Day 1 – Northumberland

Board our private executive coach at the designated pick up points – suitable comfort stops with free time for lunch – check in at a convenient hotel such as the Park Head Hotel located on the outskirts of Bishop Auckland for a one night stay – dinner in the hotel.

Day 2 – Edinburgh & ferry to Shetland

Travel on to Edinburgh and then to Aberdeen where we meet our Blue Badge Guide – check in for our overnight NorthLink Ferries crossing to the Shetland Islands with dinner onboard.

Day 3 – Hamnavoe, Scalloway & Lerwick

Arrive into Lerwick and continue to the picturesque fishing village of Hamnavoe – guided tour of Scalloway taking in Scalloway Museum and the ruins of Scalloway Castle – check in at the 3* Shetland Hotel at Lerwick for a two night stay on half board basis.

Day 4 – Shetland Croft House Museum, Old Scatness Iron Age Village & Jarlshof

The thatched living quarters, byre, barn and drying kiln of Shetland Croft House Museum give a fascinating glimpse into how croftsmen lived in the 19th century – the Old Scatness Iron Age Village and the archaeological site of Jarlshof reveal more ancient history – final visit is to Sumburgh Head where puffins roost.

Day 5 – Bod of Gremista & Weisdale Mill

The Bod of Gremista is a restored 18th century fishing Bod famous as the birthplace of Arthur Anderson, co-founder of the P&O shipping line – the restored Weisdale Mill was built in 1855 and is now home to the Bonhoga Gallery and the Shetland Working Textile Museum – mid-afternoon crossing aboard the MV Hrossey for the Orkney Isles arriving at Kirkwall later that night – check in to the 3* Kirkwall Hotel for a three night stay, the first night on bed and breakfast basis and the remaining two nights on half board basis.

Day 6 – Churchill Barriers, Highland Park Distillery & Kirkwall

The Churchill Barriers are a series of 1½ mile causeways built in the 1940s as naval defences to protect the anchorage at Scapa Flow – tour and tasting at the Highland Park Distillery – guided tour of Kirkwall taking in sights such as Tankerness House Museum and Gardens and St Magnus’ Cathedral.

Day 7 – Orkneyinga Saga Centre, Skara Brae & Maeshowe

Orkneyinga Saga Centre charts Orkney’s Norse heritage – the Neolithic village of Skara Brae, a group of roofless 5,000 year old stone built houses which pre-date the Egyptian Pyramids, is regarded as one of the most remarkable monuments in Europe – Maeshowe is the finest Stone Age tomb in Europe – final visit is to the amazing Stone Circles of Brodgar and Stennes.

Day 8 – Stromness & Perth

Free time in Stromness – board our ferry back to the Scottish mainland, with views of the Old Man of Hoy en route, arriving at Scrabster in the early afternoon – continue through the highlands to the 3* Best Western Queens Hotel at Perth for a one night stay on half board basis.

Day 9 – Home

Taking carefully selected comfort stops en route we return to the designated pick up points.

One night at the Park Head Hotel in Bishop Auckland, two nights at the 3* Shetland Hotel in Lerwick, three nights at the family run 3* Kirkwall Hotel in Kirkwall and one night at the 3* Best Western Queens Hotel in Perth. Half board accommodation is included each night at all hotels except the first night in Kirkwall as dinner is served on the ferry. All rooms at each hotel are en suite. Overnight crossing with en suite cabin on NorthLink Ferry to Shetland and mid-afternnon crossing with dinner included on NorthLink Ferry to Orkney.

Single room/cabin supplement £169

Insurance

Entrance fees to places of interest

Remember this itinerary is just our suggestion. Tailor make this tour exclusively for your group to suit your members’ budget or preferences. You could:

• stay at different category hotels
• with fewer or different excursions
• for more (or fewer) days
• include all entrance fees and gratuities