Orkney Day Tour from Inverness

With its astonishing concentration of Neolithic monuments, fascinating plethora of World War I and II sites, unique coastal landscapes and distinct Orcadian culture, a visit to this remote archipelago is high on many visitors' must-see lists.

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This tour is available on a private basis only. Please get in touch to get a quote for your group.

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This tour is no longer operating

Unfortunately we are no longer able to offer this tour either as a private tour or scheduled departure

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Tour Highlights

  • See all of the highlights of Orkney in just one day!
  • Experience Skara Brae, The Ring of Brodgar, The Italian Chapel, The Stones of Stenness, Kirkwall plus stop at John O'Groats
  • A carefully crafted combination of coastal scenery, neolithic wonders, WW2 history, culture and stories
Times05:30 - 21:00
DatesApril - October
Group sizePrivate tours for groups of 8 - 30 available on request -

Itinerary and Map+

Itinerary & Map

1

The Journey to Orkney Begins

The Journey to Orkney Begins
Our Orkney Day Tour starts in the Highland capital of Inverness.

You will be greeted by your WOW Scotland guide and will board our mini-coach ready for departure at 5.30am from Inverness Bus Station. This early start is essential as it enables us to take the first ferry onto the island, giving us the whole day on Orkney. It is a long journey, so we want to make sure that you experience as many sights as possible when you get there. During the first 90 minutes of the journey your guide will keep his commentary to a minimum, so that you can relax and doze if you wish. For those who are awake and keen to take in the sights, early sunrises in the Scottish Highlands mean that you’ll have plenty to see out the window!

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2

Helmsdale

Helmsdale
We have a quick stop at this historic highland village and grab some breakfast "to go".

At 7am we arrive in Helmsdale, one of the prettiest villages in the Scottish Highlands and home to a wonderful Thomas Telford-designed bridge, built back in 1811. Our friends at a local cafe open up early to serve us coffees, teas and a light breakfast to ensure we’re fuelled up for the exciting day ahead! There is an all-important bathroom stop here too.

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3

North Coast 500

North Coast 500
Our route takes us past rugged mountains and sweeping coastlines on the world famous NC500.

The North Coast 500 has been a runaway success, taking its place on many, “world’s best road trips”, lists.  On this tour we will drive the first 120 miles of the route, on our journey from Inverness to the ferry terminal in Gill’s Bay. The early part of the journey goes through the county of Sutherland, where you will be able to sit back, relax and enjoy views of unspoilt mountainous landscapes out one side of the coach, and stunning seascapes out of the other side.  This is an area of scattered fishing communities, award-winning golf courses, quaint harbours and archaeological wonders, so there is plenty to look out for along the way. 

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4

John O'Groats

John O'Groats
A, "bucket list", stop at the most northerly village in mainland Scotland.

The village of John O’Groats lies on Great Britain’s northeastern tip (although, contrary to popular belief, the honour of being the most northerly point on the mainland goes to nearby Dunnet Head, which we will see from the ferry).  The destination is popular with tourists as it marks one end of the longest route between two inhabited British mainland points; the other point being 874 miles away at Land’s End in Cornwall, England.

A 15 minute stop here will enable you to get your photo taken next to the historic signpost, thought to be one of the most photographed signs in the UK. You can also admire the rainbow-clad buildings which form a unique Nordic-inspired extension to the local hotel.  Looking north you will be rewarded with views of the Isle of Stroma and the Pentland Firth, which we will be crossing soon as it is just a five minute drive to the ferry terminal from here.

Note that, should there be any delays on the journey north, we will stop at John O’Groats on the way back instead.

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5

Ferry to Orkney

Ferry to Orkney
We board the MV Alfred for the short crossing over the Pentland firth to the Orkney Isles.

We travel to and from the islands on the newest and most environmentally-friendly Orkney ferry, MV Alfred, which is operated by locally-owned Pentland Ferries. As the ferry departs you will see the islands of Stroma and Swona in the distance.

Keep your eye out for both common and grey seals, which can often be seen basking on these islands’ shores, as well as for the feral cattle of Swona, which have been roaming free on the island for over 30 years. This Pentland Firth is a haven for birds and you can keep a look out for puffins, fulmars, great skua, razor bills, guillemots and gannets.  Depending on the time of year it is also possible to see orca, dolphins, minke whales and even basking sharks, so bag a window seat, or venture outdoors if you can.

