Early Bird Discounts -17 Day Scotland Island Hopping Spectacular
7th November 2024
Here at Best Value Tours, we are delighted to recommend great Scotland tours and today we feature new to 17 Day – Scotland Island Hopping Spectacular | Best Value Tours
Full details below, but first some brief history of the most ancient Skara Brae in the Orkneys.
The stone-built Neolithic settlement of Skara Brae is situated on the west coast of Mainland, the main island in the Orkney archipelago of Scotland, in the parish of Sandwick, on the Bay of Skaill. Ten flagstone homes with stone hearths, beds, and cabinets were clustered in earthen dams to support the walls.A rudimentary sewer system with “toilets” and drains in each house flushed waste into a drain and out to the ocean.
The site is Europe’s most complete Neolithic settlement, occupied from 3180 to 2500 BC. Skara Brae is one of four UNESCO World Heritage Sites in “The Heart of Neolithic Orkney”. The “Scottish Pompeii” is older than Stonehenge and the Great Pyramids of Giza and better preserved.
Historic Environment Scotland manages the site with Orkney Islands Council, Nature Scot, and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds. Most of the year, visitors are welcome.
Uncovered by a storm in 1850, the coastal site may be vulnerable to climate change.
Discovery and early exploration
In winter 1850, a terrible storm devastated Scotland and killed nearly 200 people. A big uneven knoll in the Bay of Skaill was eroded by the storm; Skara Brae is a corruption of Skerrabra or Styerrabrae. Villagers found a settlement of small, roofless cottages after the storm. William Graham Watt, a self-taught geologist and son of the local laird, began an amateur excavation of the site in 1868, but after four dwellings were found, work was abandoned.
A shovel-wielding crew stole an unknown number of antiquities from the site over a weekend in 1913.Another storm blew away part of one house in 1924, prompting the site to be protected and inspected. Edinburgh University’s Professor V. Gordon Childe was hired and visited Skara Brae for the first time in mid-1927.
Re-examined in 2019 were photos of Childe and four ladies at the dig site. The women were thought to be tourists or local women visiting the dig site, but a notation on one of the photos identified them as “4 of [Childe’s] lady students” and suggests they were active participants. They may be Margaret E. B. Simpson, Margaret Mitchell, Mary Kennedy, and Margaret Cole, who Childe mentioned in her Skara Brae monographs.
Eilean Donan Castle – Stunning Scotland
Prices/Book Tour – 17 Day – Scotland Island Hopping Spectacular | Best Value Tours
Description
Departing Edinburgh you will discover the majesty of Mull, Skye, Iona, Orkney and the Outer Hebrides on this 17 day tour with highlight visits to Irelands Distilleries.
Explore the extremes of north-west Europe’s last great wilderness and enjoy eight fantastic west coast islands and the prehistoric beauty and history of the northern Orkney islands, coupled with an escape to the western Isles of Lewis and breath-taking Harris.
Travel through the mountains of Loch Lomond National Park, one of Scotland’s largest lochs to the old busy harbour of town of Oban where you will visit Oban Distillery then board a ferry to the island of Islay.
See Kilchoman Distillery or enjoy a coastal walk to Machair Bay and explore Portnahaven before a visit to Bowmore Distillery.
Stop in Ardbeg, Laphroaig, Lagavulin and ferry to Kilmartin Glen where you will be able to see the amazing stone circle of 350 prehistoric monuments and visit the community museum.
Enjoy an island adventure and board a ferry the dramatic coastline of Mull and the tranquillity of Iona then have the option to take a small boat to the island of Staffa.
Travel past Appin, Glencoe and Fort William which nestles in the shadows of the great Ben Nevis mountain to the popular fishing village of Plockton.
On the island of Skye explore the 13th century Dunvegan Castle, the lighthouse at Neist Point and the famous Eilean Donan Castle used in the film “Highlander”.
See views of Loch Duich and maybe spot “Nessie” on the banks of Loch Ness then travel the Great Glen passing Urquhart castle.
Sail the viking waters to Kirkwall, Capital of Orkney and stop in the town of Ullapool where you can board a local boat and cruise the summer Isles or walk to Claypool hill and enjoy views of Loch Broom.
Visit the fine beaches of Stornoway, the main town on Lewis and capital of the Outer Hebrides then travel from Lewis to the mountainous island of Harris , famous for its locally produced Harris tweed.
Prices/Book Tour – 17 Day – Scotland Island Hopping Spectacular | Best Value Tours
Tour Highlights
Important Information
Discounts for students, seniors over 60, and children between 5 and 15 (unfortunately, we don’t carry children under 5 years old).
Pack your waterproof clothing and walking shoes.
One 15 kilogram bag per person.
Tour Inclusions
Transport in a 16 seat Mercedes mini-coach.
Air conditioning as standard.
The stories and services of a driver-guide.
Departure Information
Departs 08.30am – Edinburgh Bus Station, St Andrew Square, Edinburgh, EH1 3DQ.
Returns approx. 7pm
Accommodation
We try to reserve accommodation that’s no more than a 20-minute walk from the town centre.
We regularly check our accommodation suppliers to ensure they reach a certain standard.
The prices below are for guidance only.
B&B (Bed and Breakfast) Standard
The toilet and showering facilities are shared with at least one other room in the house, and the price includes breakfast.
The cost is between £30.00 – £35.00 per person per night.
A single standard is between £35.00 – £60.00 per night.
B&B En/suite
The showering and toilet facilities are private, and breakfast is included in the price.
The expected cost for a room, based on two people sharing, will be between £60.00 – £80.00 per person per night.
The expected cost for a single room will be between £80.00 – £12.00 per night.
Hotels
Hotels have a bar or restaurant and provide evening meals.
Breakfast is included in the price.
The expected cost of Hotel 3* is between £75.00 – £100.00 per person per night.
Hotel 4* is approximately £100.00 – £150.00 per person per night.
Prices/Book Tour – 17 Day – Scotland Island Hopping Spectacular | Best Value Tours
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