The St Magnus Way + best of Orkney package
Want to do the St Magnus Way and also see Orkney’s most popular sights? Our combined package has you covered. This package offers walkers and cyclists a stress-free way to enjoy the St Magnus Way, and includes a day of sightseeing with your local host!
What’s included in this package?
Transfers and tour transport
Leave your vehicle behind and enjoy a private transfer from the ferry ports / airport. On your St Magnus Way days, we’ll drop you off at your start point and will collect you when you finish for the day. And when it comes to sightseeing, you can sit back, relax, and enjoy the view as we tour you around the sights in our comfortable minivan.
B&B accommodation
All of our packages include bed and breakfast at our family-run accommodation. We can’t wait to welcome you to your home from home! Start your day with breakfast in our dining room, unwind in the lounge after a days sightseeing, and feel revived after a night in our comfortable rooms.
Tracking tiles
We’ll supply you with a GPS tracker tile to carry in your bag or pocket for easy pick-up on the St Magnus Way route!
When you need picked up at the end of the day simply need to phone and let us know. If you don’t know exactly where you are, don’t worry, the tracker tile will!
Breakfast and lunch
Enjoy fresh Orkney produce during your stay at Shorelands. Start the day with a delicious cooked breakfast featuring locally sourced ingredients, with vegan and vegetarian options available. We’ll give you a homemade packed lunch for the St Magnus Way, and on your sightseeing day you’ll enjoy a delicious lunch at the Skara Brae cafe/restaurant.
Orkney’s top sights
Immerse yourself in Orkney's rich history and natural beauty as you embark on a journey to four of the island's top attractions—all in a single day. Sights included are: Skara Brae, The Ring of Brodgar, the Churchill Barriers and Italian Chapel, and the St. Magnus Cathedral.
The Churchill Barriers and Italian Chapel
On this part of the trip, you will visit some of Orkney’s South Isles. In WW1, block ships were sunk in the shallow waters between some of the islands. These were to prevent German ships entering Scapa Flow where the British fleet was anchored. The remains of these block ships still rise above the surface of the water to create one of Orkney’s iconic sites.
Early in WW2, the block ships proved ineffective when a German U-boat entered Scapa Flow and torpedoed the HMS Royal Oak. As a result, using huge, concrete blocks, the Churchill Barriers were created to further block the channels. They now serve as a link between the Orkney Mainland and four of the South Isles.
As many men were called away to play their part in the war effort, there were not enough to help build the huge causeways. Consequently, Italian prisoners of war were taken to Orkney to help with the construction. The prisoners stayed in a camp on the small island of Lamb Holm and were granted permission to turn a Nissen hut into a chapel for worship. The families of the prisoners maintain friendly links with Orkney to this day.
Ring of Brodgar and The Standing Stones of Stenness
This site is right in the heart of the Mainland between the Stenness and Harray Lochs. The Ring of Brodgar is a circle comprising 60 original standing stones, of which 27 remain today. It is generally thought to have been erected between 2500 BC and 2000 BC. A walk around the stones can be spectacular in all weathers, creating a stimulus for all levels of photography.
The Standing Stones of Stenness are nearby. These Neolithic stones still have many unanswered questions, leading to a number of different legends of their origin.
Skara Brae
Travel back in time 5000 years to see how the living conditions were for the first settlers in Orkney. Skara Brae is older than Stone Henge and the Great Pyramids of Giza. The site was occupied from roughly 3180 BC to about 2500 BC and is Europe's most complete Neolithic village.
Near the site you will also find a café, a visitors’ centre and a replica of one of the Neolithic houses. Skara Brae is situated on the west coast of the Orkney Mainland and overlooks Skaill Beach, which is now popular for surfers.
Dicover Orkney’s most popular sights
St Magnus Cathedral
Back in the capital for the last part of the day, you will visit St Magnus Cathedral. Magnus Erlendsson is the patron saint of Orkney and was the earl of Orkney along with his cousin Haakon between 1105 and 1115. Conflict between the two earls led to Haakon tricking Magnus into peace talks on the isle of Egilsay where the earls were to arrive with no more than two ships each. Haakon arrived with eight and ordered the death of his cousin so that he became the sole earl of Orkney.
In 1129 Magnus’ nephew, Rognvald Kolsson, was granted the earldom of Orkney and, in 1137, began to construct the Cathedral in his uncle’s name. Today the building is proudly maintained by the Orkney Islands Council and belongs to the people of Orkney.
Included in this visit is a lower-level walk around the Cathedral with plenty of artifacts to see that have been added to the Cathedral through its near 900 years of existence. This is not an upper-level tour. St Magnus Cathedral is the last visit before you head back up just two streets away to Shorelands Bed and Breakfast.
More information about this package
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The St Magnus Way is a pilgrimage route across Orkney. The route is inspired by the life and death of St Magnus. It starts from where Orkney’s patron saint, Magnus Erlendsson was Martyred on the isle of Egilsay and finishes 58 miles later at the Saint Magnus Cathedral in Kirkwall.
The walk has six sections in total with the first one taking in the isle of Egilsay which includes a ferry over from Tingwall. The five sections on The Mainland range between 10.2 miles and 12.5 miles.
As everyone has their own speed and ability, these sections do not need to be looked at as a daily target. You may want to compete half a section a day or two sections in a day…every person makes their own journey.
Further information on the St Magnus Way can be found at www.stmagnusway.com
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The St Magnus Way package is available for 4-night, 6-night, or 7-night stays.
Check-in days for this package are Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays.
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We’ll supply you with a homemade packed lunch prepared to your preference.
In addition to your choice of sandwich, you’ll be able to choose from a selection of fruit, nuts, crisps and yoghurts.
You can also fill your flasks with tea and coffee and fill water bottles before you set off for the day!
Book your Orkney package
Use the link above to check prices and availability. Alternatively, phone, email us, or fill out the contact form to discuss your booking.
We will get back to you the same day as your request so please check all mail boxes if you have not received a reply.
We look forward to hearing from you!
Phone: 07867560270
Email: shorelands_orkney@outlook.com