As we sail towards the Orkney island we see the battlements of Hoxa Head, which give a poignant reminder of Orkney’s role during both WWI and WWII. Shortly after this the village of St Margaret’s Hope comes into view and our Orkney adventure begins!

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6

Italian Chapel

Italian Chapel
Our first stop is at this remarkable chapel, built by prisoners of war during WWII.

During WWII a shortage of manpower to build the Churchill Barriers coincided with the capture of thousands of Italian soldiers in North Africa.  It was therefore decided to transport these prisoners of war to camps in Orkney, where they were permitted to build their own chapel. The building started out as two disused Nissen huts but, due to the ingenuity of the parishioners, and in particular the artist Domenico Chiocchetti, the resulting building is a beautiful chapel, which is now a major draw for tourists from all over the world.

Visits to the chapel are conducted in 20 minute slots. Entrance is payable separately and costs £3.50 for adults (children under 12 are free). You can pre-pay this when booking the tour.

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7

Kirkwall

Kirkwall
Orkney’s vibrant and thriving capital will appeal to fans of culture, history, and even shopping!

With independent shops, cute cafes and no shortage of historic sights, it is no wonder that this town is immensely popular with visitors keen to experience the Orkney islands’ unique culture and heritage. We would recommend a visit to St Magnus Cathedral; one of the most impressive examples of medieval architecture anywhere in the UK.  Just a stone’s throw from here are the Earl’s and Bishop’s palaces, which provide a thought-provoking reminder of Orkney’s turbulent past. If it’s shopping you are after, Kirkwall’s thriving town centre is bustling with character, and indeed remains an inspiration for the island’s creative folk as independent retailers offer their locally-made jewellery, arts, crafts, fashion, knitwear and unique souvenirs. For those who would prefer to relax with a coffee and some local delicacies (be it cheese, ice-cream, sweet treats or seafood) Orkney can produce their own version, and produce it exceedingly well! There are a number of noteworthy cafes in the town, and your guide will be on hand to offer recommendations.

You will have one hour at your leisure in Kirkwall.  To enable you to make the most out of your time we will take pre-orders for freshly made lunches from Jolly’s of Orkney, which will be delivered to you upon your return to the bus.

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8

Skara Brae

Skara Brae
A visit to this 5000 year old prehistoric village is a real tour highlight.

At over 5000 years old, the level of preservation at Skara Brae is unparalleled for a prehistoric settlement in Northern Europe, due to the fact that it was covered by sand for over 4000 years.   It was only during a ferocious storm in 1850 that the site became partially uncovered, although the village as we see it today wasn’t fully excavated until the 1920s. Skara Brae survives as eight dwellings, linked together by a series of low, covered passages.  The walls are still intact, the alleyways are roofed with original stone slabs, and even the interior fittings of the houses give a fascinating insight into life in Neolithic Orkney.   You will have the opportunity to walk around the settlement and also to step inside a complete replica house, to give you a greater insight into the lives of the farmers and fishermen who lived here (long before Stonehenge or even the Eygptian Pyramids were built!).  There is also a visitor centre here, displaying many artefacts, as well as a cafe and gift shop.

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9

Skail House

Skail House
Explore Orkney's finest 17th Century mansion.

Included in the ticket price for Skara Brae is entry to this nearby 17th Century manor, which was home to the laird who unearthed Skara Brae back in 1850.  The house has been carefully restored and gives a fascinating insight into Orkney’s diverse past.

We will spend a total of around 1 1/4 hours at Skara Brae and Skaill House.  Entrance is payable separately, costs £9 for adults (£5.40 for children, £7.20 for concessions) and is free for Historic Scotland members. To save time, the entrance fee can be pre-paid at the time of booking (if you don’t prepay or have membership, you entry to the site may be delayed at busy times, so we would recommend pre-paying).

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10

Ring of Brodgar

Ring of Brodgar
If there is one iconic symbol which represents Orkney’s ancient heritage, this is surely it.

As the third largest standing circle in the UK,  The Ring of Brodgar is also one of four monuments in the Heart of Neolithic Orkney UNESCO World Heritage site, and is referred to by this organisation as, “unquestionably among the most important Neolithic sites in Western Europe”. This jewel in Orkney’s archaeological crown was built over 4000 years ago, and originally encompassed 60 stones. Today half of these four metre high megaliths have survived more-or-less intact, and you can also see 13 burial mounds and a large rock cut ditch surrounding the site. Whether the stones were used for astrological purposes, as a religious shrine or place of ritual, we will probably never know.  You will have around 45 minutes to explore, and to draw your own conclusions.

