Hello all! I noticed there weren't any discussions about Orkney yet so thought I would add my 'Top Ten' in case anyone was planning a visit up here soon. I love living in such a beautiful part of the world and I love sharing it with anyone interested in finding out more.
1. Visit one of the smaller islands
Orkney is made up of around 70 islands but only 16 are inhabited. You should definitely try to visit one of the smaller isles if time allows. Westray or Hoy will always get my vote but there are plenty to choose from.
2. Visit St Magnus Cathedral
A beautiful building that definitely deserves a visit. Be prepared for feelings of awe.
3. Visit the Standing Stones of Stenness and the Ring of Brodgar
Always popular with visitors but with good reason. These iconic stone circles, part of the heart of Neolithic Orkney, are simply incredible and need to be seen in person to be truly appreciated.
4. Visit Helgis
Recently voted the best pub in Kirkwall and popular with visitors and locals alike, Helgis is a 'must visit' when eating out in Orkney. The have a great menu with local produce, as well as vast selection of drinks ranging from cocktails to local beers and whisky.
5. Go for a wander through the streets of Kirkwall and Stromness
There are some lovely shops to visit in both towns and be sure to check out The Brig Larder in Kirkwall and The Bayleaf Deli in Stromness for some local foods.
6. Try crispy cheese at the Kirkwall Hotel
You just can’t come to Orkney and not try crispy cheese.
7. Head to the East Mainland and visit Dingieshowe.
A beautiful beach and one of my favourites. The word Dingieshowe comes from Viking times and it is thought this is where people met to pass laws and settle feuds. You're going to be on holiday so hopefully you won't have any feuds to settle but I don't think you'll be disappointed with the vast amounts of beach and the spectacular waves on offer.
8. Another reason to visit the East Mainland is the Gloup and the Brough of Dearness. It is a lovely walk with some great views. Once you reach the brough you can see the remains of a 10th century chapel and some impressive cliffs.
9. Head to the West Mainland, visit Skara Brae and then go for a walk along Skaill beach.
Skara Brae is Europe's most complete Neolithic visit and it's easy to see why people travel so far to see it. It's older than the pyramids and so well preserved that you will feel like you have stepped back in time. Skail is a beautiful beach and I suggest allowing an extra hour or so to visit it, too. The visitor centre at Skara Brae has a great cafe where you can get some lunch or coffee and cake before enjoying the fresh sea air.
10. While in the West Mainland, visit the Brough of Birsay and then walk out along the cliffs towards the whale bone.
A lovely walk and a great chance to see some waves. Check tide times for visiting the Brough itself because you don't want to get stranded. Birsay Bay Tearoom is also lovely and definitely worth a visit.
Thanks for reading and please comment if you want to know anything else. I struggled to get my list down to 10 so feel free to ask for any other ideas. Have you been to Orkney? What would you recommend?
Natalie
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Having just returned from a short trip to Orkney I'm pleased to see that I covered quite a few things on your list although still have a few to do , but no-one told me about crispy cheese, I feel I've missed out!
One thing not on the list that I highly recommend is a visit to Skate Rumple Farm where you can feed the alpacas and other animals and even brush the pigs. As an adult I can testify that it is great fun for all ages!
It is run by Mandy and Nick who are the loveliest couple and you even get some delicious home-baked cake and tea at the end. There is also a little shop with some local crafts. Not your usual Orkney activity but I loved it!
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Hoping to visit Orkney this summer but I imagine accommodation might be difficult if not booked well in advance?
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Great post very informative,just like to add the walk around headland to Kitchener memorial,beautiful views and spectacular seabird colonies for the photographers.
We are going next year and accomodation gets booked up quickly especially spring/summer so I would advise you to book as early as possible.
Stromness is definitely worth a visit if you're not based there. It's a lovely town to wander round, the museum is fascinating (as is the Orkney museum in Kirkwall). We enjoyed lunch at the Ferry Inn.
I also was not aware of crispy cheese so we'll make a point of trying that, and of visiting Helgis, which we planned to last year but ran out of time. As well as Hoy, we also intend to visit Rousay this year and do the Westness Heritage Walk.
I would like to ask, how is Orkney for midgies in August? I would imagine they're not a big problem given Orkney's breezey nature but it would be useful to know.
Thanks again,
David
This summer Skara Brae offered private evening tours - 12-15 people. I highly recommend this as you avoid the crowds, get a good tour guide and are also allowed into the dwellings past the no admittance signs.
