Orkney Islands The Orkney Isles number sixty-seven, of which twenty nine are inhabited, and they extend northward for upwards of 48 miles. The western coasts present to the Atlantic an almost unbroken front of lofty cliffs, where innumerable sea-birds live. Everywhere the coast teems with fish and seals, otters whales and porpoises are by no means uncommon. In calm weather the stretches of sea that, like Scapa Flow, are Landlocked by the islands , resemble a vast lake, clear and bright as a mirror, and are without a ripple, only interrupted for the gentle impulse of the tide. But during a storm the grandeur of the Orkney Land and seascapes is fully revealed. Thick driving mists sweep over the hilly districts and the shore especially on the west side with waves of such a magnitude and force it is awe inspiring. On the west side of Hoy , and at the Black Craig, north of Stromness, the cliffs are greater than 300 feet in height. Kirkwall and Stromness the largest towns in the Orkneys are on the Mainland sometimes erroneously called Pomona.
Orkney is famous for its spectacular views and irresistible islands, and should not be missed. The Orkney Islands are situated to the north of Scotland. There are many small islands in Orkney, up to seventy, but only seventeen of these islands are actually inhabited. The population of Orkney is around 20,000, most of which you will find in Orkney's two main towns of Kirkwall and Stromness. There are a number of beautiful of sandy beaches along the coast of the Orkney Islands, with plenty of stunning scenery and lots of wildlife where the North Sea and Atlantic Ocean meet at the tip of the islands. Orkney reaches over 970 square kilometers; most of the land is flat,gentle, smooth, rich and fertile but the island of Hoy is very rocky with high peaks and cliffs.
The history and culture of Orkney is very rich; it can be traced to around five thousand years ago and can be seen all over Orkney. There is a wide range of accommodation in Orkney and the people are very warm and welcoming. Their Scottish hospitality will make you feel great, and you'll have plenty of support to help you find all the best walking/cycling routes, places to visit and the finest restaurants for top quality cuisine. Orkney is famous for its year-round activities; with lively festivals including the magical midsummer St Magnus festival to the annual agriculture festival, and the folk festival in May. Orkney has a rich musical heritage, with jazz /country, Scottish traditional and classical music played in venues all over the islands. There are also lots of sporting activities and plenty of local cultural events. A holiday to Scotland is not really complete without a visit to Orkney, where you can explore these small islands which are really quite unique, full of their own character, each with a fascinating cultural history and many different species of wildlife. These islands are extremely peaceful, with very good quality of life and very clean air. You can rest and relax in a traditional Orkney bed and breakfast, guest house or self-catering cottage, which is the perfect place to unwind, away from the stresses and hassles of modern life, where you will soon forget about the outside world.
Orkney can be reached by sea or air: there are charters from Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen and other airports which will take you to Orkney in a very short time.
There are many creative industries located in Orkney, including jewellery manufacturing, silversmithing, tapestry weaving, glassmaking, textile design, traditional furniture making, ceramics, musical instrument making, printmaking, local galleries and many more local industries. The world famous Pier Arts Centre gallery in Stromness is one of the most gorgeous buildings in the north of Scotland, and has many small collections of 20th century of artists, including renowned artists like Barbara Hepworth, Ben Nicholson, Naum Grabo and many others. It re-opened in 2007 after a major refurbishment.
Orkney is heaven for nature lovers; there is a huge range of birds and marine wildlife which can be seen all year round. Whales and dolphins can be seen along the coast during the summer time, and thousands of seabirds, including puffins, can be spotted on the cliffs where they breed. Orkney is a great place to relax; whatever you fancy, from ocean to rocky land, birds and mammals, nature and beauty are all here for you to enjoy. It is recommended that you book your bed and breakfast, guest house or self catering accommodation in advance to make sure you get the most from your holiday in the beautiful Orkney Islands.
Guest Houses - Bed & Breakfast - Edinburgh - Glasgow - Inverness - Oban - Strathclyde Accommodation throughout Scotland
5 Highbury Villas
East Road, Kirkwall, Orkney KW15 1BB Scotland
Highbury Villas is situated in a quiet cul-de-sac in the town of Kirkwall. It is well within walking distance of the town centre, where you will find a host of pubs, shops, restaurants and other visitor attractions. We can accommodate up to six people and the whole house has all the modern facilities you need to ensure a pleasant and comfortable stay.
