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The Call

Orkney is a group of islands off the north coast of Scotland, and was a major cultural centre 5,000 years ago. A vibrant trade route existed between Northern Africa and Scandinavia; a route that brought a vibrant new culture to the British Islands before Stonehenge or Newgrange existed. Join us to explore this exciting new history and experience truly remarkable sacred sites in a natural setting with big open skies and the ocean never far away. All our previous tour guests have been blown away by what Orkney has to offer!

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The Journey

The largest island (confusingly called Mainland!) is a small island with a big history! Recent discoveries at the Ness of Brodgar have led to a total rethinking of the Neolithic history of Britain; ideas that we’ll share on this special adventure. Orkney, also known as the Orkney Isles, has some of the best examples of Neolithic structures in Britain. Eight main historical and sacred sites on Orkney are part of a World Heritage Site, and we will visit them all! At each site you’ll hear about the theories and history, have the opportunity to dowse for the energies present, be guided in a meditation, and have time to explore the sites at your own pace.

• The Ring of Brodgar and the Stones of Stenness are two awe-inspiring large stone circles set within henges, in fact, Stenness may be the oldest henge in Britain. Did they have an astronomical purpose? 

• Maeshowe is a Neolithic chambered cairn of superb construction that we will be able to enter with a local guide

• Skara Brae is a remarkably well-preserved Neolithic settlement in a stunning and dramatic location by the sea. Nearby is Skaill House, a 400-year-old manor house still furnished as the Laird of Breckness left it. 

• We'll go down into the Rennibister Earth House that is remarkably well preserved, and who knows, we may even meet the cat who spends a lot of time in there! 

• We'll also visit the Italian Chapel, an atmospheric place of worship built by Italian prisoners of war during the Second World War. Built with love and dedication, it is a very moving testament to the power of love over war! 

• We'll also have time to visit the active Kirkwall Cathedral and the neighbouring ruins of the Bishop's and Earl's Palaces.

• And for those who love to explore beautiful craft, jewellery and woollen shops, we’ll have time to explore the colourful towns of Kirkwall and Stromness, the two largest towns in the Orkney Isles. The shops that you’ll find in these historic harbour towns rival any fine shops in major cities, but with an authentic local flair!

 

Being a small island, travel to all of the sites is easy, and journeys are short.

A flight from Glasgow is included in the tour price.

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Price Includes

• Return flight Glasgow - Kirkwall

• 4 nights hotel accommodation in Orkney

• 1 night's accommodation in Paisley

• 5 breakfasts & 3 evening meals

• All land transportation

• Admission to Rennibister Earth House, Maeshowe, the Ring of Brodgar, The Stones of Stenness, Skara Bray, Skaill House, Italian Chapel 

 

Tour Leader

Cameron Broughton

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Itinerary

 

Day 1 – Thurs, Sept 10th 

The group flies to Kirkwall, Mainland Orkney from Glasgow International Airport (included). After arriving, we will check into our hotel in Kirkwall 

Dinner at the hotel (included)

 

Day 2 – Fri, Sept 11th

Today, we start our pilgrimage of this sacred landscape, visiting the Stones of Stennes and the Ring of Brodgar, Neolithic temples whose location and orientation made them perfect astronomical observatories. On our previous visit, we detected strong energy currents connecting all these sites within the landscape. In between them is the now-closed excavation at the Ness of Brodgar that is rewriting the Neolithic history of Britain. All these sites and Maeshowe are intervisible from one another.

After lunch at the Skara Brae Visitor Centre Cafe, we visit the ancient Neolithic village of Skara Brae by the shore of the Bay of Skaill. This village is believed to have been inhabited for about 600 years, sometime between 3200BC and 2200BC. We will explore the site and see how developed our ancestors were, with the architecture still preserved on site today. 

Next to Skara Brae is the 400-year-old Skaill House, home to the Lairds of Breckness, which is today preserved as it was lived in with many historical treasures. We’ll have time to explore the house and its gift shop.

Free-choice dinner (not included)

 

Day 3 – Sat, Sept 12th 

This morning is left open for the group to decide together which of the many other sacred places on Orkney to visit! Being a small group and having our own vehicle gives us the opportunity for some flexibility!

After lunch, we will have a guided tour of the impressive Maeshowe chambered cairn. The internal chamber is considered to be the best Neolithic tomb in all of Northwest Europe, over 5000 years old. The chamber is aligned with the midwinter solstice as the rising sun enters its passageway at this important time of year. Upon entering, you’ll be in awe of the amazing stonework as well as the later twelfth-century Viking graffiti! 

Finally, we explore the Rennibister Earth House, which is believed to be around 3000 years old, rediscovered in 1926 by a farmer in his farmyard. Was it a habitation, a storage place, or an underground initiation chamber? You can decide for yourself. 

Free-choice dinner in Kirkwall  (not included in tour price)

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Day 4 - Sun, Sept 13th 

Today we'll visit the Italian Chapel, a remarkable testament to the power of love over war. This labour of love was designed and constructed by Italian prisoners of war during World War II and still has a powerfully emotional effect on visitors.  Following our morning, we go to the Sheila Fleet Kirk Gallery and Café, for a sumptuous lunch (not included in the tour price) in a stunning location. After lunch, you will have time to visit the gallery and maybe even make some last-minute purchases! 

This afternoon is free for you to explore Kirkwall, including its fine museum, St Magnus Cathedral, the Bishop's Palace, and the Earl's Palace; or you may prefer to shop in the unique local artisan stores or discover the harbour area. 

St Magnus Cathedral is a fine example of Romanesque architecture, started in the twelfth century and still an active place of worship today. 

The neighbouring Bishop's Palace, constructed at the same time, is now an atmospheric ruin with a tower from which you can look down over the cathedral and the town. 

The seventeenth-century Earl's Palace, also now a ruin, is adjacent to both. 

Farewell dinner at our hotel (included)

 

Day 5 – Mon, Sept 14th 

This morning, we will catch a flight back to Glasgow International Airport and overnight in Paisley to meet the group for the Sacred Scotland & Holy Isles Tour. You will have time to visit the active Paisley Abbey, just down the street from our hotel.

Dinner at the hotel  (included)

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Day 6 – Tues, Sept 15th

This morning we will meet our the rest of the group for the Sacred Scotland & Holy Isles tour at Glasgow International Airport..