Maxi Day Tour of Orkney
Maxi Day Tour of Orkney
5
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Monday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Full view
About
John O'Groats, Caithness and Sutherland, Scotland
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Maxi Day Tour of Orkney
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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5.0
394 reviews
Excellent
329
Very good
51
Average
11
Poor
2
Terrible
1
Alex S
2 contributions
Sep 2023 • Couples
This is without doubt one of the best tours I've done. Ferry crossing was good. Bus trip was great, sightseeing was awesome. A graet blend of History, scenery and culture.
Written 26 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SarahS
Toronto, Canada17 contributions
Aug 2023 • Family
Amazing value and a great trip. Highly recommended. Enough interesting sites to fill the day and a great guide (Murray) who was very knowledgeable.
Written 2 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SutherlandSandie
Sutherland12 contributions
Aug 2023 • Couples
An excellent way to get a taste of Orkney. Weather was very wet when we embarked but soon dried up and we had a lovely tour on Orkney. Comfortable coach and very well informed and friendly drivers. Took in the main attractions and we felt well looked after. A well organised tour.
Written 27 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Edith
Melbourne, Australia5 contributions
Aug 2023 • Couples
A wonderful experience. Our guide / coach driver Darren was very knowledgable (and very funny too as an added bonus) - we learnt so much about these beautiful islands. We had a fantastic day.
Written 9 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
David Gilbank
10 contributions
Aug 2023 • Solo
Go go go. MAXI Tour driver Will was a fabulous host who kept his narrative light but informative. The Circle of Broghan was stunning. A spiritual experience. A perfect day trip. Highly recommended.
Written 3 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Trygve S
1 contribution
Aug 2023 • Family
Lovely trip with our bus driver/guide Will. Saw many interestings sites and a lot of interesting stories told by our driver.
Written 2 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Scott E
1 contribution
Jul 2023 • Couples
My wife and I had an absolutely amazing time on our tour of Orkney. Our Shetland bus driver, Will, did a fantastic job of guiding us through the sights and history of the island. The people of Orkney are friendly and welcoming, and the pre-historic sights of Skara Brae and the Ring of Brodgar were the highlights of the trip. We can’t recommend the tour enough.
Thanks!
Thanks!
Written 20 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jen L
3 contributions
Jul 2023 • Family
We really enjoyed our day. Our driver, Will, was really great. He was originally from the Shetland Islands, and we liked his personal stories. He obviously takes pride in the area. We enjoyed our stops in Kirkwall, Stromness, our visit to The Italian Chapel, and the standing stones. The Ring of Brodgar was good, too. Our favorite stop was Skara Brae. They do a great job setting up the timeline, and even though the wind was whipping, we had a great visit. If you can get Will as your driver, you'll be lucky. He was warm, personable, and fun.
Written 20 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
scottishfamilyoffour
26 contributions
Jul 2023 • Family
We had three days in Thurso and opted this one day to our to see Orkney. I thought it was value for money when I booked it.
Left John o groats on time by Ferry which is simple but just what is needed . Enjoyed crossing and no issues.
Picked up by coach on other side and our driver was Paul . Friendly guy and clearly knows his history . I expected to see Orkney but did not expect to learn so much about the history . Maybe all the drivers like this but Paul knew his stuff .
Coaches were clean and tidy . Modern but now cable chargers for phone so just for your Info.
Stopped various sites and two towns including Kirkwall and Stromness. To be honest rather we never stopped at Stromness as had already been round Kirkwall. However I think they were trying to fit in as much as possible and maybe older guests enjoyed it. . I loved the historical sites more then shops . Can’t keep everyone happy.
I would highly recommend this day tour. Value for money . Loved all the history of war and historical sites. . I would go on the tour myself again . Well done to driver Paul . Great driver given some of roads on island .
Left John o groats on time by Ferry which is simple but just what is needed . Enjoyed crossing and no issues.
Picked up by coach on other side and our driver was Paul . Friendly guy and clearly knows his history . I expected to see Orkney but did not expect to learn so much about the history . Maybe all the drivers like this but Paul knew his stuff .
Coaches were clean and tidy . Modern but now cable chargers for phone so just for your Info.
Stopped various sites and two towns including Kirkwall and Stromness. To be honest rather we never stopped at Stromness as had already been round Kirkwall. However I think they were trying to fit in as much as possible and maybe older guests enjoyed it. . I loved the historical sites more then shops . Can’t keep everyone happy.
I would highly recommend this day tour. Value for money . Loved all the history of war and historical sites. . I would go on the tour myself again . Well done to driver Paul . Great driver given some of roads on island .
