This was a first visit to Orkney and I fell in love with the place. I honestly enjoyed all of it; the gentle walks, the neolithic sites, lunches sat watching groups of eider ducks with their young etc etc. The trip was enhanced by good weather and a delightful group. We gelled quickly and it all just worked.
B.D. Monmouthshire, Jun 21
Tour Itinerary and Reports
- Itinerary
- Tour report - June 2024
- Tour report - May 2024
- Tour report - June 2023
- Tour report - May 2023
- Tour report - June 2022
- Tour report - May 2022
- Tour report - June 2021
- Tour report - May 2021
- Tour report - June 2019
- Tour report - June 2018
- Tour report - June 2017
- Tour report - June 2016
- Tour report - June 2015
- Tour report - June 2013
- Tour report - June 2012
- Tour report - June 2011
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Orkney
Tour Code: GBR25A 7-day tour to enjoy the history and natural history of the Orkney Islands.
£1,695 (land only)
Highlights
Tour Itinerary and Reports
- Itinerary
- Tour report - June 2024
- Tour report - May 2024
- Tour report - June 2023
- Tour report - May 2023
- Tour report - June 2022
- Tour report - May 2022
- Tour report - June 2021
- Tour report - May 2021
- Tour report - June 2019
- Tour report - June 2017
- Tour report - June 2018
- Tour report - June 2016
- Tour report - June 2015
- Tour report - June 2013
- Tour report - June 2012
- Tour report - June 2011
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Summary
On this single-centre holiday we will seek out the varied wildlife and sample the ancient history of this fascinating group of islands, which are just a short hop from the Scottish mainland but retain their own identity. Based in the island capital, Kirkwall, we will make daily excursions on the Orkney Mainland and on one day will take a ferry trip to the northern isle of Westray. We will enjoy both the island’s renowned antiquities, including the Neolithic village of Skara Brae, and its spectacular wildlife - from the huge seabird colonies of Noup Head on Westray to the moorland specialities such as Hen Harrier and Short-eared Owl; and there’s also a possibility of encountering Otters and the endemic Orkney Vole. We will not ignore the island’s flora as we seek out specialities such as the extremely localised Scottish Primrose and Oyster Plant.
- Look for Hen Harrier, Short-eared Owl & Red-throated Diver
- Enjoy remote moorlands & their wildlife
- Stone circles & ancient settlements on Orkney Mainland
- Spectacular seabird cliffs at Noup Head on Westray
- Grey & Common Seals, Otter & Orkney Vole all possible
- Rare plant specialities
- Led by a Naturetrek naturalist
- 6-night stay in a comfortable Kirkwall hotel
As well as taking time to enjoy some of Orkney's famous Neolithic antiquities such as Skara Brae and Maeshowe, we will be focusing on its wildlife from our base in Kirkwall on 'Mainland' (the largest island). The islands' special seabirds include Fulmar, Shag, Great and Arctic Skuas, Arctic Tern, Razorbill, Black Guillemot, Gannet, Kittiwake and Puffin. We will also be hoping to see raptors such as Hen Harrier, Peregrine, Merlin and Short-eared Owl. We'll enjoy the drumming of Snipe, and northern specialities such as Rock Dove, Twite and Raven. Other highlights may include Grey and Common Seals, the endemic Orkney Vole and the Scottish Primrose.
Outline Itinerary
What's Included?
- Accommodation: The Orkney Hotel in Kirkwall
- Food:
Half-board (Dinner, Bed and Breakfast). Lunches are extra (usually a packed lunch or a stop in a café).
Reviews
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The holiday was great. We were so well looked after by such a caring and knowledgeable guide. It made my holiday effortless and stress free for me. Orkney had so much to offer and I think we saw the best of it in the time we had.
P.E. Hampshire -
David McAllister is a marvellous guide - very knowledgeable, very conscientious, very ready to adapt (when possible) to everybody's wishes and very hard-working. He made it a very enjoyable trip. The Orkney Hotel is good too - comfortable, accommodating and with excellent food.
