway Station by the fixed seating area at 9:00am on Day 1 of your trip

        You will be returned to Inverness Railway Station by 5:00pm on the final day of your trip

        If you would like to use your own vehicle on the trip please get in touch with our team to discuss.

        Speak to an Expert

        Rachael Gavan

        Our friendly office team hail from across the world but share a passion for the outdoor and wild spaces of Scotland. We are committed to providing you with the best customer service and are more than happy to chat through options and provide help and advice. Get in touch to find your perfect adventure.

        Ask Rachael a Question

        Difficulty Grades Explained

        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.

        Find Out More

        Trip Reviews

        Rated 4.94 out of 5 based on 52 review(s) of Winter – The Orkney Isles

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        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.

        FA

        Fiona Ashby

        Reviewed on 18/04/2025

        Age: 60 - 70
        Country: New Zealand
        Trip Date: 28/03/2025
        Trips Taken: 4

        The Bottom Line

        Show More
        LA

        Leigh Ashby

        Reviewed on 16/04/2025

        Age: 60 - 70
        Country: New Zealand
        Trip Date: 28/03/2025
        Trips Taken: 4

        The Bottom Line

        The Bottom Line

        Wilderness Scotland provide a very high level of service and deliver everything the advertising claims and much more. We have been fortunate to see some beautiful parts of the world usually with extraordinary outfitters and outstanding guides. Wilderness Scotland is most certainty a world class operation.

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        AT

        Amelia Louise Tully-Knockwood

        Reviewed on 11/04/2025

        Age: 50 - 60
        Country: Canada
        Trip Date: 28/03/2025
        Trips Taken: 1

        The Bottom Line

        The Bottom Line

        Well worth it! Just the right amount of time (5 days) and Orkney is not to be missed.

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