Orkney Island Holidays
About Orkney Island Holidays
Orkney Island Holidays operate in small groups of 6-14 people. Accommodation is in high quality hotels in the regions we explore, selected for their excellent food, comfort, character and convenience for exploration.
For more information see our Accommodation.
A typical day on any Holiday will include visits to the best bird, wildlife and flower sites, a historical or archaeological site visit, a scenic walk, and maybe a short ferry ride to another island. Each day is carefully planned and full of variety, but flexible enough to respond to individual guest wishes, take advantage of special events and work with the vagaries of the weather. We take time to appreciate each aspect, rather than rushing around. We use high quality and experienced local guides to help us in regions visited outside the northern isles to ensure our Holidays are always of the highest standard.
Our aims are to look after our customers supremely well, right from your first enquiry, through your booking and especially during your Holiday. We make sure that your experience is first class. We are available to answer any concerns or questions you have about your Holiday and aim to help in every way possible.
Our logo, the black guillemot or 'tystie' was chosen because, like us, this delightful northern bird is here all year round. This means that our knowledge and experience of the Northern Isles of Orkney and Shetland are second to none.
Your Hosts
Your hosts Paul & Louise Hollinrake have lived in Orkney and run Special Interest Holidays since 1986. We are your expert guides with specialist knowledge of birds, flowers, archaeology, wildlife and history of the northern isles of Orkney and Shetland, and what it is like to live and work in Orkney and Shetland. We are both keen and experienced World travellers and cultivate a passion for developing and expanding our repertoire of Special Destination Holidays. We have an ever-increasing regular band of enthusiasts who like to accompany us to these areas. The same drive and enthusiasm goes in to running Holidays to other destinations Worldwide as it does for our Holidays in the Northern Isles.
Paul is the RSPB (Royal Society for the Protection of Birds) Warden on Shapinsay in Orkney where he manages the Mill Dam Wetland Reserve for birds and visitors. He has been a lifelong birdwatcher and naturalist and has a BSc Honours Degree in Zoology, and gained a teacher's qualification in Outdoor Education. His enthusiasm for birds, wildlife and the great outdoors is infectious and many years of experience in helping people explore and enjoy the natural world, guarantees all our guests get the best out of their Holiday with us. In his spare time Paul enjoys playing Scottish Traditional fiddle and accordion music with local musicians, skiing holidays, travelling, kayaking in Orkney, relaxing with yoga and well yes, Birdwatching!
Louise is a veritable mine of information on the Archaeology and History of Orkney. She trained as a teacher in Environmental Studies and Outdoor Education. She has taken many Orcadian Studies courses with Aberdeen University. These covered much of Orkney's unique history, language, literature and culture, plus Orkney's wealth of Archaeological remains. When time permits Louise enjoys painting with watercolours and acrylics, reading, writing, studying as a trainee Shiatsu Practitioner, skiing holidays, travelling, kayaking in Orkney and playing Traditional music on piano and second accordion with local Orcadian musicians.
We live and work in Orkney and know the northern isles of both Orkney and Shetland intimately. We really 'know our stuff' and can provide more illuminating insights than those tour operators who come to Orkney & Shetland once or twice a year. As Carolyn Kerchek from Colorado said after her Roamer holiday with us, "You've done a fantastic job of thoroughly yet subtly introducing us to the gentle wonder of Orkney. You've given us a fine feel for your world.
Paddy Jones wrote after her Holiday (the first of many!): “Paul and Louise are excellent communicators who enjoy sharing their knowledge and interpreting their environment for their guests, making it interesting and fun!”