The Orkneys
Re my previous post about another tour round Scotland, beginning on the Mull of Kintyre and I am thinking of going over to the Orkneys for a week.
Anybody had an experience of taking their van there?
Any info will be gratefully received.
Comments
-
We took our previous coachbuilt MH to Orkney and then onto Shetland. Although most people seem to use MHs, there were a fair number of caravans on both groups of islands and it’s very doable.
What sort of information are you looking for, GL?
0 -
We have taken our van to Orkney several times and also visited for the day from the mainland. The ferries are here LINK. We always use Pentland ferries because it's a shorter route, you will have to back on to this ferry but the crew will help if needed. On the Northlink Scrabster to Stromness ferry you'll get a view of the rock stack, the Old Man of Hoy.
As far as sites go the two main ones are at Stromness and Kirkwall (the Pickaquoy Camp site.) Orkney is popular so you can book in advance on line. There are some smaller sites including CLs but these two main sites are close to facilities, walking distance to shops etc.
We're hoping to go to Westray next time and the main smaller island ferries can be found at Kirkwall. But there is more than enough to see on the main islands, don't miss Scara Brae, Maes Howe, the Italian Chapel, Kirkwall cathedral and the Ring of Brodgar plus all the wild life spotting opportunities.
Kirkwall gets busy on cruise ship days but other than that the Orkneys are beautiful and worth a visit.
1 -
I know you enjoy doing a bit of birdwatching and can say that you will certainly enjoy yourself. When we visited Orkney (staying in a cottage) we took trips out to the various islands, including Hoy. I still have the dents in my head from the attacks by ths Skuas! Well worth the week we spent there.
0 -
I can’t add much to the above posts other than to say there are a few CLs. We stayed at Poole Farm, as well as Picaquoy, and would use both again.
0 -
Tinwheeler....Brue pretty much gave some of the info I was looking for. I know very little about the place....we met a lady at Altnaharra who was going over there, on her own for six weeks and it sounded really nice.
Away from crowds and with wildlife will always do for me. Skua scratching sounds good for a week.
As long as we make it to Scotland I think we should go that bit further.
I will print out all info and add it to our holiday file.
Just 9 weeks to go before we re-tax the van.
Once again you have come up trumps....Thanks.
2 -
It’s only about an hour's crossing to Orkney, GL, so quite a simple trip and well worth doing. The crossing to Shetland is much longer.
Here are a few links which might be of interest -
http://orkneycaravanpark.co.uk
http://www.orkney.gov.uk/Service-Directory/S/point-of-ness-campsite.htm
http://www.pentlandferries.co.uk
https://www.northlinkferries.co.uk
http://www.orkneyferries.co.uk/index.php
Happy to help if you have any questions.
1 -
We find Orkney is very accessible, you'll find plenty of places where you'll be the only one around. You might find yourself doing a fair bit of driving as places are well spread out so I hope you can find a spot that suits, hope you get there Greylag. The info is useful to everyone who might like a trip there.
0 -
A couple of sites are close to the ferry ports on the mainland, the CC's Dunnet Bay and a super CL that we've used, The Crofter's Snug, Viewfirth.
0 -
Personally, if I was headed for Orkney, I wouldn’t go to the Mull of Kintyre but it’s your choice.
0 -
Agree, its a heck of a trek towing a van down to Mull of Kintyre, and we only did it from Oban! Very nice though, we stayed in log cabins at Carradale Site, right on the beach. Macrahanish Beach is gorgeous.
0 -
Do I sense a rethink in the air?😀
0 -
Let us know how you get on. 👍🏻😀
0 -
Tinwheeler...I have reined in my ambitions.
We are going to be content to slash the mileage and go over to the Isle of Mull.
The general opinion seems to be that Kintyre and the Orkneys is a bit of a marathon.
On Mull I have found a Crofter who has built 2 hardstandings beside his Croft with hook up/water, all that we need. Knowing that the wildlife should be outstanding will keep us happy. The ferry is booked, all but one of the sites also booked...3 weeks in total. That is May taken care of.
Plan to engage one of the wildlife tour companies to take us around, expert knowledge will save us time....they know where to go.
Thanks for all the input.
0 -
You're welcome, GL. Perhaps you’ll make it to Orkney another year. Why not also do Shetland as part of the same trip?
My feeling was the Mull of Kintyre and Orkney are so far apart that you’d not have chance to do them both justice.
Your plans for the Isle of Mull sound good. It’s many years since we visited. Are you still planning to visit the Mull of Kintyre as well? That will be manageable.
0 -
Plan to engage one of the wildlife tour companies to take us around, expert knowledge will save us time....they know where to go.
A good source of info about Mull (and other places in Scotland) can be got from 'Scottish Natural Heritage' their main office is in Inverness but the Publication department is at Battleby House, Redgorton Nr Perth I worked there for 18 years, lots of very knowledgeable folk.
0 -
I did that trip out to Staffa a few years back. Got a couple of good shots of puffins.
0 -
So much great advice on here Greylag BUT don't rein in your intentions -- rather I'd extend the time I'd take to cover them
!! A standard error made on Scotland visiting is to under-estimate the distances involved. I have posted before on the Maps people use -- Some have Scotland on a different scale, so one works the mileage / time up to, say, Strathclyde Club Site and don't realise that thereafter there's more miles to the inch !! And a lot less roads as well so you might be covering those miles several times.Just one more important point -- because of the mileages involved please remember it is supposed to be a holiday not an S.A.S. fitness test -- SO ENJOY YOURSELVES.
P.S. / Edit
Visiting The Northern Isles in high season may bring you very close to the local birdlife -- Feeding the new season's chicks on the van roof at 2:00 in the morning -- something I remember very well indeed
!0
