The history of the Scottish Orkney Islands dates back millennia. Neolithic remains, including the ancient site of Brodgar, predate Stonehenge and the Egyptian pyramids. The 13th-century Norse Orkneyinga Saga told of Vikings who ruled here. Later, the earls took over, and the French Renaissance palace that remains is a legacy to their grandeur. Another castle, Balfour, stands regally in a stark landscape. While the northern Europeans greatly influenced this hauntingly beautiful archipelago, consider the Italian Chapel, built by the hands of Italian prisoners during wartime.
Shore Excursions
Shore excursions vary by each itinerary and are subject to change.
Highlights of Historic Orkney
Pass through gentle rolling landscapes into the Heart of Neolithic Orkney and visit a charming seaside village.
Orkney’s Stone Age
Witness untold centuries of human settlement during visits to Orkney’s Neolithic and Viking sites.
Orkney’s Wartime Legacy
Uncover the wartime history of Orkney, starting with the Churchill Barriers, built to protect Scapa Flow.
Sites of the South Isles with a Taste of Orkney
View wartime historic sites, sample delicious local cuisine and explore local geology at a fossil museum.
Viking History & Ancient Pastimes
Walk in the footsteps of Vikings as you explore a region once ruled by these fearsome warriors of Northern Europe.
Stromness Shoreline Walk
Discover the rugged natural beauty of Stromness as you take a scenic stroll along its shores.
