Frequently asked questions

Planning your Orkney trip

  • There is no best time of year to visit Orkney; all year round can be particularly stunning and quite often it is possible to experience four seasons in one day. Orkney's unique charm can be enjoyed year-round, with each season offering its own beauty and attractions for Orkney holidays.

    Our tour and accommodation packages run all year round.

  • The weather can be very variable in Orkney – if often feels like we get four seasons in one day! Keep this in mind when packing for your Orkney trip. We recommend taking layers, as well as a waterproof jacket with a hood (it can get quite windy in Orkney which has been the end of many umbrellas!). A pair of comfortable shoes will also mean you can make the most of exploring.

    We are delighted to supply umbrellas for you to borrow during your stay for those less windy days!

  • Many people come to Orkney and never want to leave!

    We’d recommend a minimum of 3 days / 2 nights to explore the Orkney mainland. This i'Best of Orkney’ tour and accommodation package is perfect for exploring the best of what the Mainland has to offer and the inspiration behind our ‘ 'Best of Orkney’ tour and accommodation package.

    For those who want to stay longer, you may want to add on a couple of days walking / cycling The St Magnus Way. And for larger groups, we offer bespoke packages - contact us to discuss your options.

  • Orkney boasts numerous must-see attractions, including the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Skara Brae and the Ring of Brodgar, the historic St. Magnus Cathedral, the Churchill Barriers, and the Italian Chapel.

    We created our ‘Best of Orkney’ package to help you see Orkney’s most popular sights, all in a single day. This package includes Skara Brae, The Ring of Brodgar, the Churchill Barriers and Italian Chapel, and the St. Magnus Cathedral.

    If you’d like something a bit more unique, see our bespoke Orkney tour and accommodation packages.

  • Orkney is easily accessible from the UK mainland. We’ve included a summary below, and you can also use this interactive journey planner on Orkney.com to help you plan your trip to the islands from any location in the UK.

    Whichever option you choose we’ll be there to collect you on arrival, so there’s no need to pay the extra cost to take your vehicle on the boat or hire one when you get here.

    Ferries

    There are daily ferries departing from Scrabster (Northlink Ferries) and Gills Bay (Pentland Ferries) all year round. The sailings are frequent and journey takes between 1hr – 1hr 30 mins depending on which route you choose.

    There is a shorter ferry from John O’Groats (John O’ Groats Ferries) from May – Sept which takes just 40 mins.

    There is also a ferry departing from Aberdeen which takes around 6 – 7 hours (Northlink Ferries).

    Air

    Kirkwall Airport is well connected to Scotland’s major cities, with flights from Aberdeen, Inverness, Glasgow, Edinburgh, and London (operated by Loganair) If you’re traveling from further afield, these airports all have excellent links to the rest of the country and the wider world.

    If you’re coming from outside of Scotland, you can book connecting flights through British Airways, who operate a codeshare agreement with Loganair.

  • To fully experience Orkney, you will need a way of travelling around. Public transport is available (Stagecoach), although hiring a car or booking a tour will help you to make the most of your time here.

    When you stay with Shorelands Orkney you don’t need to worry about having a car! Leave your vehicle behind and enjoy a private transfer from your point of arrival. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the view as we tour you around the sights in our comfortable minivan.

    We also operate a private hire service where we are delighted to take bookings for people visiting Orkney for work trips and other occasions who need a driver for the time they are here. You do not need to be a guest to use our private hire service. Contact us for more details!

  • Orkney hosts a variety of festivals and events throughout the year, celebrating music, arts, culture, and local traditions.

    The main festivals are:

    · May – Orkney Folk Festival

    · June – St Magnus International Festival

    · July – Stromness Shopping Week

    · September – Orkney Blues Festival

    · September – Orkney International Science Festival

    Check Orkney.com for details on upcoming events.

More about Shorelands Orkney

  • Our family bed and breakfast offers an authentic local experience. As true Orcadians, we possess an innate connection to Orkney – it’s part of who we are, and we take pride in sharing our local knowledge and experiences with our guests.

