Orkney and the Shetland Isles

We start our holiday in the handsome and historical city of Edinburgh where we spend the night in the heart of Edwardian Haymarket. There is free time to explore the city before dinner at our hotel.

After breakfast, we take the train to Aberdeen where we enjoy a walking tour of the harbour, home to a charming selection of historic fishermen's cottages and the genteel district of Old Aberdeen. After free time for lunch, we'll see the 15th-century St Machar's Cathedral and the historic stone mansions that line leafy lanes. Later, we board a ferry for an overnight crossing to Shetland - Britain's northernmost outpost. Closer to Bergen, Norway, than Edinburgh, the landscapes here have a unique Norse influence.

• Breakfast, Dinner

We arrive into Lerwick, the capital of the Shetlands Isles, where we meet our guide for the day. Our first visit is to Scalloway, the ancient capital of the Shetlands. Here, we discover the brooding ruins of Scalloway Castle, which date back to 1599. Next, we head to the coast for a unique encounter with Shetland's world-famous ponies, learning about their history and enjoying a meet and greet against a spectacular coastal backdrop. We continue by coach to the picturesque village of Brae for a fish and chip lunch at an award-winning local restaurant.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We explore the pre-historic Norse settlement of Jarlshof today, seeing some of Europe's oldest signs of life, which date from around 2500 BC, before continuing to Sumburgh Head, a protected nature reserve notable for its steep cliffs, lighthouse and seabird population. It's possible to spot puffins, guillemots and even razorbills here. Next, we admire the dramatic landscapes surrounding the villages of Gulberwick and Cunningsburgh ahead of returning to Lerwick, where there's free time ahead of our ferry journey to the remote Orkney Islands. We check into our hotel on arrival.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Our day begins with a special talk from Nick Card, an expert on the Neolithic history of the Orkney Isles. Afterwards, we set out on a tour through the heart of Neolithic Orkney, visiting four different monuments; the Standing Stones of Stenness, the Ring of Brodgar, the chambered tomb of Maeshowe and Skara Brae - also known as the 'Scottish Pompeii'. Our final stop is the highly ornate Italian Chapel on Lamb Holm. After a day of exploration, we take the overnight ferry and travel back to mainland Scotland.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Arriving in Scrabster early this morning, we transfer to the beautiful Castle and Gardens of Mey, previously a Royal Residence and the Queen Mother's home in Caithness. There's free time to explore the castle, its gardens and grounds - from where, on a fine day, there are views to the Orkney Islands. We continue from here to John O'Groats for a photo stop. We then transfer by coach to Thurso where we travel by rail to Inverness for the night. On our final night we enjoy a three-course dinner at our hotel.

• Breakfast, Dinner

After breakfast this morning we return by train from Inverness to Edinburgh where your holiday ends.

• Breakfast