Banner Orkney and Shetland-3.jpg

Orkney & Shetland Walking Holiday – Wild Coastlines & Island History

A sociable small-group walking holiday exploring the remote islands of Orkney and Shetland. Expect dramatic coastal scenery, ancient archaeology, sea cliffs, wildlife, island ferries and guided walks through some of the most fascinating landscapes in the UK.

Trip Overview

  • Location: Scotland

  • Duration: 8 nights

  • Group Size: Max 8 (small group)

  • Style: Sociable walking break

 

Walking Grade: Leisurely

Steady-paced, sociable walking with manageable distances and varied terrain, with time to stop and enjoy the surroundings.

Typical Distance: Around 6–10 miles per day
With plenty of time for breaks and photos at a relaxed pace,

 

  • Accommodation: Hostel/Ferry

  • Room Type: Shared same-sex dorms / cabins

  • Transport: Car-free

  • Meals: Breakfasts provided in the hostels (ferry breakfasts not included). Lunches can be picked up whilst out during the day, and evening meals will usually be organised as sociable group meals in local pubs, cafés or restaurants.

  • Price: From £??? per person

Check Dates & Book Your Place

Select a date to view availability, room options and prices, and book your place to join Large Outdoors.

Dates & Availability

We run this trip on selected dates throughout the year.

Upcoming dates:

  • Saturday 3 - Sunday 11 July 2027

Simply select your preferred date in the booking box to check availability and book.

 
Banner Orkney and Shetland-2.jpg

A Good Fit for You If…

  • Coastal walking and island scenery

  • History, archaeology and Viking heritage

  • Ferry journeys and travelling slowly through remote places

  • Wildlife watching and sea bird spotting

  • Sociable small-group travel

  • Flexible itineraries shaped around weather and local conditions

 

Probably not for you if…

  • Mountain walking or strenuous hiking days

  • Luxury hotel accommodation

  • Late starts and short travel days

  • A rigid itinerary with fixed timings every day

  • Warm weather guarantees — these are northern islands exposed to Atlantic weather

Explore Scotland’s Northern Isles

Orkney and Shetland feel completely different from anywhere else in the UK. Huge skies, powerful seas, Viking heritage, dramatic cliffs and tiny island communities combine to create a brilliant walking adventure.

This guided walking holiday takes you north by ferry from Aberdeen to Orkney before continuing even further north to Shetland. Along the way you’ll explore ancient Neolithic sites, rugged coastlines, hidden beaches, quiet islands and some of the best coastal scenery in Britain.

The pace of this trip is designed around enjoying the experience rather than rushing from place to place. Walks are steady and rewarding, with plenty of time to stop for photographs, wildlife spotting, cafés and soaking up the atmosphere of these remarkable islands.

You’ll be travelling with a small group and an experienced Large Outdoors guide who’ll take care of the planning, transport and logistics throughout the trip.

Banner Orkney and Shetland-4.jpg

Here’s what’s included in your trip:

  • 8 nights accommodation

  • Hostel accommodation on Orkney and Shetland

  • Overnight ferry accommodation on 2 crossings

  • All ferry tickets and island transport during the trip

  • Guided walks and sightseeing throughout

  • Breakfasts on hostel mornings

  • Experienced Large Outdoors guide throughout

  • Small-group experience with maximum 8 participants

 

What’s not included

  • Travel to Aberdeen

  • Evening meals

  • Breakfasts on overnight ferries

  • Packed Lunches

  • Drinks and personal purchases

  • Optional additional activities not listed above

  • Towels and toiletries

  • Travel insurance

Suggested Itinerary

Please note: Ferry schedules, weather and sea conditions can sometimes require itinerary changes or route adjustments.

  • Meet your Large Outdoors guide and fellow travellers in Aberdeen before boarding the ferry north to Orkney.

    Once onboard there’s time to settle in, enjoy dinner, grab a drink and watch the Scottish coastline fade behind us as the adventure begins.

    We arrive into Kirkwall later in the evening before transferring to our accommodation.

    We’ll arrive into Kirkwall late this evening, so it’ll be straight to the hostel for some shut-eye, ready for tomorrow’s explorations!.

