Local Information
If you have questions a great Facebook Group is www.facebook.com/groups/Orkney
Car Hire - Local firm W R Tullock (www.wrtullock.com) have a rental desk located in the Kirkwall Airport terminal. Cars can also be hired from their main offices on Castle Street, Kirkwall. Other car hire options are:
Drive Orkney – www.driveorkney.com
JD Peace – www.orkneycarhire.co.uk
Isles Travel - If you wish to make a trip to one of the north or south isles during your stay Orkney Ferries - www.orkneyferries.co.uk - provides sailings between the mainland and 13 of the smaller islands. If you would rather fly Loganair operates the inter-island air service.
Orkney is a bird watchers paradise with many species visiting, or living on, our Islands, including puffins and waxwings. Hen harriers are also a fairly common sight! There are several RSPB reserves and the RSPB office in Stromness is a mine of information for the latest sightings – (01856) 850176.
There is plenty of other wildlife in Orkney – plenty of seals always seem to be around and there is the chance you may even see whales and dolphins as they often visit our waters! We also have otters, but it is a very lucky person who manages to spot one of them.
The best way to see wildlife, birds and wild flowers (and wonderful scenery!) is by walking with someone who knows all the top places! Megan offers a selection of walks plus she is able to tailor individual routes to suit you. For more information please see www.wildorkneywalks.co.uk
Amongst our books is one that will tell you all you need to know about various walks, from the level of difficulty and length, to what birds and wildflowers you might see along the way. Orkney has many archaeological sites, some of them older than the pyramids! More details can be found on the VisitOrkney site. The Ness of Brodgar has had lots of TV exposure and a great article in the National Geographic.
If you would like to book a tour with one of Orkney’s qualified tour guides we are happy to make recommendations and you can also find a list on https://www.otga.co.uk
We also have some very interesting traditions which you may experience depending on the time of year you visit. You may experience a ‘blackening’ before a wedding, the agricultural and County Shows or The Ba’ at Christmas and New Year.
In summer you will experience the long days where it never seems to get dark! If conditions are right, at certain times of the year, you may also see ‘The Merry Dancers’ or Northern Lights.
We can highly recommend Island Tours of Hoy (www.islandtourshoy.com)
Boat trips – for information please visit https://orcaventures.co.uk/ and https://oceantrekltd.co.uk
In Orkney there is a large and varied range of locally produced crafts, art works and food for sale. From traditional Orkney chairs to pottery, tapestry, felt work and many more. Jewellery is another craft which is popular in Orkney with a number of businesses selling their products direct from their workshops or available in shops in Kirkwall and Stromness. Many of their designs are inspired from the shells, birds and ancient monuments seen in Orkney, giving a lasting memento from your visit. Like many of the artists, most jewellers can be visited in their own workshops, which many visitors enjoy.
Golf - Visitors are welcome at the Kirkwall and Stromness Golf Clubs.
There are so many things to do in Orkney, the above are just a few! Further information on what you can do during your visit can be found on the Orkney.com website and we also have personal knowledge of many of the above and are happy to recommend attractions and eating places that we feel you would enjoy.
