Real Encounters, Real People in Orkney and Shetland

We’ve created this trip on a fly-drive basis, to include flights from Glasgow or Edinburgh, but we can easily tailor-make the ideal route for you from any UK location. You might prefer to bring your own car, in which case we can provide ferry travel from Aberdeen, Gills Bay or Scrabster.

Once in Orkney, you’ll enjoy four nights in its ancient capital, Kirkwall, home to 12^th-century St Magnus Cathedral and a unique tangle of crisscrossing streets. All of Orkney’s famous touchpoints, including Scapa Flow, the Italian Chapel, Maeshowe, the Ring of Brodgar, Skara Brae and the standing stones of Stenness, are within easy reach.

Your Accommodation in Orkney

Ideally located near the renowned Highland Park Distillery, your hotel in Kirkwall is the perfect base from which to explore Mainland Orkney. Comfortable bedrooms have enjoyed recent refurbishment, while the on-site restaurant is considered one of the finest in the area, offering an exceptional menu showcasing the best of local produce—from Orkney beef and rich dairy specialties to outstanding fresh seafood.

Start the day with a fine Orkney breakfast before setting off for your first Encounter, 30 minutes away, a Victorian mill in dramatic Birsay.

As Orkney’s only remaining watermill still in operation, the mill holds a unique place globally as the sole producer of milled bere – an ancient strain of barley cultivated locally since Neolithic times. Dating back to 1873, the mill continues to run on water power, producing traditional stoneground beremeal known for its rich character and distinctive texture.

When winter rains swell the burn, the mill returns to full production, grinding bere using time-honoured techniques. In contrast, the summer season welcomes visitors; you’ll enjoy a private, behind-the-scenes tour that brings the mill’s history to life. Wander through the building, watch the machinery at work, sample freshly made beremeal biscuits, and hear the story behind this remarkable heritage craft.

In the afternoon, drive south across Mainland, traversing the Churchill Barriers to the island of Burray. You’re in for a twinkling treat here, overlooking Scapa Flow with expansive views of the Island of Hoy.

At this colourful workshop and gallery, join a fused glass artist, whose work is influenced by plant- and wildlife, turbulent weather, tranquil beaches, tempestuous seas and local traditions.

In a relaxed and fun atmosphere, learn how to create your own fused-glass piece, perhaps themed around your travels to Orkney or your first impressions of this special place.

Rise and shine – it’s adventure time! Head back to Kirkwall Airport this morning for a short hop to your next stop: the wonderfully wild island of Westray. You’ll be flying in a tiny eight-seater plane, which means big views and an unforgettable flight over Orkney’s scattered islands. Touch down and meet your lively local guide for a private tour full of personality and stories.

Westray packs a surprising punch, with everything from ancient Neolithic sites to a striking 16th-century castle – not to mention some of the UK’s most captivating wildlife. The best part? The day is shaped around your interests, so you can dive into whatever excites you most.

At tour’s end you’ll be dropped back at Westray Airport for your short flight back to Kirkwall.

This morning, make the short drive just east of town, where you’ll join a renowned ceramicist for a private pottery workshop.

Your hugely experienced host creates pieces drawing on the forms, textures, and colours of northern Scotland’s coastlines and landscapes, and you’ll enjoy a private beginners’ class, learning the basics of manipulating clay via slab-building, slip casting and wheel throwing.

Who knows, perhaps you’ll uncover a hidden talent? You’ll have the afternoon to explore Orkney at leisure; we’ll provide all the information you need to make the most of your time.

Today you bid farewell to Orkney as you fly to Sumburgh, with Shetland’s distinctive islands unfolding beneath you. On arrival, pick up your rental car and make your way to your accommodation for tonight.

Your Accommodation in South Mainland

Located in the peaceful village of Bigton on the island’s scenic west side, your guest house is an ideal base for exploring Shetland’s South Mainland. St Ninian’s Sands is just a five-minute walk away, and with plenty of other quiet, sandy beaches nearby, you’ll have no shortage of places to wander.

No trip to Shetland is complete without meeting its most famous residents. Today delivers a memorable, hands-on way to spend time with these friendly chaps, at stunning Burra, south of Hamnavoe. Split across three interactive stations, the experience gives you plenty of time to get to know the ponies while learning more about them along the way.

You’ll start by meeting the irresistibly cheeky foals and their mothers, before moving on to an indoor session where you can groom and pet the ponies, and even learn how to lead them through a simple obstacle course. To finish, head outdoors for a walk through beautiful coastal fields, helping to lead the ponies as you go. The route ends at a quiet, secluded beach – perfect for capturing some unforgettable photos with your new pony pals.

Leave the ponies behind (if you can tear yourself away) and head for Shetland capital, Lerwick. Here, visit the UK’s northernmost craft brewery. Go behind the scenes to discover how modern craft beer is made. This immersive tour takes you through a working brewery, from raw ingredients to the finished pint, with plenty of chances to sample some of the most popular brews along the way.

Led by knowledgeable guides, you’ll follow the full brewing process step-by-step, getting hands-on with the ingredients – smelling the hops, handling the malt, and learning what goes into every batch. The experience wraps up in the taproom, where you can enjoy a selection of complimentary beers. Feel free to linger, explore the shop, and browse a range of beers and locally made Shetland products.

Then, you’re headed north, first for the ferry to Yell and across Yell for the ferry to Unst, the UK’s northernmost inhabited island.

Your Accommodation on Unst

This family-owned property has received multiple architectural awards and is widely regarded as one of Scotland’s best-preserved neo-classical Georgian homes. From the drawing room, take in sweeping views across Bluemull Sound towards the islands of Linga and Yell. Settle in and enjoy the calm surroundings, with time to unwind indoors or wander through the gardens at your own pace. In the evening, dinner is served by candlelight and shared with fellow guests, creating a relaxed and sociable atmosphere. Please note that this historic building does not have ensuite bathrooms – each room has a private bathroom located on the upper floor.

Known locally as “the island above all others,” Unst offers a rich mix of landscapes, wildlife and heritage, nature and geology, history and archaeology. Your day focuses on its remarkable natural environment, with time to take in some of its most distinctive sights alongside your friendly guide, including the Viking Unst Project and the famously quirky “Bobby’s Bus Shelter.”

Your day opens in the wild north of Unst at Hermaness, a landscape shaped by wind, sea, and an extraordinary abundance of birdlife. Crossing the open moor, you’ll share the space with great skuas – locally known as bonxies—while ahead, towering cliffs draw you towards one of Shetland’s most dramatic coastal scenes. Here, thousands of seabirds crowd the ledges, with puffins, gannets, and other species creating a constant swirl of movement against the Atlantic backdrop.

On clear days, the views stretch out to Muckle Flugga and its iconic lighthouse at the edge of Britain.
From here, the journey shifts to the stark beauty of Keen of Hamar, where the landscape feels almost otherworldly. This rare serpentine terrain supports an unusual mix of hardy Arctic-alpine plants, including species found nowhere else, making it a highlight for anyone with an interest in botany or unique habitats.

Later, you’ll explore the far reaches of the island at Skaw and Lamba Ness. At Skaw, a quiet beach sits beneath the UK’s most northerly home, offering a sense of true remoteness. Further east, Lamba Ness looks out over open sea – an ideal spot to pause and scan the horizon for passing marine life. With favourable conditions, there’s always the chance of spotting whales, dolphins, or even an otter along the shoreline.

Nobody would blame you for lingering on Unst or Yell, and there’s no hurry today as you spend the day at leisure, exploring the islands before setting off for the return journey to North Mainland.

Your Accommodation in Brae

Perched above a peaceful bay on the edge of a small village, this historic hotel has evolved from its 16th-century origins. Its charm lies in the details—low beams, twisting passageways, uneven floors, and the kind of quirks that only time can create. There’s even talk of a resident ghost, adding a touch of intrigue to its long story.

The atmosphere is warm and welcoming, with a style of service that feels both personal and rooted in tradition. The hotel has hosted notable visitors over the years, including Queen Elizabeth, who once took tea in the library.

Today, guests can relax over a meal in the bar or restaurant, where menus highlight high-quality, locally sourced ingredients. Each bedroom has its own distinct character, named after nearby islands and offering views across the bay or the gardens—complete with trees, a rare and welcome sight in Shetland.

Take a 40-minute drive this morning to the hamlet of Walls, in a wild location on Shetland’s West Mainland. Here, discover the success story of mussel production in Shetland. Regarded as among the world’s best, Shetland seafood is found in fishmongers and supermarkets all over the globe, and served in many top restaurants, prized for its quality.

Today you’ll meet one of Shetland’s foremost producers, working on 24 sites in the waters around the islands for some 40 years. You’ll hear first-hand the story of mussel cultivation here, and why Shetland is one of the best locations anywhere to do so. You’ll take a trip on a working vessel and even have the chance to help board the lines on which the mussels grow, suspended above the seabed. The tour delivers a renewed appreciation of the people and methods that go into creating a world-class product, in this seemingly humble setting.

Time to begin your journey south; we’ve assumed return by air to Glasgow or Edinburgh, but we’re happy to help plot the most convenient route to your final UK destination.

Location

This holiday begins in Kirkwall, Orkney for four nights, followed by, in Shetland, one in Bigton, two on the island of Unst and two in Brae.