Ancient Treasures Of Orkney

OVERVIEW

Venture into the historical heartland of Orkney to visit pre-historic landmarks and the intriguing Scapa Flow. You’ll head from Kirkwall across Mainland Island, passing through a gently rolling landscape and into the UNESCO-designated Heart of Neolithic Orkney – a World Heritage site recognized for its ancient archaeological wealth. The drive brings you past the Standing Stones of Stenness, four tall Neolithic slabs with sharply angled tops; if time permits, the coach will stop here for a closer view. Not far away, the Ring of Brodgar awaits – you’ll spend awhile admiring this huge ceremonial circle of standing stones somehow raised in place 5,000 years ago. You’ll also visit Skara Brae, a village of clustered dwellings dating to about that same era. Buried for millennia, they were only revealed from under the sand dunes by a chance storm in 1850. Nearby is Skaill House, a 1620 manor built on top of an ancient Pre-Norse burial ground. Following the coast of Scapa Flow, one of the world’s best-known stretches of sheltered water, you’ll encounter some far more modern history; this is where the German naval fleet scuttled itself soon at World War I’s end. WWII saw calamitous action here, too.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Travel into the region known as the Heart of Neolithic Orkney, a UNESCO World Heritage site
• See 5,000-year-old landmarks including the Standing Stones of Stenness, the Ring of Brodgar, and the Neolithic village of Skara Brae.
• Drive along the coast of Scapa Flow, whose waters once sheltered Viking ships yet have more chilling modern tales to tell.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Wear warm, weather-appropriate clothing; bring a light raincoat or umbrella.
• Flat, sturdy walking shoes are recommended.
• Bring a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen as needed.