Orkney & Shetland self drive holiday, Scotland

Description of Orkney & Shetland self drive holiday, Scotland

Orkney and Shetland holidays can feel a little overwhelming as they are so far away, and also there are so many things to see it is hard to know where to start. Which is why we created this itinerary for a self-drive holiday, with three days in Orkney and two full days on Shetland. On our Orkney and Shetland holidays there are also options to discover some of the other smaller islands such as Hoy, Westray, or Stronsay off Orkney, or Unst and Yell off Shetland, as this is a tailor made holiday, so we can fit it around your interests and wishlists.

Orkney

The trip starts in Scrabster on the mainland west coast, where you catch the ferry to Orkney, a ninety minute journey. Head to the island’s capital, Kirkwall, to check into your hotel. With a few days to enjoy the island, we recommend Orphir as an excellent starting point, where the pretty round church and Viking interpretive centre, known as "Orkneyinga", are perfect places to introduce you to the ancient history of this island. A history that goes back a long way as you will see, for example, on the island’s west coast at Skara Brae, one of the best-preserved Neolithic settlements in Europe.

Other natural highlights on your road trip around Orkney include Evie and the broch of Gurness, a broch being the Scottish word for a prehistoric circular stone tower. Another must see is the Neolithic cairn and passage grave at Maes Howe, as well as the standing stones of Stenness. One of our favourite spots is the famous Italian chapel, a tiny and highly ornate church at Lamb Holm, built during WWII by Italian prisoners of war who were on the island with the given task to build the Churchill Barriers. These are four causeways that link different islands in the chain.

You may also want to take some time to ferry out to one of the small Orkney Islands such as Hoy, a much more rugged island famous for its sea stack – the Old Man of Hoy. Each island offers something special, however, and we are happy to advise on each.

Shetland


You will spend two days on Shetland, accessible by overnight ferry, but arriving in time for breakfast on board the ship, and then leaving you all day to enjoy this second island adventure. Your base is in the island’s capital, Lerwick, and the first adventure will be an afternoon’s wildlife boat trip. Thousands of seabirds including gannets, guillemots and kittiwakes nest and feed in the Noss Nature Reserve. As you sail below, the screeching is deafening, and you’ll feel very outnumbered, a stranger invading their territory. Meanwhile seals laze on rocks beneath the cliffs or nose around the boat. It is a wonderful way to get a real feel for both the culture and the wildlife of these islands, with knowledgeable guides on hand to inform.
From your base in Lerwick, you will have plenty of time to explore other parts of the island, drive around its coastal magnificence, not missing the beaches at St. Ninian’s or the stunning prehistoric archaeological site at Jarlshof. More historic remains are to be found on a quick boat ride to Mousa, where birds and seals are the only stewards left to guard the magnificent ancient broch here.

Your return journey is by ferry from Lerwick to Aberdeen, travelling Cruise Class in an outer cabin, and arriving in time for breakfast.

Departure information