Day 1
We depart from our designated departure points and head towards Inverurie and the Loanhead of Daviot Stone Circle - a recumbent stone circle with a cremation cemetery to the south-east. This was first a place of worship some 5000 years ago and it was still regarded as a very special place some 1500 years later when the cremation circle was added.
In 1934 the site was excavated and this has told us much about the site and the people who used it. There are ten stones in the circle, two of which flank a massive recumbent stone. Later, a ring cairn was constructed at the centre of the circle and excavation also showed that at one time there was a small wooden structure within the circle, perhaps some kind of mortuary house. The cremation cemetery lies alongside and is enclosed by a low bank. The remains of a man lay in a pit at the centre and deposits representing up to thirty one people, including children, lay round about.
We continue to the Maiden Stone to the west of Inverurie. A slab of pink granite about 3.2m tall, it is a fine example of late Pictish Art and combines traditional Pictish symbols with Christian motifs. These include the story of Jonah and the whale. Pictish art retains its mystery as no-one has yet been able to say precisely what these great stones mean. One of the symbols used on the Maiden Stone resembles a dolphin there is a population of bottlenose dolphins and porpoises still in the Moray Firth. The stone is about 1200 years old and legend has it that it concerns a local maid - the daughter of the Laird of Balquhain. Upon her wedding she entered into a wager with a stranger, that she could bake a large batch of bread before he could build a road to the top of nearby Bennachie. He was, of course, the devil in disguise, and when she lost she was to become his. She fled this terrible fate and was turned to stone The Maiden Stone.
We will continue to Aberdeen where we board the Northlink Ferry Hrossey and the Hjaltland for our overnight sailing to Lerwick.
Once on board we shall check-in to our comfortable, twin-berth cabins which all have en-suite facilities. The ship has a delightful restaurant together with a bar and lounges where you can relax. There is also a well-stocked gift shop for souvenir shopping or essential items.
Day 2
After breakfast on board we will leave the ship and commence our tour of Shetland travelling through small communities such as Gulberwick and Cunningsburgh. At Sandwick we transfer to a small ferry to cross as foot passengers over to the fascinating little island of Mousa, where we will visit the 2000 year old iron age broch. Remarkably the broch of Mousa still stands to its original height of 13m. The island is also a nature reserve and is rich in wildlife. Storm petrels, Arctic terns and Skuas nest here, and harbour seals lounge on the shore. Keep a sharp eye on Mousa Sound and you may also spot porpoises and the odd killer whale.
After returning to the mainland for lunch (not included), we will travel the short distance to the outstanding Prehistoric and Norse Settlement of Jarlshof, with over 3 acres of remains, spanning 3000 years since the days of the Stone Age, including oval shaped bronze age houses, an iron age broch and wheel houses, Viking long houses and medieval farmhouses.
In the early evening we will make our way to the cliffs at Sumburgh Head, where the North Sea on the east meets the Atlantic Ocean on the west. The cliffs here are quite spectacular. This is an RSPB reserve and we should have an opportunity to watch the puffins arrive before transferring to the comfortable Sumburgh Hotel. All rooms have en-suite facilities. Dinner will be served in the evening.
Day 3
After breakfast we depart northwards, stopping first at St Ninians Isle and its church dating from the 6th century when Christianity first came to Shetland. It is also famous for its treasure of 9th century silverware found by a young schoolboy in 1958 which was believed to have been hidden to prevent Viking raiders removing them.
We travel to Scalloway, the former capital of Shetland where we visit the ruined castle built in 1600 by the infamous Earl Patrick Stewart. We then continue through Tingwall Valley, the site of the old Norse parliament (Ting) before returning back to Lerwick with time to explore the historic town before we re-join our ship, which sails at 1730 hours for Orkney. Dinner is served on board.
On arrival in Orkney (expected at 2300hrs) we will transfer the short distance to Kirkwall where accommodation has been arranged at the comfortable Kirkwall Hotel, overlooking the harbour.
Day 4
This morning following breakfast we will depart on a tour of the south end of mainland Orkney, crossing the Churchill Barriers which were built after the sinking of the HMS Royal Oak in October 1939. The causeways are built of 5 and 10 ton concrete blocks and have good roads on the top connecting Burray and South Ronaldsay to the Orkney mainland. We also stop off at the beautiful Italian Chapel, built on the site of a former prisoner of war camp. Several hundred Italians, captured during the North American campaign of World War II were sent here to work on the Causeways and converted two huts into a chapel. The marvellous paintings in the interior were done by Domenico Chiocchetti, one of the prisoners who has returned several times to restore and repaint parts of the building.
We then continue south to the picturesque village of St Margarets Hope where we stop for lunch (not included).
Thereafter we turn north again to visit the exciting site of Minehowe an Iron Age enigma at Tankerness first discovered in 1946 and re-opened in 1999 by local farmer, Douglas Paterson, who found the entrance and painstakingly reopened the howe. Prompted by strange tales of mysterious happenings in the vicinity of the howe, the Orcadian excavators uncovered a strange two-storey structure sunk into the depths of the earth. Over fifty years after last seeing the light of day, the Mystery of the 29 steps was reborn. Inside the mound one descends a steep, ladder-like staircase made up of 12 stone steps to a dark sunken chamber which is around 20 feet below the entrance. The remains below ground are not the only remarkable thing about Minehowe excavations take place every year and they have uncovered fascinating detail of early metal works amongst other things. Our archaeologist will be able to keep you updated as to its progress.
We then travel to Kirkwall, the capital of Orkney where we will have some free time to explore its environs at leisure. Places of interest include St. Magnus Cathedral - one of Europes greatest architectural masterpieces, its red and yellow sandstone still vibrant after 861 years; the Earls Palace and the Bishops Palace and The Orkney Museum.
Dinner will be served at the hotel in the evening.
Day 5
After breakfast today we have an all day excursion of west mainland Orkney visiting the Heart of Neolithic Orkney World Heritage Sites. These include Maeshowe, the finest chambered tomb in Western Europe. Built before 2700 B.C. Maeshowe was raided by Vikings in the 12th Century. It thus houses the largest collection of runic inscriptions to be found in any one place in the world. Skara Brae, with its new visitor centre depicting the history of this world famous monument and Skaill House, a fascinating architectural medley to the side of Skara Brae; and the Standing Stones of Stenness, with the adjacent Neolithic village of Barnhouse. We later visit the great stone circles of Brodgar and Stenness. Dinner this evening will be served in a local restaurant.
Later this evening we will board the Northlink vessel Hjaltland (or her sister ship Hrossey) when you will be able to enjoy a drink in the bar, settle in to your cabin or simply watch the quayside activity of the ship as we prepare for our sailing at 22.30hrs for Aberdeen.
Day 6
After our breakfast on board we will disembark in Aberdeen at 08.30hrs approximately. We will then return you to your original pick up points by late morning/early afternoon.
Sumburgh Hotel, Shetland
With a wonderful aspect of the sea, this former Laird's home, has 32 ensuite bedrooms, is minutes away from two glorious sand beaches, adjoins the ancient monument of Jarlshof and is close to the airport. Fresh seafood and fine wines are specialities.
Kirkwall Hotel, Orkney
The Kirkwall hotel, one of the most prominent landmarks on the Kirkwall waterfont, is a family-run business situated in one of Orkney's finest Victorian buildings. It has 37 en-suite rooms, a spacious restaurant, relaxing lounge bar and lively public bar.