shetland bus and coach tours

J&DS HALCROW – SHETLAND EXPLORER COACH & PRIVATE TOURS

Shetland Explorer Tours

Welcome to Shetland Explorer

Planning a trip to the Shetland Islands? If so you’ve come to the right place! We provide short bus tours which take in some of the major sights in Shetland.  Our 2024 coach tours will be available to book very soon! We also provide private small group tours which could focus on a particular interest, for example, wool. The small group tours can be half or full day depending on your time and interest.

Lying 60° north this archipelago of 100 islands is beautiful at all times of the year, whether it’s in midsummer when it’s always light, or in the dark days of winter when sunlight is scarce. Shetland is a treasure trove – and we are keen to share our heritage and wonderful landscape with you. We invite you to explore our archaeology, scenery, history, wildlife, and culture with us and hope to enhance your experience of Shetland with a tour fitted to your needs.

THE 10 BEST Shetland Islands Bus Tours

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1. Full-Day Private City Tour in Lerwick

2. Half Day Private Tour with Puffins, Ponies and Past Shetland

3. Ponies Express Private Tour to Scalloway

4. 4 Hours Rugged Northern Exposure Private Guided Tour from Lerwick

5. The Shetland Pony Experience - Private Tour

6. Private Tour from Lerwick West Side Explorer

7. 4 Day Shetland Tour Experience

8. 4 Day Shared Shetland Tour

9. 4 Day Shetland Tour Experience

10. 4 Day Shetland Tour Experience

11. 4 Days Shetland Tour Experience

12. 5 Days Shetland Viking Fire Festival Experience

• Half Day Private Tour with Puffins, Ponies and Past Shetland
• Full-Day Private City Tour in Lerwick
• Ponies Express Private Tour to Scalloway
• 5 Days Shetland Viking Fire Festival Experience
• 4 Hours Rugged Northern Exposure Private Guided Tour from Lerwick
• Shetland Explorer Tours
• Shetland Minibus Tours
• Go Shetland Tours
• Robertson's Tours & Holidays
• Island Vista Shetland

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Orkney & Shetland 2024

An new fully escorted adventure to amazing Orkney & Shetland for 8 days including hotels, ferries, cabins, sightseeing excursions, meals and coach

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A place of wild, dramatic landscapes, Shetland is known for its Scandinavian history and rich Viking heritage. Located where the Atlantic Ocean and North Sea meet, Shetland forms the very tip of the British Isles. Made up of a hundred or so islands and located 50 miles northeast of Orkney, just 15 of Shetland's islands are inhabited. Neolithic remains which were uncovered in coastal sands tell the story of how people lived and survived on these isles. Jarlshof, a prehistoric and nnorse settlement tracks human life for over 4000 years.

With over 70 islands, thousands of birds and more archaeological sites than anywhere in Europe, Orkney offers a wonderful mix of history, wildlife and coastline. Home to one of the UK's oldest World Heritage sites, is a collection of ancient and extremely well preserved sites offering a glimpse of island life over 5000 years.

We depart on our journey northwards, stopping en route and arrive later to the Ben Nevis Hotel, Fort William. Dinner in the hotel

The Ben Nevis Hotel is set on a leafy property with views of Ben Nevis mountain, this relaxed hotel is a mile from Fort William railway station and a 10-minute walk from the 13th-century ruins of Old Inverlochy Castle. Spanning 2 buildings, the cosy rooms provide TVs, and tea and coffee-making facilities.

We travel through the glorious scenery of the Scottish Highlands, stopping in the Highland’s capital of Inverness. Continue to Thurso on Scotland’s northern coast.

The St Clair Hotel is based in the heart of Thurso, close to the Town Centre. A small 33 room, family run hotel boasts good food, good company and a warm friendly atmosphere.

The Station Hotel

Very close to Thurso Train Station, this hotel has free Wi-Fi, free public parking and comfortable rooms with Freeview TV. Station Hotel serves fine Scottish meat cooked in a traditional style. There is a good selection of drinks including several whiskeys. Full English breakfast is included in your room rate. The hotel is well located for Scrabster Harbour, and has welcoming, friendly staff.

Day 3  A free day in Thurso (driver’s day off).

Day 4   A visit to  John O’Groats 

Day 5 We t ake a 90 minute crossing to Stromness on Orkney.

www.northlinkferries.co.uk

We meet a local guide who will take us on a tour. We visit Skara Brae, an amazing Neolithic village that lay buried by sand for 4000 years; the stone Ring of Brodgar, the delightful chapel built by Italian POWs and the remains of battleships scuppered at Scapa Flow.

Tonight's dinner will be in a hotel in Kirkwall (Orkney).

Board the ship for overnight crossing to Lerwick, the Shetlands’ capital. Accommodation will be in 2 berth cabins

Day 6   Breakfast on the ship then depart on a guided excursion of Shetland’s scenic mainland with a visit to Jarlshof Viking Settlement and Scalloway Castle & Museum.

There will be free time in Lerwick before re-boarding the ship for an overnight cruise to Aberdeen. Dinner on board.

Day 7  Early breakfast on board before arriving in Aberdeen.

Travel along beautiful Royal Deeside, passing the Balmoral Estate before stopping in Braemar, home of one of the most famous Highland Games. Continue through the breathtaking scenery of Glenshee then to a final overnight stop in Strathpeffer.

Ben Wyvis Hotel

Placed in the heart of the stunning Victorian spa town of Strathpeffer, the Ben Wyvis Hotel has an imposing façade yet indoors a warm and friendly welcome awaits you. The Ben Wyvis Hotel is a grand Victorian hotel full of character and charm and is complemented by the nature and adventure that sits on its doorstep. The hotel is surrounded by five acres of woodlands and landscaped mature gardens with stunning views of Ben Wyvis itself.

Day 8   We head for home, stopping on the way for a delicious high tea 

Breakfasts, Dinners & Friday High Tea

Coach travel throughout -   Departure from Pudsey, Calverley, Farsley, Rodley, Horsforth, Leeds, Bradford, Wetherby, Ainley Top

Escorted by Hanson Exclusives’ Tour Manager

Images copyright Visit Scotland Images. Northlink Ferries. Strathmore Hotels. New Lanark Mill Village & hotel

Below is a list of pick-up points available on this tour.

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Welcome to the new website of R. G. Jamieson & Son.

We are a small, family run coach and taxi hire business based in the North end of Yell in the Shetland Isles. We offer a range of services including:

• Coach Tours
• Party Buses
• School Buses & Service Runs

For information on our upcoming tours, see the Tours Section of the website. We pride ourselves on our modern fleet, our friendly service and our helpful, experienced drivers. If you would like any more information, please don't hesitate to contact us with a phone call, fax or email. We will be happy to help.

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Shetland has a range of tour operators offering trips on both land and sea. Most specialise in a particular area, allowing you to build your holiday around your interests, or you can pick and choose the things you'd like to do to create your ultimate Shetland experience.

Tours, holidays, transport and garage services driven by 75 years of experience

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Our 2024 tour programme is being added to every day!

Online booking will shortly be available on this page, but for now you can explore our tour options through Viator, our trusted sales partner:

3 Day Tour Viking Express- A Shetland Experience- Glasgow Departure

3 Day Tour Viking Express - A Shetland Experience- Edinburgh Departure

4 Day Shetland Tour Experience- Glasgow Departure

4 Day Shetland Tour Experience- Stirling Departure

4 Day Shetland Tour Experience- Edinburgh Departure

4 Day Shetland Tour Experience- Dundee Departure

4 Day Shetland Tour Experience- Perth Departure

Scotland Tours from Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness and London

Book today reserve your seats by paying a non-refundable deposit of just £175 per person., for details click here.

• Scotland Tours
• Highlights of Orkney...

• Standing Stones of Stenness
• Sumburgh Head
• Italian Chapel

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Highlights of Orkney and Shetland - 6 day tour

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. Spend two days exploring some of the many island treasures, including Scalloway Castle and Jarlshof, an outstanding example of a prehistoric and Norse settlement. Next, sail southwards to reach the Orkney Islands, where we'll discover the Heart of Neolithic Orkney, a UNESCO World Heritage site that includes Skara Brae, Maeshowe and the Ring of Brodgar Stone Circle. Free time will let you explore Kirkwall and St Magnus Cathedral before setting sail for the mainland.

