Prices are per Tour
Up to 7 people
Orkney Tours from Inverness 2026 – Private Two- & Three-Day Island Adventures
Explore the dramatic landscapes, ancient history and wildlife of the Orkney Islands — all from the comfort of a private tour departing from Inverness. Whether you choose our 2-day “Neolithic Orkney & Skara Brae” itinerary or our 3-day “History, Culture & Wildlife” journey, you’ll discover prehistoric sites, coastal paths, wildlife, island-craft and local flavours — fully guided in small groups for a truly immersive Scottish adventure.
Getting to Orkney from Inverness
Our first morning is spent travelling up the spectacular coastal route between Inverness (the Highland Capital) and the north coast. We take a ferry to the island group called Orkney, where we will visit several of the islands (connected by causeways) before returning south a day or two later.
How long to spend on Orkney?
Orkney has so much to enjoy that we feel that you should spend at least one night (and maybe more). We have, therefore developed both Two-Day, and Three-Day Orkney Tours from Inverness.
Orkney – Two Day Tour– Neolithic Orkney & Skara Brae from Inverness
We have packed our Orkney – Two Day Tour from Inverness with all of the Orkney world-class attractions. This is because we want to ensure you enjoy the best of the sites that all lie within the Unesco World Heritage site known as the Heart of Neolithic Orkney. Their highlights include the Stones of Stenness, the Ring of Brodgar, Skara Brae and Maeshowe. You will see the impressive historical sites such as St Magnus Viking Cathedral, the Bishop and Earl’s Palaces and the Italian Chapel.
Orkney – Three Day Tour – History, Culture and Wildlife from Inverness
Our Three-Day Orkney Island Tour from Inverness contains all of the above and more. When we add the extra day then it gives us more time to visit craft venues, but also to follow spectacular coastal paths to enjoy sea stacks, beaches, and the rich flora and fauna of these islands. Depending on time of year, tide or location you may see seals, puffins, the very rare Scottish Primula (Primula Scotica), or the even rarer and unique Orkney Vole!
Orkney Timeline
Neolithic Orkney
Orkney is now recognised as having been the centre of culture in Neolithic Britain (five to six thousand years ago). One of the most exciting and significant excavations in the world today is happening at the Ness of Brodgar. The archaeologists are slowly but surely uncovering the mysteries of a Neolithic temple complex. But prehistory offers us even more than that. Other Stone Age, Bronze Age and Iron Age sites are everywhere on Orkney, including the Brochs (a type of Iron Age stone tower from around two thousand years ago, unique to Scotland).
Skara Brae
Orkney Vikings
The Vikings arrive in Orkney in the 8th century, and some sources say they stayed for 700 years. Here at Inverness Tours we think they never left, and the Orcadians agree with us. They certainly left a lasting impression. In 1153 a party of Vikings took shelter from a blizzard in ancient Maeshowe. Trapped there for days, they left one of Europe’s largest collection of Viking Runes, carved into the Stone Age monument. Norway is a major influence in both the dialect and the flag of Orkney.
Birsay
When did Orkney become part of Scotland?
Christian I of Denmark pledged the islands to the Scottish Crown in 1468. This was as surety for a dowry for his daughter’s marriage to James III of Scotland. He then failed to pay the dowry and as a result Orkney was annexed to Scotland in 1472.
The Earls of Orkney
The wicked Earls of Orkney (Robert Stewart and his son Patrick) ruled in the late 1500’s and early 1600’s. They held the islands from the Scottish Crown, but acted as if they were the kings of Orkney. And not good kings, either; they subjected the local population to all manner of cruelties. James VI eventually moved against Patrick (the son), who was finally beheaded in 1615.
The Earls Palace
Orkney in Modern Times
The twentieth century was a tumultuous time for Orkney, and the amount of WWI and WWII archaeology is impressive. Move forwards to 21st century and we think Orkney has matured beautifully, just like much of its produce
Churchill Barriers
We love these islands and we love sharing their exciting heritage, culture, wildlife and scenery. Some of our Orkney favourites include the world-class food and drink including Orkney Seafood, Orkney Cheese, Orkney Ice Cream and Orkney Beef; the extensive arts and crafts scene including unique products like Orkney jewellery, and the Orkney Chair; award-winning Breweries and Orkney Distilleries to visit, and Orkney gin to taste.
Orkney Custom TOurs from Inverness
If you wish to be immersed in Orkney culture and heritage for more than two to three days then we can accommodate that too. We can build a custom tour to your desired length.
Why Inverness Tours
Local Knowledge
Inverness Tours has been taking visitors on world-class tours for more than fifteen years. We have been working to make our exclusive tour business the finest of its kind available in Scotland. Our solid (but constantly updated) knowledge is a tool for your use. As a result, you will enjoy the best eating places, the most rewarding visits, and the locals’ choice of “off the beaten track” walks and vistas. We strive to enthral, excite and entertain as we show you the real Scotland.
Inverness Tour Guides
Our Inverness Tour Guides are a hand-picked team. As well as being accredited members of the Highlands of Scotland Tour Guide Association, they are all well-recognised as being at the top of their fields. We chose them because they are great storytellers, fun to be with, and uniquely qualified to do what they do well. We know you deserve the best team of guides available. See their individual profiles here
Track Record
We have a fabulous back-catalogue of reviews. Over 98% of our hundreds of TripAdvisor reviews are five-star, so we have received their Certificate of Excellence every year, and a placement in their Hall of Fame!