This season we are offering the following tours:

• Creepy Kirkwall walk
• Creepy Stromness walk
• History tour of Kirkwall

All tours are available by arrangement. The price is £30.00 for a group (maximum 25)

We are also offering regular history walks in Stromness through our sister company, Stromness Tours.

These go throughout July and August at the following times – NO NEED TO BOOK!

Sunday                        2.00pm

Tuesday                      6.00pm

Wednesday               2.00pm

Price £7.00 adult, £5.00 senior, £3.00 child

The tour starts at the fountain in front of the Stromness Hotel and lasts about 1 hour 15 minutes.

Please contact info@stromnesstours.co.uk or phone 07759857298 for more details.

The regular tours have finished for the season. However, I am available for private tours or storytelling events!

Please contact me for more details.

In 1918, to celebrate the end of hostilities in the First World War, Bassett’s sweet manufacturers brought out a new jellied sweet called Peace Babies. Production ceased during the Second World War, and when they were relaunched in 1953 after the end of rationing, they were renamed Jelly Babies.

Not an Orkney fact, but brought to mind after the death of Harry Patch, the last Tommy.

Please email or phone to check that the tour is going ahead!

AUGUST

• 12 Wednesday  Stromness History Walk   10.00am

Kirkwall History Walk          2.00pm

• 16 Sunday          Kirkwall Creepy Tour          7.00pm

• 18 Tuesday       Stromness Creepy Tour      7.00pm

• 23 Sunday        Stromness History Walk      2.00pm

Whilst I will endeavour to operate all of these tours, they may occasionally be cancelled due to external circumstances. Please phone or email to check that the tour is going ahead as scheduled.

Mount Everest was climbed before the Old Man of Hoy! This 450ft sea stack off the Orkney island of Hoy was scaled in 1966 by Chris Bonnington, Tom Patey and Rusty Baillie. It took three days to get to the top, and the wooden wedges they hammered in are still firmly in place. Edmund Hillary and Tezing Norgay reached the summit of Everest in 1953.

Ghost Tours of Skaill House for Hallowe’en 2008

Back by popular demand!

Following the sell-out success at Hallowe’en 2006, Skaill House and Dragon History are delighted to announce the return of the famous Skaill House Hallowe’en Ghost Tour.

Running over three nights, the guided walks explore the famous haunted house at night by candlelight, visiting rooms rarely seen by the public and revealing spooky tales of Orkney’s past.

NEW for 2008, the tour will also include the atmospheric Long Room, scene of several recent supernatural occurrences.

Tickets by booking only – available by phoning Skaill House on 850 501. Ticket price £7.50 includes hot drink and spooky treat!

Tours available:
• Friday October 31
• Saturday November 1
• Sunday November 2

Book early to avoid disappointment!

Orkney sits between the Atlantic Ocean and the North Sea and is subjected to the turbulence of both! There are thought to be more than 5,000 shipwrecks in Orkney waters, victims of tide races, whirlpools, strong currents and treacherous skerries. (more…)

The shortest ‘A’ road in Britain is in Orkney. It is the A963 and is better known as Castle Street in Kirkwall. Yet another reason to visit!

Saturday, May 17, is Norwegian Constitution Day! As Orkney used to be in Norway, we celebrate the occasion here with a parade known as a tog, concerts, speeches and dinners. Lots of Norwegian folk come dressed in national costume. Skal!

The Vikings in Orkney gave really obvious names to things! Hoy = High Island, Flotta = Flat Island, Sanday = Sandy Island.

Say what you see, folks!

Orkney is a wonderful place. It is rich in history, folklore, wildlife and culture, and has a quality of life that is unsurpassed in Britain today.

To get the most out of your visit, why not hire an experienced, knowledgeable friendly local guide?

At Dragon History we aim to share with you the best that Orkney has to offer. History is our passion, and we believe history should be dynamic, fun, emotional and involving!

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