Jarlshof - explore this historic site, where people lived for more than 4,000 years, to see outstanding examples of Bronze Age and Viking houses

Scalloway - tour through this attractive fishing port that was once the island capital to visit the imposing ruins of 17th Century Scalloway Castle  

Maeshowe - investigate this impressive chambered tomb and see the Viking graffiti left 1,000 years ago    

Skara Brae - discover how early man lived at this amazingly well-preserved Stone Age settlement of dwelling houses complete with beds and chairs  

Kirkwall - enjoy a three-night stay in this bustling port dominated by 12th Century St Magnus Cathedral  

Movie locations – Moondogs, The Long Hope and The Spy in Black

Hotel accommodation included

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Full Tour Itinerary

Select Day:

Day 1 - Edinburgh/Glasgow - Aberdeen - Overnight Ferry

From Glasgow and Edinburgh, we travel northwards through the Kingdom of Fife to reach Dundee, which sits overlooking the River Tay. Our journey continues through the fertile farmland of Angus to reach the granite city of Aberdeen by late afternoon.

At Aberdeen Harbour, we join the Northlink ferry for the overnight crossing to Shetland . Once checked-in onboard head to your comfortable twin-berth cabin with en-suite bathroom or enjoy time exploring the ship's many facilities.

We depart Aberdeen at 19:00 hrs, and a short time later, dinner will be served in the ship's restaurant.

The rest of this evening is free to relax and, perhaps, enjoy a wee night-cap in the bar or get some fresh sea air before retiring for the night.    

Overnight: MV Hrossey or Hjaltland

Day 2 - Exploring Shetland

We arrive in Lerwick around 07:30 hrs. Breakfast is served onboard from 07:15 hrs after which we board the coach and disembark to begin our island tour.

A short drive to the western side of the Shetland mainland brings us to the old fishing port of Scalloway, which sits overlooking a sheltered bay. This was once the Shetland capital and is the site of Scalloway Castle which was built for the notorious Earl Patrick Stewart in the early 17th Century. We will discover more about this rather unpleasant character and his tyrannical ways during our visit.

Later we travel to the dramatic sea cliffs at Eshaness which have been created by the constant pounding of the Atlantic waves. Look out for the lighthouse , opened in 1929 its powerful light can be seen from 46 km away.

Our journey south takes us through Mavis Grind, an isthmus so narrow it is said to be possible to throw a stone from the North Sea to the Atlantic Ocean. It's a convenient crossing point for otters too, who, in these islands, are sea-dwelling.    

Our home for tonight is in the delightful village of Bray which overlooks Busta Voe.

Overnight: Busta House Hotel/Brae Hotel, Shetland (or similar)

Day 3 - Jarlshof - Ferry Crossing - Orkney Islands

After breakfast, we travel to the very south of the mainland to visit Jarlshof , where waves of settlers lived for more than 4,000 years.

At this fascinating site, we will discover the remains of oval houses from the Bronze Age, an Iron Age broch and Viking longhouses. Later, in medieval times, farmsteads were also built here. Finally, a laird's house was constructed on the site in the 1600s. The breadth of history to be discovered here is without parallel in Scotland and is sure to amaze you.

Later we make the short drive to Sumburgh Head, where the waters of the North Sea meet the waves of the Atlantic Ocean. Standing guard to warn the passing ships is the Sumburgh Lighthouse, designed by the grandfather of the famous author Robert Louis Stevenson .

During our time here will visit the RSPB reserve which is home to many species of seabirds including puffins, guillemots and razorbills.

This afternoon we tour through the island, and as we make our journey hopefully, we will see some native Shetland ponies grazing in their fields.

Our destination is Lerwick, the island's attractive capital. Here we will have some free time to explore this charming town with its stone-paved alleys, granite houses and independent shops. The innovative Shetland Museum and Archives tells the fascinating story of these islands and is well worth visiting.

