I’m a experienced and insured Green Badge Guide offering driver guided or step on tours of Orkney. Licensed and insured for private hire.
(12)
Comfortable 8 passenger seat vehicle.
No tour today! Fire ready to be lit. Paperwork lined up. Kettle on sort of a day.
Orkney & Shetland are in for a wild day.
Gales developing
Persistent rain
Gusts to 65 mph possible, especially for Orkney this afternoon
Caithness also becomes very windy with 50-55 mph gusts
Rain eases from Orkney in the afternoon but not Shetland.
A misty view from Orkney Highlights Tours HQ! Autumn is on its way, seasons of mists and mellow fruitfulness. 🍁
The excellent Kirkwall City Pipe Band parading last night.
An Orkney rose.
As I drive around on tour, showing people the beauties of Orkney, one of my favourite things is to see the barley blowing in the wind.
Here’s the amazing Jennifer playing a fiddle tune in tribute.
Eynhallow and Rousay.
Common Yarrow. Many potential healing properties. Please study precautions and possible adverse effects before using.
The Broch of Gurness, with Eynhallow in the distance.
I must say I was rather
chuffed with this review from a recent guest:
"Spend a day with Chris and you'll learn more than you ever thought you would about Orkney!
Tripadvisor review: Orkney Highlights Tours - Chris Matthews
Touring Orkney with Chris was an amazing experience! His deep knowledge of the history and culture of Orkney, humor, and personal anecdotes came together into a well-rounded and enjoyable touring experience. Chris showed us all of the top sites on the islands as well as accommodating our many requests to pull over and look at some highland cows, pigs, and scenic vistas.
Apart from the sites and information provided to us, Chris also provided an excellent touring experience. He picked us up at our AirBnB on time in his spacious, comfortable van equipped with chargers and a great map of the islands and points of interest. He also always let us know what was up next on the agenda, and provided useful logistical guidance on everything from public restrooms to the best restaurants around the island. We immediately felt at home with Chris, and after a day with him feel at home in Orkney."
Chris is a consummate professional - not only knowledgeable but also friendly and kind. We only wish that we had more time in Orkney to learn about its amazing culture from Chris and highly recommend his tour to any travellers!
It’s a sad day for many both here and further afield as the excavations at the Ness Of Brodgar finally come to an end. There is so much to learn from the study of all the things they have found out and eventually, from the published reflections on the purpose and meaning of this amazing site.
The end of an erea – the 2024 excavation season at the Ness of Brodgar is now over and with it our fieldwork phase.
A light in the winter darkness. A cruise lamp. A double bowl lamp, often fueled by fish oil and with a straw wick. Bringing light to Kirbuster Farm (Museum).
The Outrun.
A rather wonderful new film with an Orkney based story.
It has the additional benefit that I’m not in it.
The UK premiere of the movie adaptation of Amy Liptrot’s best-selling memoir, The Outrun, takes place tonight at the Edinburgh Film Festival! 🎥
The film — which was filmed in Orkney and features many familiar faces — opens up the festival tonight.
Here’s what festival director, Paul Ridd said about The Outrun:
“A vivid and unflinching adaptation of Amy Liptrot’s wrenching personal memoir of addiction, powered by an extraordinary central performance from Saoirse Ronan.
“Addicted to hedonism, drink and drugs, a young woman must wrestle with recovery in the remote islands of Orkney whilst reckoning with her complex family history.
“Powered by a pounding soundtrack, a kinetic visual style and intricate narrative structure, this extraordinarily moving film is redemptive, cathartic and utterly riveting.”
The dramatic cliffs of Orkney. Northside, Birsay.
The Brough of Birsay. Ancient Viking capital of Orkney. Home of Earl Thorfinn the Mighty.
The old volcanic hills of Hoy looking restless. 😉🌋
St Magnus Cathedral. Orkney.
Heather in the henge.
I had an appreciative audience at the Hurtiso Viewpoint, listening intently to me telling the story of the tragedy of HMS Royal Oak.
House number 1 Skara Brae Neolithic village, and beautiful Skaill Bay in the sunshine.
Not long now until the amazing Orkney International Science Festival.
While you’re here why not book a tour with me!
Festival director Howie Firth outlines some of the many events in this year’s programme – from Malaysian coral to fulmars on Eynhallow, from ice in the Antar...
Last week I was guiding sub contracted to an agency called Top Tours. My guests were from Germany and their teenage son did an excellent job of translating during the day.
It rained, a lot. But it seems they enjoyed their day and left me this nice review.
“My review from last week.
“Die Tour war super mit wirklich sehr guten Erklärungen. Trotz schlechtem Wetter haben wir das beste aus dem Tag gemacht und unser Tourguide, Chris war sehr flexibel und super sympathisch. Dieser führte uns auch in die Orkneybrauerei für einen kurzen Stop, welche sehr zu empfehlen ist. Vielen Dank für die Tour und einen so guten Tourguide.”
So please, come to Orkney from all the corners of the world and I will do my very best to show you these wonderful islands.
Seals. Scapa Flow. Orkney.
Still just a teenager! Skaill Farm cattle.
St Magnus Cathedral and the War Memorial. 🌺
At the old Stones (Ring of Brodgar) with a happy client yesterday.
Nice people and nice weather make for a great day touring.
A moody sky over Brodgar
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Shetland Ponies. In Shetland. Gorgeous wee creatures. #horses #shetland #ponies #poniesofinstagram #ramnabergstud #carolsponies #orkneyhighlightstours #stgaguides
By the loch side. Late afternoon. #lochs #orkney #hostgaguides
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