From Kirkwall - Orkney Mainland Private Tour

Highlights

Inclusions

Itinerary

1. A natural harbour located off the coast of Scotland. It is known for its archaeological significance and also for its fascinating war stories. Listen to your guide!!

   1 h

2. Unstan Chambered Cairn was probably built about 5000 years ago as a communal burial place. Unusual example of a stalled cairn, with internal divisions or staills and single side cell

   40 min

3. Four giant megaliths which date back to 3100BC making it one of the oldest stone circles in Britain. Originally there were twelve stones, some standing up to six metres high. Today only four remain.

   20 min

4. Ring of Brodgar is the finest known circular late Neolithic or early Bronze Age stone ring. It is a site of ritual and ceremony and hauntingly beautiful. Get your cameras ready to take some great pictures!!

   40 min

5. Skara Brae is one of the best-preserved stone-built Neolithic settlements. It is one of the most fascinating prehistoric villages, the village is older than the Pyramids and Stonehenge. You will see the circular houses built from slabs of stone where our ancestors lived 5000 years ago. We will also stop at Skaill House, a historic manor house which overlooks the Neolithic site Skara Brae and the spectacular Bay of Skaill.

   2 hAdmission included

6. Our last stop is Italian Chapel: our driver/ tour guide will let you know about the fascinating history of this well-known church on the island

   40 minAdmission included

Cancellation

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts, for a full refund.

Reviews

Ratings come from 63 reviews collected by our booking partner. They are travellers' own words, in the order they were written — never reordered to flatter the experience.

Showing reviews written in English.

• 5Thanks Valeria!

  Prepare for the weather, beautiful views, you get to see a lot of Mainland, a ton of information, great guide, wonderful way to see a lot fast. Thanks Valeria!!

  thom_lOctober 2026via Viator

• 5We loved every minute of...

  We loved every minute of it!!!! Our favorite so far! Request Ron as your driver and you will learn so much and have a magical day!!

  Kerry_MSeptember 2026via Viator

• 5Chris made our Orkney visit very memorable

  Our guide, Chris Matthews, took us around the Orkney Mainland, and to Lamb Holm, to see The Italian Chapel. Chris is extremely knowledgeable, fun & kind. (Also, once he found out I taught a Shakespeare class, he littered our conversation with Shakespeare quotes & references which I got a kick out of). The Italian Chapel was fascinating & a must-see. I went off-itinerary asking to see a croft & upon arrival, he asked the proprietor good questions I’d never thought to ask. This private tour was the highlight of my entire trip. The Orkneys made an impression on me thanks to the intelligence & care of our guide., Chris.

  JuliebondyrobertsJuly 2026via Tripadvisor

• 5Fabulous Tour!

  I arranged for a private tour of Orkney with a pickup from the Kirkwall cruise port for my group I was traveling with. Our tour guide was Michael. He was fantastic. He is extremely knowledgeable about the area and every stop. He relayed the information in an engaging way that everyone in the group enjoyed. We were even able to stop at a live archeology dig we were driving past. As a travel advisor, I would absolutely book this tour for clients. I also would not hesitate to work with with Top Private Tours again, especially in the UK with Pilar making the arrangements.

  W4427PNdianefJuly 2026via Tripadvisor

• 5Fantastic Orkney islands experience

  Fantastic experience combining both history and natural beauty of the island - well worth it!!! Many thanks

  Lawrence_KJuly 2026via Viator

• 5Great excursion

  Ronald took us around to Skara Brae, Ring of Brodgar, Stones of Stenness, the Italian church and the St. Magnus church. He was a wonderful guide explaining how the the island has changed since he was a wee lad growing up in Orkney.

  Brad_BJune 2026via Viator

Know before you go

How it compares in Kirkwall

• Its from-price is 129% above the median of the 11 day trips we list in Kirkwall.
• Its length is typical for the group.
• By number of reviews it ranks 1 of 11.
• The operator lists free cancellation on it.

About Kirkwall

Kirkwall is the main town of Orkney, with a twelfth-century cathedral of red sandstone, ruined palaces, a working harbour and Neolithic sites close by.

Kirkwall is the capital of Orkney, on the largest island, the Mainland, facing a sheltered bay. Its centrepiece is St Magnus Cathedral, built of red and yellow sandstone and begun in 1137 by Earl Rognvald in honour of his uncle Magnus, with the ruined Bishop's and Earl's palaces beside it. Narrow flagstoned streets lined with grey stone shops run along the harbour, and the Orkney Museum occupies a sixteenth-century town house.

Top-ranked sights in Kirkwall: Ring of Brodgar, Italian Chapel, Scapa Flow.

See all 18 experiences in Kirkwall