Five nights from £725 per person
Explore some of the most important archaeological sites in Europe in the company of an expert guide.
We are delighted that Clive Warsop of Edinburgh University will give us the benefit of his extensive knowledge and bring to life the fascinating ancient relics that litter the islands of Orkney and Shetland.
The islands of Orkney and Shetland are littered with archaeological remains. People first came here over 5000 years ago and many of their remains survive. New architectural sites are discovered every year. Some, such as Skara Brae, were buried under sand, only to be exposed by a winter storm thousands of years later; Skara Brae presents a fascinating glimpse of stone age life from the beds with their little shelves and cubby holes, to the remains of jewellery and medicine. Research is ongoing here and elsewhere excavation by archaeologists continues to uncover new information. The islands are therefore of enormous interest to anyone who enjoys first-hand contact with ancient settlements and buildings, and the people who once lived here.
During our time on Shetland we will visit the uninhabited island of Mousa with its 2000 year old full size broch; the prehistoric and Norse settlement of Jarlshof; St Ninian’s Isle with its 6th century church and the ruined castle of Scalloway. We then travel to Orkney where we visit the Italian Chapel; the Tomb of the Eagles, which offers a unique ‘hands-on’ experience - an opportunity to handle 5000 year old artefacts excavated from an extensive cliff-top site; Maeshowe, the finest chambered tomb in Western Europe and Skara Brae & Skaill House. En route to Aberdeen, we will also see the Loanhead of Daviot Stone Circle and the Maiden Stone.
We will stay on both Orkney and Shetland, allowing more time to appreciate the special charm of these islands. We sail with Northlink Ferries on their modern, purpose-built vessels, the Hrossey and the Hjaltland, from Aberdeen overnight to Lerwick. We then have two full days to tour Shetland, staying overnight at the Sumburgh Hotel (or similar). After rejoining the ship for an evening sailing to Kirkwall, we have a further two full days touring Orkney, while based at the comfortable Kirkwall Hotel, before our final overnight sailing back to Aberdeen.
The price includes:
- 1 night dinner, bed and full breakfast at the Sumburgh Hotel, Shetland (or similar) and 2 nights’ bed and breakfast (plus one dinner) at the Kirkwall Hotel, Orkney. All rooms have private facilities.
- 2 nights accommodation in 2-berth cabins on Northlink Ferries MV Hrossey/Hjaltland
- Two breakfasts and two dinners on board ship; one dinner in an Orkney restaurant
- Two full day coach tours of mainland Orkney including entrances to Skara Brae, Skaill House, Tomb of the Eagles and Maeshowe
- Two full day coach tours of mainland Shetland including entrance to Jarlshof and Mousa
- Comfortable coaching throughout
- Services of a professional archaeologist
A six day package by air is available from London from £825 per person – ask for our separate brochure.
Bruges by Eurostar
Aeolian Islands, Italy
Canada's Rocky Mountaineer
War Horse Theatre Break
Walking in Western Crete
Victoria Falls, Botswana Safari & Cape Town
Historic Sicily
Berlin - East meets West
Berlin, Dresden, Meissen and Colditz