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11

Standing Stones of Stenness

Standing Stones of Stenness
These ancient megaliths may be the oldest stone circle in the British Isles.

Dating back over 5000 years, there are only four of the original 12 stones still standing today.  However,  it is still possible to get a sense of the sheer scale and importance of this site which, it is thought, took over 5000 man days to build. We will have a short stop here of around 10 minutes. As the stones are right next to where we park there is plenty of time to admire them and get some great photos.

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12

Churchill Barriers

Churchill Barriers
Originally built as WW2 naval defences, these causeways facilitate everyday life in Orkney today.

The Churchill Barriers are a series of four causeways which link the islands of South Ronaldsay, Burray, Glims Holm and Lamb Holm.  They were commissioned by Winston Churchill during WWII to protect the anchorage at Scapa Flow, after the sinking of the HMS Royal Oak while it lay at harbour there in 1939. The construction was described by one of the civil engineers who was instrumental in it as, “one of the most significant and complex civil engineering achievements of the 20th century, more so considering it took place during World Ward II“. As construction was not completed until after the war had ended  (incidentally, 2020 marked the 75th anniversary of the completion) their lasting legacy was the linking of these five islands.

It is courtesy of these causeways that we can quickly island hop back to the ferry. We will have at least one photo stop to admire the Churchill Barriers  on our journey back to St Margaret’s Hope.

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13

The Journey Back to Inverness

The Journey Back to Inverness
Sit back, relax and enjoy the wonderful scenery on the way home

The one hour ferry crossing at 5.30pm will return us to the Scottish mainland, where we will begin our drive back to Inverness. We’ll have a short stop again in Helmsdale before embarking on the last leg of the journey. Along the way your guide will point out the many varied and interesting sites, such as: Carn Liath Broch; Dunrobin Castle; Loch Fleet; the Dornoch Firth; and the Fyrish monument.

You will arrive back in Inverness around 9pm with memories to last a lifetime!

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Tour Map

Pick-Up Points+

Pick-up points

The main departure point is Inverness Bus Station. This is the only departure point in Inverness.

We can also pick-up from-:

  • Tore Roundabout
  • Dingwall
  • Dornoch
  • Golspie
  • Brora

 

FAQs+

Tour FAQs

Is the Orkney Day Tour available to book?+

Unfortunately this tour is not available on either a scheduled or a private basis in 2022.  Please take a look at our blog for suggestions of other ways to see Orkney.

We have not yet decided whether we will be able to run this tour in 2023 yet.

For larger groups (8+) we may be able to run this tour as a two day private tour, on limited dates in 2022.  Please contact us for further information on availability and pricing.

For wonderful scenery, why not join our Ultimate Isle of Skye Tour this year?!

What time does the tour start and finish?+

The Orkney Day Tour departs from the Inverness Bus Station at 5.30am (0530).  Please ensure that you are ready to board the bus at 5.20am (0520) as we will leave promptly at 5.30am (0530), and are unable to wait for any latecomers.  The tour will return to Inverness city centre at approximately 9.30pm (2130).  It is possible that we may return a bit later than this, as we are dependent on the ferries running to time; generally they do, unless there is severe weather. 

Where is the pick-up point in Inverness?+

We pick-up from Stance 7 at Inverness Bus Station, Margaret Street, Inverness, IV1 1LT.  

Look out for the kilted WOW guide and WOW-branded coach and you won’t miss us!

Can you pick me up from my hotel?+

It is unfortunately not possible to offer hotel pick up on this tour.  The only pick-up location is at Inverness Bus Station. 

Due to the 0530 departure time you may wish to stay at a hotel within a short walking distance of Inverness Bus Station.   We have listed all of these below.

Hotels within a 5 minute walk of Inverness Bus Station

Penta Hotel
Mercure
Travelodge Inverness City Centre
Royal Highland Hotel
The King’s Highway
Black Isle Bar & Rooms (hostel)

Hotels  within a 10 minute walk of Inverness Bus Station

Heathmount Hotel
Corriegarth Hotel
Columba Hotel
Best Western Palace Hotel & Spa
Glenmoriston Townhouse
Glen Mhor Hotel & Apartments

There are numerous B&Bs and guesthouses around the city centre, Ness Walk/River Ness and Crown areas so we have not listed them all here, but there are plenty of options within a 10 minute walk of the bus station!