Mr & Mrs R. Rutland
Dates & Prices
2025
2026
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The majority of our wildlife tours focus primarily on birds, allowing us to offer a huge choice of bird holidays. On most of our birdwatching tours we aim to see a wide variety of species, while taking time to enjoy other wildlife as well as cultural highlights and architecture.
Naturetrek Birdwatching Tours
We have one of the largest selections of professionally organised, small group birdwatching holidays around the world and all of our birdwatching tours are accompanied by at least one professional ornithologist leader with detailed knowledge of the area.
The majority of our bird tours have a relaxed, flexible approach which allows more time for photography, detailed wildlife exploration, leisure time and the region’s people, culture, history and architecture, while allowing the group to see a wide range of bird species.
Here is a small selection of our many bird holidays:
- Southern Morocco – an exploration of the birdlife in Morocco’s southern deserts, oases and mountains
- The Camargue in Spring – a short break to enjoy the spring birds of the Rhône Delta and Camargue wetland
- Wallcreepers & Cranes in Northern Spain – a 2-centre holiday focusing on Lammergeier, Wallcreepers, raptors, Cranes, bustards, sandgrouse and more!
- Madeira & Desertas Islands – A Seabird Extravaganza! – a short break focusing on special breeding seabirds, including a night on the remote Destertas Islands
- Peru – Macaws & Machu Picchu – searches for boobies, macaws and Inca Terns
- Spain & Morocco: Birding on Two Continents! – watch the spectacular spring bird migration from both sides of the Straits of Gibraltar
Our Bargain Birdwatching Selection
Our Bargain Bird Tours are intensive birdwatching holidays suitable for the serious birder. They are led by expert English-speaking local guides (and not accompanied from the UK by a tour leader). You can expect a higher-paced tour and to spend long hours in the field.
Our specialist recommends...
Byron Palacios - Tour Leader
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Flight-free Wildlife Holidays
At Naturetrek we make full use of the Eurostar rail service through the channel tunnel, and of the ferry routes between England’s south coast and France and Spain, to offer a range of ‘flightless’ wildlife holidays in Belgium, Holland, France and Spain. In addition, we also offer the widest selection of wildlife holidays within the UK, none of which require a flight to participate in. Therefore, if you prefer not to fly, for whatever reason, we have a range of varied and exciting wildlife holidays for you to choose from, and we are committed to regularly adding more.
It is also the case that many of our other holidays within Europe are also accessible by rail. Generally, where there’s a will, there’s a way, and we’d be pleased to offer advice to anybody who wishes to join any of our tours within Europe by a means other than flying!
Our specialist recommends...
Kerrie Porteous - Operations Manager
Prefer to Travel in a Private Group?
For any interested natural history club or society, we can arrange for a private departure of this tour.
EnquireTour Reports
- Tour report - June 2024
- Tour report - May 2024
- Tour report - June 2023
- Tour report - May 2023
- Tour report - June 2022
- Tour report - May 2022
- Tour report - June 2021
- Tour report - May 2021
- Tour report - June 2019
- Tour report - June 2018
- Tour report - June 2017
- Tour report - June 2016
- Tour report - June 2015
- Tour report - June 2013
- Tour report - June 2012
- Tour report - June 2011
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Why Naturetrek?
At Naturetrek we craft expertly-guided group and tailor-made wildlife holidays and cruises to all seven continents. On one of our holidays, you can be assured that our passionate team will enable you to experience and enjoy the best of the world's wildlife and natural spectacles in as comfortable and rewarding a manner as possible, caring as best we can for the environment in the process. We are proud to provide:
- The widest choice of wildlife holidays worldwide
- Tours managed and led by naturalists, for naturalists
- Outstanding value and exceptional customer service
Furthermore, as a Naturetrek client, our office team are always to on hand to help you – so if you have any queries about your holiday, whether before or after you have booked, we will be delighted to answer them on the phone. Please just give our team a call!
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