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6 hours
Mobile ticket
A small group tour of the Orkney Islands offers a uniquely intimate and personalized experience for cruise guests. Unlike larger tour groups, a smaller group size allows for greater flexibility in itinerary planning and more personalized attention from knowledgeable guides.
Here are a few reasons why a small group tour of the Orkney Islands is particularly special for cruise guests.
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Small group experience
All attraction admissions
Food and drink
Discover the charm of Orkney in an intimate setting with our small group tour, limited to just 6 individuals. Experience the allure of The Italian Chapel, a poignant symbol of history crafted by Italian prisoners of war during World War II. Nestled on a once-desolate island, these prisoners left behind a remarkable legacy while constructing the Churchill Barriers near Scapa Flow. Join us for an exclusive journey through time and heritage.
Churchill Barriers
Embark on a journey of engineering marvels with the Churchill Barriers – a series of four causeways spanning the picturesque Orkney Islands. Stretching over 2.3 kilometers in total, these barriers seamlessly connect the Orkney Mainland in the north to the serene South Ronaldsay, weaving through the islands of Burray, Lamb Holm, and Glimps Holm. Experience the ingenuity of human craftsmanship as you traverse these historic links, immersing yourself in the breathtaking landscapes of Orkney.
4 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
megan b,
Jul 3, 2025
- Viator
Great tour, definitely a small group. We were four and two others from our cruise. The guide did a great job of avoiding the larger groups at our stops and explaining everything. He was even able to add a stop at magnus cathedral since we were ahead of schedule and still got us back to the ship in time.
Evelyn E,
Jun 12, 2025
- Viator
Kirkwall was one port on our 12 day British isles cruise. We were happy that the tour driver picked us right at the ship just steps from the gangway and dropped us off back at the ship so we didn’t have to bother with queueing up to catch the shuttle to and from Kirkwall centre. This was the highlight excursion of our cruise. Other reviewers said these excursions were pricey but well worth it and I totally agree. This comes with a premium price tag but in this instance I really feel I got what I paid for. After travelling all this way I couldn’t see myself taking a lesser tour now that I was there!!! There were only 4 passengers in the car (max capacity 6) and the small group makes a difference. Our guide made adjustments to our route order to avoid the hoards alighting from the huge coach buses. We even made two impromptu quick stops to see cows in a pasture and at Highland Parks scotch distillery. Try doing that with the huge coach tours!!! Eye opening experience. Beautiful historic sites namely Skara Brae (5,000 yr old village) and my surprise site was the Stones of Stenness. My research wasn’t as comprehensive as it should have been and the Stones were a complete surprise. In my eyes these Stones just satisfied my bucket-list wish to see Stonehenge!! AND we are permitted to touch the Stones, unlike Stonehenge which is now cordoned off. Our guide Frank of Odin Tours provided a nice smooth and comfortable ride. The tour was well paced with sufficient time at each stop. The only minor shortfall was the commentary offered at each site. We happened to be in the Italian chapel when another tour group was going through and their guide was providing a much more polished and detailed description and history about the chapel. We had the same wonderful access to the chapel but a more complete story of the chapel would have added more to our experience. But I won’t say that our tour with Frank wasn’t wonderful nonetheless. This excursion of the Orkney Islands was by far the highlight of our 12 day 7 stop cruise.
Christi R,
Aug 31, 2024
- Viator
Frank from Odin Tours Orkney was our guide. We were on a semi-private tour with 1 other couple from our ship. We had a fabulous day. Frank is so very knowledgeable about Orkney (since he is a local) and the deep history. We had a wonderful day seeing Churchill barriers and learning the history behind their construction. Skara Brea, Ring of Brodgar (500 years older than Stonehenge) and the Big Dig (that has closed now after 20 years of exploration work). The Italian Chapel and learning the history of who built it and how it was constructed was heart touching. I highly recommend this tour.
Operated by Wow A Tour