Later this afternoon we travel to the port to join the ferry bound for the Orkney Islands . Dinner will be served on board and we will arrive in Kirkwall around 23:00 hrs. It's a short drive to our hotel for the next three nights.

Overnight: Kirkwall Hotel/Lynnfield Hotel, Kirkwall (or similar) (3 nights)

Day 4 - Discovering prehistoric Orkney

Today we explore the heart of Neolithic Orkney. These treasures are of such importance that UNESCO has designated them a World Heritage site . Our first visits are to the Ring of Brodgar and the Standing Stones of Stenness. These mysterious stone circles are amongst the most significant in Europe and are some 5,000 years old.

Next, we make for Maeshowe , a magnificent chambered tomb that dates from around 2,500 BC. It was raided by Norsemen in the 12th Century. They left carvings behind which are considered to be some of the finest examples of runic inscriptions in the World.

Our last visit of the day is to Skara Brae . This amazingly well-preserved village was built 5,000 years ago. Overlooking Skaill Bay, we'll discover a settlement of Stone Age houses complete with chairs, beds and dressers all made from stone. Discover more at the visitor centre which provides touch-screen presentations and a wide range of artefacts that have excavated from the site.  

Later return to Kirkwall where dinner is served in our hotel.

Day 5 - Scapa Flow and Italian Chapel Excursion

Enjoy free time in Kirkwall this morning. You could visit the mighty Cathedral of St Mangus , which was begun in 1137. It took 300 years to complete and is one of the finest examples of Norman architecture in Europe. Nearby sits the Bishop's Palace and Earl's Palace , which was reputedly built using forced labour.

If you fancy some retail therapy, Kirkwall has a wealth of independent shops and craftworkers studios to be explored.  

Orkney played a vital role during both World Wars, and this afternoon we will travel to see Scapa Flow which provided a sheltered anchorage for the British naval fleet. This expanse of water has played witness to some monumental events. In 1919 the German Navy scuttled itself as a grand act of defiance and, in 1939, HMS Royal Oak was sunk here by a U-boat.

To prevent further attacks, a series of four barriers were constructed using Italian prisoners of war. Known as the Churchill Barriers, we will use these causeways to reach the little island of Lamb Holm.

The Italian Prisoners constructed a chapel out of a pair of Nissen Huts. We'll make a visit to view the remarkable paintings that can be found inside the simple corrugated metal exterior. Several of the prisoners have returned to Orkney over the years to assist with the restoration of the building.  

Day 6 - Orkney - Cairngorms National Park - Edinburgh/Glasgow

Today we bid farewell to island life and make the journey to St Margaret's Hope where the fast Pentland Ferries catamaran waits to transport us across the Pentland Firth. During the hour-long sailing look out for porpoises, dolphins and minke whales that can often be seen.

On arrival at Gills Bay, we join the famous North Coast 500 route as we make the coastal drive southwards across the Dornoch and Cromarty Firths towards Inverness.

The beautiful Cairngorms National Park will bring us to the Pass of Drumocher and Highland Perthshire beyond. There will be a stop where can enjoy time off the coach and buy refreshments.

The last part of the journey takes us through the Kingdom of Fife and across the Forth Estuary into Edinburgh. The coach will continue on to Glasgow, for passengers wishing to end their tour there.

Frequently Asked Questions

What can i expect on this escorted tour.

If you enjoy the art of first-class travel whilst enjoying amazing value then an Escorted Tour is just for you. These tours are carefully researched and combine quality hotels, luxury travel, informative visits and leisure time. You’ll find our Escorted Tours to be memorable - for all the right reasons!

You will travel aboard a state of the art motorcoach with air-conditioning, reclining seats, oversized windows and emergency washroom. Many coaches are equipped with WiFi too.

An experienced tour manager will lead the tour and your coach will be expertly driven by a professional driver. In certain locations you’ll may be joined by a local guide who will provide local insight and show you the highlights.

These tours are inclusive of superior tourist class accommodation, transportation, selected admission fees and many meals.

