Orkney History Tour: Folklore and Viking Tales

Explore Orkney’s dark history from Viking myths to modern times. Join a local guide for an authentic, lively tour through folklore and macabre events.

Duration: 1 hour
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • Kirkwall - A flexible path through Kirkwall tailored to the group’s skill level, leading to Gallows Ha

The journey will include several stops along the route.

What's Included
  • Walking tour admission
  • Local Knowledge
  • Unique information
What's Not Included
  • Gratuities
Additional Information

Exploring Orkney’s history from the Viking era to the present day, this discussion will delve into the beliefs that form much of the island’s folklore. It will also examine past events, focusing on the peculiar and strange occurrences throughout Orkney and their origins.
Participants will gather at the Market Cross at 19:00 sharp, where the guide will…

Location
St Magnus Cathedral
Broad Street
The tour will start from the market cross (opposite the town hall)
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.9
(7 Ratings)
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1 star
Sheila_s
Jun 5, 2025
Take this tour! - We had a delightful walk with our knowledgable Orkney local guide. He told us interesting stores from the history of the area and a few strange tales as well. There were just two of us in the tour so we got all of our questions answered. Fun!
Review provided by Viator
Jennifer_e
May 31, 2025
Illuminating walk around Kirkwall - Callum delivered a lively and enthusiastic insight into Orkney life in Kirkwall and the island over the ages. Great history , anecdotes and stories about individuals giving an illustrative appreciation of times past. Callum’s passion and research offer much to a visitor and his personal pride as an Orcadian shines through.
Review provided by Viator
M6871btcraigc
May 21, 2025
Awesome walking tour - It was an excellent walking tour. Calum the guide is so passionate about the history and facts. He has certainly put a lot of time into research and therefore can tell some very interesting stories/tales and truths about Kirkwall with conviction and confidence. There is walking but mainly around the streets near St Magnus Cathedral and not at a fast pass. It is just over an hour. Highly recommend this tour! Very fun and interesting tour.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
705clarea
Apr 24, 2025
Excellent, entertaining tour - We had a thoroughly enjoyable tour with Callum, who has an impressive knowledge of Orkney history and culture. His love of the islands is infectious and he has the ability to explain the more brutal parts of the area's history in a light way which is very refreshing. This is a new tour and will certainly get better and better.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Aaaanderson
Apr 20, 2025
FAntastic tour of the Grimleens Dark History o Kirkwall - Fantastic and informative tour with Callum. This is a new experience set up and no doubt will go from strength to strength because of the quality of the tour and information delivered in such a friendly way by someone who is clearly passinate and knowlegable about Orkeny and its history. Throughy enjoyed our evening tour and learned so many interesting things.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Megd910
Apr 18, 2025
An Engaging Tour Through Kirkjuvagr’s Dark History - I went on the first of the Grimleens Dark History and Lore tours and thoroughly enjoyed it. Calum is clearly passionate about Orkney’s history and heritage, and it really shows in both his knowledge of the different areas and the personal stories he shares. I really think he should turn all his amazing stories into a book; his passion, knowledge, and love for growing up in Orkney really shine through in everything he shares. He told plenty of intriguing and unsettling tales about strange events across both Kirkjuvagr and the islands as a whole, giving a real sense of the darker side of Orkney’s past. The tour was also super flexible; he was happy to add bits in or change things up based on what we were interested in. I’d highly recommend this tour for anyone curious about Kirkjuvagr’s eerie history, and Calum’s a fantastic guide to help you uncover it all
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jadfsd
May 31, 2025
History walk in Kirkwall - Excellent walking tour. Knowledgeable young man with pleasant disposition who has done a lot of homework to provide quirky tales of local history.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
From $44
up to 15 guests
1 - Adult
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).