Day 1 - Liverpool (England) Embark your ship in Liverpool. Enjoy two overnight journeys on board the Caledonian Sleeper Train. First, we visited the Orkneyinga Saga Centre to view documents and a fantastic audio-visual display about the saga, which tells the extensive history of the jarls (earls) of Orkney.. From Wikipedia: "The Orkneyinga saga (also called the . Our self-drive touring holiday of Orkney & Shetland gives you the opportunity to experience the landscapes, wildlife and archaeological heritage of these magical, and very different, parts of the UK. The heritage of St Magnus Erlendsson, Earl of Orkney, is found everywhere on the islands. Fair Isle lies between Orkney and Shetland. Highest temps are in Jul, averaging 13C; but they have been known to hit the 20's. Bird watchers love the migratory cliffhangers in spring, with . We were impressed by by the food we enjoyed including the UK's most Northerly . Book your tailor-made holiday to Offers with Premier Holidays. It reads: 'This is a new translation of the only Norse Saga concerned with what is now part of the British Isles. , Download the full brochure for details. Ambience. FR169 Operated by Fred Olsen. Wow what and epic voyage. Take the chance to visit Kirkwall's magnificent centrepiece, St Magnus Cathedral, or join an optional shore excursion to discover the highlights of the island's unique mix of history, archaeology, crafts . Cultural Tours. Orkney is a group of 70 islands, the closest of which is just 6 miles off the mainland. On the following Sunday it was a bit breezy when we went into church at 11 am but it wasn't too bad by Orkney standards. During the summer it is still light when you arrive. Shetland & Orkney Island Holidays Stretching off Scotland's north coast are Shetland and Orkney, two very special archipelagos where Scotland meets Scandinavia. The overal population of the islands is around 21,000 with the majority (17,000) living on Mainland Orkney according to the 2011 census data. Mousa Broch is mentioned in two historical documents. Orkney & Shetland Guided Small Group Tour - McKinlay Kidd Orkney & Shetland Guided Small Group Tour Best Time To Go 29-May-2022 - Fully booked 28-Aug-2022 - Fully booked 06-Aug-2023 - Open for booking 27-Aug-2023 - Open for booking 17-Sep-2023 - Open for booking Why not. The trail's centre can be found in Orphir, next to the Earl's Bu - a farmstead where . The British Isles Revealed. As Tour Manager for the successful Neolithic Orkney & Shetland tour in June 2013, Liz was . The Orphir Round Kirk is thought to have a connection to the most famous story in the . This is a tidal island on the north-west tip of the Orkney mainland which can be reached by a causeway when the tide is low between June and September. On the island itself there are the remains of a Viking settlement and the earlier Pictish community. Our adventure begins on our Northlink Ferry with an overnight sail to Lerwick, Shetland's only town. It has been made all the richer by having the Pritties so . Days 5-8 Orkney. 2,081. The Brough of Birsay is also one of the best places on the Orkney Mainland to see puffins and . Later, the island was an important location to Vikings and features prominently in the Orkneyinga Saga )The chief settlements on Mainland are: 1 Kirkwall is the administrative capital of the Orkney Islands and largest town. 9 nights from. Was: 1069 pp. Take a 12-day trip through this charming scattering of islands where you'll discover some of the most stunning coastal scenery in the world, remarkable wildlife, ancient archaeological sites, pristine beaches and much more. Wednesday 01 Jun 2022 Wednesday 07 September 2022 TOUR HIGHLIGHTS Explore historic Orkney at a gentle pace from our base on the Orkneys Visit the Italian Chapel, Churchill Barriers and Skara Brae Tour idyllic Shetland Isle and its Viking past Rich archaeology & history combined with beautiful flora & fauna Dramatic scenery of the Highland Line Pictured: an overhead view of the excavation site Pictured: an . Enjoy 2 nights onboard Northlink . Puffin couple enjoying the views of Orkney before dinner. Together, they tailor-make specialist tours to exciting places such as Rhodes and the Isles of Orkney & Shetland. According to the Orkneyinga Saga, Magnus was a pious and gentle Viking, who, alongside his cousin Hakon, ruled over the islands between 1105 and 1114, until he