Great Orkney Tours
Great Orkney Tours
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About
My name is Jean Ross a fully qualified Orcadian tourist guide. I have lived in Orkney all my life so can tell you all about living and growing up in these island. Our history goes back nearly 9,000 years, Archaeology, Iron Age, Vikings, Earls, Lairds and modern day lives. My tours are private, Your intinerary, your tour, your time, your guide with no one else to consider but yourself.
Tankerness, Scotland
Awards
Travellers' Choice
2023
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Great Orkney Tours
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5.0
115 reviews
Excellent
114
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1
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Lori M
Massachusetts24 contributions
Sep 2023 • Couples
Jean created a custom tour that suited our specific requests. Kirkwall was our ships port and we were not in port long that day yet Jean made sure we saw everything on our list. We were joined by another couple who shared our enthusiasm for the exploration of Neolithic sites. The day was rainy and dreary yet we were so enthralled by the sites that we hardly even noticed. We visited the Broch of Gurness, Ring of Brodgar, Stones of Stenness, Maeshowe, and Sara Brae. They were all fantastic with the highlight being able to tour the inside of Maeshowe. I highly recommend this tour with Jean—her knowledge of the sites is invaluable.
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.
Constance B
4 contributions
Jul 2023 • Friends
Jean was fantastic. She was very accommodating and knowledgeable on the sites. We saw so much, more than we expected to see while we were there. Highly recommend this tour!!
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.
Daniel D
1 contribution
May 2023 • Couples
Our guide, Jean Ross, was the best. She was knowledgeable, helpful and accommodating. We went to number of prehistoric sites on Mainland around Kirkwall, more than we could ever have covered in a day by ourselves. Jean was great at setting the "pre"- historical background of the sites and answering our questions. We appreciated her telling us about some of the various theories archeologists have made about the sites, as well as her opinion. It was a long day but an unforgettable one. Thanks, Jean.
Written 6 May 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.
Ken M
2 contributions
May 2023 • Couples
Great Orkney Tours have given us an exceptional view of this unique island. Jean Ross lives and breaths Orkney and shares her knowledge through friendly easy to listen to storytelling. While Jean guided us to the best of Orkney she was adaptive to our requests and interests. She accommodated my need to stop and take photos without any effort. I would gladly recommend anybody who wants a personalised bespoke tour to use Great Orkney Tours
Written 4 May 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.
Kendal A
2 contributions
Apr 2023
I met Jean on the first week of the holiday to arrange the tour for the last week. We had age group ranging from 14 to 70 years. This didn’t stop us crawling in and out of chambered cairns, climbing hills and descending ladders. The whole group found the tour fascinating.
Jean is very knowledgeable and we took her advice and wore waterproof clothing, head torches…. It was quite an adventure.
On hindsight I wish I’d booked another tour with her to visit Rousay as well.
Our tour was focused on Neolithic burial sites.
Thank you Jean for a memorable day out, and a relaxed pace.
Jean is very knowledgeable and we took her advice and wore waterproof clothing, head torches…. It was quite an adventure.
On hindsight I wish I’d booked another tour with her to visit Rousay as well.
Our tour was focused on Neolithic burial sites.
Thank you Jean for a memorable day out, and a relaxed pace.
Written 23 April 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.
budlepage
Berlin, Germany36 contributions
Sep 2022
Outstanding! My visit to Orkney is one of the highlights of my traveling experiences. Jean Ross of Great Orkney Tours was excellent. I was able to really appreciate the rich history and landscapes with someone so knowledgeable to speak with. I highly recommend Jean at Great Orkney Tours!
Gaetan Lepage, Boynton Beach, Florida
Gaetan Lepage, Boynton Beach, Florida
Written 29 January 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.
centvet
Riverside, CA3 contributions
May 2022
Jean Ross is an amazing tour guide. We were on a cruise and Ms. Ross picked us up at the port. We left the port before any of the cruise line buses and made it to our destinations before any crowds appeared. Her knowledge is increadble (as only someone who has lived there their whole life would know) and at each stop she delighted us with history and stories about the sights we were seeing.
After returning that night and talking to other cruise line passengers about their bus tour we easily saw twice of much of the island and it's sights. If you are interested in Orkney and its history then I can recommend Ms. Ross as an excellent tour guide that you will greatly enjoy!
After returning that night and talking to other cruise line passengers about their bus tour we easily saw twice of much of the island and it's sights. If you are interested in Orkney and its history then I can recommend Ms. Ross as an excellent tour guide that you will greatly enjoy!
Written 27 January 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.
Nielufar W
1 contribution
Aug 2022
My sister and I (both in our 30's) had a fantastic adventure in Orkney this past summer. We booked a private tour around the main island and to our delight we hit the jackpot with our tour guide, Jean Ross!