Can I reserve seats on the tour?+

Yes. Due to customer demand, we have a booking system for the following seats;

  • 4 front row seats – these give you unparalleled views out of the front windows, and the opportunity to disembark first at every stop.  Our most popular seats.
  • 4 second row seats – many guests prefer to sit near the front of the coach, or be reassured that you will be seated together if they are a couple/group, both of which you get with this option.  These seats also have a little more legroom than these front row seats.  These are available on some tours only.
  • 2 extra legroom seats – these are situated near the back of the coach and have approximately 50% more legroom than regular seats.  They are particularly suited to those who are tall, or like to stretch out.
  • 4 back row seats – these are ideal for groups who wish to sit together.  Unlike on most other coaches we have removed the fifth/middle seat so the seats are spaced further apart, giving you more elbow room.

Upgrades are priced at between £2.50 and £22.50 per person.  If they are available, upgrades will be given as an option when booking.

Please note that it does not make any difference which side of the coach you sit on, so we don’t take requests for specific sides.

The rest of our seating is allocated by our driver guide (whilst social distancing restrictions are still in place).  If you are unhappy with your seat please let your tour guide know and he will do his best to accommodate your requests, although obviously many guests would prefer a window seat so it is not possible for everyone to have these!

Note that any fees paid for seat upgrades are non-refundable if you cancel your tour.

What should I wear?+

On both ferry journeys you have the opportunity to go out onto the deck, and this is certainly something we would recommend for the awesome views! However, please be aware that, regardless of the time of year, it will be cold and windy on deck.  Consequently, we would strongly recommend bringing/wearing layers (e.g. t-shirt, fleece, warm jacket), a hat, gloves and a waterproof jacket (waterproof trousers can also come in useful if you have them!).

On Orkney itself there is some walking involved and most of the sights are outdoors, with Ring of Brodgar in particular being in quite an exposed location, where the ground can be muddy and slippery. We would definitely recommend that you wear hiking boots or, as an absolute minimum, sensible shoes/trainers/sneakers which have good grip and which are suited to this type of terrain.

Even if the sun is shining brightly when you leave Inverness, they do say that you only really experience Scotland when you see four seasons in one day, so please be prepared – it’s better to leave extra layers on the coach unused than to feel cold and wet on such a long day!

What is included in the price?+

The tour price includes guiding, coach transportation and all ferry fees.

The tour price does not include entrance to the Italian Chapel (£3.50 per adult, children under 12 are free) or Skara Brae (£9 for adults (£5.40 for children, £7.20 for concessions).  Meals are not included either and we would recommend budgeting around £20 per person for this.

Gratuities are not included and are entirely optional.

What are the options for lunch?+

We are delighted to be working with Jolly’s of Orkney to offer packed lunches. We will take orders and cash (only) in the morning then we will deliver the meals to you at lunch time, to be eaten on the coach.

Peedie packed lunch: White roll (or gluten free white roll) with your choice of filling, crisps and a bottle of water – £6.00

Standard packed lunch: White roll (or gluten free white roll) with your choice of filling, crisps, Orkney tray bake and a bottle of water – £8.00

Choose from the following fillings:

  • Roast beef, with salad cream, lettuce, cucumber and tomato
  • Ham salad (ham, lettuce, tomato, cucumber, mayonnaise)
  • Hot-cured salmon, with lemon mayonnaise, lettuce, cucumber and tomato
  • Cheese and ham
  • Cheese and pickle, with lettuce, cucumber and tomato (Vegetarian)
  • Hummus, with lettuce, cucumber and tomato, no spread (Vegan)*

*If you select the Vegan filling this will be accompanied by Vegan crisps, and Vegan snacks (Nakd bar and rice cake) rather than a traybake if selecting the standard packed lunch.

You may be interested to know that…

We work with Jolly’s of Orkney, who make our lunches to order every day. The money you pay goes straight back to this fantastic local business.

Jolly’s pride themselves in their fine products; they source their rolls and tray bakes from the local bakery and all of their cheese, chutney, beef and salmon comes from Orkney too. (The only exceptions to this are the gluten free and vegan options)

We think the food is delicious, and we hope you do too!

