5-hour tour of Orkney’s highlights with a distillery tour included
Combine Orkney’s finest single malts with 5,000 years of history on a private Orkney whisky tour from Kirkwall. Either Highland Park or Scapa feature in this exclusive Orkney distillery tour unique to Tour Orkney. Our guide Ciaran has been passionate about whisky since his granny — a distillery guide herself — slipped him a peated dram on his fifth birthday. This tour is a way to share that passion. From windswept stone circles to Viking cathedrals and wartime seascapes, this is the best of Orkney with a splash of Uisge Beatha (the water of life).
What you’ll see - typical route
(If there's any other stops you'd like to include, please add to the booking form)
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Stones of Stenness — one of Europe’s earliest stone circles
Barnhouse Neolithic Settlement — a small lochside village from 3,000 BC
Ring of Brodgar — vast ceremonial stone circle between two lochs
Distillery Visit — Highland Park or Scapa (subject to availability)
Churchill Barriers & Scapa Flow — WWII causeways across a historic harbour
Italian Chapel — hand-painted chapel built by Italian POWs
St Magnus Cathedral — 12th-century Viking sandstone cathedral
At a glance
Format: fully private tour in a comfortable vehicle with space for 8 guests.
Duration: 5½ hours (can be shortened if tight on time)
Pick-up options: Kirkwall, Stromness, cruise terminal, airport, or your accommodation
Price: from £600 total (vehicle, guiding & all tickets included). 8 guests = £984 (~£123pp)
Whisky in Orkney — A Unique Tour
Why Orkney Whisky is Special
Two working distilleries at the edge of the map, shaped by sea winds, heathery peat and northern light. Highland Park is famed for aromatic smoke from Hobbister Moor’s heathered peat; Scapa for its lighter, fruit‑forward coastal style. Visiting them as part of a private highlights tour is something only Tour Orkney offers.
How distillery choice works
You tick a preference (Highland Park or Scapa) on the booking form. We then secure the available slot and shape the rest of your day around it. In peak season, availability can be limited — we’ll always offer the best option for your date.
A short history of Orkney’s distilleries
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Highland Park Distillery — heather, smoke & saga
Founded illicitly around 1798 and officially licensed in 1826, Highland Park stands on the high ground above Kirkwall. Its kilns and malt floors are still in use today, with smoke drawn from heather‑rich peat cut nearby. The result is a whisky prized for its balance of smoke, honey, and northern wildness. -
Scapa Distillery — coastal fruit & Scapa Flow light
Established in 1885 on the shores of Scapa Flow, Scapa nearly closed forever after a devastating fire in 1919, but endured. Known for a gentler, fruit‑forward style, the distillery looks out over the same waters that sheltered navies in both world wars. Its rebirth in the 21st century has given it new energy and a loyal following.
Featured Reviews
Stian: "Highly, highly recommended! Ciaran knows what he's doing, with vast historic knowledge, an informative but also very kind and considerate guide. He'll smoothly improvise and tailor the whisky tour to your taste or needs, eager to get to know his customers, ensuring a nice friendly vibe throughout the whole tour! You'll end up wishing Tour Orkney all the best with their projects."
★★★★★
JR: "Ciaran provided an amazing day in the main Orkney Island! He was very nice, funny, and knowledgeable and really made our visit truly memorable! He also provided great information about the history in a fun easy to understand way. He met us at our ship on time and customized the itinerary to suit our interest. He took us through back roads and streets and showed us areas other tour companies would have skipped."
★★★★★
Bayley: "What a lovely tour!! We had quite a lot of flexibility to choose how to spend our time in Orkney. Ciaran was extremely kind and knowledgable. I would highly recommend him and the company to anyone visiting the island! "
★★★★★
Other Themed Private Tours
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Puffin Adventurer: Spend the day searching dramatic coastlines for our cutest visitors (our most flexible itinerary) .
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Neolithic Wonders: A full day exploring the Heart of Neolithic Orkney with a visit to the Brough of Birsay.
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Viking Heritage: Orkney's key Norse sites combined in one viking themed day
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Jewellery & Gin: Orkney finery - the Italian Chapel, Sheila Fleet Jewellery, Kirkwall shopping & Gin tasting
FAQs
Can we choose the distillery?
You can indicate a preference, but both distillery choice and time slot are subject to availability. We handle the booking and confirm what’s possible.
Are all tickets included — even the distillery?
Yes. Your entry tickets are included, including the confirmed distillery tour/tasting. Meals and personal purchases aren’t included.
Can non‑drinkers or families join?
Absolutely. The craft, machinery and stories are brilliant even without a dram. Under‑18s are welcome on the tour but cannot participate in tastings and may be restricted from some production areas (under-11s are not allowed in whisky production facilities).
What if the distillery is fully booked on my date?
We’ll offer the alternative distillery, different timings, or arrange a special whisky tasting experience. We will contact you to confirm which experience we have managed to secure in advance.
Is this tour suitable as a cruise excursion?
Of course - let us know at time of booking which ship you're arriving on and we'll make sure your back on board with plenty time to spare. Another option is our Orkney Highlights Cruise Excursion if you'd fancy a similar tour, but with Skara Brae instead of a distillery visit.
Can you meet the morning ferry and get us back in time?
Yes — we designed this route around the Scrabster ⇄ Stromness timings and will meet/return you accordingly. There is also our Orkney Day Trip - the best of Orkney designed around the ferry timetable.
Ready to plan your day?
Enquire now to reserve your Private Orkney Whisky & History Highlights Tour — the best of Orkney in a single day with your own private guide, plus a seamlessly arranged distillery visit.