Norse Discovery Pass
History
3 Destinations
5 Flights
For stepping back in time...
Scotland might not be the most obvious place to explore the Nordic culture. However, there have been Norwegian rulings over Orkney, Shetland and the Western Isles. And during the past two centuries, the islands and Northern Scotland have proven to be great places for finding Viking objects. With our Norse Discovery Pass, it’s now easier than ever to head to these destinations and learn more about Scotland’s formerly Viking lands and Norse culture.
Where to start...
We recommend that you start your journey from Edinburgh. Start your journey by flying with Loganair to Edinburgh from:
- Isle of Man
- England - Exeter, Southampton, Newquay
- Wales - Cardiff
- Norway - Bergen, Stavanger
Just to remind you, you must select at least five Loganair flights on your journey; there is no restriction on how many flights you can choose to build your itinerary.
Edinburgh
Day 1
You can start your journey off by flying into Edinburgh.
The Norse set down roots in Scotland, built relations with the locals, and engaged in agriculture, trade and family life. And this can all be seen at the National Museum of Scotland, where you’ll find tools, jewellery and reconstructed burial sites on display. You can also see a collection of medieval chess pieces, part of a large hoard buried on the Scottish Island of Lewis. The style of the carving, the thrones, the material – it all links the pieces to Norway. Suppose you walk over to George Square, right outside of Edinburgh University. In that case, you can also see a Viking relic and runestone that dates back to the 11th century, one of only 3 Swedish runestones in Britain.
Shetland (Sumburgh)
Day 3
You can continue your trip by flying from Edinburgh to Sumburgh Airport on the archipelago in the North Sea, the Shetland Islands.
Hop on a flight to the first Scottish Isle on the itinerary – Shetland. Right next to where you touch with Loganair, in Sumburgh, you’ll find Jarlshof Prehistoric and Norse Settlement, which shows physical proof of the Norse communities in the Northern Isles. We also suggest visiting Unst, which has a higher density of rural Viking sites than elsewhere, including Scandinavia. The Skidbladner, a full-size replica of a ship found in a Norwegian Viking burial mound in the 19th century, is also located in Unst. If you visit in January, you can also experience Up Helly Aa, a festival with a Viking atmosphere, torch-lit procession and galley burning, which echo pagan Norse rituals at the cremation of great chieftains.
Orkney (Kirkwall)
Day 6
Take the short hop from Sumburgh to Kirkwall Airport to explore the Orkney Islands.
You can sense the Norseness almost everywhere around Orkney – from the dialect to their knitting patterns and sailing skills, which scream Viking. You can also find various Norse-related archaeological sites all over Orkney. In Kirkwall, just across the road from the magnificent St Magnus Cathedral, you’ll find the Bishop’s and Earl’s Palaces, all of which help to highlight the island’s strong links with Norse history. Just a 15-minute drive from Kirkwall, you can find Maeshowe, one of Europe’s finest chambered tombs with light-hearted runic graffiti (left by the Norse) carved all over its walls. And a half an hour's drive away, you’ll find the Brough of Birsay, the tidal island where you can explore Norse and medieval remains, such as Norse houses, barns and even a sauna!
And that's the complete tour! You can return to Edinburgh, Aberdeen or Glasgow to start your journey home.
More Norse History in Scotland
Just to let you know, this is just our suggested itinerary. Scotland's Viking past stretches much further... and why not go directly to the Vikings' heartlands with direct flights with Loganair to Denmark and Norway.
Scandinavia
Fly to Esbjerg (via Aberdeen)
Fly to Bergen (via Edinburgh)
Fly to Oslo (via Aberdeen)
Fly to Stavanger (via Edinburgh)
Hebrides
Bostadh (Stornoway)
Camas Uig Bay (Stornoway)
Colonsay Viking Graves (via Islay)
Port an Eilean Mhoir (via Tiree)
Central Scotland
The Govan Stones (Glasgow)
Largs (via Glasgow)
GreenSkies - Protect our Island Communities
Through our GreenSkies sustainable flying programme, every fare contributes to accredited carbon offsetting schemes to meet our carbon-neutral target by 2040.
