The Orkney Isles
The Orkney Islands are home to a unique and special blend of abundant wildlife and globally important historical sites. Making the best of the long summer days, this week will give you the opportunity to learn about and experience both the natural and human history of this northern archipelago.
The largest of the Orkney isles is known as ‘Mainland’, on which the town of Kirkwall will be our base for the week. Situated just north of the famous Scapa Flow, we will be well placed to access most of Mainland within a half-hour drive. The fertile lowlands of Mainland are home to abundant breeding waders including snipe, curlew, redshank, lapwing and oystercatchers, as well as the endemic Orkney vole. The latter, known locally as ‘cuttacks’ provide food for Orkney’s resident hen harriers and short-eared owls, which breed on the heathery moorlands. We will look for these species at sites such as RSPB Birsay Moors, which is also home to breeding red-throated divers, Arctic and great skuas, dunlin and golden plover. We will explore beautiful clifftop grasslands, home to rare great yellow bumblebees and a plethora of wildflowers including eyebrights, spring squill and the endemic Scottish primrose.
Seabird colonies are scattered around the coasts of Orkney and will be at their busiest in June. Orkney Isles are home to gannets, puffins, razorbills, guillemots, kittiwakes and fulmars. Any time we find ourselves by the coast we will be on the lookout for cetaceans, grey and harbour seals, otters, little and Arctic terns.
Most walks over the course of the week will be no more than 5km (3 miles).
Further information on places to visit and the itinerary will be published soon.
West Mainland is home to a series of UNESCO world heritage sites termed ‘the Heart of Neolithic Orkney’. We will be spending lots of time in this area, taking in the incredible Ring of Brodgar and a guided tour of Maes Howe, Orkney’s largest neolithic chambered tomb.
This price is fully inclusive of accommodation and all food. Accommodation will be at a hotel on the seafront in Kirkwall, all rooms are double or twin and en-suite.
It also includes Friday dinner at Aigas and a hotel stay in Beauly, as well as travel to Orkney including all ferry crossings. A collection from Inverness will be organised. Group will gather for dinner on Friday, before travelling in an Aigas minibus to the islands on the morning of Saturday. The return back to Inverness is expected in the afternoon of the following Saturday.
If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact the office: info@aigas.co.uk
