Orkney never ceases to delight. Golden light on never-ending summer’s evenings, dramatic cliffs, sparkling clean ocean, emerald green hills. Five thousand years of human life. Come and delight in Orkney with us!
I am registered as a step-on guide, which means the tours are in your own vehicle. I am happy to help you with vehicle hire. For larger groups, I can arrange hire of a bus or minibus with driver, if booked in good time.
Your custom made tour
Let me know your interests, and I can arrange a tour that is right for you. It can be one day, or several days long.
Orkney is famous for its archaeology: Skara Brae Neolithic village looks like the inhabitants have just left it. But there are also many other hidden archaeological gems to see! Many Orkney business are open to visitors if booked in good time: Whisky distilleries, breweries, jewellery workshops, cheese factory, a working mill. Open farm with alpacas and other animals. Craft workshops, Orkney straw crafts and chair makers. Art galleries and artists’ studios. Nature awaits with miles of beaches, coastal walks, birds, seals, wildflowers. The Orkney landscape comes alive with folk stories, some of which have been passed down to us from the Vikings.
For more ideas, have a look at the tour suggestions below, or browse our discovery blog.
Tours are available in English and Norwegian / Jeg kan også vise rundt på norsk.
Tour suggestions
Below are some suggestions for guided tours. Choose your tour, or contact us for your own personalised Orkney tour. When you are ready, go to the booking tab.
What is timetravel?
Timetravel is a hands-on experience of Orkney’s past.
Be a Viking for a day, travel as a Medieval pilgrim along St Magnus Way, experience farm life in the 1800s, or the nostalgic 1960s.
Each timetravel tour includes a practical, hands-on experience for you to feel that you have really gone back in time for the day.
Fun for the whole family, both for the young and the young at heart!
Dr Ragnhild Ljosland, tourist guide
I am a qualified Orkney Green Badge Tourist Guide, and also a chocolatier, writer and academic. By background is in culture and heritage, literature and language.
I am qualified as a “step on” guide, which means I can join you in your vehicle, or arrange to hire a coach/minibus with driver for your group for a separate charge.
Ragnhild offers guided tours in English and Norwegian.
Ragnhild tilbyr omvisninger og opplevelser på norsk og engelsk. Følg denne lenken for å finne informasjon på norsk.
Prices, Orkney tours
Prices are for the whole group, not per person. Prices do not include vehicle hire or food.
Prices refer to tours on the Orkney Mainland and linked islands. There may be an extra charge for tours to outer islands and ferry travel will come in addition.
I am a “step-on” guide, which means I do not provide transport. I am happy to come along in your vehicle or provide walking or cycle tours or tours using public transport.
I am affiliated with the Scottish Tourist Guides Association. Please refer to their current rates for half-day and day tours here (not “driver-guiding”).
STGA Guide Rates and Fees | Scottish Tourist Guides Association
Terms and Conditions
When you book a Brodgar tour, you agree to the following terms and conditions.
Booking
A booking must be accompanied by a deposit of £50. Payment of the balance is due on the day before the tour date at the latest. I will invoice you separately for the deposit and balance.
We will send you a confirmation of your booking, at which point the contract between us comes into existence.
Payment
Payment (in Sterling) can be made by cheque, bank transfer or Paypal.
Paypal invoices can be paid by credit card, even if you are not registered with Paypal. I am afraid there is an additional charge of 4% on payments by Paypal, to cover the administration charge, but for international payments up to approximately £750, this is the cheapest option.
Cancellation by you
If you cancel your tour up to 14 days before the tour date, the deposit will be retained but any further payment will be returned. There will be no refund for cancellations less than 14 days before the date of the tour, so you are strongly advised to take out travel insurance. If you are unable to go on the tour due to unavoidable circumstances such as acute illness or travel disruption, I will refund the balance but keep the deposit.
Cancellation by me
If extreme circumstances force me to cancel the tour, I will do my best to offer a fully-qualified guide to follow the planned itinerary. If this proves impossible or is unacceptable to you, a full refund of the cost of the tour will be given but I am not responsible for any consequential loss e.g. travel costs.
How to book an Orkney tour:
- Have a look at the suggestions under the Guided tours tab and decide what you would like. I can also give suggestions.
- Read through the prices, terms and conditions information.
- Contact me through the contact form below, and let me know what kind of tour you would like and your dates. I will then have a dialogue with you where we arrange it all.
- Come to Orkney and enjoy your tour!
