I am looking forward to reading the replies to this enquiry as I really want to go back next year … under my own steam.

Last summer I visited Orkney at midsummer. Because I was on my own and without a car, I opted to go on a ‘tour’ organised by a local travel company so can’t answer most of the questions you might have – except to say I would not do such a long journey by coach again (an overnight sleeper train next time).
The coach journey up to Thurso, the most northerly town in the UK, was done over two days; it involved a compulsory stop at Gretna Green on the Scottish borders which is sad tourist trap and definitely to be avoided. The first overnight stay was at Stirling and because it was still light at 10.00pm I was able to explore the historic streets and castle - a good place to stay over. The next day it was up through the West Highlands with various stops at the most beautiful falls and lochs … then across to north east Scotland following the Caledonian Ship Canal.

Caithness was a very different landscape; driving through heavy mist … even from the cocooned safety of a coach it felt remote and isolated.

The group stayed in Thurso for three nights which is a greystone, un-touristy working town with plenty of hotels. Amazing cliff top walks along the coast from Scrabster with great views across to the Old Man of Hoy. We crossed over to Orkney by ferry from Scrabster and the next two nights were spent in a ferry birth – looking out to sea from the cabin in ‘daylight’ at midnight was an experience I won’t forget.

Orkney blew me away – it was love at first sight and although the trip to Shetland was wonderful in many ways, it didn’t have the same impact as Orkney.

I believe you can get the ferry or a flight from both Aberdeen and Inverness and although I avoid flying as much as possible, I would consider making the short flight across to Orkney next time I go.