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- Immersive Orkney
- Spiritual Orkney
- Orkney Nature
- Wild Orkney Walks
- How to choose the right Orkney guide
- Frequently asked questions
- Do I need a guide to see Skara Brae and the Ring of Brodgar?
- What is an STGA green badge guide?
- How much does a private Orkney tour cost?
- Can I do an Orkney tour from a cruise ship in Kirkwall?
- Are there guides who specialise in wildlife or photography?
- Pair your tour with somewhere to stay
Orkney rewards a good guide more than almost anywhere in Britain. The Heart of Neolithic Orkney is older than Stonehenge and the pyramids, the wartime story of Scapa Flow is written across the islands, and the wildlife — orcas, puffins, hen harriers — needs a local eye to find. A driver-guide who grew up here will show you in a day what would take you a week to piece together alone.
Every guide below is a genuine, Orkney-based operator we verified against their own website and live traveller reviews in 2026 — and we say, in plain terms, who each one is best for. Several hold the Scottish Tourist Guides Association (STGA) green badge, the recognised mark of a professionally trained Scottish guide. Use the filters to narrow by interest. The operator links are independent recommendations, not paid placements; where a tour can also be booked through Viator or GetYourGuide, we’ve said so.
Our top pick · private heritageTour Orkney
“Ciaran has a gift for storytelling — he brings Orkney’s history to life.”— Traveller review
Private minibus tours led by Ciaran, a Neolithic and Norse specialist featured on National Geographic and in The Times.
Best for military & wartimeOrkney Uncovered
A Kirkwall family business since 2011, specialising in Scapa Flow, the Churchill Barriers and the Italian Chapel, plus deep-dive Neolithic days.
Best for a touch of luxuryGoOrkney
“All the places Go Orkney suggested revealed the charm and majesty of the islands.”— Sir Ian McKellen
Native Orcadian and STGA-accredited guide Gordon Deans runs premium tours from a luxury Mercedes V-Class, weaving in Neolithic sites and whisky.
Best family-run small-groupSee Orkney
“The best day we have spent in Scotland.”— TripAdvisor review
A mother-and-daughter team of STGA green-badge guides offering personalised tours of the Heart of Neolithic Orkney and the islands’ wartime history.
Best seasoned local guideGreat Orkney Tours
“The best tour of our 16-day trip — highly recommend!”— TripAdvisor review
Lifelong Orcadian Jean Ross has held the STGA green badge since 2008, with tailored tours across archaeology, Viking heritage and wildlife.
Best for first-time highlightsOrkney Travel
“So much information at each stop — a phenomenal day.”— Visitor review
Small-group minibus tours to Skara Brae, the Ring of Brodgar and St Magnus Cathedral, plus a daily Kirkwall walking tour. Also on Viator.
Best for Neolithic depthLizzie’s Orkney Tours
Lifelong Orcadian and STGA green-badge guide Lizzie Linklater leads intimate tours focused on the Neolithic World Heritage sites.
Best eco-friendly tourOrkney Odyssey
Sustainable private tours in a fully electric van, with ten themed itineraries spanning Scapa Flow, renewable energy, Neolithic Orkney and Viking history.
Best for culture & foodImmersive Orkney
STGA green-badge guide Lorraine Johnston pairs visitors with Orkney’s artisans, storytellers and food producers for curated, small-group days.
Best for folklore & sacred sitesSpiritual Orkney
A Harray-based partnership guiding Orkney’s prehistoric and Norse sites through a folkloric, spiritual lens, with bespoke itineraries.
Best for wildlife & photographyOrkney Nature
Orcadian wildlife cameraman Raymond Besant — credits include the BBC and Frozen Planet II — leads bespoke wildlife days and one-to-one photography tuition.
Best for guided wildlife walksWild Orkney Walks
Intimate guided walks into Orkney’s quieter corners with Megan, a former VisitScotland and RSPB hand, seeking out eagles, otters, seals and wildflowers.
How to choose the right Orkney guide
Private or small-group? A private tour flexes around your interests and pace; a small-group minibus tour costs less per head and is a sociable way to see the highlights. Most guides above offer both.
Look for the STGA green badge if accreditation matters to you — it means formal training in Scottish history and guiding. That said, several superb Orkney guides (wildlife specialists especially) build their reputation on lived expertise rather than the badge.
Match the guide to your interest. Neolithic archaeology, WWI/WWII naval history, wildlife and photography, or food and culture are all distinct specialisms here — the right fit turns a good day into a memorable one.
Book ahead in summer. The best guides fill up fast from June to August, and on cruise-ship days. Spring and early autumn are quieter and often the guides’ own favourite seasons.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a guide to see Skara Brae and the Ring of Brodgar?
No — the main Neolithic sites are open to independent visitors, and the Ring of Brodgar and Standing Stones of Stenness are free to walk around. But a guide adds the context, access tips and stories the sites themselves don’t, and saves you driving and parking logistics across a busy day.
What is an STGA green badge guide?
The green badge is awarded by the Scottish Tourist Guides Association to guides who have completed formal training and assessment in Scottish history, culture and guiding. It’s the recognised professional standard for guiding in Scotland, including Orkney.
How much does a private Orkney tour cost?
It varies widely: small-group seats start around £89–£125 per person, while private day tours are typically a few hundred pounds for the vehicle, and specialist photography or multi-day experiences cost more. Always confirm directly with the guide, as rates depend on season, group size and itinerary.
Can I do an Orkney tour from a cruise ship in Kirkwall?
Yes — several guides above run shore excursions timed to cruise calls at Kirkwall and Hatston. Book early, as cruise days are the busiest of the year for local guides.
Are there guides who specialise in wildlife or photography?
Yes — Orkney Nature and Wild Orkney Walks focus on wildlife and nature, with Orkney Nature also offering one-to-one photography tuition from a working wildlife cameraman.
Pair your tour with somewhere to stay
Most guides pick up from Kirkwall and Stromness, so basing yourself in either keeps your days simple. Browse places to stay in Kirkwall or see the full range of Orkney accommodation to build your trip around the tours you’ve chosen.