    What sets us apart is the start-to-end care we give as part of your Orkney adventure. From the moment you arrive, we're here to welcome you and ensure your transfer to our cozy accommodation is seamless.

  • Our 'Best of Orkney’ tour and accommodation package includes two nights and visits to Orkney’s most popular sights – perfect for exploring the best of what the Mainland has to offer!

    We can also arrange bespoke tours for groups who book all three rooms.

    Our St Magnus Way package offers walkers and cyclists a stress-free trip way to enjoy this pilgrimage route.

  • Our journey began as a bed and breakfast in the home where we live with our three young children and small dog, Hattie.

    Turning our family home into a guest house had been our ambition for a long time and after several years of work, we were delighted to finally open the doors to guests.

    We can’t wait to welcome you to your home from home! Feel revived after a night in our comfortable rooms. Start your day with breakfast in our dining room. Relax in the lounge after a day of sightseeing.

    You can read more about our family run bed and breakfast accommodation in Orkney here.

  • The ‘Best of Orkney’ package can be booked online here. If you’d like to discuss your options first, contact us here.

    For ‘The St Magnus Way one’ or bespoke packages, please contact us here.

  • Absolutely! We're conveniently located just a few minutes-walk from Kirkwall town centre where there are several excellent restaurants. We will provide a full list along with your booking confirmation. In the meantime, see Orkney.com for a full list of options.

    It is recommended that you book in advance. If you have any questions about any of the options please don’t hesitate to ask.

  • Our accommodation is taken up by packages during the summer months. Between October - March, if we have availability we’ll do our best to accommodate you - check Booking.com for up-to-date availability.

  • Our calendar opens up 12 months in advance. We’d recommend booking as early as you can, as Orkney does get very busy during certain times of the year, and ferries and planes book up quickly.

    If you have some specific dates you’d like to discuss for one of our packages that aren’t yet showing on the calendar, please contact us here.

  • Our minimum package stay is 2 nights – this is minimum amount of time we’d recommend to make sure you have the chance to experience the best of Orkney!

  • Yes - we offer free Wi-Fi for all Shorelands Orkney guests!

  • We can offer bespoke packages for groups booking all three rooms – please contact us to discuss your options and pricing.

  • You can cancel at any time up to 14 days prior to your trip. Please note that your 15% deposit is non-refundable.

    We request full payment 14 days prior to arrival. If you cancel within 14 days of your trip, no refund will be given.

    A full itinerary of your trip will be sent at the time of booking. Paying the deposit is acknowledgment of, understanding and accepting the terms and conditions of your package.

    Please see our terms and conditions for further details.

  • While we are avid dog lovers ourselves, we are unable to accommodate pets on our premises. Our beloved dog Hattie, occasionally may not get along well with other dogs. To ensure a comfortable and risk-free stay for all our guests, Hattie is kept in a separate area of the house, away from guest access.

    She may make a brief appearance during breakfast only if we are certain that all our guests are entirely at ease with dogs. We appreciate your understanding and respect for different preferences.

  • Yes – all of our package options include free transfers for Shorelands Orkney guests.

  • Yes! In addition to Orkney accommodation and tours, we also operate a private hire service where we are delighted to take bookings for people visiting Orkney for work trips and other occasions who need a driver for the time they are here.

    You do not need to be a guest to use our private hire service.

    Contact us for more details!

  • · Pick up from wherever you arrive in Orkney, to be discussed at the time of your booking or closer to the time of arrival.

    · Two nights bed and breakfast

    · The ‘Best of Orkney’ tour, the ‘St Magnus Way one’ or ‘bespoke tour’ – whichever you have booked (including admission fees to the sites).

    · Lunch on the day(s) of your tour

    · Transfers when you leave us

  • · Evening meals

    · Travel to and from Orkney

  • Please see our T&Cs page for details.