Orkney is the cleanest helicopter day from Inverness. The archaeology sits in a tight cluster west of Kirkwall. Fly, spend five or six hours on the ground, fly home. One island, done properly.
Inverness to Kirkwall is about 50 to 60 minutes in the air. By road and NorthLink ferry it is most of a day before you start.
On the ground
- Mercedes waiting at the agreed landing, cases already in the car if they travelled by road from the hotel.
- Skara Brae and the Bay of Skaill, then the Ring of Brodgar. Maeshowe if we can get a timed slot.
- Kirkwall for St Magnus Cathedral and a proper lunch. Stromness if the weather on the west is poor.
- Touring chauffeur with you on the island. A guide in the aircraft is arranged only when one of our experienced people is confirmed for that booking.
What we do not do
We do not fly a second island the same day, and we do not land on the monuments. Skara Brae, Maeshowe and the stone circles are Historic Environment Scotland. We arrive by car.
If the aircraft cannot fly
If the aircraft is weathered off, the day becomes an Inverness to Scrabster run and the NorthLink crossing, or we hold and fly the next clear morning. That plan is written before you leave, not invented on the pad.
Luggage: one soft bag each in the aircraft. Suitcases travel in the car. The charter is arranged through a licensed operator; we do not fly the helicopter. Arrangement of the aircraft, boat and any tickets carries a 10% + VAT concierge booking fee on those third-party costs. Our touring chauffeur and vehicle are quoted separately.
More on the ground: Orkney islands guide.
Ask about this day
Send dates, passenger count, hotel in Inverness or nearby, and whether you want a guide in the aircraft as well as the car on the ground. Prices on request.
Other helicopter days
Frequently asked questions
How long is the flight from Inverness to Orkney?
Usually 50 to 60 minutes to Kirkwall, depending on the aircraft and the routing. We lift from the Inverness heliport at Dalcross in most cases.
Do you land at Skara Brae?
No. The monuments are Historic Environment Scotland sites. We land at an agreed strip or at Kirkwall and drive the last stretch. You still get the morning at the stones; you just arrive like everyone who is meant to be there.
What if the weather stops the helicopter?
Every helicopter day has a written road and ferry alternative before travel. For Orkney that is typically Inverness to Scrabster and the NorthLink ferry, or a hold for the next clear slot. The Mercedes still runs.