3-Day Orkney Islands Tour from Inverness

Recommended by 91% of travelers

Inverness, Scotland

3 days (approx.)
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

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Overview

Scotland's far-flung Orkney Islands are home to dramatic scenery, an abundance of wildlife, and fascinating historic sites—but they can feel a world away from city life. Save yourself the hassle of planning a route or wrapping your head around an itinerary with this comprehensive, 3-day tour from Inverness. Journey across the Pentland Firth to visit villages steeped in Viking mystery and landmarks such as the Lamb Holm Italian Chapel and the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Standing Stones of Stenness.

There's no need to tackle public transport with round-trip transfers from Inverness
Accommodation is included for a seamless experience
Gain insight you'd otherwise miss thanks to the insider perspective of a local guide
Check off multiple highlights of the area without needing to organize a route

What's Included

Local driver-guide
2 nights accommodation
Entrance fee - Maes Howe, Skara Brae, Italian Chapel
Breakfast (2)

Breakfast

Food and drinks, unless specified
Gratuities

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting point

25 Union St, Inverness IV1 1QA, UK
25 Union Street, Inverness IV1 1QA

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

Operating hours
.8:00 am

Itinerary

Your 3-day excursion through the Orkney Islands begins in Inverness. Meet your guide in the morning and set off by ferry across the blustery North Sea to St. Margaret's Hope.

Over the next few days, travel by minibus through the sparsely inhabited Orkney Isles—an ancient archipelago comprised of around 70 islands. Enjoy unspoiled scenery and visit historic sites, such as the Heart of Neolithic Orkney—a collection of Viking monuments including ancient standing stones, tombs, and the prehistoric village of Skara Brae.

Spend time at other fascinating sites, such as St Magnus Cathedral in Kirkwall and the Italian Chapel, built during WWII by Italian prisoners of war.

Spend your evenings relaxing or exploring Kirkwall, where your accommodation is located.

Day 1

A ferry to the Isle of Orkney

2 Stops

The Italian Chapel

30 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

Churchill Barriers (Pass By)

Accommodation: Overnight: Kirkwall

Meals: Not included

Day 2

Step back in history

4 Stops

Maeshowe Chambered Cairn

1 hour • Admission Ticket Not Included

Skara Brae

1 hour • Admission Ticket Not Included

Stenness

30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Ring of Brodgar

30 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

Accommodation: Overnight: Kirkwall

Meals: Breakfast

Day 3

Back to the ferry

2 Stops

Pentland Firth (Pass By)

Dunrobin Castle and Gardens

1 hour 30 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

Accommodation: Not included

Meals: Breakfast

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Not wheelchair accessible
Service animals allowed
Near public transportation
Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level

Luggage Restrictions: Maximum weight: 15kg. Maximum size: 55cm x 40cm x 20cm per person plus small carry on
If you are travelling alone, please choose the ‘Single Room’ option or we may not be able to accept your booking
Double/twin room: these rooms are for 2 people. If 3 people choose this option, you will be allocated a family room for 3, subject to availability. If you prefer 2 rooms, you must choose ‘Single Room’ for one person
Children under 3 years not accepted- valid ID may be required at check in.
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 16 travelers

Supplied by

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 6 days in advance of the experience for a full refund.

Reviews

4.6

based on 11 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

We perform checks on reviews

Excellent tour

Julia_S, Aug 2025

Excellent tour. Viator took care of everything...we were travelling with our 14 year old son...they made sure we had a small suite at the B&B so he could have his own bedroom....our tour guide was kind, knowledgeable, and a great driver! We saw so much of Orkney...we were never far from a bathroom...the van was very comfortable. This was a terrific way to see Orkney!

Response from Host, Aug 2025

Hi Julia, Thank you for taking the time to leave such a lovely review! We're delighted to hear that you and your family had a great experience on our 3-Day Orkney Islands Tour from Inverness. It's wonderful to know that the arrangements especially the B&B suite for your son helped make your trip more comfortable. We’re also so pleased you enjoyed the sights of Orkney and felt well taken care of throughout. We'll be sure to pass your kind words on to your guide. We hope to welcome you on another Highland adventure soon! Many thanks, Highland Experience Tours

Outstanding tour

GORDONGERALD_K, Jun 2025

The guide/driver makes all the difference and Iain was outstanding. His sense of humor with his local knowledge and driving skills were without fault and make for a great tour.