On many tours you’ll have the chance to personalise your touring experience by participating in some carefully planned optional excursions. These are at additional expense and, if available, details will be provided with your tour documentation.

What type of room should I choose?

Selecting the right sleeping arrangements can be a little bit confusing, so here is a description of what you can expect from the hotel accommodation offered as part of your tour:

Single room - this is a room for one person sleeping in a single bed. 

Twin room - this is a room for two people sleeping in two separate beds.

Double room - this is a room for two people sharing one large bed. 

Family room - this is a room for three people sleeping in one large bed (2 people) and one single bed (1 person).

Please note that a family room  is normally a standard double or twin room with either a sofa bed or a rollaway bed.

All room types, other than twin rooms, are subject to availability. 

What is a typical tour schedule?

Usually the tour will depart the hotel between 08:00 hrs and 08:30 hrs in the morning. During the course of the day you’ll normally be travelling for no more than 2 hours at a time before making a stop to enjoy a visit to an attraction or for a comfort break/meal stop. 

Usually the coach will arrive at the overnight stop between 16:30 and 17:00 hrs each day.

In some cases, due to ferry or other travel connections, the tour may depart earlier or arrive later – your tour director will advise you if this will be happening on your tour.

Where can I purchase travel insurance?

We strongly recommend that you have travel insurance in place for your trip to Scotland, especially if you are visiting from overseas. To purchase a policy speak to your insurance broker or undertake a search on-line.

We would also suggest checking your home policy or credit card contract as many suppliers include travel insurance as part of their offering. 

Who travels on an escorted tour?

These tours are immensely popular so expect to be travelling in the company of like-minded travellers from around the world. It’s a great way to make new friends!

Age-wise it’s really difficult for us to give an accurate figure for any given tour departure, but experience has taught us to expect the median age to be between 45 and 50.

View all Frequently Asked Questions...

Accommodation

• 5 nights hotel accommodation
• Location: Northlink Ferry (1); Busta, Shetland Islands (1) and Kirkwall, Orkney islands (3)
• Cooked/Continental breakfast (5)
• Table d' hote dinners (5)

Visits, Admissions and Experiences

• Admission to Scalloway Castle, Jarlshof, Ring of Brodgar, Stenness Standing Stones, Maeshowe, Skara Brae and Italian Chapel

Tour Essentials

• Touring by luxury air-conditioned coach with reclining seats 
• All ferry fares and reservations
• All baggage handling and hotel tips are included
• Services throughout the tour of a professional Tour Director
• Service charges and taxes 

Departure information

From Glasgow

North Hanover Street Bus Stance, Glasgow, G1 2BP

Tour departure and return times will be advised in your tour documentation.

Check-in: TBA hrs Tour Departs: TBA hrs Tour Returns: TBA hrs

From Edinburgh

Outside Reception at the Delta Hotels by Marriott Edinburgh 111 Glasgow Road Edinburgh EH12 8NF

Child details

Please contact us for information on child prices. 

Price Notes

Accommodation The price of this tour includes hotel accommodation/ferry cabin with en-suite bathroom. 

Departure and Return Times Final timings and pick-up points will be confirmed with your joining instructions approximately 10 days before departure.

FAQs Please see the FAQ section for more information on this tour.

Product code BW 02968

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Customer reviews overall rating:.

No hesitation in recommending this tour. Was our first coach tour so was a bit unsure of what to expect but it was great. Nice to have everything planned and organised. Great hotels (including a 500 year old one!) Considering the high standard of accomodation and meals it was good value and a stress free way to visit Shetland and Orkney.

A comprehensive, informative and interesting tour of both islands. A good balance of archeological sites and the natural geography and features of both islands. Excellent accommodation on Shetland.

Thoroughly recommend this tour if you are interested in visiting Shetland and Orkney

6 day tour from £ 1695.00

5 day tour from £ 950.00

5 day tour from £ 995.00

Go Shetland Tours - operated by Robinson Tranport

Robinson Transport

Email: [email protected]  

Phone:  +44 (0)1595 830383  Mobile: +44 (0)777 847 8187

Robinson Transport is a family-owned and operated passenger transport company, based in Weisdale on the west of Shetland.

