Orkney Islands Day Tour from John OGroats

Tour ID: 1239 Tour Theme: Day Tours from the Highlands This tour starts from: John OGroats Duration: 1 Day - 14 hours approx.
	Operated by: JOG Ferry

Tour Description:


Visit Skara Brae (stoneage village), Scapa Flow, Stromness, Kirkwall, Churchill Barriers, Ring of Brodgar, Standing Stones of Stenness and the Italian Chapel.

The ferry takes just 40 minutes to cover the old sea route to Orkney across the famous Pentland Firth which links the Atlantic Ocean with the North Sea. The Firth is rich in marine wildlife and the many isolated islands provide secure breeding places for thousands of sea birds. Look out for seals and whales.

Your coach will be waiting for you at Burwick ready to drive you across the Churchill Barriers which were built in the 1940s and thread five islands together to form the eastern boundary of Scapa Flow. Continue along the northern coast of Scapa Flow with beautiful views of the Hoy hills across the water.

Stromness is surely one of Britain's most picturesque towns. Walk through the winding main street and visit the museum which features Orkney's connection with whaling and the early development of the Hudson's Bay Company, also photographs of the First World War German Fleet. The Pier Arts Centre is also well worth a visit.

Then onto the neolithic village of Skara Brae, 2,500 BC, which has been hidden under sand dunes, perfectly preserved for thousands of years and was only rediscovered 100 years ago. This site is operated by Historic Scotland. Admission fee is £6.90 adults, £5.50 seniors and also includes entry to Skaill House. Buy your entrance ticket in the ferry office or onboard the ferry.

Our route then takes us onto a narrow tongue of land between the lochs of Harray and Stenness with a photo stop at the mystical Ring of Brodgar and the Standing Stones of Stenness.

This is followed by a 2 hour stop at Kirkwall. pop 7500. Kirkwall is the capital town of Orkney. See the St Magnus Cathedral founded in 1137 by Earl Rognvald and Tankerness House Museum & Gardens. Plenty of shops, look out for woollens, jewellery, fudges, cheeses and bere bannocks. Attractive harbour nearby. On return to Burwick stop at the Italian Chapel, beautifully decorated inside 2 WWII Nissen huts.

This tour visits some of the main sites of interest on the Orkney Islands. See Skara Brae, the Churchill Barriers, Scapa Flow, the Ring of Brodgar, the Standing Stones of Stenness, the Italian Chapel and 1 hour in Kirkwall with an opportunity to see Kirkwall's magnificent 12th century Cathedral.

MAXI DAY TOUR OF ORKNEY!

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