was betrayed and murdered. Egil's Saga relates how, in AD 900, an eloping couple from Norway found themselves shipwrecked in Shetland, and sought refuge in 'Morseyarborg'. Ferry: Sail from Shetland to Orkney on the evening sailing on a Monday, Wednesday & Friday, depart Lerwick at 1730 and arrive in Kirkwall at 2300. In the sagas. Things to Do in Mainland. Home 1 / Tall Ship Sailing Holidays 2 / Orkney to Shetland & Shetland to Orkney Via Fair Isle Kirkwall, Orkney To Lerwick Shetland 2022 Wednesday 29th June to Wednesday 6th July 7 Nights 1190 Sea Miles 150 FULL Join The Ship In Kirkwall at 18.00 Leave Lerwick 10.00 Lerwick, Shetland To Kirkwall, Orkney 2022 Saturday 23rd July To Saturday 30th July When you join the Orkney to Shetland voyage expect to spend more time sailing in Shetland than Orkney.Once in Shetland, we might call into Out Skerries which has a similar population number to Fair Isle, or possibly sail further north to visit islands such as Yell or Unst KIRKWALL. Saturday 28th May to Saturday 11th June 2022. Map. A fantastic journey right up to the Northern tip of the Highlands before boarding a minicruise to take a look at both the Orkneys and Shetland. You can follow in the footsteps of the Norse through the Orkneyinga Saga Trail, with interpretation boards marking key Viking events and places. Saga Cruises has launched its summer 2021 UK cruise program with four all-inclusive itineraries to choose from: 'Scottish Highlands and Islands,' 'Great British Isles Adventure' and 'Northern Isles to the Fjords' will all be hosted by Spirit of Discovery while, for the first time, guests can also book the 'The Inaugural Cruise on Spirit of Adventure', Saga Cruises' brand-new . Excellent holiday seeing Orkney and Shetland differently. All sorts of nature abound here, from seals and otters to ponies and hundreds of birds, making it a wildlife lover's paradise. Bolette Fri 19 Aug 2022 8 nights Scenic cruise the picturesque Sound . Day 2 - Kirkwall (Orkney Islands) Kirkwall, the capital of the Orkney Islands, resonates with ancient echoes of Christian, Nordic and . We stayed in a variety of accommodation which enabled us to see different parts of Orkney and Shetland. Tours Add a Place Travel Forum Airlines Travel Guides Help Centre Travel Articles. Saga has announced that it will offer a series of UK cruise holidays this summer including the long-awaited inaugural sailing of its brand new cruise ship Spirit of Adventure . Admire the megalithic Stones of Stenness and the Ring of Brodgar. Top Picks. Popular things to do. Balmoral. Bringing the world closer to you, Fred. Jersey; Guernsey; Herm, Sark & Alderney; Isles of Scilly; Isle of Wight ; Isle of Man ; Shetland & Orkney . 2,099 pp. On our holidays to the Orkey and Shetland Islands, you will fly to the far northern islands of Scotland with their stunning scenery, wonderful wildlife & mysterious prehistoric ruins.Collect your hire car in Orkney, take the ferry to Rousay, fly to the wild island of Westray & take the 2-min flight to Papa Westray.Then fly to the Shetlands. The 1939 advertising looks ironic now. At the end of February we will have been on Shetland for two years. The Orkneyinga Saga is the history of the Orkneymen, Earls and Odallers of Norwegian extraction, who established an Earldom of Norway in the Northern Scottish Isles a thousand years ago, and whose descendants for several centuries held sway over the Hebrides and Northern Mainland of Scotland. Marvel at the Neolithic dwellings at Skara Brae. Orkney & Shetland Holidays Orkney & Shetland Holidays Outstanding scenery, exceptional wildlife, ancient history, traditional crafts and world-class diving. Spirit of Adventure and Spirit of Discovery will be sailing around the British Isles this June and July. Explore four fascinating Neolithic sites of the Orkney Isles with a local guide. 1,029. Best time to visit Orkney. Established by the Vikings in the 11th Century Kirkwall was first mentioned in the . The highlight for my husband was a guided trip round Noss to see birds while mine was visiting Unst. Many people have landed there before you - some as early as 3000 BC. Shetland & Orkney Explorer - 5 Days. Olsen Cruise Lines sails from eight regional UK ports to. The village of Birsay in Orkney's far north-west coast was once the seat of Earl Thorfinn the Mighty, the most powerful of all the Viking Earls, and outlines of longhouses can still be seen on the . 