All inclusive holiday
I am delighted to be once again collaborating with our good friend's at Shetland Nature by offering two week long all inclusive wildlife watching holidays here in Orkney in May and July/August 2026 staying at the Albert hotel in Kirkwall.
The Orkney Nature Experience 2nd-9th May 2026
This is the perfect opportunity to not only see and learn about Orkney's varied flora and fauna but also its incredible archeology and historical sites, taking in Skara Brae, Maeshowe and the Ring of Brodgar.
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Rich in history the ‘Heart of Neolithic Orkney’ is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. With neolithic tribes and later Viking settlement it is no wonder Orkney has more ancient sites than anywhere else in Europe, however our main emphasis will be on Orkney’s natural heritage, spectacular and noisy seabird cities, rare birds of prey, the beautiful sounds of plentiful waders as well as one or two local specialities.
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We will island hop to Hoy to see beautiful red throated diver, green tiger beetles and with some luck white tailed and golden eagles. Hopping north to Westray sees us take in the sights and smells of the dramatic gannet colony at Noup Head and the puffins of the Castle o Burrian.
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We will scan the hills of the Orkney Mainland for hen harrier, merlin and short eared owl whilst keeping an eye on the sea for cetaceans such as orca and risso's dolphin. Orkney is alive with coastal flowers during May and June with carpets of sea pinks, spring squill and the rare Scottish Primrose.
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NEW FOR 2026
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Orkney Islands Walking holiday 25th July - 1st August 2026
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Join native Orcadian and wildlife cameraman Raymond Besant as he explores the wild and wonderful Orkney Islands. With his expertise and local knowledge this unique holiday showcases the very best of the archipelago’s spectacular rich cultural heritage, wildlife and dramatic coastal scenery.
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70 islands make up this stunning group, each with their own identity but we will base ourselves in the capital Kirkwall with the beautiful St Magnus Cathedral its centrepiece. Conveniently situated in the middle of Orkney’s biggest island, Mainland, we will never be more than a 30 minute drive from any of our sites.
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During our week we will visit the remarkably well preserved neolithic village of Skara Brae, the imposing stone circle of the Ring of Brodgar as well as the enigmatic chambered cairn at Maeshowe.
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Walking is a great way to discover Orkney and this tour is designed to take in the best of the isles where history meets nature including some of Raymond’s personal favourite hikes.
Whilst we will walk several beautiful coasts the highlight sees us venture out to the Old Man of Hoy, a towering 449 ft sea stack and surely one of the most impressive coastal views in the UK where numerous fulmars swirl around the towering red sandstone cliffs.
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Throughout the seven walking days we will provide an unsurpassed insight into Orkney’s wildlife, geology, history and archaeology. We take each day at a relaxed pace so there is time for you to discover, explore and learn about our unique landscape and environment at a with a mix of linear and circular routes.
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Please note these holidays are booked through Shetland Nature where I'm your guide for the week.
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To see a detailed itinerary of the week and what is included please follow the links below.
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