Whisky & History — Private Orkney Distillery & Heritage Tour
5-hour tour of Orkney’s wonders — with a working distillery visit woven in
Step into 8,000 years of island story on a private one-day highlights tour of Orkney with a whisky distillery visit included. 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 essential Orkney day with a splash of Uisge Beatha (the water of life).
Ciaran & Tour Orkney specialise in private tours filled with memorable moments and enriching experiences. Check out our Google reviews.
What you’ll see - typical route
(We keep the experience flexible, but these are the headline highlights.)
-
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. We are: • Green Tourism member • Registered with Orkney Harbour Authority • OIC taxi-licensed driver • Private hire & public liability insured
-
Duration: around 5½ hours (can be shortened if tight on time)
-
Pick-up options: Kirkwall, Stromness, cruise terminal, airport, or your accommodation
-
Focus: Heart of Neolithic Orkney, Barnhouse Settlement, coastal scenery, living island culture, plus distillery visit
-
Price: from £600 total (private vehicle, guiding & all entry tickets included). Capacity: up to 8 guests. Only £123pp with 8 guests — book now
Book With Confidence
🛳️ Ferry & Cruise Safe Guarantee
Full refund if your ferry, flight, or cruise ship can’t reach Orkney on the day of your private tour.
No admin fees, no stress. This guarantee makes booking with us completely risk-free.
🌱 Carbon Negative Commitment
For every tour we run, we plant a tree in Scotland. We're keeping Tour Orkney carbon negative.
👣 Crowd-Smart Promise
We time our tours to dodge the big buses. That means more time at the sites and better photos.
📖 Local Insight Guarantee
Stories not on the signs. From folklore to hidden histories — if you don’t learn something new, first coffee’s on us.
🌦️ Weather-Proof Pledge
If a site closes due to weather, we’ll substitute an excellent alternative — and treat you to a slice of Orkney fudge.
We know how far you've come - book your Whisky & History Tour with peace of mind.
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
-
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.
Responsible tasting (the Tour Orkney way)
-
Tastings are 18+ only.
-
Your driver‑guide never samples alcohol.
-
Non‑drinkers are warmly welcomed — the making and the tales are fascinating on their own.
-
We allow relaxed pacing after the tasting.
Why this itinerary is unique to Tour Orkney
It’s a private Orkney whisky tour inside a wider highlights day — built around tides, traffic, and the distillery slot we confirm for you. That means richer stories, smarter timing, and the freedom to enjoy a dram without worrying about the details. It’s not a group bus route; it’s your day, tailored.
“Our tour guide, Ciaran, was fabulous. He was so very knowledgeable and full of history."
Sarah, PTH
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.
How long is the distillery tour and will it affect the day?
Typically 60–90 minutes. We design the route around the confirmed time so nothing feels rushed.
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).
Is the itinerary fixed?
No — the order can change to catch light, tides and availability. We keep the headline highlights and distillery visit, then tune the rest to your day.
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.
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.
What happens in bad weather?
We shuffle the order, pick sheltered viewpoints, and lean into Orkney’s moody drama — some of the best days happen in “four seasons.”
What’s included in the price?
Private guiding, comfortable private transport, and all entry tickets including the distillery tour/tasting. Meals and personal purchases are extra.
How much walking is there?
Mostly short, flat walks with optional extensions (e.g., a longer Brodgar circuit). We can adapt for mobility needs — just tell us what helps.
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.
