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2 days in Orkney-cruise ships visiting on 1 of the days

Posted by (Tacoma, Washington) on

We're staying 3 nights/2 full days in Kirkwall in early July '23. Looking at the Orkney Harbor website, 3 cruise ships will be visiting on 1 of our 2 full days (July 2). Total capacity of the 3 ships is around 3200 passengers.

Maeshowe is now sold out on July 2, so we'll have to book that for July 3. Haven't booked Skara Brae yet.

Over the 2 full days, we also hope to tour the Brough of Birsay at low tide, Italian Chapel, St. Magnus cathedral, Churchill barriers, maybe the Earl's and Bishop's palace, and additional neolithic sites and beaches if time/weather permits.

What strategies might assist in smoothing out our itinerary?

Which places should we try to avoid on July 2, the cruise ship day?

And which places might be preferable to visit on the cruise ship day?

We're also wondering which locations would make more sense on our 2nd day, July 3, after the cruise ships depart, which would hopefully be a slightly less crowded day---maybe the town of Kirkwall or Stromness, St. Magnus cathedral, Italian chapel, etc?

We're used to getting up & out the door early for skiing & hiking to beat the crowds here at home, so an early morning start is not a problem.

Thank you for your help!

Posted by
8126 posts

Two of the three ships will be at anchor so tendering - that self limits the numbers who will come ashore.
Pray for windy weather which will stop the tenders!! Or for rain!
I think that's a good day to visit Stromness as the nature of the town means that the excursion coaches can't get into the heart of the town. Many, even most, people don't go beyond the pier area, down the narrow main street to the far end.
Each coach will have a short stop at the Barriers and the Italian Chapel. I think I would drive down across the Barriers and through the south isles. You can easily avoid the coaches. If a coach is at the Chapel when you arrive wait a few minutes- it won't be there long.
I might also look at doing Rousay/Egilsay/Wyre that day or Flotta and Hoy.
Have a look at the websites of the lines calling there that day and get a feeling for where their excursions are visiting.
Then save the big name sites for the other 2 days.
It'll be easier than you fear to avoid the hordes.

Posted by
1637 posts

Go to the website for the cruise line, and check the itinerary of the excursion they offer, that way you'll know what they hit. Of course many passengers will plan their own day, but it's a start anyway.

We loved Orkney. In addition to your list, we also went to Highland Park Distillery, Orkney Brewery, and the Tomb of the Eagles.

Posted by
783 posts

As of last year per Google, "Tomb of the Eagles is permanently closed". Check before making the drive!

We overlapped with one cruise ship last year and we barely noticed any change, but that was mid-June.

Posted by
2320 posts

Lots of good advice. Save Skara Brae, Maeshowe, Kirkwall with the Earl's and Bishop's Palaces and St Magnus Cathedral a for the non cruise ship day. Places like Ring of Brodgar, stones of Stennes are open all the time, so can easily be visited in nthe evening once the cruise ship passengers have left.

Other places they don't get to include Broch of Birsay (mainly because it is tidal - so check out safe crossing times). Very few people visit the Earl's Palace in Birsay or the Broch of Gurness. There is also Kirkbuster Farm Museum and also the Click Mill at Dounby not far away. Alternatively catch the ferry across to Rousay with its neolithic tombs and broch. You can either take the car or it is an easy walk to the different sites. Lots of information here.

If you haven't already found it, the Undiscovered Scotland Site is a wonderful resource of ideas and thi gs to do. The Orkney map is here , just follow the names for lots of information and pictures of the different places.

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