Orkney: Skara Brae & Italian Chapel Private Tour 5-6 Hours

What's Left Standing in Orkney After 5,000 Years

You get a private driver and vehicle for 5-6 hours covering Orkney's main Neolithic sites, coastal scenery, and wartime history in one loop. Transport, water, and expert commentary are included. You choose the pace within the time frame and can request changes before you book.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Skara Brae1h
2. Ring of Brodgar30m
3. Standing Stones of Stenness15m
4. Italian Chapel20m
5. Scapa Flowpassing by

Orkney main archaeological and coastal sites

• Tour Skara Brae
• Visit Ring of Brodgar
• See Stones of Stenness
• Visit Italian Chapel
• View Yesnaby cliffs
• Drive past Scapa Flow harbour

The experience

What would you actually see if you had only one afternoon in Orkney? The question matters if you're on a cruise stopover or a tight day trip, because the islands pack more archaeology into a few square miles than most regions manage in centuries. This private tour runs 5-6 hours and takes up to eight passengers through the Heart of Neolithic Orkney (Skara Brae, the Ring of Brodgar, the Standing Stones of Stenness), then swings coastal to the Italian Chapel and the cliffs at Yesnaby, with a stop overlooking Scapa Flow, where the British Navy anchored during both world wars. You're not rushing. You're moving with purpose, and the driver provides commentary on local customs and the landscape as you go.

Skara Brae comes first: a 5,000-year-old settlement so intact you can walk between the stone houses and see where people cooked, slept, and stored things. The Ring of Brodgar is next, a circle of standing stones on a narrow isthmus between two lochs, and then the Stones of Stenness, older still and somehow more austere. After that the tour turns toward the coast. Yesnaby's cliffs drop hard into the sea, and the light changes everything depending on the hour. Then you're at the Italian Chapel, a small stone building painted in bright colors: built by Italian prisoners of war during the Second World War, and it's still there, still vivid, still a bit of a shock in the Orkney landscape.

The last part of the tour is Scapa Flow itself, the natural harbor that made Orkney strategically crucial. You don't land on the water. You view it from the shore, but the driver explains what happened there: the naval history, the wrecks, the reason the islands mattered so much. The whole thing is customizable if you want to linger longer at one site or skip another, and the vehicle includes bottled water for the drive. Groups larger than eight need a separate quote.

What’s included

• Your tour includes private vehicle transportation for up to 8 passengers, bottled water throughout the day, and driver commentary on Orkney's archaeology, local traditions, and wartime history.
• You'll visit Skara Brae, the Ring of Brodgar, the Standing Stones of Stenness, the Italian Chapel, Yesnaby's coastal cliffs, and Scapa Flow.
• The itinerary is customizable.
• Let the operator know if you want to adjust stops or timing before you confirm.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day19 departure times: the first at 08:00, the last at 12:30

Book up to1d before

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 4 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Moderate physical effortInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Orkney Travel

Is this one for you?Book this if you're on a cruise or day trip and want to see Orkney's main archaeological sites without arranging separate transport and entry logistics. The fixed 5-6 hour window is what makes it possible to cover the island's highlights in one afternoon.

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Top questions

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

How long is the Orkney tour?

5-6 hours total, including all stops and driving time.

What's included in the tour?

Private transportation, bottled water, and driver commentary on local history and customs. Entry fees to attractions are not mentioned as included. Confirm with the operator.

How many people can go?

Up to 8 passengers per vehicle. Larger groups need a separate quote.

Is this good for cruise passengers?

Yes, it's designed for day trips and cruise stopovers. Confirm your ship's return time when booking so the tour fits your schedule.

Can I customize the tour?

Yes, the tour is fully customizable. Contact the operator with specific requests before booking.

What are the main stops?

Skara Brae (Neolithic settlement), Ring of Brodgar, Standing Stones of Stenness, Italian Chapel, Yesnaby cliffs, and Scapa Flow viewpoint.

Do I need to be very fit?

Moderate physical fitness is recommended. Most stops involve walking on uneven ground and exposure to weather.

Is there parking or accessibility for wheelchairs?

The tour involves walking at archaeological sites. Contact the operator about specific accessibility needs.