Orkney Cruise Day Tour

Make the most of your time in port with a private Orkney cruise tour starting and finishing in Kirkwall. This carefully curated shore excursion showcases Orkney’s most iconic landscapes and UNESCO-listed prehistoric sites, combining Neolithic wonders, dramatic coastlines, and Viking heritage — all at a relaxed, cruise-friendly pace.

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Highlights of Your Orkney Cruise Ship day tour

This private tour is designed to fit cruise schedules while offering a deep and memorable Orkney experience.

Scapa Flow Coastal Drive
Travel along the shores of the famous natural harbour, learning about its strategic importance and wartime history while enjoying sweeping sea views.

Unstan Chambered Cairn
Step inside one of Orkney’s finest Neolithic chambered tombs and discover burial traditions over 5,000 years old.

Yesnaby Cliffs
Experience Orkney’s wild Atlantic coastline with breathtaking cliff-top views, sea stacks, and coastal scenery.

Skara Brae (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
Explore Europe’s best-preserved Neolithic village, offering a remarkable insight into prehistoric daily life.

Ring of Brodgar & Stones of Stenness (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
Walk among Orkney’s most iconic standing stones, set within a vast ceremonial landscape older than Stonehenge.

St Magnus Cathedral, Kirkwall
Conclude your tour at Orkney’s magnificent Viking cathedral, built by Norse earls and central to the islands’ medieval history

Private Cruise Tour Experience

Start and finish in Kirkwall (cruise-ship friendly)
Timed to suit your ship’s arrival and departure
Small groups for comfort and flexibility
Ideal for first-time visitors and cultural travellers

We ensure a smooth, unhurried experience with guaranteed return to your ship.

What’s Included

Complimentary pick up and drop off.

What to Bring/Wear

Bring a waterproof and windproof jacket and trousers, comfortable footwear, hat and gloves. Don’t forget any personal medication and please bring a reusable water bottle if you have one.

Meeting Point

Kirkwall Harbour basin, Hatston Pier or Stromness Head, depending on where your ship is berthed.

Key Highlights/Stops

St Magnus Cathedral, Kirkwall
Skara Brae (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
Ring of Brodgar & Stones of Stenness (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
Scapa Flow Coastal Drive

Sustainability Features of This Tour

Fully electric vehicle travel powered by Orkney’s renewable energy. Support for local cafés, restaurants and suppliers. Plastic-free encouragement – bring your reusable water bottle or cup.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are admissions included?
Admissions are usually booked in advance by us. We take care of that ahead of your tour, once we have agreed the itinerary for your tour. Should you wish to change things on the day and include additional stops, then the admission fee will be paid on the day. Please note that during the busy times of the season, the most popular sites may not have availability.
Can we focus on a specific theme?
Absolutely — it’s your tour. While most of our tours already have a theme, we’re always delighted to tailor the experience to your interests. Whether you’d like to dive deeper into local history, landscapes, or culture, we’ll shape the day around what inspires you most.
Suitable for kids?
Yes, all of our tours are family-friendly and designed to be enjoyed by guests of all ages. Very young children may find a full 5–6 hour tour a little long, but we’re happy to adapt the pace or add breaks so everyone feels comfortable and engaged throughout the day.