We specialise in .........

Bus and coach hire

Mini-bus / mini-coach hire

Guided tours

Graham Robinson has been involved in the business for over 35 years and has been in charge since 2004. Read more about the company history and our team on our ' About Us ' page.

Photograph by Gary Buchan

Andrew's Adventures

Highlights tour.

2 Hour Coach Tour

• 2 hr 2 hours
• 25 British pounds £25
• Esplanade, Lerwick, ZE1 0LL

Service Description

Highlights Tour Join us for a 2 hour tour on-board out modern fully executive Touring Coach with Toilet to showcase what we believe is some of the best our islands have to offer Our Tour will depart from the Esplanade in Lerwick on every day that a Cruise Liner is in port at 0930 and 1200 and travel around the West and North Mainland stopping at various view points en route and of course stopping to photograph Shetland Ponies We intentionally don't set a fixed route for our tour to allow us flexibility to take advantage of the fact that our Drivers are all locals who keep up to date with weather conditions and any special occasions happening locally and unlike a ships excursion we can deviate from a fixed route to ensure that you get the most from your limited time in our spectacular islands Priced at just £25 per person is incredible value for money Please use the form below to book your seat/s on your required date and time. An email confirmation will then be sent to you confirming your seat/s and giving joining instructions Payment will only be made once you join the Tour and can be made in the currency of your choice ​

Contact Details

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Orkney and Shetland Tours

Our orkney and shetland tours.

Elevate your Scottish adventure with our exhilarating Orkney and Shetland tours. Our carefully curated small-group and private experiences blend iconic Scottish spots with hidden gems. Visit Shetland’s treasures like Jarlshof, Broch of Mousa, Muckle Flugga lighthouse, and the dramatic volcanic cliffs of Eshaness . Alternatively, if you’re drawn to a trip to Orkney instead, our expert storyteller will guide you through the mystical Ring of Brodgar, Skara Brae, the Old Man of Hoy, and the Stones of Stenness . Both regions boast abundant birdlife, featuring gannets, hen harriers, sea eagles, merlin, and the charming puffin. Keep an eye out for sea life too, as Orcas are often spotted in these waters!

Extend your experience with time in the Highlands and Hebrides or add breathtaking drone footage upon request. Discover the magic of our journeys with exceptional TripAdvisor reviews. Whether you’re interested in an Orkney or Shetland tour from Edinburgh or Glasgow , feel free to send a booking inquiry on our contact form or any questions to [email protected] , contact us via telephone, or connect with us on Facebook/Instagram. We’re more than happy to assist you! 

Photos of trips to Orkney and Shetland

Stones of stenness.

Neolithic Standing Stones of Orkney

Muckle Flugga Lighthouse

Shetland's stunning coastline

Neolithic Village in Orkney

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0330 440 3999, monday - friday 9am to 5pm, shetland, orkney and the hebrides coach holidays 2024, shetland, orkney and the hebrides coach holidays.

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Language: English Currency: Pound Sterling Time Zone: GMT Tipping: 10 to 12% is usual for hotels with 10 to 15% being usual for restaurants. In each case, it is not necessarily added to the bill. If a service charge has already been added, no further tip is required.

Scottish Isles - an introduction

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. All sorts of nature abound here, from seals and otters to ponies and hundreds of birds, making it a wildlife lover's paradise.

From jagged cliffs to unspoilt beaches and stone circles left by settlers some 4,000 years ago, the region is steeped in age-old history. Explore the islands' Norse heritage on a coach holiday, where the sound of fiddles can still be heard drifting through the fresh air.

Cruising is another great way of accessing this remote Scottish wilderness, allowing you to explore in comfort. A selection of cruises incorporating the islands are available, with ports of call including Stornoway (Isle of Lewis) and Kirkwall (Isle of Orkney), as well as Edinburgh. As well as having full board accommodation in your choice of cabin, the services of a professional crew and on-board entertainment are also included. Some cruises also incorporate the Faroe Isles.