Written 18 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sarah C
41 contributions
Jul 2023 • Solo
Seeing Skara Brae village, the Ring of Brodgar & the standing stones of Stenness & going back in time to new stone age was MIND BLOWING!! The island is steeped in history from World War Two as well. I took the 0845 ferry on the Orkney Day Trip on Saturday 8th July. I had heard of Scapa Flow but knew no detail. I was sorely disappointed by the one liner given by the coach driver at the Churchill Barriers, Scapa Flow & all neolithic sites. In fact I googled all the points to visit as I went round on the tour and whilst in Kirkwall visited the excellent museum to prepare for the sites history. The driver mentioned we could also go " in that house " . This was Skail House near Scapa Brae but did not explain the link between the two. The driver made no mention of The Royal Oak, nor of the fact as I learned from Google that Scapa Flow was where the British Fleet was harboured, nor did he point out the statue of John Rae in Stromness. The day trip had an EXCELLENTLY put together itinerary , an eclectic mix of World War 2 & neolithic. It was so very enjoyable but the drivers lack of commentary left gaping holes for me. The skipper of the ferry boat did a great job navigating through choppy waters to give us the best ride under the circumstances. Loved watching the puffins!!! The gift shop by the pier sell maps of Orkney if you wish to follow your route. Museum in Kirkwall is excellent ...free with a £5 suggested donation and through an arch down the main street. Excellent whiskey shop down an alley linking the main street to the harbour.
Written 8 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi, we are 2 adults with a dog and we‘d like to do the maxi day tour in may. Is ist possible to join the Trip with our dog? Thanks
Deborah F
John O'Groats, UK12 contributions
Hi, we take small, quiet lap dogs on Maxi Day Tour.
Diane W
Point Vernon, Australia30 contributions
I am travelling with 2 other over 60S in October next year. We will be in the islands for 3 days. Just doing some research on whether a car rental is the best option or a variety of tours. The one day maxi tour looks great. May I have some details please. Di
Deborah F
John O'Groats, UK12 contributions
Departs daily 8.45am from John O’Groats all summer. Returns on last ferry. Ferry and coach tour. See all the main sites in Orkney (Kirkwall, Stromness, Italian Chapel, Skara Brae, Ring of Brodgar, Standing Stones & Churchill Barriers.
Que dire sinon que cette expérience nous a beaucoup plu (rien à voir avec le temps :-) ) .
Nous venions de Dornoch un peu au Nord d'Inverness, 1:30 de route pour arriver à John O'Groat, un énorme parking gratuit où vous parquer et puis en route pour l'aventure.
La traversée vers les Orcades dure à peu près 45 minutes ensuite nous avons été pris en charge par notre chauffeur dont la gentillesse n'a d'égal que son humour ou l'amour qu'il porte à son île.
A conseiller pour la nature (observation d'oiseaux marins durant la traversée, parfois des mammifères marins), l'histoire et les paysages.
Nous y retournerons.
619/5000
What to say except that this is an experience we much liked (nothing to do with time :-)).
We came from Dornoch a little north of Inverness, 1:30 drive to John O'Groat, a huge free parking lot where you park and then on your way to adventure.
The crossing to the Orkneys takes about 45 minutes then we were taken care of by our driver whose kindness is matched only by his humor or the love for his island.
To advise for nature (observation of sea birds during the crossing, sometimes marine mammals), history and landscapes.
We will return.
alistair b
Dundee, UK229 contributions
Hi,
Have booked to go from Inverness on Saturday to John o' groats then doing the "day tour" over 2 days, staying overnight in kirkwall.
Can anyone tell me if there is food and drink on the ferry and am I wrong to assume that the bus from Inverness to/from j.o.g will have a toilet?
Thanks and any other helpful info.
Heather M
Bathgate, UK13 contributions
Hi Alistair
You can get tea and a sandwich before you board the ferry, also tea is available on the ferry, it's a short 40 mins trip and a toilet is on board, enjoy your trip, we did..
silviaxmas
Udine, Italy49 contributions
Sono siti molto afollati? Turismo asfissiante?
Deborah F
John O'Groats, UK12 contributions
Hi, no not too busy. Perhaps early August the busiest.
Takis
Spetses, Greece27 contributions
Does the Maxi Day Tour include stop at the Maeshowe Chambered Cairn?
If not is there an option for the passengers to choose between the Maeshowe Chambered Cairn and Stormness lunch stop?
Deb F
John O'Groats, UK
Hi, sorry we don't stop at Maeshowe as large coaches are not allowed to stop or drop of there.
