b'YOUR ITINERARY 7 DAY HOLIDAYFROM SCOTLANDDay 1 - Lively Edinburgh Day 5 - The history of the Orkneys 1,795 PPOur holiday begins today as we meetOur day begins with a special talk from at our hotel in Edinburgh, wherearchaeologist Nick Card, an expert on were greeted by our Tour Manager.the Neolithic history of the Orkney2024 Departures in: After checking into our hotel, youreIsles. Next, we head to Kirkwall, theAPR, MAY, JUN, SEPat leisure to start exploring Scotlandslively capital of Orkney, where we visit capital before dinner this evening. Youthe magnificent St Magnus Cathedral. 1 2 3 4could explore the Old Towns RoyalFrom there, we make our way to theEveryday Traveller ratedMile or the award-winning Georgianawe-inspiring Ring of Brodgar, an architecture in the New Town.enigmatic arrangement of standingYOUR HOLIDAY INCLUDES:stones that ignites the mystery of our Day 2Discovering Aberdeen ancestors. We then delve into theAll rail, overnight ferry and coach This morning, we head to Aberdeen.Standing Stones of Stenness. Nowtravel throughout your tourOur rail journey takes us along thecomprising four tall standing stones, UNESCO-listed Forth Bridge beforethis UNESCO-listed site was built in4 nights 4-star accommodation in a series of sandy beaches, ruggedaround 3100 BC with 12 stones.Edinburgh, The Shetlands, Orkney, cliffs, and rolling farmland pass by.and InvernessIn Aberdeen, we join our coach toContinuing our ancient adventure,Escorted throughout your tour Footdee for a guided tour of thiswe move on to the Brough of Birsayby one of our experienced Tour historic fishing village known as Fittie.and Broch of Gurness before reachingManagersWe wander its unusual mix of cottagesthe remarkably preserved Neolithic and colourful outbuildings. Continuingvillage of Skara Brae. Our final stop isBreakfast and Dinner each day and to Old Aberdeen, we see St MacharsMaeshowe, a chambered cairn withLunch on 1 dayCathedral, The Merchant Quarter,Viking graffiti etched into the walls.A superb choice of excursions and Kings College. We then drive toAfter our day of discovery, we enjoy the vibrant Queens Cross area of thedinner at a restaurant near the port city, known for its striking statue ofbefore an overnight ferry to Scrabster. Queen Victoria. Theres time for lunch before our overnight ferry to Shetland.TOUR MANAGERS HIGHLIGHT: Closer to Norway than Edinburgh, theDiscover Orkneys Neolithic pastlandscapes here have Norse influence. with an acclaimed archaeologist.Day 3Historic Scalloway Castle and famous Shetland Ponies Day 6The elegant Castle of MeyAfter breakfast on the ferry, we arriveArriving in Scrabster early this in Lerwick. Our guide for the daymorning, we board our coach to the meets us here ahead of our first stopbeautiful Castle and Gardens of Mey.RING OF BRODGARat Scalloway, the ancient capital of thePreviously a Royal Residence and the Shetlands. We discover the broodingQueen Mothers home in Caithness,Orkney 1 Lerwickruins of Scalloway Castle and thentheres time at leisure to explore the1 1drive to the coast to meet Shetlandscastle, its gardens and its grounds.Scrabster John o Groats 1world-famous ponies. Next, we reach the pretty village of Brae for lunchWe continue by coach to Thurso, at an award-winning fish restaurantcalling at John OGroats along the way Just a few of your holiday highlights before checking into our hotel. for a photo stop. At Thurso station,Invernesswe board the train for a scenic railwaySCOTLAND AberdeenTOUR MANAGERS HIGHLIGHT:journey to Inverness. Breathtaking1+1 EdinburghExplore the 17th-century Scallowaymountains, glistening lochs, and Castle on the Shetland Islands. countryside villages pass by as we travel through the Scottish Highlands. Day 4 - The wildlife of the Shetlands Further south, sweeping moors andTour Code: SOS |per person based on 2 We enjoy a full day of sightseeinghilltop castles start to appear and wesharing. Deposit from 200per person. today. Starting in the pre-historicpull into vibrant Inverness. CheckingSupplement for solo travellers from 400. Norse settlement of Jarlshof, weinto our hotel, theres time to freshen see some of Europes oldest signsup before our final dinner. of life. Our next stop is SumburghTo book and for Head, a nature reserve where steepDay 7Homeward bound information go tocliffs rise from the North Sea andAfter breakfast this morning, its thousands of seabirds nest. We thentime to return to Edinburgh bygreatrail.com/SOS journey to the villages of Gulberwickrail. The stunning landscapes ofor call 01904 527168and Cunningsburgh, surrounded bythe Cairngorms, endless hills, and dramatic landscapes. Returning tocascading waterfalls fly by our& speak to ourLerwick, we board our ferry to Orkneywindows. Our holiday comes toand arrive at our hotel for a latean end in Edinburgh where we expert team.check-in.say goodbye.17'