Orkney trip advice

[southlonder]

I am hoping to go with my wife and almost 3 year old son to Orkney in late may.

We would like to see the following :-
1) Seabirds
2) Merlins, hen harriers and peregrine falcons
3) Otters

Anything else we should see?

To save money we might cycle, would we have to cycle very long distances (more than 10-12 miles)?

Any advice?

Apart from the mainland and hoy which we will defintely visit any ideas, what Islands we should visit.

We will probably go for just less than 2 weeks.

[Richard Baber]

Hi southlonder

I hope you have a good time in Orkney. We went a couple of years ago and loved it. We were based south of Kirkwall and spent most of our couple of weeks on the mainland. We went to Hoy for one day, but the wind was so fierce there was little to see. We also visited Rousay, but mostly for the archaeology. Trumland, on Rousay, is reputed to be a good site for merlins and harriers.

On the mainland we saw hen harriers as well as short-eared owls at Cottisgarth RSPB reserve, north of Finstown, and would definitely put this on your list of places to visit. We had a good view of a female from the hide and a wonderful view of a male from the car park! The west coast, between Skaill and Birsay was particularly good for seabirds, including puffins and skuas. We saw red-throated divers at the Burgar Hill reserve, also well worth a visit.

We didn't see otters, but we were spending a lot of time on the archaeology as well as the wildlife. Did see dolphins in Scapa Flow, with lots of eider and seals.

As for cycling, we found our car indispensable, but I see no reason why you couldn't comfortably tour much of the mainland and take in a couple of islands by bike. You might need a couple of longer rides. Orkney is small, but we did cover an awful lot of ground while we were there. And the winds can be fierce!

Hope this is useful. Good luck.
Richard

[tufftie]

I lived there on and off in the eighties. Stay in Stromness it's nicer than Kirkwall! The cycle ride from Stromness to Kirkwall is 14 miles and if you want to go to The Gloup or St Margarets Hope then it's further. There are some shorter rides but you would be better off in a car.

Noup Head on Westray and Papay are good for birds. Raptors try Hoy or Rousay. Bonxies and puffins - Hoy, near The Old Man. Though, interesting birds can turn up anywhere on the islands. Seals almost anywhere. Scottish Primrose on Hoy. Orkney vole - Shapinsay. Archeology - it has the highest concentration of Neolithic sites in Northern Europe. The light is excellent for photos and the people are very friendly. The islands are steeped in folklore. You should have a great time it's a fantastic place to visit.

[southlonder]

Originally Posted by tufftie

I lived there on and off in the eighties. Stay in Stromness it's nicer than Kirkwall! The cycle ride from Stromness to Kirkwall is 14 miles and if you want to go to The Gloup or St Margarets Hope then it's further. There are some shorter rides but you would be better off in a car.

Noup Head on Westray and Papay are good for birds. Raptors try Hoy or Rousay. Bonxies and puffins - Hoy, near The Old Man. Though, interesting birds can turn up anywhere on the islands. Seals almost anywhere. Scottish Primrose on Hoy. Orkney vole - Shapinsay. Archeology - it has the highest concentration of Neolithic sites in Northern Europe. The light is excellent for photos and the people are very friendly. The islands are steeped in folklore. You should have a great time it's a fantastic place to visit.

We might not pass our test in time - so driving might not be an option.
Also cycling is cheaper and healthier.


Thanks for the advice about Stromness - what are the best bird watching sites near there?

[tufftie]

Seriously all around you There's a really nice walk if you walk through Stromness (away from Kirkwall) and then follow the coast round and walkt up the hill onto the cliff coastal path. There's often snipe and curlew up here as well as cliff seabirds. Follow the coastal path until you get to the Yesnaby cliffs and sea stack. From here follow the road and turn right at the T-junction. Follow this road for a few miles until you come to the main Stromness Kirkwall road, cross over and catch a bus home.

There is also the Loons Reserve - North Mainland which is very good for lapwing. Go very early, before dawn (very early in Orkney in May) and watch/hear them as they wake...it's something else.

From Stromness you can take the passenger ferry over to Hoy - it's worth staying in the bothy at Rackwick Bay (take sleeping bags or tent). Get off the ferry and take the footpath to the right of the road to the coastal path and follow it round to Rackwick Bay. This will take you past the Old Man of Hoy where you will find puffins and bonxies among other birds. Look out for Scottish primroses and arctic hares. If you are getting the ferry back the same day watch the time as they are very prompt leaving!!

It's also worth getting the bus to Kirkwall and hiring a bike and going to the Gloup/Deerness. The Gloup is a fallen sea cave and great for birds.

Here is a good photo site :-)
Charles Tait Photo Library

Lucky you - wish I was going!!!

[bigdave60dog]

It`s 11 miles from Kirkwall to Stromness by the direct route. Much further if you go round Birsay way. You probably don`t need to go off West Mainland to see all that you want to.
There are good bus services to most everywhere and decent wildlife tours.
Having said that I would definitely recommend the tour round the islands from Burwick in South Ron. It costs around 30 quid a person but is well worth it (he has done out an old lifeboat and you get really near to the Auk sites) If you go to some of the Orkney websites he lives at "Banks of Orkney" His name is Hamish Mowatt.
Dave

[southlonder]

Originally Posted by bigdave60dog

It`s 11 miles from Kirkwall to Stromness by the direct route. Much further if you go round Birsay way. You probably don`t need to go off West Mainland to see all that you want to.
There are good bus services to most everywhere and decent wildlife tours.
Having said that I would definitely recommend the tour round the islands from Burwick in South Ron. It costs around 30 quid a person but is well worth it (he has done out an old lifeboat and you get really near to the Auk sites) If you go to some of the Orkney websites he lives at "Banks of Orkney" His name is Hamish Mowatt.
Dave

Thanks a lot.

Does anyone think that taking a 2 yr 10 month old child is a mistake?

Feel free to say either way - I know what his grandparents will say.

[Farplace]

Originally Posted by southlonder

Thanks a lot.

Does anyone think that taking a 2 yr 10 month old child is a mistake?

Feel free to say either way - I know what his grandparents will say.

Go for it!! He won't get the most out of the trip, but it will be an adventure.

[bigdave60dog]

Not at all. We love kids up here. There are not enough of them, too many young families move away.
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.
Dave

[bigdave60dog]

Not at all. We love kids up here. There are not enough of them, too many young families move away.
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