Odyssey tour
The original Odyssey. A proper taste of Orkney, no week off work required. Tried, tested, and flexible where it counts, this route still holds up as the best way in if you're short on time but not short on curiosity.
Built for:
- The curious traveller
- Orkney shore excursions
- Ferry day trips
- Airport arrivals
-
Max group size: Up to 4 (3 for extra comfort)
Intensity: Low
Families: All ages welcome
Dogs: Yes. Parrots negotiable.
Includes
- Site tickets: Skara Brae & Italian chapel
- On-site guiding
- Private door-to-door transport
- Weather, tide & crowd monitoring
- Tailored itinerary
Typical itinerary
Here's a route that works well. Think of it as a strong starting point rather than a fixed script.
From 9:00am onward
Anywhere on the Orkney Mainland. Start whenever suits, between 9am and 2pm, morning or afternoon.
Italian Chapel & Churchill Barriers
A wartime story of ingenuity and grit, built from scrap and stubbornness in the middle of Scapa Flow. We'll look at how the war reshaped Orkney's geography, and daily life along with it.
Scapa Flow Viewpoints
One of history's great natural harbours. Two World Wars put this quiet stretch of water right at the centre of things, and the view still tells that story.
Unstan Chambered Tomb
A proper Neolithic tomb, minus the crowds. Stepping inside gives you a real feel for prehistoric life and death. One of my favourite stops, and usually a quiet one.
Yesnaby Cliffs
Big Atlantic drama. A coastal walk that shows exactly why people settled where they did, and why the weather still has the final word.
Skara Brae
Older than the pyramids and hidden under sand for thousands of years. I'll walk you through the village properly, the bits the signs don't tell you.
Around 1:00pm (ish)
Time for food, coffee, or something stronger. A good pause before we head into the ceremonial heart of the island.
Ring of Brodgar & Stones of Stenness Peninsula
The ceremonial heart of Neolithic Orkney. Seeing both sites together as one landscape is when it all starts to click.
Around five hours after pickup
Return anywhere on the Orkney Mainland.
What this means for you
This tour runs at your pace. Stick to the plan above, or change it as we go, no fellow passengers, no bus timetable, no compromises.
Whether you're after a deep dive into the Neolithic stuff, a detour along a whisky trail, or a quick mission to spot puffins (we call them Tammy Norries locally), the day moves with you.
Island time: Five hours is the rough shape of the day, but I'd rather get it right than get it done fast. It usually works out well.
Beyond the Odyssey: Fancy going further? I run multi-day tours out to the other islands too, linking your trip across the archipelago and beyond.
Guaranteed return:
I keep a close eye on the clock so you're back in good time for flights, ferries and cruise departures, unless you fancy staying at the bar a bit longer.
Items not included:
- Lunch
- Personal expenses
- Bad moods
Hi, I’m Calum.
The Odyssey is a good sharp introduction, but five hours only scratches the surface of Orkney. It'll give you enough context to actually understand what you're looking at, with room to change course if the weather or the crowds have other ideas.
Got questions about this tour?
Skip the chatbots, let's just talk. A free ten-minute call, no pressure, to sort logistics, timings, tides and accessibility.
Bring your weird and wonderful ideas. I like a challenge.
Book the Odyssey
A private, focused tour through the heart of Neolithic Orkney. No group buses, no crowds, just the island properly.
Reserve your place with a £275 deposit, and settle the remaining £275 once we're done.
Next steps
The details: The price covers up to 4 people, that's what fits in the car. It's a private tour, so no sharing with strangers. Bigger group? Get in touch.
Alterations & special requests: Want to add a stop or shift the timings? Just let me know.
(I'll be here. The date might not be.)
Your questions answered
What about site tickets?
All listed tickets are included in the price for guided tours.
Do you charge per person?
Nope! All of my tours are priced per group. So bring your friends, family, or favourite travel companions the price stays the same.
When’s the best time to visit Orkney for decent weather and fewer crowds?
April, May, September and October are ideal - fewer crowds, a more relaxed atmosphere, and (hopefully) some decent weather. Just pack a jacket… We are north of northern Scotland, after all.
Can I alter a suggested itinerary to add or remove a site or experience?
Certainly! Just give me a heads up to ensure it is both safe and practical to do so within our time.
Can you accommodate groups larger than 4?
Possibly, It depends on the timing and availability of my extended team. Let’s chat.
Can you accommodate four larger adults comfortably?
In most cases, yes. Our roads are narrow, and our parking is even narrower. But I use the largest, most comfortable vehicles I can source.
If physical space is a concern, I usually recommend a group size of three for maximum comfort.
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