What are the options for dinner?+

We are delighted to be working with Jolly’s of Orkney to supply light dinners.  These can be pre-ordered with your guide in the morning (cash only) and will handed out on the coach to be eaten on the return ferry.  The options are as follows;

  • Quiche Box  (quiche, salad, coleslaw, potato salad & pasta salad) – £8.00
  • Vegetarian Quiche Box (vegetarian quiche, salad, coleslaw, potato salad & pasta salad) – £8.00
  • Cheese & Oatcake Box  (variety of cheeses, oatcakes, chutney, grapes) – £8.00

There is also a gluten-free version of the Cheese & Oatcake Box available, with the only difference being that gluten-free oatcakes/crackers will be supplied.
There is also a Vegan version of the Cheese & Oatcake Box available, with the differences being that the oatcakes/crackers will be Vegan, and there will be two Vegan cheeses supplied.

All of the above-mentioned quiches, salad, coleslaw, potato salad, pasta salad, cheeses and chutneys are locally-made on Orkney!

After we depart Skara Brae at around 2.15pm there are no other stops where food can be purchased, with the exception being the snack bar on the ferry (5 – 6pm).  This does not offer meals, but you can purchase drinks and light snacks here to accompany the above-mentioned dinner.  We appreciate that the above is a limited menu but the meals are very tasty, and will hopefully fill you up until you get back to Inverness!

You are of course welcome to bring your own cold food and snacks with you on the mini-coach (to be eaten at the stops, as face coverings require to be worn on the coach at all times).

Where will we be stopping for coffee/snacks enroute?+

There will be opportunities to purchase snacks and/or hot drinks at the following places;

Helmsdale (cafe for light breakfast)

Gills Bay (ferry terminal cafe)

Ferry from Gills Bay to St Margaret’s Hope  (on-board coffee shop)

Kirkwall (various coffee shops, pubs and restaurants)

On-board WOW mini-coach (we will take pre-orders for sandwich lunches from a local deli – Jolly’s of Orkney)

Skara Brae (coffee shop)

Ferry from Gills Bay to St Margaret’s Hope  (on-board coffee shop)

You are also welcome to bring your own cold snacks and drinks with you.

How often are bathroom/toilet stops+

On this tour there are bathrooms on the ferries and at most of the attractions we visit (with the exceptions of the Italian Chapel, Ring of Brodgar and Standing Stones of Stenness).  To give you an idea, after leaving your hotel or the bus station (where there are public toilets) at 0530 there will be bathroom stops at approximately 0700, 0855 (ferry terminal), 0930 – 1030 (on ferry), 1130-1230 (Kirkwall), 1300-1415 (Skara Brae), 1630 – 1800 (on ferry) and at around 1915 (Helmsdale) on the way home.

Can children come on the Orkney Tour?+

Yes, children are welcome to come on the Orkney Day Tour and, as such, benefit from a reduced price.  Note that there is a lot of time spent on the coach at the start and end of the day (it is approx. three hours each way between Inverness and the ferry ports) but, on Orkney itself, there are frequent stops for kids to get out and run around!

What sort of vehicle do you use? +

Here at WOW Scotland we only have two coaches, both of which were built to our precise specifications, to ensure the highest levels of passenger comfort.  The vehicles have 30-seats and are very well-appointed with panoramic windows, comfortable reclining seats, USB ports under every seat and on-board WiFi.  You can rest assured that you will be able to relax and enjoy the majestic scenery in complete comfort.  You can read more about our coaches here.

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Discover the Factor

LOCAL EXPERTISE
Local owners, guides and knowledge for a truly authentic experience.
GUARANTEED DEPARTURES
Tours always depart, whether with 2 or 20 guests, so you can book with confidence.
FAMILY-RUN
14 years of tours and our aim is the same; to provide a WOW experience every time.
SUSTAINABLE TOURS
Choose to tour with a company who are serious about preserving the Highlands.
BEST GUIDES
Our highly experienced team will ensure you go home with memories to last a lifetime.
COMFORT FIRST
Our custom-designed vehicles offer the highest levels of passenger comfort.

Meet your Orkney tour guides

Gordon Pearson

Founder & Tour Guide

  730 Reviews

Gordon founded WOW Scotland in 2010 and hasn’t looked back since. He is passionate about showcasing his homeland, and is continually striving to create the best possible experiences for every guest.

Robert Carr

Tour Guide

  137 Reviews

Prior to being a tour guide, Rob ran successful food and tourism businesses in Edinburgh and Perthshire. He has now been in the Highlands for 16 years, where he loves to indulge in his joint passions of golf and hiking.

Andrew Jones

Tour Guide

  210 Reviews

With over 10 years of experience as a tour director and guide, Andrew prefers to consider himself as a storyteller, amateur historian and, above all, an ambassador for Scotland

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