29 Mar 2021. 12 days from: 949pp. The Wooden Woman of Orkney Library (Image: Twitter/Orkney Library). Scenic Orkneys and Shetlands Itinerary. Orkney and the Shetland Islands are two archipelagos, looking like a paint splatter off northeast Scotland. Cruise past Fingal's Cave, 'Dutchman's Cap', and the 13th-century Duart Castle. Enjoy 3 days (3 nights) in Orkney. Paul Murton has long had a love of the Viking north - the island groups of Orkney and Shetland and the old counties of Caithness and Sutherland - which, for centuries, were part of the Nordic world as depicted in the great classic the Orkneyinga Saga. A holiday to the islands of Orkney and Shetland has it all. St Magnus story is recorded in Orkneyinga Saga. Together the islands have more than 18,000 known sites, with new discoveries being made every year. However South Ronaldsay is quite distinctive and feels very much like an island. Come to the Orkneys, Where you will find Peace, Tranquility and Health. All about Orphir. Ayre Hotel, Kirkwall 3 Star. Orkney and Shetland will live up to all of this and more as you island hop from the quaint crofting communities of Orkney to the Scandinavian style fjords and voes of Shetland. Recently hailed as one of Lonely Planet's Best in Europe for 2019, the ruggedly handsome Shetland Islands comprise around 100 different islands with just 15 inhabited. Weak sunshine within the UK leads to fewer opportunities for UV exposure and UVB-mediated vitamin D synthesis, and the effect of foreign holiday sun exposure has been previously . We were impressed by by the food we enjoyed including the UK's most Northerly . Harwich, Essex To Kirkwall, Orkney. Book your tailor-made holiday to Offers with Premier Holidays. PDF | Orkney, north of mainland Scotland, has the world's highest prevalence of multiple sclerosis (MS); vitamin D deficiency, a marker of low UV. The largest island, the Mainland, has an area of 523 . Experience it all on this unforgettable 11-day journey. Look out for native seabirds in Shetland, Orkney and on the Isle of Skye, and marine life with ORCA; Experience memorable scenic cruising, and visit Belfast, Cobh and the Isle of Man too; 1 offer available ; Itinerary From. Orkney (/ r k n i /; Scots: Orkney; Old Norse: Orkneyjar; Norn: Orknjar), also known as the Orkney Islands, is an archipelago in the Northern Isles of Scotland, situated off the north coast of the island of Great Britain.Orkney is 10 miles (16 km) north of the coast of Caithness and has about 70 islands, of which 20 are inhabited. The only medieval chronicle to have Orkney as the central place of action, it tells of an era when the islands were still part of the Viking world, beginning with their conquest by the kings of Norway in the ninth . Today this fascinating Scandanavian legacy can be found everywhere - in physical remains, place-names, local traditions and folklore, and much . Orkney & Shetland Islands. First populated around 6,000 years ago, evidence of early inhabitants is still visible today, including Neolithic land divisions, Bronze Age 'burnt mounds', and an Iron Age fort at Landberg. The cruise line has been working hard over the last few months to put these exciting new itineraries . Highlights of Orkney and Shetland 3 departures 13 June 2022 Call for availability 6 days From 1,445 Activity Level: Summary Sail away to lands steeped in history, wildlife and stunning scenery, far from the jostling crowds to the haunting beauty of the Orkney and Shetland Isles. However, by the time we came out of church it had developed into a F7 gale . Trade Login Contact 08444 937 531 Destinations UK & Channel Islands. The story of his life is told in three Norse sagas: the "History of the Earls of Orkney" (Orkneyinga saga), the "Longer Saga of Magnus" (Magns saga lengri) and the "Shorter Saga of Magnus" (Magns saga skemmri). Europe . "We went one afternoon to the modest summit of the Ward Hill in South Ronaldsay; the whole island, from . This is a tidal island on the north-west tip of the Orkney mainland which can be reached by a causeway when the tide is low between June and September. James Patterson, Dawn French, Ian Rankin, Lauren Laverne, Andrew Marr, Dame Edna, Nicola Sturgeon and Kim Wilde are among the . Holiday Highlights Hop between Orkney & Shetland Explore Scotland's northern most islands! Orkney (/ r k n i /; Scots: Orkney; Old Norse: Orkneyjar; Norn: Orknjar), also known as the Orkney Islands, is an archipelago in the Northern Isles of Scotland, situated off the north coast of the island of Great Britain.Orkney is 10 miles (16 km) north of the coast of Caithness and has about 70 islands, of which 20 are inhabited. Discover fascinating Icelandic capital Reykjavk. We offer all-inclusive 'Orkney Adventure' 7-night small group holidays with a maximum of just eight people, together with private all-inclusive tours and day tours, conducted in our own comfortable executive touring vehicle. Magnus was the eldest son of Erlend Thorfinnsson, Earl of Orkney who ruled together with his brother Paul. 23 March 2023. Top Things to Do in Mainland, Orkney Islands - Mainland Attractions. Orkney and Shetland Minicruise. Day 5. The bustling, cosmopolitan seaport is the islands' only town, and its wonderful natural harbour is a joy to explore. The structures were later adapted by Pictish people and then by Vikings. Spirit of Discovery departing Dover. We stayed in a variety of accommodation which enabled us to see different parts of Orkney and Shetland. Private . Scenic Isles & Lochs of Scotland. Bird watchers love the migratory cliffhangers, with puffins breeding on the islands between May and early August. Bolette Fri 19 Aug 2022 8 nights Scenic cruise the picturesque Sound . Tour highlights: Skara Brae. Join us on a magnificent expedition cruise to the Orkney, Shetland and Faroe Islands on board M/S Quest! Orkney Islands. While in North Wales and Scotland, our journey will take in evocative scenery and dramatic castles - immersing ourselves in age-old traditions as we go. Less than 20% of under-40s in our Orkney sample took foreign holidays, whereas over 30% in the 70 and over group reported leaving the UK at least once a year. The great story of Orkney's Viking age is told in the Orkneyinga Saga, written in Iceland in the 12th century. Now that the building work is completed, we really feel as though our sojourn is under way. 14:05, 29 Mar 2021. Hiking Scotland's Orkney & Shetland Islands. It's not all Shetland ponies and Fair Isle cardies here. Our holidays in UK. Here we explore the largest island, Mainland, which offers interesting history and charming small towns. The sheer variety of life continues to amaze us. Orphir is a dramatic dark parish in the southwest corner of the Orkney mainland. View Full Details. Small group tours of each island included, as well as . Dover. The brothers . In Kirkwall, St. Magnus Cathedral was founded in memory of Magnus, who was . Explore the rugged natural beauty and prehistoric sites of Shetland & Orkney with Gillian Hovell, archaeologist and ancient historian, award-winning writer and lecturer at the British Museum and York University.. Local curators, rangers, and site archaeologists and directors add their passion and knowledge . The saga of the licence had a long way still to run. Go in search of the celestial Northern Lights. Orkney wakes up around Apr when winds die down, lambs appear and they head into one of their sunniest months, May. Call at remote island outposts, including the Danish Faroes, Orkney and Shetland. Mainland. Look out for native seabirds in Shetland, Orkney and on the Isle of Skye, and marine life with ORCA; Experience memorable scenic cruising, and visit Belfast, Cobh and the Isle of Man too; 1 offer available ; Itinerary From. Package Holidays Cruises Rental Cars. The expedition starts in Oban and we sail, via the scenic and bird-rich island of Handa, to the enchanting Orkney Islands. 1960. It has impressive views of Scapa Flow, wild heather hills, beautiful beaches, and some fascinating stories to hear from Norse times and the two World Wars. Maeshowe, Orkney landscape. Our small group sizes mean we can visit sites off the beaten track and you benefit from the personal touch. Highlights: A private tour of the active Ness of Brodgar excavations, a . On the island itself there are the remains of a Viking settlement and the earlier Pictish community. . | Find, read and cite all the research you . Let Scapa Travel use their extensive local knowledge to create a memorable holiday, tailored specifically for you. Booking holidays since 1939, ATOL Protected. Prices From 2350 7 Nights No Fly Cruise from 1099pp Newcastle upon Tyne, Cruising by The Needle, Cruising by Old Man of Hoy, Lerwick, Shetland