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Overview
United Kingdom | Orkney, Edinburgh, Avebury, Salisbury, London | 9 Days, 8 Nights
In Neolithic times (at around 3200 BC) what is interpreted as the first farming village in the UK, Skara Brae, appeared on Orkney Island in Northern Scotland. Researchers do not know with certainty who first populated the island, or why they felt compelled, over a span of six centuries, to construct the first known series of megalithic sites in the UK. My controversial 2016 book The Mystery of Skara Brae presents what is perhaps the first explicit theory as to who these people were and what they were doing on Orkney, hundreds of years before the appearance of dynastic kingship in Egypt.
The concept for the tour is to enjoy a few days on Orkney Island, along with a group of 12 to 20 participants. Our plan for the first evening is to set the stage with a presentation about my book, to familiarize the group with the major sites, before we actually visit them. Over the next three days, we will visit a number of scenic sites on the island including the Skara Brae village itself, the Watchstone of Stenness, two ancient stone circles known as the Standing Stones of Stenness and the Ring of Brodgar, and a famous ancient chambered cairn called Maes Howe. We’ll also make time to explore the scenic town of Kirkwall, situated only a short drive from the ancient sites.
From Orkney, we will travel back to Edinburgh overnight, and then on to London, to visit sites west of London. This will include tours of megalithic stone circles of Avebury and Stonehenge conducted by author and dowser Maria Wheatley, which many researchers believe relate ancestrally to the Orkney Island tradition.
The trip will close with a morning of exploration at the British Museum in London, and then with an afternoon overview tour of London for those who wish to take it.
Price: $3595 Sharing
Single $595 Additional -
Flight Details
Arriving Orkney;
- We recommend arriving Edinburgh no later than 11.00am. Then take the 12.50pm flight direct to Kirkwall on Orkney.
Departing London;
- We will transfer to Heathrow in plenty of time for flights departing between 1pm and 4pm.
Please call 800-832-1848 or email [email protected] for help and advice on booking air arrangements.
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Itinerary
Day 1
Depart U.S. on your overnight flight to Edinburgh, then onward to Orkney.
Day 2
Arrive Orkney where you will be met by private driver for a transfer to your hotel for a 4-night stay. Free time this afternoon to relax after your journey or explore at leisure.
We will have an early welcome dinner at our hotel this evening followed by a presentation; The Mystery of Skara Brae, by Laird Scranton. (D)*
*B = Breakfast; L = Lunch; D = DinnerDay 3
After a hearty breakfast this morning we meet our driver & guide, then depart to visit Skara Brae and Skaill House. We will tour the Neolithic village of Skara Brae which is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Skaill House is a Laird’s House (Scottish Lord) dating back to 1650. We will enjoy lunch at Skara Brae.
After lunch, tides permitting, we will visit the site of the first Viking settlement on Orkney, the Brough of Birsay. Afterwards we continue our afternoon adventure with a visit to the Broch of Gurness, an Iron Age fortified house by the beautiful Aikerness beach on Eynhallow Sound. We return to the hotel and have some free time to relax before dinner. (B,L,D)
Day 4
This morning we meet our guide at the hotel for a walk to the center of Kirkwall, learning the history of the town as we go. First we will visit St. Magnus Cathedral, founded in 1137, a good example of Romanesque architecture, followed by a tour of the Bishops Palace, a medieval structure built for the first Bishop of the Cathedral. Keeping with the palace theme we stop to see the Earl’s Palace which is a Renaissance residence of Earl Patrick Stewart, built in 1607.
We enjoy lunch followed by some free time to explore and perhaps do a little shopping. Kirkwall has many craft shops of high quality with local jewelry and produce – or perhaps have a look around the Orkney Museum. After our time in Kirkwall we will tour Maeshowe, a Neolithic Tomb with Viking Runic inscriptions, and part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Returning to the hotel we will have some free time to relax before dinner. (B,L,D)
Day 5
After breakfast we gather in our hotel lobby for a discussion on the days’ activities before heading off with our driver & guide. Today we will tour the Standing Stones of Stenness. These are the first of two stone circles predating Stonehenge in Wiltshire. They are part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. We then tour the Ring of Brodgar and visit the Unstan Chambered Cairn.
Enjoy lunch in Stromness, a picturesque port with historic worldwide connections. After lunch we visit Stromness Museum, a small local museum with fascinating collections relating to the town, as well as Orkney’s Maritime and Natural History. Connections include Hudson’s Bay Company and the sinking of the German Fleet in Scapa Flow in WWI. After the visit we take a short walk through the interesting winding streets of the town. We arrive back at our hotel with free time for some final explorations and shopping before dinner. (B,L,D)
Day 6
After a leisurely breakfast we have a private transfer to the airport for our flight south from Orkney to Edinburgh. On arrival in Edinburgh we transfer to our airport hotel and check in for a 1-night stay.