We also were lucky enough to get a guided tour of the Ness of Brodgar by an archaeologist. Amazing! Looks like they are only done mid-July to August. We were the very last tour which was on Aug 23rd.
Next trip I plan to get to the Brough of Birsay and also hire a bike and visit Westray and see the puffins. I'd like to also do a Papa Westray tour but not sure I can work it in.
The midges were not much of a problem at all.
We got in a Twilight Tour of Skara Brae, too, but I should also give credit to the daytime stewards there (especially Aiden) - highly informative and enthusiastic. It's a joy to visit.
The Orkney Rangers were brilliant as well, as usual. It's hard to overstate the highlights in Orkney but Sandra and Elaine (and this year Keith, too) make a significant contribution to making them highlights.
Would have loved to visit the Brough of Birsay but we didn't time it right, besides which my friend who uses a cane couldn't do it. So I'm going alone on my next trip, and for longer.
In the day time it serves coffee and cakes and light lunches and then in the evenings really beautiful meals. Not a huge selection as everything is fresh and homemade but enough to give everyone something to choose from.
They do have a brilliant selection of cocktails too but sadly I was driving and unable to sample.
Well worth trying.
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Ring of Brodgar http://www.visitorkney.com/things/his...
Wildlife http://www.visitorkney.com/things/wil...
Orkney Brewery http://www.visitorkney.com/listings/c...
Kirkwall http://www.visitorkney.com/about/kirk...
Highland Park Distillery http://www.visitorkney.com/listings/c...
Pier Arts Centre http://www.visitorkney.com/listings/c...
Hoxa Tapestry Gallery http://www.visitorkney.com/listings/c...
St Magnus Cathedral http://www.visitorkney.com/things/his...
Italian Chapel http://www.visitorkney.com/things/his...
Old Man of Hoy http://www.visitorkney.com/about/our-...
Brough of Birsay http://www.visitorkney.com/listings/h...
Skara Brae http://www.visitorkney.com/things/his...
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On the food & drink front, I have a few hipster recommendations. This video highlights the Orkney Brewery & Highland Park and for good reason, they have become famous through years of work.
However, Swannay Brewery at the north end of the island & Scapa distillery in Kirkwall have, in my opinion, a better product for beer & whisky than their more famous counterparts. Swannay in particular makes some of the best beer in Scotland for people who love their beer high ABV%.
Also, do not miss the Orkney Wine company right in front of the Italian chapel. Try their range of delicious fortified wine, so yummy & strong.
For food, the best meal I had in Orkney was when I bought Orcadian lamb from E. Flett butchers in Stromness & made a curry out of it in the hostel. It is the best lamb I have ever had quality wise, it physically was melt-in-the-mouth. If you love to cook & have access to a kitchen in Orkney, I cannot recommend cooking local lamb enough!!
Best of Scotland in 1 week itinerary (fully by public transport)
My Scotland travels (includes Edinburgh, Skye, Harris, Mull, Arran, Orkney, Loch Lomond, Islay, Oban, Dunoon, Speyside)
Best of Scotland in 1 week itinerary (fully by public transport)
My Scotland travels (includes Edinburgh, Skye, Harris, Mull, Arran, Orkney, Loch Lomond, Islay, Oban, Dunoon, Speyside)
On this trip I'll be revisiting some sites, and will also do a daytrip to the Isle of Rousay which has many archaeological sites.
Great list. I have been to #Orkney a couple of times and truly one of my most memorable experiences in all my adventures around Scotland was Maeshowe.
I will never forget crawling through the tunnel into the cairn and the feeling of being somewhere very #unique . I was lucky to only have 3 or 4 people on the tour so didn't feel to claustrophobic!
At the moment, all visits to Maeshowe begin at Skarabrae with the compulsory bus transfer to the site. More information is available on the Historic Environment Scotland website.
https://www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/places/maeshowe-chambered-cairn/
Great photo gallery including this extract on https://www.visitscotland.com/info/see-do/maeshowe-chambered-cairn-p299611
Thanks for jogging my memory @natalierendall !
Based in the Scottish Borders, Aberdeenshire has a special place in my heart.
Anyone hiked or cycled around Rousay? I'm going to hop over on the ferry and I'm thinking about hiking around the island - or maybe just hiking to Westness and exploring the sites and walking back to the ferry. Probably take several hours. Will wear hiking boots.
Thanks. Looks good.
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