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Orkney Tours: Customizable Private Experiences
5.0
17 Ratings
Orkney
Discover Orkney’s rich history with a flexible, private tour. Customize your experience on the go and enjoy a no-rush, value-packed adventure.
Discover Orkney’s rich history with a flexible, private tour. Customize your experience on the go and enjoy a no-rush, value-packed adventure.
Duration:
7 hours, 10 minutes
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
- Saint Magnus Cathedral - Explore the 12th-century Viking Cathedral, a stunning red sandstone masterpiece and an excellent photo opportunity, planned to avoid the crowds.
- Scapa Flow - Enjoy a cinematic view of the iconic natural harbor. Discover the naval history and see the marker buoy of the HMS Royal Oak.
- Unstan Chambered Cairn -…
- Saint Magnus Cathedral - Explore the 12th-century Viking Cathedral, a stunning red sandstone masterpiece and an excellent photo opportunity, planned to avoid the crowds.
- Scapa Flow - Enjoy a cinematic view of the iconic natural harbor. Discover the naval history and see the marker buoy of the HMS Royal Oak.
- Unstan Chambered Cairn - Enter a 5,300-year-old Neolithic burial mound. Experience an intimate connection with ancient craftsmanship and human history.
Note: Access requires a low entrance and may not be suitable for those with limited mobility.
- Yesnaby Cliffs - Capture dramatic photos overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. Witness the sea’s raw power against the archipelago, with towering sea stacks and expansive horizons shaped by geology and time.
- Skara Brae - Explore one of Orkney’s top attractions: the 5,000-year-old Neolithic village of Skara Brae. As the best-preserved in Europe, it offers a remarkably intact glimpse into a lived space uncovered by the Atlantic sands.
- Merkister Hotel - Enjoy a scheduled lunch at one of Orkney’s premier locations, with an alternative option at the Orkney Brewery. Take a relaxed break to savor local flavors and prepare for the afternoon’s exploration.
- Maeshowe Chambered Cairn - Discover the archipelago’s premier Neolithic masterpiece. Immerse yourself in the ritual heart of Orkney, with this 5,000-year-old chambered tomb showcasing ancient engineering and solar alignment.
Note: Access requires a long, low tunnel and may not be suitable for those with limited mobility. Entry is strictly subject to official ticket availability.
- Ring of Brodgar - Visit the world-famous henge and stone circle at the heart of the Heart of Neolithic Orkney UNESCO World Heritage site. This ethereal landscape of towering monoliths is explored as a unified narrative of ancient belief.
- Standing Stones of Stenness - Explore the oldest henge monument in the UK. These massive, towering stones form the central ritual heart of the archipelago, offering a profound encounter with over 5,000 years of history and the early Neolithic story.
What's Included
- Private transportation
- Guide
- Private transportation
- Guide
What's Not Included
- Lunch
- Gratuities
- Site tickets
- Lunch
- Gratuities
- Site tickets
Additional Information
Are you seeking a comprehensive and customizable private tour of Orkney with a guide who has lived there all their life? With offline site translation now available in all major languages and an owner passionate about history, this tour could be perfect for you! Since the route is fully customizable, entry tickets to sites like Skara Brae are not…
Are you seeking a comprehensive and customizable private tour of Orkney with a guide who has lived there all their life? With offline site translation now available in all major languages and an owner passionate about history, this tour could be perfect for you! Since the route is fully customizable, entry tickets to sites like Skara Brae are not included but can be purchased for you on the day at cost price. Alternatively, you can book these in advance to avoid any potential capacity issues during peak season.
This brief tour is ideal for those visiting Orkney on a day trip via the link ferries from the Scottish mainland, arriving by cruise liner, or those spending an extended period on the island.
During the tour, you will explore various sights from modern times to the Neolithic era around Orkney as a private group. Enjoy local insights and historical details from a lifetime of experience on Orkney. Every tour is unique and tailored to your preferences.
For any questions, please feel free to send a message.
Location
VisitScotland Kirkwall iCentre
West Castle Street
Please wait in a visible area away so I can locate you.
