NEW TRIP
Rugged sea cliffs and Neolithic heritage of Shetland and Orkney
Hiking Scotland’s Northern Isles: Orkney & Shetland
Overview
In Scotland’s far north, we’ve linked the archæological and natural treasures of Orkney and Shetland with the wild trails and rich history of the welcoming and uncrowded north east coast. In Shetland, we take magnificent coastal walks and cross moorlands blooming with wildflowers. In Orkney, we head to UNESCO-listed sites including the Ring of Brodgar and Skara Brae, ripe with Neolithic and Viking heritage. And on the mainland’s north east coast, we visit medieval Highland castles and hike to panoramic vistas of mountains and inlets. Along the way, we’ll taste famed whiskies, settle into the local culinary scene, and visit with Scottish locals.
Arrive: Lerwick, Shetland
Depart: Inverness, Scotland
Highlights
- Explore remote Shetland and Orkney—Scotland's storied Northern Isles and the UK's northernmost points
- Witness the incredible legacy of 5,000-year-old Skara Brae, Europe's best preserved Neolithic village, and the ancient standing stones of Brodgar
- Hike breathtaking coastal trails and see remarkable birdlife along the Northern Isles' sea cliffs
- Discover northern Scotland's WWII history
- Meet with local storytellers, authors, and chefs
- Travel by scenic ferries among Scotland's rugged islands
Itinerary
In Scotland’s Shetland Islands, our coastal hikes include St. Ninian’s Island, with its 12th century chapel, Eshaness, a scene of sweeping bluffs and striking sea stacks, and Hermaness, home to thousands of birds and offering views of Out Stack, Britain’s most northern spot. We’ll visit Neolithic sites including the Ness of Burgi, a 2,000-year-old Iron Age fort, and Jarlshof, a 4,000-year-old settlement, and explore the small towns of Lerwick and Scalloway, learning about (and tasting) local cuisine along the way.
We ferry down to Orkney, where we take some of the trip’s biggest hikes—including treks over rugged coastal cliffs with fantastic views of sea stacks including the Old Man of Hoy. Other highlights include two major Neolithic sites: the Ring of Brodgar and Skara Brae, a 5,000-year-old settlement with nine surviving houses. We’ll stop by the Scapa Flow Museum, chronicling Orkney’s role in the two World Wars, meet with a traditional storyteller, and stay in charming seaside Kirkwall.
We head to the Scottish mainland’s north east coast for two days of exploring the stone castles of ancient clans, including the atmospheric Castle of Mey, with its ties to the Queen Mother. Our hike up to the Fyrish Monument brings spectacular sea and mountain views, and our grand finale is a private whiskey tasting of some of Scotland’s finest wares. We depart via Inverness on Day 10.
Accommodations
Scroll through our signature accommodations for this trip below. Although it is highly unlikely, we may make substitutions when necessary.
What the Trip is Like
This trip is rated Level 3, Moderate, according to our trip grading system. Day hikes and cultural exploration are our focus; on 7 of the 10 days we hike from 2-5 hours, mostly on undulating coastal trails. Conditions and the group’s level of fitness affect travel and hiking times, which can vary from the anticipated times.
Average Hiking Day:
- 5-6 miles
- 3-4 hours
- 750' ascent/descent
While trails can be on boggy, rocky, or uneven ground, steep sections are rare. Paths and trails in Scotland can be rough in places, with rocky uneven terrain or wetness underfoot. As is common in Scotland, we may even hike off-trail where the terrain allows. Hiking boots with ankle support are necessary and hiking poles are highly recommended. We’ll always include time to explore historic and cultural sites and for wildlife spotting.
We strongly urge you to train for your trip, as your enjoyment will be highly dependent on your level of fitness. The best training for a hike is to hike, especially over hills or rough terrain. Next best are running, swimming, bicycling, or other cardiovascular exercises. Stair-climbing machines are excellent preparation for hiking uphill. Your feet should also be well prepared—make sure your hiking boots are sturdy, comfortable, and thoroughly broken-in.
Summer or not, Scotland is famous for changeable weather. Count on everything from cold rain, persistent fog, and mist to brilliantly warm, sunny weather. These conditions give the islands great atmosphere and can add to the overall experience. They also mean that good raingear is a must. Bring a fully waterproof jacket and waterproof overpants as well as waterproof hiking boots with lug soles for traction. Waterproof ponchos are not recommended for hiking in Scotland due to the wind.
The hotels we use on this trip are the best available accommodations. They have comfortable rooms with en suite bathrooms. Since they are often in historic buildings, the rooms are not always of uniform or international size. Our leaders do their best to assign rooms in a fair way so that all participants experience an equal advantage throughout the trip as a whole. Single rooms can be requested but are not always available, due to the limited space in the hotels. If you prefer a single room, please make your request as early as possible.
Most evening meals will be taken at our hotels and will be hearty Scottish fare, often featuring local ingredients and specialties the region is known for. Please note that in Europe, the dinner hour is later than what it is in the US. Most often, the evening meal will be at 7:30 pm.
The ferry crossing from Shetland to Orkney takes about 5.5 hours, while the ferry from Orkney to the mainland takes just over an hour; travelers should bring medication if they suffer from seasickness.
Client Testimonials
"Best Wilderness trip we’ve ever taken. Excellent hikes and cultural activities. The highlights were the many Neolithic sites that we visited along with other cultural and historic sites and activities."
Rob C.
Arlington, VA
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Itinerary
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Trip Levels
With more than 200 different adventures to choose from, we want to help you find the trip that’s right for you. Our Trip Level system ranks each trip in two ways: a number rating from 1 to 6 according to the activity, and general travel rigors. 1 is the easiest and 6+ the most difficult.