Burray village A961 road, Burray, Orkney KW17 2SS Scotland
This modern and comfortable house lies in Burray village, only five minutes’ walk from the village centre, where you will find a range of amenities, including the village shop, hotel, post office and petrol pumps. You can be assured of a warm Orcadian welcome on arrival at Ankersted. We can comfortably accommodate six people in our two singe and two double en-suite bedrooms. Every room enjoys a high standard of decoration, and has a TV, radio and tea/coffee making facilities.
Ardvullen is a friendly bed and breakfast situated in a quiet residential street, just five minutes walk from the historic heart of Kirkwall, on mainland Orkney. We have three guest bedrooms – two double and a twin room. Each is fully en-suite and one of the double rooms has wonderful views of Kirkwall harbour and marina. Rooms are fully equipped with TV, radio alarm clock, electric blankets and tea/coffee. We can provide a hairdryer and ironing facilities on request. Private parking is available near to the house.
The finest Orcadian hospitality awaits you at Avallon, a modern B&B located in the picturesque village of Finstown, which lies almost exactly half way between Kirkwall and Stromness. We have lovely views of the Bay of Firth and the hills nearby. We have three bedrooms, two doubles and one single, all decorated to a high standard and equipped with TV, radio and tea/coffee making facilities. One of our double rooms also has the benefit of en-suite facilities and all have wonderful views.
Backaskaill B&B provides excellent bed and breakfast accommodation on the island of Sanday. We have wonderful views of the white sandy beach of Backaskaill Bay and can even sometimes see the Northern Lights when the weather is right. We have three guest bedrooms available. Two rooms on the ground floor are fully en-suite, while the third room is a double with private bathroom.
Bellavista enjoys a peaceful location on the outskirts of Kirkwall, Orkney’s capital. It is very close to the sea and has wonderful views across the bay towards Gairsay, Wyre and Rousay. It offers friendly accommodation and a warm welcome to guests from all over the world. We have a choice of two double en-suite bedrooms, a family suite with a children’s room and en-suite shower, a single en-suite, two twin en-suite rooms and also a single with a private shower room.
This family run guest house is very close to Kirkwall’s town centre, where you will find a host of wonderful amenities and excellent links to the rest of the Orkney islands and mainland Scotland. We have eleven bedrooms, and each has en-suite facilities. We also provide a comfortable and welcoming sitting room, which has a wonderful array of books, including lots on Orkney.
Three Norwegian-style semi-detached homes, Buxa Farm Chalets offer modern accommodation in a convenient location. The chalets are set on the edge of Scapa Flow and have uninterrupted views of Hoy, Stromness and the lighthouse at Graemsay. This prestigious accommodation comprises private parking, welcoming entrance porch, fully equipped modern kitchen/dining area, two bedrooms and a lovely bathroom.
Bea House, Back Road, Stromness, Orkney KW16 3AW Scotland
Lying on the hillside above Stromness, this lovely cottage offers panoramic views across the town and the busy harbour, and out over the mysterious waters of Scapa Flow. The cottage is arranged over two levels which are linked by a wooden paddle staircase. The ground floor comprises a welcoming entrance hall, the kitchen/dining area and a toilet/shower room. The kitchen itself has a wonderful view of the harbour.
A detached home quietly located in a residential part of Kirkwall, Cantara offers comfortable self-catering accommodation for up to four people. It is very conveniently situated for all local amenities and for exploring the rest of Orkney. The house has two bedrooms, one wit en-suite facilities. A folding bed is also available, as is a travel cot for guest travelling with your children.
Longhope B9047 road, Island of Walls Longhope, Orkney KW16 3PQ Scotland
Cantick Head Lighthouse and cottages can be found on the island of Hoy, at the top of the Walls peninsula. The accommodation has views over Cantick Sound and to Scapa Flow. The accommodation comprises two former lightkeepers homes which have been refurbished to provide modern facilities in this unique location. Both the Principal and the Assistant cottages sleep 1-4, We are happy to welcome well-behaved pets. short breaks are available all year.
Prices from £410 to £550 (per week)/£60 to £80 per night - please ask for details
Cauldhame
Farewell Farm B9043 road, St Margaret's Hope, South Ronaldsay Hoxa, Orkney KW17 2TW Scotland
Cauldhame enjoys an elevated position on South Ronaldsay, which is one of Orkney’s smaller islands, connected to the mainland by the WWII Churchill Barriers. It nestles amongst 800 acres of tranquil farmland and offers warm and welcoming accommodation for up to 8 people. Cauldhame was once a traditional cottage and steading, and has been refurbished to a very high standard without losing any of its original character.
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