Hi there

I think I would do it as two seperate trips as all of the islands are so amazing, I am not sure you could take it all in! I have visited the Hebrides (Lewis and Harris) 3 times (once via Skye, once via Ullapool and once flying) and was blown away by them but.......Orkney really is the dog's proverbials. Everything about Orkney is just magnificent and I wonder whether it would be better to have a leisurely drive up from Brum, stopping off at lovely sites in Cumbria/Scotland en route, and then really spending time on the islands than rushing it - so you can drive over the to Western Isles. Ferries will be costly too, so it could really add up, for one trip.

If I could, I would love to spend a good 10-14 days exploring all that the islands of Orkney have to offer.....