Reviews

“Loved every minute of our time in Orkney and our tour with Iain made it extra special. A truly special day in a magical place with a fantastic guide.”
— Y S, UK 🇬🇧
“Absolutely first class! Our guide, Iain was so interesting, knowledgeable and passionate about Orkney. We had a very memorable tour, seeing some amazing sites and learning about the history and landscape. Definitely recommend this tour and Iain as your guide.”
— Paula O, USA 🇺🇸
“Great welcome at the port. Iain is a very kind, prepared and helpful guide. He organised a tour for us following our requests. Highly recommended!”
— Maria M, Italy 🇮🇹
“As a solo traveller meeting other guests for a tour can sometimes feel a little awkward, but Iain’s enthusiasm, friendliness and knowledge made me feel completely at ease immediately. It was a fascinating tour. Thank you very much Iain!”
— Janelle N, USA 🇺🇸
“We had an amazing tour with our guide Iain who showed us around all the important places on the island. Iain could answer all of our questions and was very friendly! Highly recommended!”
— Annagret H, Germany 🇩🇪
“Iain was a passionate and knowledgeable guide and made a wet and windy day enjoyable for all. Learned so much and had fun at the same time.”
— Scott D, Australia 🇦🇺
“We were a group of four on this tour. In five hours, we managed to see the main sites of the Orkney mainland. I enjoyed this tour very much!”
— Robert D, Canada 🇨🇦
“Our trip started with the wonderful Iain. When any of us asked a question Iain would repeat it so that everyone could hear, then answered the question knowledgeably. What a fabulous and thoughtful addition to our tour. Handsdown, that started a tour off on a high note having such a high calibre guide.”
— Jannine C, Australia 🇦🇺
“Iain was so informative. There was never a dull moment, something always interesting or funny was shared. There was never any doubt he was making sure we were getting everything we wanted out of our tour.”
— Jannine C, Australia 🇦🇺
“We were lucky to have Iain as our guide for this tour. Of course he is one of the certified guides in Orkney, but he has also worked at Skara Brae for several years. An expert guide really helped to bring the tour alive. I would highly recommend Iain as your guide.”
— Vince HK, Hong Kong 🇭🇰
“The tour was wonderful! Iain was very knowledgeable and you could tell he has a deep passion for Orkney‘s history. Everything was well paced, fascinating and very enjoyable. I would highly recommend a tour with Iain!”
— Patricia J, UK 🇬🇧
“Loved every minute of our time in Orkney and our tour with Iain made it extra special. A truly special day in a magical place with a fantastic guide.”
— Y S, UK 🇬🇧
“Absolutely first class! Our guide, Iain was so interesting, knowledgeable and passionate about Orkney. We had a very memorable tour, seeing some amazing sites and learning about the history and landscape. Definitely recommend this tour and Iain as your guide.”
— Paula O, USA 🇺🇸
“Great welcome at the port. Iain is a very kind, prepared and helpful guide. He organised a tour for us following our requests. Highly recommended!”
— Maria M, Italy 🇮🇹
“As a solo traveller meeting other guests for a tour can sometimes feel a little awkward, but Iain’s enthusiasm, friendliness and knowledge made me feel completely at ease immediately. It was a fascinating tour. Thank you very much Iain!”
— Janelle N, USA 🇺🇸
“We had an amazing tour with our guide Iain who showed us around all the important places on the island. Iain could answer all of our questions and was very friendly! Highly recommended!”
— Annagret H, Germany 🇩🇪
“Iain was a passionate and knowledgeable guide and made a wet and windy day enjoyable for all. Learned so much and had fun at the same time.”
— Scott D, Australia 🇦🇺
“We were a group of four on this tour. In five hours, we managed to see the main sites of the Orkney mainland. I enjoyed this tour very much!”
— Robert D, Canada 🇨🇦
“Our trip started with the wonderful Iain. When any of us asked a question Iain would repeat it so that everyone could hear, then answered the question knowledgeably. What a fabulous and thoughtful addition to our tour. Handsdown, that started a tour off on a high note having such a high calibre guide.”
— Jannine C, Australia 🇦🇺
“Iain was so informative. There was never a dull moment, something always interesting or funny was shared. There was never any doubt he was making sure we were getting everything we wanted out of our tour.”
— Jannine C, Australia 🇦🇺
“We were lucky to have Iain as our guide for this tour. Of course he is one of the certified guides in Orkney, but he has also worked at Skara Brae for several years. An expert guide really helped to bring the tour alive. I would highly recommend Iain as your guide.”
— Vince HK, Hong Kong 🇭🇰
“The tour was wonderful! Iain was very knowledgeable and you could tell he has a deep passion for Orkney‘s history. Everything was well paced, fascinating and very enjoyable. I would highly recommend a tour with Iain!”
— Patricia J, UK 🇬🇧

Ready to Experience Orkney Your Way?

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