Orkney and the Shetland Isles

Our holiday begins today as we meet at our hotel in Edinburgh, where we're greeted by our Tour Manager. After checking into our hotel, you're at leisure to start exploring Scotland's capital before dinner this evening.

As you wander the streets, it's easy to see why Edinburgh came to be regarded as the 'Athens of the North'. You could explore the Old Town's Royal Mile or admire the award-winning Georgian architecture in the New Town.

• Dinner

This morning, we make our way by rail to Aberdeen. Our journey takes us over the North Sea and along the UNESCO-listed Forth Bridge before a series of sandy beaches, rugged cliffs, and rolling farmland pass by our windows.

As we cross over the River Dee, we get our first glimpse of Aberdeen's skyline. After leaving the train, we join our coach to Footdee, an old fishing village next to the harbour known locally as'Fittie'.On a guided tour of the peaceful little area, we wander its unusual mix of cottages and colourful outbuildings.

Our tour continues to Old Aberdeen, where cobbled roads lead to the14th-century St Machar's Cathedral, The Merchant Quarter, and King's College which was founded in 1495. Our coach then takes us down the road to the vibrant Queen's Cross area of the city.

Known for its striking granite statue of Queen Victoria, the area has a range of shops, cafes, and restaurants. There's time at leisure here to admire the intricate granite buildings and get lunch before we board the 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

After breakfast on the ferry, we arrive in Lerwick, the capital of the Shetlands Isles. Our guide for the day meets us here ahead of our first stop at 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. Continuing by coach, we reach the picturesque village of Brae and enjoy a fish and chip lunch at an award-winning local restaurant.

After checking into our hotel, there's time to explore more of the village before dinner this evening.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We enjoy a full day of sightseeing today, starting in the pre-historic Norse settlement of Jarlshof. Exploring the site, we see some of Europe's oldest signs of life including a range of structures and buildings which date from around 2700 BC.

Our next stop is Sumburgh Head, a protected nature reserve where steep cliffs rise from the North Sea. The headland is a haven for birdwatchers, with thousands of seabirds nesting on the cliffs, including puffins, guillemots, razorbills, and fulmars.

Overlooking the tumultuous waters, we see Sumburgh Head Lighthouse, which has guided ships since 1821 and, if the day is clear enough, we could even spot passing whales or dolphins in the distance.

After keeping our eyes peeled for wonderful wildlife, we journey to admire the dramatic landscapes surrounding the villages of Gulberwick and Cunningsburgh. Gulberwick is known for its tranquil atmosphere, with charming houses scattered across the village and a close-knit community. Cunningsburgh is on the southern tip of the mainland and has a delightful mix of rugged cliffs and lush green fields.

Returning to Lerwick, you're at leisure ahead of our overnight ferry journey to the remote Orkney Islands. Our hotel here sits overlooking the Loch of Stenness, and we arrive for a late check-in ahead of a peaceful night's rest.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Our day begins with a special talk from archaeologist Nick Card, who is an expert on the Neolithic history of the Orkney Isles. Since 2004, Nick has been in charge of leading excavations at the Ness of Brodgar, one of the most important collections of Neolithic buildings in Western Europe.

Next, we head to Kirkwall, the lively capital of Orkney, where we visit the magnificent St Magnus Cathedral. From there, we make our way to the awe-inspiring Ring of Brodgar, an enigmatic arrangement of standing stones that ignites the mystery of our ancestors. We also visit the Italian Chapel, a highly ornate catholic chapel built during WWII by Italian prisoners of war.

Continuing our exploration of Neolithic Orkney, we move on to the Standing Stones of Stenness. Now comprising four tall standing stones, this UNESCO-listed site is believed to have been built around 3100 BC with 12 stones.

We then delve into the ancient stones, structures, and remains at the Brough of Birsay and Broch of Gurness before reaching the remarkably preserved Neolithic village of Skara Brae. Often referred to as the 'Scottish Pompeii', we discover its intriguing stone dwellings with interconnected passageways and stone furniture.

Our final stop is Maeshowe, a Neolithic chambered cairn. We explore this impressive stone structure, admiring the Viking graffiti and runes etched into the walls.

After our day of exploration, our coach takes us to the ferry port where we enjoy dinner at a local restaurant before the overnight ferry to Scrabster.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Arriving in Scrabster early this morning, we board our coach to the beautiful Castle and Gardens of Mey, previously a Royal Residence and the Queen Mother's home in Caithness. There's time at leisure to explore the castle, its gardens and its grounds.

We continue from here to Thurso calling at John O'Groats for a photo stop along the way. At Thurso station, we board the train for a scenic railway journey to Inverness. Breathtaking mountains, glistening lochs, and countryside villages pass by as we travel through the Scottish Highlands. Further south, sweeping moors and hilltop castles start to appear and we pull into vibrant Inverness.

Checking into our hotel, there's time to freshen up before our final dinner this evening.

• Breakfast, Dinner

After breakfast this morning, it's time to return to Edinburgh by rail. The stunning landscapes of the Cairngorms, endless hills, and cascading waterfalls fly by our windows as we reminisce about our wonderful adventure.

Our holiday comes to an end as we arrive in Edinburgh and we say goodbye to new friends and fellow travellers.

• Breakfast