Orkney trip advice

southlonder · #11 (**permalink**) 13-02-2011, 04:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigdave60dog

Where are you staying? If you stay round Birsay way you have Yesnaby, Marwick, The Broch of Birsay, then the lochs and nature reserves just inland from there.
As I say catch a bus to Burwick for the boat trip but otherwise you will find that the time flies past without going very far.
Orkney is quite flat for biking but remember that we do get serious winds here (122mph 10 days ago)
Dave

At the moment I don't know. We will probably stay in BB's - I thought of a tent but I might divorced.
I am not sure where we are going yet - I am trying to work out now, but definetly Mainland and Hoy.

bigdave60dog · #12 (**permalink**) 19-02-2011, 01:56 PM

When I first went to Rackwick Bay in Hoy I wrote "I am sure that there are more beautiful places on Earth but I have yet to see one"
There is a regular organised "bird Trip" from Stromness to connect with that may be your best option.
Dave

southlonder · #13 (**permalink**) 19-02-2011, 06:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigdave60dog

When I first went to Rackwick Bay in Hoy I wrote "I am sure that there are more beautiful places on Earth but I have yet to see one"
There is a regular organised "bird Trip" from Stromness to connect with that may be your best option.
Dave

Thanks for that I just googled it and looks fine.

SheffieldLass · #14 (**permalink**) 20-02-2011, 10:48 AM

I think a tent, bicycles, 2yr 10months child and lots of wind and rain would not be such a good idea. B&B, bicycles, 2yr 10 months child and lots of wind and rain will be OK .... at least you can get your clothes dry, and not have your tent land up on Hoy whilst you are standing at the campsite at Stromness ... and if the sun shines and the wind is light you'd be smiling indeed ...

When I went a few years ago I rented a cottage, and had my car. Normally I take my bicycle and tent instead when I go on holiday. I was very thankful that I had done so as the weather for the first few days left a great deal to be desired ... A thumbs up for Stromness from me as a base - that was where I stayed. Agreed, Cottisgarth RSPB reserve, north of Finstown, is good for seeing hen harriers, and there is a hide that you can sit in there.

If the weather is good, the passenger day boat trip from Tingwell via Rousay to Eglisay is a nice one. Eglisay is like stepping back into the farming practice of the past.

At the end of your stay you may be keen to see some trees again though ... I was.

bigdave60dog · #15 (**permalink**) 21-02-2011, 11:13 PM

People are really unkind about our weather. It got to nearly 20deg C last year The heatwave made headlines.
I didn`t ask which way you are coming in. Aberdeen to Kirkwall 6 hour sailing to arrive at 23-00hrs. Scrabster to Stromness, 1 and a half hours 3 or 4 sailings a day depending on the time of year at Gills Bay to St Margarets Hope, 1 hour sailing again 3 or 4 sailings depending on time of year. (least expensive).
If you are biking you will need to stay close to your point of landing for your first night. All three have good B+Bs and eateries but for me Stromness is best for a first time visitor. Also has the best "chippy" in Orkney.
For a treat go to thew golf course (the sign says "no visitors" but no-one takes any notice) Go past the Club House to the sea, turn right and there are some old gun emplacements. Wonderful place to watch seabirds and Common Seals.
Make your way up the west coast, Definitely visit Yesnaby head and/or Marwick Nature Reserve to see Puffins if they have arrived when you come. Stop at B+B along the way for as many nights as you need to. It`s a great area.
Next make for Earls Palace. Very spectacular sea cross the causeway to The Broch of Birsay for a look at how vikings lived. a great beach for kids and spectacular moonscape to the East, Kids can catch Sticklebacks in the splash pools here. Good B+B there, have break there as well.
If this stuff is useful I can continue through Orkney if you wish.

tufftie · #16 (**permalink**) 22-02-2011, 09:12 AM

I agree about the weather and have been walking over Hoy in winter in short sleeves.... and 45 degrees to the wind in mid summer! The lovely thing about Orkney is the light, the water, the sky and the weather (not to mention the wildlife). The weather is part of Orkney and is really beautiful..you can see the rain coming over the sea with shafts of sunlight through it and even in thick fog there is this sense of eeriness. The water (you can see water from every road in Orkney bar one), the sky, the land, the weather all blend into each other and that's what makes it such a fantastic place for photography and painting - the lighting is so completely different from anywhere else on the planet. I would really love to live there again one day, island life gets into your blood.

southlonder · #17 (**permalink**) 01-03-2011, 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigdave60dog

People are really unkind about our weather. It got to nearly 20deg C last year The heatwave made headlines.
I didn`t ask which way you are coming in. Aberdeen to Kirkwall 6 hour sailing to arrive at 23-00hrs. Scrabster to Stromness, 1 and a half hours 3 or 4 sailings a day depending on the time of year at Gills Bay to St Margarets Hope, 1 hour sailing again 3 or 4 sailings depending on time of year. (least expensive).
If you are biking you will need to stay close to your point of landing for your first night. All three have good B+Bs and eateries but for me Stromness is best for a first time visitor. Also has the best "chippy" in Orkney.
For a treat go to thew golf course (the sign says "no visitors" but no-one takes any notice) Go past the Club House to the sea, turn right and there are some old gun emplacements. Wonderful place to watch seabirds and Common Seals.
Make your way up the west coast, Definitely visit Yesnaby head and/or Marwick Nature Reserve to see Puffins if they have arrived when you come. Stop at B+B along the way for as many nights as you need to. It`s a great area.
Next make for Earls Palace. Very spectacular sea cross the causeway to The Broch of Birsay for a look at how vikings lived. a great beach for kids and spectacular moonscape to the East, Kids can catch Sticklebacks in the splash pools here. Good B+B there, have break there as well.
If this stuff is useful I can continue through Orkney if you wish.

That was useful but I think my wife will not be fit enough to cycle - and also she might find it a bit cold. When we have passed our test we will visit and hire a car.

bigdave60dog · #18 (**permalink**) 02-03-2011, 04:40 PM

Yeah. It is bit colder than elsewhere and the fares are expensive. You will get to America for less than a trip to Orkney.
If you are not into beautiful scenery, clean air, unbelievable sunsets and dawns, peace and quiet, marvelous wildlife, world class archeology, friendly people with a rich heritage/culture with loads of live music and dancing. there is nothing in Orkney for you.
Another year maybe?
Dave

southlonder · #19 (**permalink**) 02-03-2011, 08:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigdave60dog

You will get to America for less than a trip to Orkney.
Dave

I am not sure about that - I was looking at £88 each way by train and boat

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigdave60dog

Yeah. It is bit colder than elsewhere and the fares are expensive. You will get to America for less than a trip to Orkney.
If you are not into beautiful scenery, clean air, unbelievable sunsets and dawns, peace and quiet, marvelous wildlife, world class archeology, friendly people with a rich heritage/culture with loads of live music and dancing. there is nothing in Orkney for you.
Another year maybe?
Dave

Definetly - I am still hoping to persuade my wife for this year. However not very hopeful.
How much would a taxi from Kirkwall to Stromness cost?