Depart Thurso Railway Station by train at 1305hrs, arrive Inverness 1500-1600hrs, in time to connect with onward trains to EDINBURGH and be there by 2000-2030 hrs or GLASGOW by 1935-2015 hrs.
The above "Basic Schedule" gives the times/route used by the majority of our clients on this tour. However it is called "Orkney Adventure" and you are free to pick whatever NorthLink ferry time you wish.
There are connecting buses from Kirkwall for all but the 0630 hrs ferry from Stromness (Kirkwall-Stromness 16 miles).
The NorthLink route is a spectacular journey passing at is does under some of the highest sea cliffs in the British Isles, and giving fine views of the Old Man of Hoy. From late April to late July you can expect to see some hundreds of puffin.
Your rail journey south follows a substantially different
route from the road journey north, and our four pages of rail notes - unique
to Puffin Express - enliven this journey. (If any of the above sounds confusing, we provide you with detailed notes after you book.)
Train times are given for guidance only, you should consult full timetables. More information about return travel from Orkney is given on receiving your booking.
The train journey south from Thurso is not included in the tour price, so this is particularly suitable for travellers who have a rail pass.
Option B. You can also return to Inverness through the interior of Caithness and Sutherland by train, then by bus to the north and west coasts. Going this way you can visit Durness (Smoo Cave); Cape Wrath; Ullapool (thence to the Outer Hebrides) . . . lots of possibilities. Click here for an outline of this.
Our price (given below) for the Orkney Adventure trip includes pick-up with your luggage at accommodation in Inverness; guided trip north; crossing to Orkney with JoG Ferries and coach transfer to Kirkwall (May-September) or Pentland Ferries (outwith these months) to St Margaret's Hope; and return ferry journey from Stromness (Orkney) back to mainland Scotland (Scrabster/Thurso) by NorthLink Ferries. The package price does not include any accommodation or bus from Kirkwall to Stromness to connect with ferry south - £ 2.60.
Please note that this trip is not sold through agents after you arrive in Inverness but only direct by ourselves. Accordingly you are strongly advised to book it in advance.
May to September, this trip uses John o'Groats Ferries north (route # 3 in the map below);
October to April, trip goes north by Pentland Ferries (route # 2 in map below).
All Orkney Adventure trips go south by NorthLink Ferries (route # 1 below) when departing Orkney:
ORKNEY ADVENTURE
- April & October 2011
Orkney Adventure trips are available early and late in the season on the following dates:
12 April
14 April
19 April
21 April
24 April
26 April
28 April
|
4 October
6 October
11 October
13 October
18 October
20 October
|
Itinerary: Day 1 - We pick you up at your accommodation in Inverness about 0830-0920 and then head north following the itinerary described for our John o'Groats tour. You’ll view all the prehistoric sites of the itinerary and most of the scenic features. Late afternoon, leave the Nor'West tour at Gills Bay (west of John o'Groats) and take the Pentland Ferries vessel to St Margaret's Hope in South Ronaldsay - this is route 2 on the map above.
(You normally have > 1 hour waiting time at the Gill's Bay ferry terminal.)
You arrive in St Margaret's Hope about 1930hrs, after the last bus has left
for Kirkwall. Taxi to Kirkwall costs about £ 22. We book this taxi for you if you wish. You can also stay in the 'Hope' for your night of
arrival at the Murray
Arms Hotel and get the first bus up to Kirkwall the next morning. (Please
visit suggested accommodations for a list of
some accommodations in Kirkwall & Stromness.)
Days 2 & 3 are exactly the same as for the May-September itinerary above - click here for details.
Fares
Fares:
