UHI Orkney’s Unique Orkney Experience Classes Enrich Private Tours with Local Heritage

UHI Orkney recently welcomed Grand Circle Tours’ private tour groups to participate in unique Orkney Experience classes, offering visitors an immersive taste of Orkney’s rich cultural heritage. The classes, created by Sheila Chapman, Curriculum Lead for Business, Hospitality and Tourism, and her dedicated team at UHI Orkney, were specially designed to add a hands-on, local flavour to the tours, which host up to 16 visitors from the USA at a time.

Held within UHI Orkney’s facilities, each Orkney Experience class featured an introduction to Barony Mill, Orkney’s last operational water-powered mill, which produces the traditional bere grain. Visitors were treated to insights into the ancient grain and its significance, followed by a demonstration on how to prepare Orkney Bere Bannocks. In true Orkney spirit, guests rolled up their sleeves to make their own bannocks, which they enjoyed afterward with a complimentary selection of local treats provided by Highland Park and Orkney Gin Company.

Sheila Chapman said:

"We were thrilled to partner with Grand Circle Tours and share Orkney’s heritage in such an interactive way. Over 40 groups visited us from April to October 2024, bringing people from across the USA and fostering a deeper connection to Orkney’s traditions and crafts.”

With many of the guests voting it one of the top things they did on their UK tour, the popularity of the course has led to a new contract offer for 2025 for UHI Orkney.

Laura Bruce, Lecturer at UHI Orkney, hosted many of the classes and really enjoyed them:

“It was lovely meeting so many fantastic visitors who were so happy to be in Orkney, finding out about UHI Orkney and our way of life in the islands here. We are thrilled to receive outstanding feedback on last years classes, and look forward to welcoming in many more this year.”

This collaboration has highlighted UHI Orkney’s commitment to engaging visitors with authentic local experiences, fostering connections between the college, local producers, and the island’s tourism industry.

For more information, please contact: Laura Bruce, UHI Orkney
laura.bruce@uhi.ac.uk / 01856 569204