Can I combine an Orkney and Shetland private tour?
Yes. Orkney and Shetland are two of Scotland's most remarkable island groups — one shaped by five thousand years of Neolithic settlement, the other by the sea and centuries of Norse tradition. Combining both into a single continuous 7 day private journey is entirely possible, and for guests with the time, it's one of the most rewarding trips I guide. It does, however, come with one travel catch worth knowing about in advance: the late night boarding time for the overnight crossing between the two.
Rather than a standalone product, this combination is built from two of my existing private tours, joined together into a 7 day Orkney, Shetland and Highlands Private Tour:
- Days 1–3: The first three days of the 4 Day Orkney and Highlands Private Tour, including Skara Brae, Maeshowe, the Ring of Brodgar, Kirkwall and St Magnus Cathedral.
- Days 4–7 (Shetland tour Days 2–5): Continuing directly into Days 2 through 5 of the 5 Day Shetland and Highlands Private Tour, including Sumburgh Head, Jarlshof, St Ninian's Isle, the Isle of Unst, and Eshaness.
Below is a 7 day Orkney, Shetland and Highlands Private Tour Highlights video...
How the journey between the two islands works
Unlike combining the Outer Hebrides and Orkney — where a free day back in Inverness naturally separates the two legs — there is no equivalent mainland breather available here. Orkney and Shetland aren't connected by any daytime ferry route; the only crossing between them is an overnight sailing from Kirkwall to Lerwick.
What is the catch?
This is one significant travel factor to consider with this tour. It isn't the crossing itself that's the challenge — private en-suite cabins make for a comfortable night (weather permitting) — it's the late-night boarding.
On Day 3 in Orkney, we tour as normal through the day and enjoy an evening meal in Kirkwall, before taking a final scenic drive to reach the ferry queue by around 10pm. The ship docks around 11pm and we are generally settled into our cabins by 11.45pm, ready for the 7.30am arrival into Lerwick the following morning.
Is this still a relaxed, unhurried tour?
Yes. Bar the late-night boarding on Day 3, this combination keeps exactly the same relaxed pace as all of my tours — plenty of time at each site, no rushing between stops, and days built around your comfort rather than a rigid schedule. The late night is a one-off exception to reach Shetland.
7 Day Orkney, Shetland and Highlands Private Tour
Available from April to September.
- Day 1: Inverness to Orkney — Morning drive north past Dornoch to Scrabster, followed by a ferry crossing past the Old Man of Hoy to Stromness. Explore the 5,000-year-old village of Skara Brae before continuing to Kirkwall.
Overnight: Kirkwall (Orkney) - Day 2: Heart of Neolithic Orkney & Churchill Barriers — Visit Maeshowe chambered tomb, the Standing Stones of Stenness, the Ring of Brodgar, and the 2,000-year-old Broch of Gurness. Finish the afternoon at the Italian Chapel and Churchill Barriers.
Overnight: Kirkwall (Orkney) - Day 3: Kirkwall, West Mainland or Hoy & Overnight Ferry to Shetland — Explore Kirkwall (St Magnus Cathedral, Earl's Palace, Orkney Museum) and the coast at Birsay and Yesnaby — or opt for a whisky distillery tour or day trip to Hoy. After dinner in Kirkwall, take the overnight ferry (11.45pm) to Lerwick.
Overnight: En-suite cabin on Northlink Ferry - Day 4: Shetland (South Mainland & Lerwick) — Arrive in Lerwick at 7.30am and head south to Sumburgh Head seabird colony, the ancient settlement at Jarlshof, and the sand tombolo at St Ninian's Isle, before returning to Lerwick.
Overnight: Lerwick (Shetland) - Day 5: Shetland (Isle of Unst) — Journey to Scotland’s northernmost inhabited island via short island ferries across Yell. Explore Unst, including Muness Castle, Haroldswick, Burra Firth, and Saxa Vord, before returning to Lerwick.
Overnight: Lerwick (Shetland) - Day 6: Shetland (North Mainland) & Overnight Ferry to Aberdeen — Marvel at the dramatic sea cliffs at Eshaness, drive past Scalloway and Burra, and explore the Shetland Museum and Lerwick town before taking the evening ferry sailing south to Aberdeen.
Overnight: En-suite cabin on NorthLink Ferry - Day 7: Aberdeen to Inverness — Arrive in Aberdeen at 7.00am and travel west to explore the 700-year-old ruins of Elgin Cathedral. Complete the tour returning to Inverness via the 4,000-year-old Clava Cairns and a guided walk at Culloden Battlefield.
Private Tour Pricing
- 7 Day Orkney, Shetland and Highlands Private Tour — £6400
What's included in the tour price?