Response from Host, Jun 2025

Hi there! Thank you for your fantastic review! I’m thrilled to hear Iain’s outstanding sense of humor, local knowledge, and driving skills made such a difference, creating a great tour experience. I’ll be sure to pass on your kind words to him. I’m delighted you enjoyed the tour, and we’d love to welcome you back for another unforgettable adventure in the future! Kind regards, Cameron Highland Experience Tours

Wonderful guide and group to travel...

Kitty D, Aug 2017

Wonderful guide and group to travel with. We had a good bit of time at each site. Accomodations at B and B were very nice. I'm ready to go back!!

Pick up in Inverness was efficient...

Gillian C, May 2017

Pick up in Inverness was efficient, all travel arrangements went according to plan, very good driving and tour commentary from our guide, thankyou. Accommodation in Orkney was a bit hit and miss as we were scattered over a wide area. I booked B and B accommodation but had not realised that I might be parked well out of the town centre. My B and B was very good, but with hindsight I would go for a hotel. Most tour operators lodge all guests together, which for a solo traveller is less isolating. We were advised to buy the all in one pass for attractions mine at concession rate was 15, a full price I think was 19. This should give entry to a varirty of venues without the need to pay at each, but as I only visited two of those places I don't think it was good value for me. You still had to queue up with other visitors and have your pass checked and dated by hand! which did not save much time. The places we saw were as I anticipated having done some research in advance, especially pleased to visit Maes Howe and Skara Brae, but would have like more time in Kirkwall when things were open. Had to forego the Bishop's Palace as I wanted to visit the cathedral, and time was quite limited. Also, we did not have enough time at Skara Brae to visit the stately home which was included as part of this visit. Frequent stops for toilets and refreshments at intervals I suppose are necessary, but when you only have one full day in Orkney they eat away at the available time for the major attractions. Now I have seen Orkney, I will probably go back and spend more time there. All in all it was a good, well organised tour with the few provisos I have mentioned.

This three day trip was everything...

Leatrice A, Sep 2016

This three day trip was everything described and was a wonderful experience. The guide was knowledgeable and had a terrific sense of humor. I'd recommend this trip to anyone else who is considering a visit to the Orkney Islands.

Outstanding opportunity to see and...

Suzanne_S, Jul 2016

Outstanding opportunity to see and experience many of the awesome historic sights in the Orkney Islands! Days were action-packed, but evening allowed plenty of time to relax, enjoy a good meal, and check out the pretty sea side town of Kirkwall. Our guide was knowledgeable, personable, and easy going which added to the fun of the tour. It was all that we hoped for!

Timeless! Guide was extremely...

bevka49, Jun 2015

Timeless! Guide was extremely knowledgeable and very entertaining. Sights were unbelievable and more than we hoped for#

Great tour guide, Mark. Kirkwall hotel...

Susan B, Oct 2014

Great tour guide, Mark. Kirkwall hotel not good. My VISA card was hacked.

This tour was just wonderful, nine...

Nanny of the Wetwipes, Sep 2014

This tour was just wonderful, nine of us on the mini van. Mark the guide was most knowledgeable and helpful. I would recommend this tour to anyone wanting to visit the Orkneys. We elected to stay at a hotel and it was good, very clean and wonderful food.

My wife and I really enjoyed this...

Denis P, Jul 2013

My wife and I really enjoyed this trip. Everything worked out well - the bus, hotel, sightseeing. We thought the driver was first class; nothing was too much trouble; he was cheerful, helpful, knowledgeable.

The guide from Highland Experience...

D_A, Jun 2013

The guide from Highland Experience informed us that ours was the first trip they had conducted and we were thus "guinea pigs " for the tour. His joking persona sometimes conflicted with his sense of direction as the route was new to him. The sites visited were excellent and what we had wished to see. The addition of Broch of Gurness at my request (over view only - site not entered) and Dunnett Head and also Stromness at suggestion by others, were worthwhile and should always be included (weather permitting). Other stops left only a very short time at Culloden which was a disappointment to those returning to Edinburgh.