Hello from Rovingruby ! Tips on The Orkneys

Rovingruby
Rovingruby Forum Participant Posts: 12
edited February 2016 in UK Campsites & Touring #1

We are planning a trip in our 7.6metre motorhome to The Orkneys. Has anyone any tips on sites on any of the islands? Also ferries and  routes . We would love to hear from you with any information 

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  • Pippah45
    Pippah45 Forum Participant Posts: 2,452
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    edited February 2016 #2

    Hi one thing I remember was the ferry to St Margarets from Gill's Bay was not roll on roll off a few years ago Although it may be now.  It is the shortest and most sheltered route for bad sailors like me!  I was last in line and having watched a motor home and mini bus take AGES to back on and delay the sailing I let a professional do mine!  They had volunteered anyway!   There are some lovely CLs and I spent one night at the ferry port on returning late from the Shetlands.

    The mass of historic sites deserve lots of time too.  I need to return!  Enjoy.

  • Rovingruby
    Rovingruby Forum Participant Posts: 12
    edited February 2016 #3

    Thanks Pippa. Are the roads ok for larger vehicles? We are about to retire so we will have lots of timeHappy WeWere planning to use this
    ferry  so will be ready for reversing up ?? 

    Hope you manage to get back sometime 

  • Lambos
    Lambos Forum Participant Posts: 5
    edited February 2016 #4

    Hello, we had a visit there around 2009, sailed with Pentland Ferries. Stayed overnight at the terminal, with permission of course. We were there for the Folk festival in May I think and it was bitterly cold. Plenty of places to Park up overnight, Yaght
    club, town center car parks with great sea views and plenty of beach wc facilities. The birdwatching was pretty incredible, never seen so many species in one place before, enjoy.

  • JillwithaJay
    JillwithaJay Club Member Posts: 2,485 ✭✭
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    edited February 2016 #5

    Hello Rovingruby and welcome to Club Together.  As you can see, I've moved your post into this section so folks can carry on with the topic you ask about.

    300 siggy photo 6b161378-22ab-47bd-97dd-22af5e8f67ba_zpsbtkpqljt.jpg

  • brue
    brue Forum Participant Posts: 21,176 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited February 2016 #6

    Our experiences wih trips to Orkney are varied, last time we travelled on to Shetland. The two main camp sites are council run, the Pickaquoy at Kirkwall and a smaller site at Stromness. There are smaller sites available and one or two on the smaller islands. Everything involves ferry journeys, we use Pentland ferries at Gills Bay, a smaller ferry that can take large vehicles, we always book unless we do a day trip from Dunnet. The alternatives are from Scrabster and Aberdeen.

    We find it better to book, at the Pickaquoy we can book a hardstanding and the barrier codes are given in advance for whatever time of the day you arrive. Both sites are busy, Orkney is popular with foreign visitors. The Pickaquoy has a leisure centre next door with a pool and cinema etc also three supermarkets. Stromness is attractive with a view of the sea and is a shortish stroll to some nice local shops etc.

    Kirkwall is an interesting town with it's ancient cathedral and both towns have good local museums. Kirkwall gets invaded by cruise ships so can be busy on some days.

    The roads are find for larger vehicles but they are narrow and some go over raised causeways that can be tricky in bad weather.

    The archaeology on Orkney is a big draw for us, there is such a lot to discover!

    There is so much to do on Orkney, the smaller island ferries are within easy reach of both camp sites. Hope this helps with your planning.

  • Kennine
    Kennine Forum Participant Posts: 3,472
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    edited February 2016 #7

    We love Orkney, We based ourselves in Kirkwall for a week and visited most of the Historic Scotland sites.  Mainland Orkney in not large and is easy to travel by car to all places of interest. The seascapes are fantastic and Kirkwall is a lovely town.

     

     

  • Rovingruby
    Rovingruby Forum Participant Posts: 12
    edited February 2016 #8

    Many thanks to all for your tips! Much appreciated .Happy

    Happy roving all !!

  • brue
    brue Forum Participant Posts: 21,176 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited February 2016 #9

    RR, I had forgotten that I'd put on a couple of stories about Orkney and Shetland trips. Look under "authors" in the story section and find a story called Orkney Saga by me....there's a photo of the ferry and some local views on there.Smile

  • brue
    brue Forum Participant Posts: 21,176 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited February 2016 #10

  • brue
    brue Forum Participant Posts: 21,176 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited February 2016 #11

    The reversing bit at Gills Bay, on to an open deck, lots of help at hand if needed.Smile

  • Rovingruby
    Rovingruby Forum Participant Posts: 12
    edited February 2016 #12

    Thanks Brue!  Will look forward to looking at the stories.

  • brue
    brue Forum Participant Posts: 21,176 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited February 2016 #13

    Don't worry about what you might read about the Pickaquoy, it's all ok now.Smile We hope to take the van to Westray next time. See www.orkney.com

  • Rovingruby
    Rovingruby Forum Participant Posts: 12
    edited February 2016 #14

    Thanks !  We also hope to go over to westray. We both like photography. I hope to get some shots of puffins .

  • brue
    brue Forum Participant Posts: 21,176 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited February 2016 #15

    If you don't spot any there you'll certainly see some at Duncansby Head in Caithness....come back and tell us about your trip, I'll look forward to it! Smile

  • Pippah45
    Pippah45 Forum Participant Posts: 2,452
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    edited February 2016 #16

    The nearest I have been to puffins is on the Farne islands where you virtually fall over them!  But that is not to put you off the Orkneys which I really love!  This thread has put them back very near the top of my list to revisit after Islay and Jura not
    yet done.

  • cyberyacht
    cyberyacht Forum Participant Posts: 10,218 ✭✭✭
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    edited February 2016 #17

    You can walk up to within two or three metres of them on Staffa as well.

  • Rovingruby
    Rovingruby Forum Participant Posts: 12
    edited February 2016 #18

    Thanks Pippa45,  Brue and Cyberyacht for your posts will keep these alternatives in mind. I'm not sure whether August/September is going to be the best time for sightings but I think there will be plenty of other sights Happy Another
    place is  Lundy Island and also compton Cliffs .Trip is taking shape now - getting excited . Yes will report back !

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