We booked a couple months in advance and Jean immediately emailed us to inquire about any particular interests or needs. She picked us up from our hotel in her van that comfortably allowed us to both sit in the front with her so we had the best views while driving. It is quite clear that Jean knows her history and she has a passion and excitement for it, too. It is so amazing to realize that our current knowledge of our ancestors is increasing dramatically due to the recent finds that have been safely undisturbed for so long on these islands. If something new has come to light- Jean will know about it!! Our day with her is a jewel of a memory.
We booked a couple months in advance and Jean immediately emailed us to inquire about any particular interests or needs. She picked us up from our hotel in her van that comfortably allowed us to both sit in the front with her so we had the best views while driving. It is quite clear that Jean knows her history and she has a passion and excitement for it, too. It is so amazing to realize that our current knowledge of our ancestors is increasing dramatically due to the recent finds that have been safely undisturbed for so long on these islands. If something new has come to light- Jean will know about it!! Our day with her is a jewel of a memory.
Written 24 January 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.
poroke
norfolk22 contributions
Jul 2022
I had the pleasure of taking a tour with Jean Ross of Great Orkney Tours this past summer. We were a group of 4 on a Viking cruise. Although there were options onboard offered by the cruise line none had the in-depth and extensive itinerary offered by Jean and her company. Plus the cost was considerably cheaper than Viking's tour. Jean is very friendly and knowledgeable. Jean took us to the "don't miss" highlights. We saw the incredible Italian Chapel and the famous 5000 year-old Skara Brae Neolithic settlement. We also saw the ring of Brodgar and the Standing Stones of Stenness. Along the way we stopped midpoint for lunch at the Orkney Brewery (lunch is on your own). Jean gave us an interesting commentary as we traveled around. She is open to suggestions and tailors the tour to meet your needs. But Jean knows the island and best to leave it to her. I would give more details about the sites but may I suggest you book Jean's tour and let her commentary enhance the wonderful sights that you will see.
Written 21 January 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.
kayjay0403
Merrickville, Canada45 contributions
Sep 2022
Jean was very professional, friendly, knowledgeable and accommodating. Jean made every effort to help us when we had to make a change in our dates.
We received door to door pickup and delivery and a very full day of visiting archeological sites, beaches, and a great brewery restaurant for lunch. Jean was a wealth of information about the sites and the everyday of Orkney living.
I would highly recommend Jean and if I have the privilege of visiting the Orkneys again, i would work my schedule around her availability.
We received door to door pickup and delivery and a very full day of visiting archeological sites, beaches, and a great brewery restaurant for lunch. Jean was a wealth of information about the sites and the everyday of Orkney living.
I would highly recommend Jean and if I have the privilege of visiting the Orkneys again, i would work my schedule around her availability.
Written 21 January 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.
Nastasha G
Australia5 contributions
Hi Jean,
My cousin and I are planning to see some of the Orkney Islands and are not sure at all where to even begin. We were thinking roughly 2 days. How do I go about getting a quote from you? Are there times of year where you do not offer your services?
Thanks a ton!
Nastasha
Jean R
Kirkwall, UK12 contributions
Hi Natasha, search for Great Orkney Tours if you send an enquiry I will send the information. Kind regards Jean
Gogogram63
75 contributions
My husband and I and another couple will be cruising to Kirkwall on September 5th on Princess, arriving at 7:00 am and departing at 5:00 pm. We are interested in touring the Neolithic sites, some military history of the island, some coastline ( photocopy) and if possible, Highland Distillery . Do you have availability on the date and if so, what are your costs?
Looking forward to hearing from you!
Joann
calabs1082
East Brunswick, NJ
my wife and I will be cruising to Kirkwall on June 4th on Norwegian line, arriving at 11am and leaving 7pm. We're looking for a tour that will take us to the Quaholm farmhouse (my wife's ancestors lived there), as well as some of the Neolithic sites. Is there any availability on this date, and if so, what would be the cost. Hope to hear from you soon!
Jean R
Kirkwall, UK12 contributions
Hi Thank you for contacting me but I am already booked on 4th June so can't help you I'm sorry. I hope you enjoy your visit. Jean
Jeanette2488
White Bear Lake, MN
Hi Jean,
My son and I are looking for an Orkney tour June 1. Wondering what the approximate cost would be per person, per day.
Thank you.
Jean R
Kirkwall, UK12 contributions
Hi, Thank you for your enquiry, I can give you a tour on 1st June when you visit. We can visit the top archaeology sites, Churchill Barriers, Italian Chapel and Scapa Flow. The tour is private, the itinerary is yours, the vehicle has lovely panoramic windows to view the scenery as we drive along. The cost of the tour is £350.00 per day which includes entry fees to sites. For T & Cs please see my website. I look forward to hearing from you. Kind regards Jean
harriet776
Freeland, PA47 contributions
I would like to know what tours Ms Ross has for May 15th, 2016 from Kirkwall.
We will be coming from a cruise ship and docking at 7:00 and departing by 17:00.
thank you, Harriet D.
Jean R
Kirkwall, UK12 contributions
My tours are private so the itinerary will be written to suit your requirements. At the moment I am free on 15th May 2015. The tour can be a selection of our history, archaeology, World War, Viking and Pictish.