From John O'Groats it is possible to get a passenger ferry to the Orkney Isles and have a day trip coach tour. Please check online to see if there are tour operators offering coach trips or private tours and book with them directly (please note that I own a holiday cottage and do not run these day trips and only put this here as tourist information).
With only a 40 minute crossing over the Pentland Firth from John O'Groats, the foot passenger ferry is a good way to get over to the islands. Given the abundance of interesting things to see on Orkney and its relatively small size, a day tour enables you to see quite a few of the main tourist sites, whilst local guides can offer an interesting insight into the history of the islands.
From Scapa Flow's and The Italian Chapel's World War II stories, to the stone-age history of Skara Brae and the Ring of Brodgar, the islands are packed with history. Or enjoy culture and shopping in Kirkwall.
Other tours from John O'Groats include wildlife trips to spot seabirds and seals.
Please note that the ferries for tours of Orkney leave early in the morning so be prepared to get up early to get to John O'Groats in time.
Alternatively, there are ferry crossings several times a day from Scrabster harbour. It is possible to go as a foot passenger or to take your vehicle with you, which then allows you flexibility on the other side to tour the sites at your own pace. From here the crossing is 1 hour and 15 minutes.