  • We spend two full days exploring Orkney’s incredible mix of coastal scenery and ancient history.

    Possible walks and visits include:

    • The Old Man of Hoy

    • Skaill Bay & Birsay coastline

    • Skara Brae

    • The Ring of Brodgar

    • Standing Stones of Stenness

    • Coastal cliffs and sea views across the islands

    Orkney has an extraordinary atmosphere, where ancient archaeology sits beside dramatic sea cliffs and quiet farming communities.

  • We’ll enjoy more time exploring Orkney before boarding the overnight ferry to Shetland later in the day.

    Depending on timings and weather, there may be time to explore Kirkwall, enjoy a short walk or visit local cafés before we continue north.

    Tonight’s accommodation is onboard the ferry.

  • Shetland offers a completely different feel again, with dramatic cliff scenery, scattered islands and a strong maritime culture.

    Walking options may include:

    • Bay of Deepdale

    • Houss Ness

    • St Ninian’s Isle

    • Coastal cliffs and sea arches

    • Remote beaches and headlands

    • Possible island visits to Yell or Unst

    Wildlife sightings can be excellent, particularly for seabirds along the cliffs.

    As always with Large Outdoors trips, your guide will adapt plans throughout the week to make the most of conditions and opportunities.

  • We’ll enjoy one final day exploring Shetland before boarding the overnight ferry back to Aberdeen in the evening.

    This may include another walk, wildlife stops, local history sites or time in Lerwick depending on the weather and group interests.

  • We arrive back into Aberdeen in the morning.

    There’s time for one final breakfast onboard before saying goodbye and heading home after a week exploring some of the UK’s most remote islands.

orkney 1.jpg
orkney 2.jpg
orkney 4.jpg
Orkney-Ad-1.jpg

Wildlife & Island Landscapes

Both Orkney and Shetland are fantastic for wildlife and coastal scenery.

Depending on the season and conditions, you may spot:

  • Puffins and other seabirds

  • Seals along rocky shores

  • Otters

  • Gannets and guillemots

  • Whales or dolphins from ferries

  • Huge colonies of nesting birds along cliffs

The landscapes constantly change too, from rolling green farmland and ancient monuments in Orkney to the rugged cliffs and wild coastlines of Shetland.

shetland12.jpg
shetland.jpg
shetland1.jpg
IMG_2138.jpg

Check Dates & Book Your Place

Select a date to view availability, room options and prices, and book your place to join Large Outdoors.

Dates & Availability

We run this trip on selected dates throughout the year.

Upcoming dates:

  • Saturday 3 - Sunday 11 July 2027

Simply select your preferred date in the booking box to check availability and book.

 

Getting There & Accommodation

Here’s everything you need to know about getting there and where you’ll be staying.

  • Meeting Location – Aberdeen

    We meet in the car park at:

    Union Square Shopping Centre
    148 Market Street
    Aberdeen
    AB11 5PP

    Meeting Time

    Please arrive for 14:30.

    We’ll then head together to the ferry terminal for the evening crossing to Orkney.

    Return to Aberdeen

    We aim to return to Aberdeen between 07:00–09:00 on Day 9, although ferry crossings and traffic delays can occasionally affect timings, so please keep onward travel flexible.

  • This trip combines hostel stays with overnight ferry crossings, all included within the trip cost.

    Hostel Accommodation

    We’ll stay in friendly hostel accommodation on both Orkney and Shetland, giving us comfortable and practical bases for exploring the islands.

    Hostels are chosen for their welcoming atmosphere, sociable communal areas and excellent locations for getting out walking.

    Room Types

    You can book one of the following options, subject to availability:

    • Bed in a Shared Female Room

    • Bed in a Shared Male Room

    Rooms are shared dormitory-style accommodation, usually with bunk beds and shared bathroom facilities.

    Overnight Ferries

    Part of the adventure of this trip is travelling between islands by ferry.

    Included ferry crossings:

    • Aberdeen to Orkney

    • Orkney to Shetland (overnight)

    • Shetland to Aberdeen (overnight)

    The overnight crossings include either a shared cabin bed or sleeping pod, depending on your chosen booking option.

    All ferries have restaurants, bars and lounges onboard.

You Might Also Like