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O rkney & Shetland Explorer
DAY 1
We arrive in Stirling and check into the Stirling Highland
Hotel, an attractive, historic building and formerly the city’s
school. Why not explore the Old Town and take in the
view from the castle before dinner? (D)
DAY 2
Leaving Stirling, our train journey heads through the
scenery of Perthshire, a taster of what lies in store on day
5. Today’s views just become more and more beautiful,
however, as we hug the North Sea coastline on our way
to Aberdeen. Here we join our Northlink ship, enjoying
dinner on board before retiring to our en-suite cabins.
(B,D)
DAY 3
Disembark and step into an entrancing mixture of history
with amazing flora and fauna, on our guided tour of
Shetland. More Scandinavian than Scottish in many
ways, the Viking heritage is still strong in this world of
magnificent wild beauty, steeped with internationally
renowned archaeological sites. We visit remarkable
Jarlshof, along with historic town of Scalloway and its
fascinating museum, capital Lerwick, seabird colonies and
the famous Shetland ponies. Back on board ship, we sail
this evening to the Orkneys, with dinner on board. We
arrive late evening and check into our hotel for two nights,
the Kirkwall Hotel (B,D)
DEPARTS
HOTELS
Wednesday 17 June 2020
Wednesday 09 September 2020
Discover the peace, tranquillity and rich heritage of the beautiful islands of Orkney &
Shetland on our mini-cruise to the northernmost reaches of the UK, part of a wider
tour visiting John O’Groats, historic Stirling and Edinburgh,
Scotland’s proud capital.
Thanks to Northlink Ferrries
Voe, Shetland
© visit Orkney
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
★ ★ Explore historic Orkney at a gentle pace from
our base on the Orkneys
★ ★ Visit the Italian Chapel, Churchill Barriers and
Skara Brae
★ ★ Tour idyllic Shetland Isle and discover its Viking
past
★ ★ Rich archaeology and history
★ ★ Dramatic scenery of the Highland Lines
★ ★ Photo-stop at John O’Groats
★ ★ Fantastic seascape coastline of the Far North
★ ★ One night’s relaxing cruising with modern, en-
suite cabins
★ ★ Scenic rail journey to Aberdeen along the
North Sea coast
★ ★ Spend time in historic Stirling, a short walk from
the castle and Old Town
★ ★ Visit Edinburgh, with a guided walking tour of
the ‘Royal Mile’
Fares
From
£1139
DAY 4
Staying on Orkney allows us to tour the island at leisure.
Our guided tour of Orkney includes the Churchill
Barriers, the wonderful Italian Chapel, built by prisoners of
war; Skara Brae, the astonishingly well-preserved Neolithic
village, and the awe-inspiring Ring of Brodgar stone circle.
After a day exploring this unspoilt region of natural beauty,
we settle down to dinner in our hotel. (B,D)
DAY 5
Today begins with a cruise from Stromness to Scrabster.
Make sure you have your cameras ready on port side, as
there are fabulous views of Old Man of Hoy , at 450 ft one
of the UK’s tallest sea stacks. Our coach then continues
the journey southwards, calling in at John O’Groats,
before taking the lovely coastal route through Caithness
and Sutherland, skirting the Firths of Beauly and Cromarty
en route to Inverness. Here we join the Highland Line,
one of the country’s most beautiful, climbing into the
Cairngorms before descending through Perthshire to our
hotel for two nights, the Stirling Highland. (B,D)
DAY 6
A short rail journey whisks us to Edinburgh Waverley,
where our Blue Badge Guide awaits to introduce the
highlights of the city’s ‘Royal Mile’. An afternoon at leisure
in Scotland’s proud capital enables you to visit the castle,
relax on the Grassmarket or indulge in a little retail therapy
on Princes Street. (B,D)
DAY 7
We bid farewell to Stirling and our Scottish grand tour. (B)
Stirling Highland Hotel
Just a short walk from Stirling Castle, is the historic 4-star Highland Hotel. The hotel’s Scholars restaurant offers quality
locally sourced food and the comfortable bar is the perfect place to enjoy a wee dram! The leisure club, including
swimming pool is a great place to relax. Built in the 19th century as the city’s High School, this characterful building still
houses a working observatory in its roof.
Kirkwall Hotel
This family-run hotel is in a traditional Victorian building on Kirkwall’s picturesque harbour front, close to the marina and
the main shopping area. The bedrooms are modern with flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi and tea & coffee making facilities.
The Harbour View Restaurant serves excellent local produce and Skippers Bar is the perfect place to sample a glass of
Orkney’s famous whisky.
Northlink Ferries
Modern, fully equipped cabins with en-suite washbasin, toilet and shower facilities plus individual temperature control
and tea/coffee making facilities.
7
DAYS
Italian Chapel, Orkney
FARES
FARE REGION FIRST STANDARD
London: Kings Cross £1359 £1259
Greater London £1369 £1269
South of England £1405 £1285
East Anglia £1425 £1295
South West £1485 £1329
Heart of England £1405 £1285
Midlands £1379 £1265
Yorkshire £1309 £1235
North East £1269 £1215
North West £1339 £1229
South Wales £1415 £1289
North Wales £1359 £1259
Scotland N/A £1169
Join & Leave at Hotel £1149
£10 tour discount for holders of National Railcards
Single Room Supplement £245
SEPTEMBER Departure Supplement £30
6 nights’ bed, breakfast & Table d’Hôte evening meal
Rail travel & seat reservations from your Home Station to Tour Base
(Standard or First Class)
Rail & coach travel, with transfers as described
All excursions and admissions as detailed
Services of experienced Railtrail Tour Manager
Also included in your Tour Fare:
★ ★ Dinner every evening
★ ★ Rail travel & seat reservations from your Home
Station to Tour Base (Standard or First Class)
★ ★ Services of experienced Railtrail Tour Manager