Private Tour
Historic Orkney Private Odyssey Tour by a native Islander
Overview
Available languages
5 hours
Mobile ticket
Born and bred in Orkney, I’ve (probably) seen it all. From Neolithic ruins older than the pyramids to WWII bunkers, Viking graffiti, and the occasional sheep traffic jam.
My private tours aren’t just about ticking off sites; they’re about stories, hidden corners, and a local’s take you won’t find in the guidebooks. Every tour is tailored to you, no cookie-cutter itineraries or crowded buses, just relaxed exploring at your pace.
Travel is in a comfy SUV or 4x4 (up to 4 adults), with the flexibility to reach places bigger tours can’t. Tickets for sites like Skara Brae aren’t included, but I can pick them up at cost or you can pre-book to dodge queues.
Whether you’re here for a day, off a cruise, or staying longer, I’ll make sure you see Orkney in a way that’s memorable, fun, and different.
And if I’m not available, I’ve got a small team of trusted local guides who can step in so you’re still in good hands. Want to know more? Just search Historic Orkney online.
Additional Info
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Public transportation options are available nearby
Specialized infant seats are available
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What‘s Included
Wet weather clothing
Air-conditioned vehicle
Private transport
Private Guide
Gratuities
Lunch
Skara Brae
Italian Chapel
Meeting and Pickup
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
What To Expect
The Italian Chapel
Explore the Italian chapel via a scenic drive over the Churchill barriers with time to get some great photos.
Scapa Flow
Iconic views over the sheltered harbour
Options
Historic Orkney Private Odyssey Tour by a native Islander
Pickup included
Reviews
56 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Excellent native guide
toddwC3523PI,
Oct 24, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Excellent local guide! Very friendly and helpful, but tailored everything to our particular interests (especially archaeological). Calum was well informed (in a subject area we were very familiar with), was not afraid to say he didn't know but would find out, and was full of local color about life on the Orkneys.
Fantastic tour by a local.
cynthialI3499DK,
Sep 11, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Fantastic tour by a local. The day was very laid back and informative. The scenery was magnificent. Calum was a joy to be with. He was very flexible and made sure that we were comfortable and enjoying ourselves. Lunch was at Orkney Brewery which was wonderful. We went to multiple World Heritage sites. Would highly recommend this tour.
Truly personalized tour with a fantastic tour guide
NarwhalFitz,
Sep 7, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00What a phenomenal experience! Having Calum, an Orkney native, share his wealth of knowledge and enthusiastic love of the island with us was just wonderful. Calum customized his Orkney History Showcase Private Tour to ensure we were able to visit all the sites we wanted to see; even managing to get us in to a site that was sold out online. I also really enjoyed Calum’s stories about growing up on the island; just another benefit of having an actual local, who was born and raised here, as a tour guide. I wholeheartedly recommend the showcase tour, or any other tour offered by Calum to anyone looking for a tour guide who’s smart, fun and great at what he does.
Orkney private tour
jonsR2151RD,
Aug 24, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had a fantastic informative tour with Callum, personalised to meet our interests. Callum took us everywhere we wanted to visit and gave us as long as we needed to see everything we wanted. It was a highlight from start to finish! The Italian chapel, Scapa flow, Unstan Cairn, Yesnaby, Skara Brae, Brodgar, Stenness & Kirkwall cathedral it was a packed itinerary, but with stops where requested! We thoroughly recommend using this company.
More Than We Could Have Asked For
toshiakih755,
Aug 15, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We booked Calum for a private tour on July 8, 2025, as two Japanese travelers with a special interest in Orkney’s ancient stone sites, especially the stone circles. From the very beginning, Calum listened carefully to what we wanted and tailored the day perfectly to suit us. At each location, his commentary was both knowledgeable and highly engaging, allowing us to deeply understand and appreciate the sites we visited. One of the most unforgettable moments was when he took us to an unexcavated site — probably the remains of an ancient dwelling — that we believe is not widely known, something he could share thanks to his lifelong connection with Orkney. He even arranged an evening tour, which was not part of the original plan, giving us a rare and special experience we greatly appreciated. Calum’s likable personality made the day even more enjoyable. We were pleasantly surprised to learn that he loves anime, has visited Japan, and coaches karate in Orkney — a delightful bonus to our conversations. Thanks to his guidance, we truly enjoyed our stay in Orkney and left with memories we will treasure for a long time.
Wonderful full day....
Lourdes L,
Aug 13, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Wonderful full day. Callum was fantastic. Very nice young man, very knowledgeable, took the time to explain everything to us and answered all of our questions. He even had a little gift for us from his wife. Really enjoyed our day on this private tour with him.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ A Perfect Family-Friendly Adventure Around Orkney!
Jill F,
Aug 12, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our family had an unforgettable day exploring Orkney with Calum. As a native islander, his warmth and deep knowledge of island life brought every story to life—whether it was ancient archaeology or modern-day life. Even with little ones in tow, he adapted the itinerary effortlessly—from quick stops at captivating sites to kid-friendly stories that kept the children absolutely engaged. The private tour’s flexibility was a game‑changer: we could pause to let the kids stretch their legs, dash for spontaneous photo ops, or linger where their curiosity was piqued. Calum’s vehicle was spotless, comfortable, and suited our little troop perfectly. We felt completely cared for throughout the 5‑hour journey—adjusting for puddles, temperaments, and weather without a moment’s hesitation. A truly personalized, beautifully paced adventure—highly recommend for families who want history, fun, and flexibility in equal measure!
Beautiful, wild historic Orkney
drmikedmd,
Aug 11, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our guide Calum worked very hard to make sure we saw all of the highlights of the beautiful mainland of Orkney. Instead of lecturing us with facts and dates, he painted the history of Orkney ( older than the pyramids) with the story of where he grew up. Spectacular way to spend your time and money if you’re limited to one day on Orkney as we were.
Magical!!!
Camper62465459460,
Aug 8, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Wow wow wow. It's been a whole year since my partner and I booked this experience with Callum. I still think about it every few days! Callum was a brilliant guide, you want a local who knows the "secret handshake" that gets you into places and experiences no one else can or that is already fully booked! My only regret is we didn't stay in Orkney longer, I would hire Callum everyday if we did, he was extremely knowledgeable and lovely to share space with, very safe and respectful person. I highly recommend him for woman travellers and queer people. I challenge you to ask him a question he doesn't know the answer to! So many beautiful places a few known but also a few local secrets. He even showed us the "darker side of Orkney history" at places we didn't even think we wanted to see but came out full of awe and wonder. Book with him now do not wait! This experience is what stunning lifelong memories are made of!! Don't forget to tip him he doesn't expect it but hes worth every cent!!
Highly recommended! Interesting and entertaining, time has flown by & will always be remembered
Culture51538888809,
Aug 3, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Absolutely recommend! We were contacted a few weeks before our trip and asked about our interests in order to be able to adapt the tour optimally to our wishes. On the day itself, Calum picked us up from the ferry, “loaded” us into the car and took us on a tour of the island: from the coast where he explained the geology, to the Orkney Brewery where we ate excellently, to the historical sights we wanted Skara Brae, the stone rings of Brodgar and Stennes, Cairns and and and and and. Always and everywhere he knew facts and figures interestingly to tell and above all involved our children. An incredibly warm, friendly, smart and interesting person who gave us a wonderful day. Thank you!!
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Operated by Historic Orkney