Tips & Advice

To help you have an enjoyable holiday in Shetland, Orkney and the Outer Hebrides, take a look at these useful tips and advice provided by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO):

Health and Travel Insurance British Citizens are advised by some of our tour operators to have travel insurance before going on a tour or holiday, even if it happens to be in your country of residence. As a British citizen you will be entitled to free emergency health care on the NHS. If you are visiting Scotland from outside the United Kingdom and fall ill or are involved in an accident and are from any member of the European Economic Area or Switzerland, you can obtain free or reduced cost treatment with The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). Comprehensive travel insurance is advised for all other nationals planning on visiting Scotland. If you need to contact the emergency services whilst in Scotland simply dial 999 or 112 to ask for an ambulance.

Crime Most destinations are generally trouble-free, however as with all places that you are not familiar with, keep an eye on your belongings and if necessary lock them away somewhere safe back at your hotel if possible. Keep an eye on everyone in your party and do not go off with people you do not know. Buy your own drinks and keep sight of them at all times. Be aware of your surroundings and don't venture off on your own.

Local Laws and Customs Queuing is a British Institution - jump a queue at your own risk! Drug offences will carry penalties in the UK, so avoid getting involved with anything whilst in Scotland. Please note the narcotic plant Khat/Qat is legal in the UK, but is not in a majority of other countries so never try to export this when leaving the UK. If you are visiting from outside of the United Kingdom, it is wise to check customs requirements before you travel. If you are planning to bring alcohol, tobacco or souvenirs into the country, you need to be familiar with the UK's custom laws. For those people coming to the UK from the EU, you are allowed to bring an unlimited amount of most goods for your own use without paying tax or duty. However, if you are travelling to the UK from outside of the EU, you are given an allowance of how much alcohol, tobacco, perfume, souvenirs and other goods. If you go above this allowance you may have to pay tax or duty. It is worth checking the HM Revenues and Customs website before you travel.

Entry Requirements When travelling between the UK, Northern Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man in most cases an official form of identification such as a Driver's License will be ok. However, some airlines will insist you show a passport so check before you travel. If you are travelling to Scotland from Australia, Canada or the USA, you must have a valid passport for at least three months beyond the length of your stay. EU nationals need to have either a valid passport or identity card. Visas for the UK are not required by those travelling from Australia, Canada, USA or EU for stays of up to six months. Any other nationality looking to visit the UK must contact the local embassy to check visa requirements.

Tourist offices For further information about the Scottish Isles you can visit their official tourist board websites at:

The Shetland Isles: shetland.org The Orkney Isles: visitorkney.com The Outer Hebrides: visithebrides.com

Things to do 

Although a remote wilderness, there is a lot to do in Shetland, Orkney and the Hebrides. Some of them are:

Skara Brae Thought to be one of Orkney's most visited tourist spots, Skara Brae is an ancient site which is older than Stonehenge. In 1850 a fierce storm hit the Orkney Isles and the site of Skara Brae was uncovered; previously it was hidden beneath a grass mound. Today visitors can see eight dwellings, each connected by a series of low passageways.

Callanish Standing Stones Located in the Outer Hebrides on the west coast of Lewis, the Callanish Standing Stones are a must-see attraction for all visitors to the Western Isles. The Stones were erected around 3000BC and it is thought that they were some kind of astronomical calendar associated with the moon. These stones have continued to mystify and amaze visitors with questions such as 'who built them?' and 'why?'

Scalloway Castle When visiting the Shetland Isles, why not visit Scalloway Castle? Built in 1600, this castle was once the home of the Earl of Orkney. The Tower has been restored over the past century, however not all of the original structure still remains. Visitors can climb up the tower of the Castle and visit the Scalloway Museum which is located next door.

Iona Abbey One of Scotland's most sacred and historic sites, the Abbey was founded in 563AD and it still retains its spiritual atmosphere today. The Abbey was restored at the start of the 20 th  century and the Abbey now welcomes visitors from around the world who flock to enjoy its peaceful atmosphere. 

Shetland is home to a world-class diversity of wildlife, from puffins and seals to purpoises and even whales. It's a favourite with twitchers, who flock here to enjoy sensational seabird colonies and rare species.