Tours are exclusively for your private group only (up to 3 persons) and prices are per tour. I only offer private tours and do not combine individuals or separate groups – if your private group size is less than 3 the advertised tour price still applies. Your private tour price includes:
- Private tour for your group only (1, 2 or 3 persons)
- An experienced driver-guide and historian (John Alasdair Macdonald)
- A comfortable tour vehicle with good visibility and generous legroom
- All standard ferry tickets (I take care of all ferry bookings)
- All taxes and fees
What's excluded?
The tour price does not include your accommodation costs, overnight ferry cabin costs (details below), entrance fees and meals.
Which days does this tour start on?
This tour is available on Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday start days from Inverness.
Where should I book accommodation?
To make the most of your tour I recommend you book accommodation in:
- Kirkwall (Day 1 and 2)
- Lerwick (Day 4 and 5)
Whilst I do not book accommodation directly, I am always happy to offer advice on where to stay and eat. Your tour quote will include a list of recommended accommodation options for our overnight locations along with suggestions for evening meals.
What about overnight ferry accommodation?
During this tour we will take two overnight ferry sailings where you can book overnight en-suite cabins. Prices depend on your cabin choice (for example, for 2026 bookings, a twin outer cabin in peak season is between £153 and £190 per cabin depending on class). The tour quote will include full details of the cabin options and their current prices. More information about the cabin choices can be found on the Northlink Ferries Website.
Why is Day 3 a late night?
Day 3 is a long extended tour day due to the late night boarding for the overnight ferry (our only ferry option for a tour that includes Orkney and Shetland). We will start at 9am and tour around Orkney until 5pm. After a leisurely evening meal in Kirkwall, we take a final scenic drive (approx. 1 hour) before joining the ferry queue by 10pm. The ferry generally arrives into Kirkwall at 11pm and we are usually in our cabins by 11.45pm. The ferry arrives in Shetland at 7.30am the following morning and we will leave the boat by 8.30am. To ensure a comfortable first day in Shetland, we tend to finish our touring by the mid-afternoon so that you can relax in Lerwick.
Where does the tour start from?
Enjoy the ease of a private pickup — I will meet you directly at your Inverness accommodation on the morning of Day 1 to begin the tour. At the end of the tour I will drop you off at your preferred Inverness location.
Can the tour itinerary be customised?
The tour itinerary is based on many years of guiding experience, previous client feedback, and practical travel timings. However, there is some flexibility and the itinerary can often be adapted in advance to suit particular interests or requests where possible. For example, for those with an interest in Shetland wool and knitwear, this tour can be adapted to include a tour of the Shetland Textile Museum, visits to Jamieson & Smith and Jamieson's of Shetland retail outlets in Lerwick, and the Shetland Woollen Co. in Hoswick along with the nearby visitors centre. Please mention any requests in the 'Extra Information' section when completing a Tour Enquiry Form.
Will we see Jimmy Perez's house?
Absolutely! For those that have enjoyed the Shetland TV series, many of the sites we visit have been shown across the episodes, and along with plenty of time in Lerwick to explore familiar views, no trip to Shetland would be complete without a walk along the waterfront past DI Jimmy Perez's house!
What about puffins?
Shetland is a haven for seabirds and we spend time at Sumburgh Head where puffins are common from mid-May to July.
What will the weather be like?
The Scottish Highlands and Islands are renowned for changeable weather, and even in the summer months we may experience some rain or wind. Shetland, in particular though, is a land of 'four seasons in one day'! I always recommend a light waterproof jacket and comfortable footwear suitable for short walks in wet or uneven terrain.
A note about tours in April...
Please note that for tours in April, the weather can be more inclement with rain and wind more common. On windier days, the ferry crossings can be choppy, and occasionally poor weather conditions can lead to ferry delays and cancellations. I may adapt the daily itineraries with earlier or later starts and finishes to suit weather and travel conditions and attraction opening and closing times. Nearly all of the itinerary is still accessible during April – and on tours where an itinerary attraction is unavailable to explore we visit alternative locations.
How far in advance should I book the tour?
I recommend booking this tour as early as possible. Lerwick has a limited number of hotels and B&Bs, and accommodation often fills up 9 to 12 months in advance. Securing your tour dates and your accommodation early ensures you get the widest choice of rooms. Additionally, the overnight ferry sailings have a limited number of private cabins, which tend to sell out far ahead of the departure date.
How do I enquire about the tour?
The first step is simply to email me directly at info@thehebrideanexplorer.com with your ideal travel dates. I will then reply with availability and a detailed tour quotation (with absolutely no obligation to proceed at this stage) — I usually reply to enquiries within 24 hours.