Furthermore, Loganair proudly serves more island communities in the UK than any other airline.
These small but unique destinations have a delicate ecosystem, flora and fauna. Therefore, extra-special care must be taken to ensure we minimise our impact and protect our beautiful islands for generations to come, not to mention protecting yourself and others when you're exploring.
Our Island Visitor Pledge lists a few do's and don'ts to help ensure we all meet that aim together.
Book your Discovery Pass
Please note - An ADS login is not a requirement to book a Scotland Discovery Pass.
The Air Discount Scheme (ADS) is a mechanism designed to deliver lower airfares for the residents of Scotland’s remotest communities whose main residence (including students studying away from home) is in one of the following defined eligible areas:
Western Isles, Orkney Isles, Shetland Isles, Colonsay, Islay and Jura, Caithness and North West Sutherland.
Looking for a different adventure?
Frequently Asked Questions
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The Scotland Discovery Pass is an electronic flight-based product comprising several one-way tickets for Loganair routes. You select your destinations and build your itinerary based on our flight schedules, and our Scotland Discovery Pass booking tool will price your bespoke itinerary.
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Start your journey by flying to Edinburgh with Loganair from:
- Southampton
- Exeter
- Cornwall Airport Newquay
- Isle of Man
- Cardiff
- Bergen
- Stavanger
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You must select a minimum of 5 flights; otherwise, there is no restriction on how many flights you choose to build your itinerary.
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No, that’s not the intent of the Scotland Discovery Pass – you create an itinerary with a minimum of 5 flights to various destinations.
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No, you can start and end your itinerary anywhere – you have to travel on 5 Loganair flights.
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Yes, but please contact our Customer Help Centre on 0344 800 2855 to help with any amendment. As the Scotland Discovery Pass fares are subject to availability, your itinerary change may incur a fare difference. There won’t be any change fees for changing a Scotland Discovery Pass itinerary.
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Yes, if you want to extend your itinerary, or change your itinerary, call our Customer Help Centre on 0344 800 2855, and an agent will assist in updating your plans.
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Our extensive Highlands and Islands network, but some gaps link the smaller islands, e.g., Barra and Benbecula. If there’s no air service, you can still build your itinerary – you don’t have to arrive and depart from the same airport. Hence you can travel by surface transport between places before rejoining our air network.
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Loganair offers a discount for children, and infants only pay taxes.
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Yes, if you’re a member of the Air Discount Scheme travelling for leisure, then the Scotland Discovery Pass fares will be discounted.
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The Scotland Discovery Pass is non-refundable. We’d always recommend taking out travel insurance for unforeseen instances where you may have to cancel your trip.
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Clan Points may not be redeemed or collected for the Scotland Discovery Pass.
Terms & Conditions
The Scotland Discovery Pass comprises several one-way tickets for routes operated by Loganair across our network to build a bespoke itinerary or one based on Loganair's suggested itineraries. Travel between the same origin and destination airports multiple times is strictly prohibited; these itineraries will not be valid for travel. Customised itineraries may start and end at any Loganair-operated airport in the UK, Republic of Ireland, the Isle of Man, Norway or Denmark. Bookings can be made online. Changes can be made via our Customer Help Centre. A minimum of five one-way Loganair flights must be booked for the Scotland Discovery Pass. There's no limit on the maximum number of flights you can take. Scotland Discovery Fares are subject to availability. Surface travel between Loganair-operated airports is the responsibility of the customer - Loganair accepts no liability for missed flight connections due to travel booked independently. Scotland Discovery Pass is ADS eligible. Scotland Discovery Pass is non-refundable. Itinerary changes and extensions are permitted. No change fees are charged but fare differences may apply. Changes to routing may incur a fare difference. Hold luggage allowance is 20kg. Clan Points cannot be redeemed or collected for the Scotland Discovery Pass.
