FAQs

Are you planning to take a tour with us? Already booked? Arriving in Orkney by Cruise Ship as a Shore Excursion visitor, on a day trip or here for an extended stay? Whether you are considering one of our ‘Book Now Highlights tours’ or a tailor made bespoke package, you will find the answers to our most frequently asked questions on this page. If you can’t find the information you require, please contact us at any time and we will be happy to help.

 

What’s included in the price?

The tour and the services of a professional driver-guide.

Meals, drinks and refreshments, apart from chilled bottled water, are not included in your ticket price. We believe in giving you the choice to suit your budget. Alternatively feel free to bring your own packed lunch for day tours.

With the luxury of a Bespoke Tour, we can include coffee and/or lunch stops in your itinerary, but this would be at your own cost.

Does GoOrkney operate all year round?

We operate Bespoke tours and our Corporate service all year round.

Our Highlights Tours are only available on specific days from May to September. Please check the availability calendar.

Please contact us directly if you have an unusual or complicated agenda, we will try to accommodate your request if we can.

Where does the Highlights Tour leave from?

For cruise ship customers, we provide a pier side pickup and drop off service. Your GoOrkney guide or driver will be at the Pier to greet you and holding a GoOrkney name board. At the time of booking, please let us know which ship you are arriving on.

Kirkwall Pier (Anchorage): After you disembark from the tender boat, your guide/driver will meet you as you come up the pier and take you to your vehicle. If you miss each other, the Meet & Greet Staff on the pier will help and direct you to us. Please allow sufficient time for tendering.

Hatston Pier: On arrival to the pier, after you disembark from the ship, please let the Meet & Greet Staff on the pier know you are on a private GoOrkney tour. Your Guide will be called onto the pier to pick you up.

On request, we also provide a pick up service from the Travel Centre, West Castle St, Kirkwall, KW15 1GU. At the time of booking, please let us know if you require pick up from the Travel Centre. Map details are available on the following link: https://www.bing.com/local?lid=YN1029x11914293144776059141&id=YN1029x11914293144776059141&q=Visit+Scotland&name=Visit+Scotland&cp=58.98310470581055%7e-2.96174693107605&ppois=58.98310470581055_-2.96174693107605_Visit+Scotland

I don’t know where I will be staying yet; can I organise a pickup after I book?

Yes. We offer personal pick-ups for all our Bespoke tours. If you require to change your pick-up point after booking please contact us directly and we will be happy to help you.

Why are some dates in the Calendar shown as ‘Highlights Tours’?

Our ‘Highlights Tour’ is offered on a book now, per seat basis and on dates where Cruise Ships are visiting Orkney. These tours are not exclusive to Cruise Ship passengers and can be booked online up 12 hours before the tour. Please contact us directly to confirm last minute availability

Can I arrange a bespoke tour on a calendar day which shows a ‘Highlights Tour’?

Yes, Bespoke Tours can be arranged on any day where the calendar shows availability, including ‘Highlights Tours’ dates (where no ‘Highlights Tour’ bookings have been taken). As we offer the ‘Highlights Tour’ on a per seat basis, please contact us for latest availability.

Can I reserve a specific seat on the Highlights Tour?

Sorry, no. All seats are allocated on a first come, first served basis. Please be assured that all seats have ample leg room and visibility.

Are there breaks on tour?

We want you to enjoy the very best Orkney has to offer and we believe the best way to do this is to get you off the bus as often as we can. We ensure this with a mixture of photo stops and comfort breaks.

The tour have been timed to ensure you maximise your time in Orkney and see as much as possible in the given time. As such, there is no lunch stop however you can pick up on-the-go refreshments, payable at the time

What should I wear?

The weather in Orkney is changeable, even in summer. Please wear sensible footwear as the ground we visit is often uneven and may be slippery. Layering of clothes is recommended and another sensible precaution is to carry light waterproof clothing. If prepared, you will have a great time, no matter the weather.

We do not offer refunds due to bad weather.

Can I take luggage with me?

Highlights tour: limited to one small rucksack or bag per person.

Bespoke and Corporate: additional luggage can be facilitated by prior arrangement. Please advise at time of booking.

Is your vehicles wheelchair accessible?

Unfortunately our vehicles are not equipped for wheelchair users who require to remain seated in their wheelchair when boarding, alighting from or travelling in the vehicle.

Our small group Highlights Tours are usually run using a 15 seater vehicle which has no additional storage space, so we are generally unable to accommodate mobility aids. If you are a wheelchair user, have limited mobility or require assistance in any way, please contact us prior to booking to discuss.

Our 7 seater vehicles, mainly used for bespoke tours, are equipped with wide side access doors, can accommodate a folding wheelchair and may be accessible for wheelchair users who, with minimal assistance are able to transfer themselves to and from a vehicle seat.

What about insurance?

GoOrkney maintains insurance meeting all statutory requirements, we strongly recommend that passengers hold comprehensive and suitable travel, medical and cancellation insurance to cover their period of travel.