Highlights of Orkney

Discover Neolithic monuments spread across the landscape of the islands

5 Days From $1,990pp Departing Aug ‘21 & Jul ‘22 Activity Level

Our tour includes visits to the four monuments that make up the heart of Neolithic Orkney and these are are unquestionably some of the most important in Europe - the 5,000-year-old village of Skara Brae, the giant chambered grave of Maeshowe, the atmospheric Ring of Brodgar stone circle and the Standing Stones of Stenness.

Tour Highlights

• Admire the megalithic Standing Stones of Stenness and discover the enigmatic Ring of

Brodgar • Explore the Stone Age mausoleum of Maeshowe, whose internal walls were later graffitied by Vikings • Climb into the Tomb of the Eagles at Isbister, a stalled cairn built before 3000 BC

Day One | Kirkwall We meet at our hotel in Kirkwall for an introductory lecture and group dinner. Day Two | Skara Brae & Gurness Broch We start our explorations on the island at Skara Brae, the amazingly wellpreserved Neolithic village occupied for over 600 years. Eight stone dwellings survive and their interior fittings give a glimpse of life as it was in Neolithic Orkney. After lunch, we visit the Brough of Birsay, a small island that can be reached on foot by causeway at low tide. Birsay has been settled continuously since Neolithic times and was once a center of Viking power. We end the day at Gurness Broch, where we explore the remains of the 8-meter tower. Day Three | Scapa Flow & Kirkwall Driving south we cross Scapa Flow, where 52 German warships were scuttled just one week before the Peace Treaty was signed, ending WW1. We continue to the Italian Chapel, which was erected by Italian prisoners of war during WWII and constructed from Nissen huts yet highly decorated within. Our morning ends at the Tomb of the Eagles on a clifftop at Isbister, South Ronaldsay. Returning to Kirkwall in the afternoon, we spend time in town visiting the Orkney Museum, St. Magnus’ Cathedral and also the Bishop’s Palace. Day Four | Maeshowe & Ring of Brodgar Today we explore Stenness in Orkney’s West Mainland, an area home to some of the best-known ancient monuments. We start at Maeshowe, the largest and most impressive of Orkney’s chambered cairns. After, we visit the Standing Stones of Stenness and the Ring of Brodgar, two stone circles – henge monuments – each occupying an opposing promontory between lochs. With seasonal excavations underway we will also visit the Ness of Brodgar, where, for over a decade, archaeological excavations have uncovered an astonishing array of Neolithic structures including monumental buildings and hundreds of examples of prehistoric artwork. Day Five | Kirkwall Today we depart Kirkwall and make our independent onwards journeys.

Guided by Caroline Wickham-Jones

Join Caroline in Scotland on our 21st August ’21 departure. Guided by Peter Yeoman

Join Peter in Scotland on our 8th July and 28th July ‘22 departures.

Price includes

• Expert Guide Lecturer & Professional Tour Manager • Entries to all sites as per the itinerary • All taxes & gratuities Included travel

• All local transport Accommodation

• Accommodation at the Kirkwall Hotel (28th Jul - 1st

Aug ‘22 departure) and the Lynnfield Hotel (21st - 25th

Aug ‘21 & 8th - 12th Jul ‘22 departures) Culinary inclusions

• 4 breakfasts, 3 lunches & 4 dinners • Water with all meals, wine & tea or coffee with dinner

Dates & prices per person

Date Twin/Dbl Share SS 21st - 25th Aug ‘21 $1,990 $430 8th - 12th Jul ’22 $2,235 $495

28th Jul - 1st Aug ‘22 $2,205 $315