UNCOVER ORKNEY’S ANCIENT SECRETS

Day 1: Saturday 30 August 2025

Depart North Wales and travel to Scotland and the Riverside Lodge Hotel, Irvine for your overnight stay. As we travel North a stop at Rheged Services near Penrith plus other suitable stops will be made enroute.

Day 2: Sunday 31 August 2025

An early morning start as we proceed north via Blairgowrie and the spectacular Cairnwell Pass to Braemar. There will be a short stop in Braemar, location of the Highland Games regularly attended by members of the Royal Family when they are in residence at nearby Balmoral Castle. A wonderfully scenic route continues via Tomintoul and Grantown on Spey, where there will be another brief stop, before passing Inverness and continuing to Thurso for our overnight stay at the Castletown Hotel.

Day 3: Monday 1 September 2025

This morning, we journey to John O’Groats, popular with tourists as the most distant point on the mainland from Land’s End. Although there's not actually a great deal at John O'Groats, it's a great chance to have your photo taken at that famous signpost! Afterwards, enjoy admission to Her Majesty The Queen Mother's beloved Castle of Mey which has been kept just as it was when she was alive. Explore the gardens and enjoy the views over the Pentland Firth. This afternoon, enjoy the ferry from Gill’s Bay to the Orkney Islands, cruising pass the many outlying islands of the archipelago to arrive at St Margaret’s Hope. From here, there is a spectacular journey past inlets and across causeways to the capitol, Kirkwall. Your stay is in the family run Kirkwall Hotel in the city centre.

Day 4: Tuesday 2 September 2025

Meet your local guide after breakfast for a full day excursion of Orkney. Begin with a visit to the Italian Chapel built during WWII by Italian prisoners. Rich with Neolithic sites across the islands, stops are made at the impressive Standing Stones of Stenness and Ring of Brodgar, before continuing to the highlight of Skara Brae. Built over 5000 years ago, this prehistoric village pre-dates Stonehenge. Return to Kirkwall and end the day with a visit to the imposing St Magnus Cathedral, which has been a place of worship for over 8 centuries.

Day 5: Wednesday 3 September 2025

A full day of leisure to explore Kirkwall’s many museums and art galleries, as well as the busy harbour. Close by the hotel is the Orkney Distillery and Visitor Centre, and the main shopping area is located just behind. Make use of the local bus service to travel further afield.

Day 6: Thursday 4 September 2025

Depart Kirkwall after breakfast for return sailing to the mainland and our overnight stay at the DoubleTree by Hilton Strathclyde.

Day 7: Friday 5 September 2025

We depart Scotland and return to North Wales after a memorable holiday, there will be comfort stops en-route.

Set in a cosy redbrick building on a leafy property, this relaxed hotel is 9 miles from Royal Troon Golf Club and 4 miles from the 14th-century Dundonald Castle.

The warmly decorated rooms come with free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs and sitting areas, along with tea and coffeemaking facilities. Room service is available 24/7.

Other amenities include a casual restaurant serving afternoon tea, plus a laid-back bar with regular live entertainment.

The Castletown Hotel is the sister hotel of the Norseman, Wick and Pentland, Thurso. It won its 3rd star in late 2018 and is peacefully located only a few minutes drive from Thurso. The hotel has 24 guest bedrooms, the majority of which have showers with a step up and into. There is level access into the reception area and the hotel also has a bar, restaurant and lounge area.

MOBILITY: There is no lift at this hotel, but there are 11 ground floor rooms.

The Kirkwall hotel is a family run business set in one of Orkney's finest Victorian Buildings on the harbour. The bedrooms offer a TV, hospitality tray, telephone and hairdryer. In addition to a large restaurant, the hotel also has a popular bar which is also open to non-residents and a comfortable lounge/reading room on the first floor over looking Kirkwall harbour.

MOBILITY: There is a small lift to access to all floors. All rooms have showers with a step up and into.

Between Glasgow and Edinburgh, the DoubleTree by Hilton Glasgow Strathclyde is a 30-minute drive from both Glasgow and Edinburgh Airports. With en-suite rooms and a restaurant, it is Scotland's largest hotel health club. Each guest room features modern amenities including WiFi access and a large HDTV. The DoubleTree by Hilton Glasgow Strathclyde's extensive leisure facilities include a swimming pool, spa baths, sauna, and steam rooms. Guests can also enjoy the beauty rooms.

• 1 Night Dinner, Bed & Breakfast at Riverside Lodge Hotel, Irvine 4 Star
• 1 Night Dinner, Bed & Breakfast at Castletown Hotel, Thurso 3 Star
• 3 Nights Dinner, Bed & Breakfast Kirkwall Hotel, Orkney Island 3 Star
• 1 Night Dinner, Bed & Breakfast at DoubleTree by Hilton Glasgow Strathclyde 4 Star
• Admission to the Castle and Gardens of Mey, Thurso
• Return crossings to Orkney with Pentland Ferries
• Guide for full day Orkney excursion with following admissions: The Italian Chapel, Skara Brae Prehistoric Village and St Magnus Cathedral