The best place is inside the waiting room.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
5.0
(17 Ratings)
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Weeziesnap
Jan 27, 2026
Tour made this the best cruise port - First, I apologize for not writing this sooner. Calum was an incredible tour guide. He met us at the port. A side note: my hubby's former mother in law gave him a chair made in Orkney about 35 years ago. Before we left on our cruise, I turned the chair upside down looking for a makers mark. Lo and behold, the chair craftsman's name was written on the frame. When we arrived at the port we mentioned this to Calum and the lovely ladies there to greet travelers. They knew who he was! The tour itself was wonderful and I really felt like I immersed in the history. But the icing on the cake was when Calum said he contacted the chair maker and made arrangements for us to meet him. That was way above and beyond what we expected and truly made the tour all that more awesome. Thanks, Calum
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Explore49902985071
Sep 21, 2025
Exceptional Tour Guide - We had a fantastic day. We were able to experience several Neolithic sites during the Showcase tour, and with Calum’s vast knowledge of the island, learned plenty. He is incredibly friendly and has a great sense of humor. Don’t miss this tour with an amazing guide and person.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Rareshake
Sep 21, 2025
Best tour guide ever - Calum gave the best tour we’ve ever had. He is a native Orcadian with a massive knowledge about the area and its history. He was prompt, friendly, professional and personable. Very calm and laid back but still got us to every sight we wanted to see as well as ones we didn’t know existed. He gave us suggestions and helpful hints for the rest of our stay on Orkney and was willing to help us figure that out. If I could have given him more than 5 stars I would have! Meg
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Rosaliac383
Sep 1, 2025
Positive experience between Kirkwall and Stromness in Orkney - Calum is a delightful person, very nice, prepared, sweet and caring. We chose the 5 hour tour paying £320 in 4 (2 couples) , we saw the Italian Church, the skara brae, the Brodgar ring, the Neolithic tombs, and the city center. Also not to be underestimated, the purchase by him of an instant translator because we do not speak fluent English, we appreciated it so much. The icing on the cake was the souvenir she gave me (a handmade candle) as a sign of Welcoming and welcome. We recommend it 100%
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Brenda
Aug 7, 2025
Amazing day in Orkney! - Calum met us at the Visitor Center and whisked us back in time for an extraordinary visit to the unbelievable archeological sites of Orkney! He had planned the entire day and we saw more than I thought was possible. Along the way we heard about WWII stories and sites, the indomitable spirit of the people of Orkney, and found us a great lunch place.
Calum was so knowledgeable, friendly and flexible…just a perfect day!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Adrienne_e
Jul 29, 2025
Great local guide - Callum was an amazing guide. His knowledge and insight made our visit. He tailored the tour to fit our interests so it was a perfect day! I highly recommend him for an interesting day with a local touch.
Review provided by Viator
Shirleyhw6517iu
Jul 22, 2025
Magical day on Orkney - This day was magical seeing ancient sites and hearing Callum's knowledge of the history and of his experiences growing up and living on Orkney. Callum was very thoughtful in asking if we wanted to stop certain places. His passion for his homeland is evident. Thanks for a memorable day, Callum.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
O2312zjmarcb
Jul 18, 2025
Great day in Mainland Orkney. - We had limited time on Mainland. We originally planned on a self-guided tour, then decided to invest in a tour, and this was the RIGHT choice.
Our main interest was in the Neolithic history of Orkney, and Calum customized the day for us. As a native Orcadian, Calum demonstrated a lifetime of knowledge; but what really stood out was his affection, passion, and pride in his home.
Aside from 5000 year old sites, and some more recent history, our day included lunch at Orkney Brewing (our choice) which provided a nice respite during a busy day. We had some additional questions about agriculture and contemporary economics on the islands. Calum had the answers, and when he didn't he introduced us to a friend and local beef farmer who provided insight.
This tour was the highlight of our time on Mainland. We learned so much more than we would have on our own, and the experience was so much deeper than getting on a tour bus! We highly recommend spend the day on this tour!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
11jennat
Jul 8, 2025
An Excellent Day Tour of Orkney - This was the perfect way to spend our only full day in Orkney! While initially there was a hiccup with Viator not notifying Calum that we had booked a tour (not at all his fault), he dropped everything to meet us within the hour and managed to still get us in to every item in the excellent itinerary (probably calling in some favors), including Maeshowe, which was the biggest reason I had booked this specific tour. He was so knowledgeable and having grown up in Orkney, he was able to share with us that strong sense of place and so many stories about the locations we visited. We never felt rushed and yet visited so many places, from the fascinating Unstan Chamber, the incredible Skara Brae, to two different standing stone circles, each powerful in their own right. Our lunch at the Orkney Brewery was excellent and so filling (as was the flight of beers that allowed me to sample some of the local brews). Calum's passion for understanding the history of his home was very evident and made the experience so much more personal, like a friend sharing their favorite spots. I am so glad that we booked this tour with him!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Elisabethar5477er
Jun 4, 2025
All I wanted and more - The guide made it possible for me to see all the places I wanted to. He was very knowledgeable and tailored the tour exactly how I wanted it. It was a fantastic day.
Review provided by Tripadvisor