History Tours
Bespoke History Tours — Designed Around You
Orkney’s history is layered, fascinating and at time turbulent, and our private history tours are designed to bring it to life in ways that speak to you. Whether you’re curious about Neolithic sites, Viking history, wartime stories, shipwrecks, sacred places, geology, nature and wildlife, we’ll create a tailor-made experience that follows your interests.
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Enjoy a driver-guided tour in our comfortable 9-seater vehicle
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Learn about Orkney's history on foot, by kayak, or both!
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Tours that combine driver guiding, kayaking and walking
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Half day, full day and multi-day tours
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Led by a fully qualified STGA Orkney Green Badge Guide in English or Dutch,
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Our tours combine deep knowledge with poetic storytelling, making each moment memorable.
Below is an example of one of our popular driver-guided history tours, a taste of what’s possible when you journey with us.
We also run a small selection of scheduled history tours for groups of up to 8 guests. Join us on an upcoming tour here:
Kirkwall Walking Tour
The Kirkwall Walking tour starts at the harbour, following the narrow, winding road that made up historic Kirkwall's medieval coastline. Hear stories of life through the ages, Viking Earls and Scottish Kings, Pressgangs, wedding customs and the Orkney Ba tradition. We then visit the magnificent 12th Century St Magnus Cathedral and finish at the Orkney Museum. There is the option to include a guided tour of the Bishop and Earl's Palaces for an extra fee to enable entry.
Cost from £25 per person
Time: 1.5 - 2 hours
Heart of Neolithic Orkney
Visit the Heart of Neolithic Orkney, a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1999.
We offer full day adventures with our driver guide or a half-day guided walk around the Ness of Brodgar peninsula. Immerse yourself in the 5000 year old landscape and history at the Stones of Stenness and Barnhouse village, the Ring of Brodgar, Skara Brae and Unstan Cairn. There is the option of visiting Maeshowe chambered cairn with a pre-booked tour and Skara Brae Neolithic village.
Cost from £125 per person, up to 8.
From £500 for a group up to 4 guests.
West Mainland Tour
Our Orkney West Mainland tour has some of the most spectacular historical and natural sights of Orkney. With so much to see and do, the tour will be specifically designed to your interests. We can explore the historical and archaeological site of Broch of Gurness, the Brough of Birsay, the heart of Neolithic Orkney including Skara Brae and a small Neolithic burial cairn. Stop at the Yesnaby seacliffs and be awe-struck at the stunning scenery. We can explore the quaint town of Stromness with its rich maritime heritage and visit Stromness Museum and the Pier Arts Centre. A visit to the West Mainland of Orkney must include driving along the beautiful coastline of Scapa Flow. As the largest natural harbour in the Northern hemisphere, it has been used for millennia, first by Vikings and much later during both World Wars.
Cost from £125 per person, up to 8.
From £500 for a group up to 4 guests.
The South Isles Tour
Our tour of the scenic South Isles takes us out of the capital across the four Churchill Barriers along the east side of Scapa Flow. We learn about the building of the Churchill Barriers, the story and legacy of the Italian Prisoners of War and visit the Italian Chapel. We will explore some of our most beautiful beaches, and the history, folklore and nature of the most southerly point of the Orkney Islands.
Cost from £125 per person, up to 8.
From £500 for a group up to 4 guests.