Guided Tours
On a tour designed specially for you, I will show you the best of what Orkney has to offer and tell you stories from our history and about growing up in these beautiful and surprising islands.
I drive a Ford Galaxy, which can take up to four passengers.
Visiting for the day?
If you’re visiting on a cruise ship or want to include a day-trip to Orkney in your Scottish holiday, your tour can start as soon as you arrive, to make the most of your time here.
In Orkney for a few days?
If you have time to really explore Orkney, you can book a tour of two, three or four days. We can take the time to visit the quiet corners and perhaps one of the smaller islands. Or you can book a day tour at the start of your holiday, to understand the lie of the land and get lots of local hints.
Tracing your Orkney connections?
A tour especially tailored for you can take you to where your ancestors lived and can show you what Orkney was like when they left. Local research can be done before you arrive or the tour can include an introduction to the wonderful local archives.
About Me
My name is Patricia Long, nee Leith, and I live in Stenness, in the heart of the West Mainland of Orkney and on the edge of our UNESCO World Heritage Site, The Heart of Neolithic Orkney.
The Leith family settled in the area in 1546 but other branches of the family have been in the area for so long that some of my ancestors almost certainly helped to erect the Ring of Brodgar and Maeshowe.
I grew up on a small farm, in a family well known for its knowledge of Orkney history. Now I carry on that tradition and bring a new dimension by using the internet, along with the local archives, to find new stories of Orkney’s achievements in the wider world.
Orkney is still a thriving and lively community and I look forward to sharing our unique mix of past and present with you. Get in touch now to start planning your visit.
Testimonials
From the Preface of McKie’s Gazetteer, A Local History of Britain by David McKie,
“Patricia Long, who first alerted me to the importance of Samuel Laing, conducted me on such an instructive and enjoyable tour of Orkney … that I began to believe she must even have fixed the fine weather”
“Graham and I have so many happy memories of our time with you in Orkney last June. We feel very fortunate that you were able to be our guide for two days and doubly fortunate that you had researched my family and that you had such an interest in Genealogy. You planned our tour so well … For me, and Graham too, the trip to Orkney was a trip of a lifetime.”
-Mary and Graham