This afternoon we will have a private guided coach tour of the main historic sites of Edinburgh. We are then free to choose to explore the city for additional sightseeing, shopping and to dine around or return to the hotel with our arranged transport. Dinner on our own this evening. Keep in mind that we have an early flight the following morning. (B)
Day 7
After a light breakfast we check out of our hotel and transfer to the terminal for our flight south to London. On arrival in London we meet our driver and head west to Wiltshire. We arrive in the quaint market town of Marlborough in time for a light early lunch and check in to our hotel for a 2-night stay.
After lunch we travel south with our expert local guide to visit Stonehenge, one of the wonders of the world and the best-known prehistoric monument in Europe. We can visit the world-class exhibition and visitor centre which has 250 ancient objects. In addition to visiting Stonehenge our expert guide will take us to Woodhenge and Woodhenge Barrows, a timber circle monument located in the Stonehenge World Heritage Site, two miles northeast of Stonehenge. We return to Marlborough in time to relax before dinner. (B,L,D)
Day 8
After breakfast this morning enjoy free time to explore the town of Marlborough. We then head off for an exciting guided tour of Avebury and West Kennett. Avebury is a Neolithic henge monument containing three stone circles around the village or Avebury, it is the largest stone circle in Europe. We then continue to Silbury for a light lunch, followed by a visit to West Kennet Long Barrow, a Neolithic tomb or barrow near Silbury Hill.
We return to Marlborough with time to explore and do a little shopping. This evening is free to dine around and visit a pub or two. (B,L)Day 9
We check out of our hotel after breakfast this morning and journey east to the London. On arrival we will visit the British Museum for an exploration of Neolithic United Kingdom and early dynastic Egypt. Lunch on our own at the Museum Café.
After lunch we depart the British Museum with our guide and coach for an afternoon sightseeing tour and overview of London for those who wish to take it. Otherwise you have the afternoon free to sightsee and shop independently. This evening we get together for a farewell dinner at a local restaurant. (B,D)
Day 10
After breakfast this morning we check out of our hotel and take our private transfer to London Heathrow Airport (LHR) for our return flight home. (B)
Until the next adventure, safe travels and be well! -
Inclusions
- Tour led by author Laird Scranton
- 8-nights hotel accommodations with private bath on sharing or single basis
- Breakfast each morning
- Private coach transportation throughout the trip
- Private airport transfers on Orkney and in London
- Local qualified guides in Orkney, Edinburgh, Stonehenge, Avebury & London
- Additional meals included; 6 Dinners and 5 Lunches
- Admissions to all sites on itinerary; Orkney, Stonehenge, Avebury & British Museum
- Presentation Lecture by Laird Scranton on Orkney & many discussions throughout the trip
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Hotels
The Ayre Hotel, Kirkwall, Orkney
The Ayre Hotel is a family run business and one of Orkney’s finest hotels, situated in the principal town of Kirkwall. The hotel has been serving customers for hundreds of years and today the family welcomes business or pleasure customers from near and far. Their mission is to provide a friendly and professional service to make your stay in Orkney as comfortable and enjoyable as possible.
Holiday Inn Express, Edinburgh Airport
Holiday Inn Express® Edinburgh Airport hotel is less than five minutes’ drive from Edinburgh Airport. A modern hotel with complimentary parking, WiFi, breakfast included, and easy access to all of Edinburgh’s attractions.
The Marlborough Hotel, Wiltshire
The Marlborough building itself was built in the 15th Century. While it has had extensive restorations it still holds it’s old world charm. Today, the hotel offers a bar which serves local ales, world wines and cocktails, a restaurant which prides itself on using the best the local produce has to offer and five boutique hotel rooms for accommodation all on the High Street of Marlborough.
Radisson Blu Edwardian Grafton Hotel, London
There’s a charming ambiance to this luxury London hotel that mirrors the spirit of its Tottenham Court Road locale. Perfectly located for the City and the West End, it’s also well situated for hopping on a train to Paris via St. Pancras station. Through the spacious and grand lobby, Steak & Lobster is the heart of the hotel, a bustling bar and restaurant hosting a diverse gathering of people. Rooms, on the other hand, are calm, chic and efficiently planned with restfulness and comfort in mind.
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