Islands, Kirkwall, Orkney Islands, Ullapool, Cruising Loch Broom, Cruising through Little Loch Broom, Invergordon, Newcastle upon Tyne. We termed this the 'Saga' effect. Newspaper reports show that the Licensing Board were almost always split 50-50. Enjoy 4 days (3 nights) in Shetland. Enjoy a guided tour of Skara Brae, Stones of Stenness, Ring of Brodgar and the Italian Chapel on Orkney before an overnight cruise to Shetland with a local guided tour of the Island. The largest island, Mainland, is often referred to as . The text on the back cover of the Hogarth Edition gives a good idea of the interest of the book. Highlights. Situated just off the north-eastern tip of Scotland on the near-edge of Europe, Shetland, Orkney and the Hebrides are a wilderness in which to shake off the cobwebs. An Amalgam of Shetland SagasNumbers 24-27September 2003 to February 2004. Accidentally uncovered during road construction in 1975 and excavated from the late 1990s, Old Scatness is a large broch, dating from between 400BC and 200BC, and is tightly surrounded by an Iron Age village. Archaeologists have unearthed a Viking drinking hall in Orkney that could have been used by a high-ranking chieftain 800 years ago. This archaeological saga is worth the telling, and nowhere else can the evidence be seen in more glorious a setting. Although with a population of only 2000, it . Written around AD 1200 by an unnamed Icelandic author, the Orkneyinga Saga is an intriguing fusion of myth, legend and history. STROMNESS Known as Hamnavoe ("haven bay") in old Norse, it is still a busy harbour thanks to the car ferry which links Orkney to Shetland and mainland Scotland. Join The Ship In Harwich at 18.00 Leave Kirkwall 10.00 Orphir is a region of Mainland Orkney where once again we were immersed in history, this time 11th/12th century, and back to the murder of St. Magnus. This is also the month of the renowned Folk Festival. This is the perfect opportunity to explore all that Scotland's Northern Isles have to offer: prehistoric stone circles, burial chambers, and settlements; quaint villages; huge seabird . Sit down to a fascinating talk from historian Nick Card on the Orkney Islands' Neolithic past. Arrive: 08:00hrs Depart: 16:00hrs Explore the historic capital of Orkney as Ambience docks in Kirkwall, situated a mile from the waters of Scapa Flow, where HMS Royal Oak was sunk in WW2. Travel during the month of June when Shetland and Orkney enjoy long warm days and clear blue skies, making it one of the most popular months to visit. Channel Islands. Tour Dates: July 18-28, 2022 (11 days) Tour Leader (s): Val Turner. From the rolling, rugged hillside of the Scottish Highlands to the spectacular city of Edinburgh, Royal retreats such as Balmoral, to the wonderful landscapes of Orkney and the Shetland Islands, there is so much to . Mainland is Orkney's largest island, where 80% of the population resides. Fred Olsen. 30. Lerwick Cruises 0800 035 5130 View all Lerwick cruises Lerwick is the friendly capital of the 100 islands and islets of Shetland. A Channel Island Sojourn. With Local Guides on both Islands with lots of included entries. Additionally, . Commencing with the conquest of the Isles by Harald Harfagri, the Saga relates the subsequent history . More details & Book Scenic Isles and Lochs of Scotland T2219 Save to favourites. Highlights of Orkney and Shetland - 6 day tour from 1195.00 Tour Summary Highlights of Orkney and Shetland 6 day/5 night This island adventure starts with a tour to Aberdeen to catch the overnight ferry service bound for Lerwick in the Shetlands, Britain's most northerly island archipelago. Transport Days 12 Miles 398 Route Days 2-4 Shetland. More details & Book Scenic Isles and Lochs of Scotland T2219 Save to favourites. Prices from. Discover Jarlshof with its remarkably well-preserved wheelhouses. 0. Visit the ancient Norse settlement of Jarlshof and learn about the Shetlands' unique history. extend your trip and visit Scotland's West Coast? This is edge-of-the-map living, where birds and sea creatures outnumber people. Join us for an exciting Scottish holiday to remember with our popular 5-day break returning for 2022 which takes you to discover Scotland's remote islands; Shetland & Orkney. Day 9. . The Orkney Herald reported that, for a new licence, the Chairman could not use his casting vote. Tilbury Sailing from Tilbury.