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Marwick Head
Tour Directors
Andrew Wilson,
BA, BD, FSAScot
specialist in archaeology and ancient history
Marcus Kohler,
BA
Ecologist and ornithologist who works in the UK, South East Asia, Australasia and Africa and has led wildlife tours across the world
Itinerary
Day
1
Check in to the Ferry Inn and annexes, Stromness, for seven nights. Tour assembles 1830 at the hotel. Evening lecture: Neolithic Orkney.
Day
2
Whole day tour of Neolithic Orkney: Stones of Stenness (3rd millennium BC Neolithic stone circle), Ring of Brodgar (ceremonial stone circle and RSPB nature reserve), Skara Brae (Neolithic village), Unstan Chambered Cairn, Maeshowe (Neolithic chambered cairn tomb). Evening lecture: Island Wildlife.
Day
3
Kirkwall for 17th century St Magnus Cathedral (begun in 1137), Earl’s Palace, Bishop’s Palace (dating from 12th century). Afternoon: Orphir Round Church, Stromness (Museum, Pier Arts Centre, Scapa Flow) and Yesnaby (Orcadian geology).
Day
4
Morning lecture: Viking Orkney. Rennibister Earth House, followed by ferry from Tingwall to small island of Rousay: Taversoe Tuick and Blackhammer (chambered tombs), optional visit to Knowe of Yarso (cairn). Afternoon: Midhowe Broch and Midhowe Cairn.
Day
5
Marwick Head (seabird colonies and Kitchener Memorial), Kirbuster Farm Museum, Iron Age Broch of Gurness, view of Earl’s Palace and Brough of Birsay (Pictish/Norse village). Return via Hillside to look for birds of prey.
Day
6
By ferry to Westray (Noltland Castle, St Mary’s Church) and tiny island of Papa Westray: Knap of Howar (earliest standing house in Europe, possible guillemots and Arctic terns).
Day
7
South Ronaldsay: Churchill Barriers (series of causeways), Italian Chapel (beautiful chapel created by Italian POWs), Isbister Chambered Cairn (‘Tomb of the Eagles’), St Margaret’s Hope, coastal walk to Deerness (early Christian/Viking promontory site).
Day
8
Tour disperses after breakfast.
Tour Dates
13 Jul — 20 Jul 2021
Days
8
Cost
£2095
Tour Code
ORK2-21
Gallery
our photos
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Testimonial
"Andrew and Peter gave us such detailed but wholly accessible information. They invited a dialogue throughout between us all and kept the tone light, amusing and entertaining."
ACE customer on a previous Wild & Ancient Orkney tour
FITNESS / PRACTICALITIES
Some sites require walking on rough, often boggy ground, and access to some cairns can be challenging. Participants should therefore have a good level of overall fitness.
FLIGHTS
Travel to and from Orkney is not included in the cost of this tour. Advice can be provided on travelling by ship and air – please contact the ACE office for further information.
Cost of £2095 includes: accommodation based on sharing a twin or double bedded room, breakfast, dinner with water & coffee, excursions & admissions, gratuities.
Not included: return travel, travel insurance, double room for single use supplement £295.