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The Modern Antiquarian Forum » Orkney » Best base for Orkney trip? |
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Evergreen Dazed 1881 posts |
Feb 10, 2017, 14:14
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I don't know about the other islands, but the stromness to hoy ferry is passenger only. I would imagine you could take a bike, but not sure. There is a ferry that takes cars across but it goes from a different port. It is a fair distance down to the tombs on South Ronaldsay, if you're thinking of doing the journey down there several times during your stay then maybe Kirkwall is your best best, but if it's just going to be the once then I personally would still choose stromness. And of course you'd get to go past the ness twice on that journey, once in the morning and once in the evening on the way back. Need I say more? ;)
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Evergreen Dazed 1881 posts |
Feb 10, 2017, 14:24
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One other thing to consider - We went in July and everything was open, but if you are going in spring it might be worth checking facilities, ferries etc are all up and running. Make sure you book for Maeshowe too, it was a timed ticket when we went, you can't just walk up and go in. Probably won't be an issue given the time of year, but better safe than sorry.
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tomatoman 118 posts |
Feb 10, 2017, 14:24
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Been twice for 2 weeks. First time, 1 week Kirkwall, 1 week Papa Westray (left the car at Mainland airport 'cos Papay is totally walkable). 2nd time 1 week cottage north of Kirkwall, 1 week Sanday, car ferry. If you want solitude + walking in landscape, both Papay + Sanday are WONDERFUL. On Mainland stay, we preferred Kirkwall for overall flexibilty. Strongly endorse a visit to Banks at South Ronaldsay (excellent cafe/restaurant). Totally different experience to the nearby Tomb of the Eagles.
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Evergreen Dazed 1881 posts |
Feb 10, 2017, 14:33
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tomatoman wrote: Strongly endorse a visit to Banks at South Ronaldsay (excellent cafe/restaurant). Totally different experience to the nearby Tomb of the Eagles. Yep, crawling along that passage and into the tomb is very special. It felt like it was untouched, like we were among the first people to ever see it! A fantastic experience. The lovely lady there let us hold some of the stuff found, including a neolithic childs tooth, sounds possibly comic, but it was a strange, humbling experience. I don't know if the visitor centre there has changed since 2014, but I would guess so as it was very basic when we visited, but I really liked that. Tomb of the eagles is obviously great and a must see but the whole operation there is a bit more 'slick' and I found them a little pushy tbh. I felt like I was a tourist being 'processed' which is a bit unfortunate at such a great site.
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scubi63 463 posts |
Feb 10, 2017, 17:46
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I went to Orkney a few years back, flying into Inverness and hiring a car (picked up from airport) Drove up to Gill's Bay and caught the ferry over to the island staying at Finstown which was a good if not quite place. The car came in very handy and is a must for touring the various Mainland and South Ronaldsay sites especially if time is short. I also visited Rousay and Eday taking the car with me. However it would have been nicer and easier (and cheaper I would imagine) to take a pushy. There are many sites to visit on these islands but all are easily to get to on a bike. Beware ferry times and days, if i remember it was a bit of a task organising myself to get to the islands in to the week I was there (on top of everywhere else i visited) as not all ferries operate all week. Kirkwall has plenty to see and do including the museum and St Magnus Church but if I did it again I would stay in Stromness. I continued with my journey in the car and drove to Ullapool and over to the Western Isles to visit Callanish and plenty of other places along the way. Hope to do it again one day it was a fantastic experience.
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wideford 1086 posts |
Feb 10, 2017, 18:19
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The Churchill Barriers can get closed any time of year, so South Ronaldsay and Burray are out as places to stay. The only usual passenger-only ferry is the one to North Hoy landing at Moaness. But vehicles for other ferries have to be booked the day before and the weather can stop them going too - you wouldn't want to be stuck off Mainland on the day of your return home!. So definitely stay on Orkney Mainland
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costaexpress 77 posts |
Feb 11, 2017, 10:11
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Another thumbs up for Banks. Very different experience to most of the Tombs we all visit. Kirkwall not as attractive as you may think, however, it is reasonably central and plenty to do if severe weather moves in.
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A R Cane 30 posts |
Feb 11, 2017, 12:17
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We went to the Orkneys for 5 days back in September last year by camper van. The advantage of this is that you can get to and stay near nearly all the sites you'll want to see without spending on B&Bs, hotels or unnecessary journeys (you can free camp just about anywhere in Scotland as long as you're not annoying anyone or trespassing). Camper vans can be hired for as few as 3 or 4 days if you can get your booking in early and I think if the van's not too big you can travel on most of the inter-island ferries, again pre-booking these. A nice place to stop the night is the Brough of Birsay, right up in the NW of Mainland. It's not prehistoric (Pictish/Viking), but interesting and you can walk across to the tidal island at low tide to view the site. There's also a public toilet and shop in the nearby village. Have a good'n!
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Dog in fog 317 posts |
Feb 12, 2017, 11:54
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Not read replies so so's for repetition...away and on a friend's device. We stayed at Mrs Brown's hostel, a stone's throw from Stromness harbor if you go by ferry. Very handy for main Island sites if you hire a car. We comfortably managed four or five sites approx 2 to 3 hours at each. We went to Skara Brae first and bought a ticket which gave us access to other Broughs and Maes Howe. We booked in the morning at SB for a ticket to !aes Howe, as you can only visit with a small party plus guide by the hour. The hostel we used was lovely, clean, cheap and had a big kitchen table where everyone gathered for brewing up, cooking and eating. Also went overnight to Westray as foot passengers and stayed at The Barn hostel. Again clean and cheap and handy for the bus to the ferry etc. Wish we'd made the effort to go to Papa Westray but I shall return...
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Wild Wooder 216 posts |
Feb 12, 2017, 17:10
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My wife and I went to the Orkneys about 10 years ago. Hired a car and stayed at the Stepping Stones Hotel, bit pricey but comfy with a view from the breakfast room of Brodgar. Very short drive to the Stones of Stenness for the solstice sunrise and back for breakfast. Magic! Plenty of car ferries between the islands but book a few days in advance. We took the car up to Westray by ferry and drove down to Ronnaldsay for The Tomb of the Eagles. Sounds as if it might have become a bit commercialised, pity but still worth seeing. Apart from the major visits, Skara Brae, Maes Howe etc, don't miss the Italian Chapel. Not strictly within the remit of this forum but absolutely wonderful with its own story. I'll leave it to you to discover it for yourself. Also, if you're interested in Orkney traditions and myths try Peatfire Tales http://www.orkneyattractions.com/peatfire-index.html Nothing else quite like it. All in all, one of our most memorable holidays.
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