A Scottish birder acquaintance suggested that birding in the Orkney's is best in June (2025 trip), but he was shy on the logistics involved. Where to stay? how to get there (yeah, the ferry), etc. Early/late June? One week sound about right? If any Birders and/or Orkney veterans can get us going in the right direction, it would be appreciated. (And yes, we have been to Scotland twice before, including Skye, but my bride is focused on the Orkney's this trip). Thanks!
Posted by
Halifax, NS
311 posts
I loved Orkney. In May I got quite close to the puffins and gannets on Westray. You take a ferry from mainland Orkney. This must be reserved in taking a vehicle on the ferry. You would need transport on Westray.
I just loved Orkney.
Posted by
Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, USA
14183 posts
I just loved Orkney!! (hahaha! yes, really I did!)
I went in August and the Puffins had gone so I'd vote for June as well.
I was on a small group tour (non-birding) with 6 nights on Orkney and 7 on Shetland. We stayed on Burray at The Sands Hotel which is family run (in a good way) with an excellent restaurant. Things are pretty close on the mainland so I would not have a problem staying here and driving all over. I suggest stopping at the Tesco for premade sandwiches on some days.
I expect you will also want to see the Neolithic sites while you are there in addition to the birding? I'd check the cruise ship schedule and plan to do the Neolithic stuff on a day when the cruise ships are NOT in dock. You'll need timed entries for Maeshowe and Skara Brae.
We did a cliff walk at Yesnaby where there were still seabirds nesting in August. The Broch of Guerness and Brock of Birsay (tidal so you have to hit this right) also had a lot of birdlife.
For transportation to Kirkwall, what I wound up with was flying Delta/KLM from Spokane->Seattle->Amsterdam->Aberdeen and overnighted in Aberdeen 2 nights for some flex time. I then took LoganAir from Aberdeen to Kirkwall. The flight was on time although in watching a FB page regarding LoganAir I see that they are subject to delays. My flight was quick and pleasant with fantastic views out the prop plane's windows! I stayed 1 night before my tour start. Coming back we were on Shetland so I flew Lerwick to Aberdeen for 1 overnight, then reversed thru Amsterdam and Seattle. The wonderful thing about transiting thru Amsterdam to UK is that you stay in the international section and never have to go thru Immigration or Security.
The good thing I realized later was that by staying in Aberdeen I could also catch the overnight ferry to Kirkwall if the flights were grounded due to weather. I am NOT a good sailor so this was the least attractive option but I knew I could get there for my tour start.
I'm going again in July 2025 and will probably start from Edinburgh that time with a LoganAir flight to Kirkwall. I want to go to the National Museum of Scotland to see the artifacts on display from the Neolithic sites on Orkney.
Bird-wise, I'm also following some people on FB for Orkney birding as well as getting some general newsletters and collecting websites. I will probably go up 3 or 4 nights ahead of my group tour and do a private birding tour ahead of time. There is also a falconry set up at Skaill House which is the big manor house above Skara Brae.
Random links in no particular order:
https://www.facebook.com/OrkneyUncovered
https://www.facebook.com/groups/286265508410858
https://www.orkney.com/things/nature/birds-bird-watching
https://www.facebook.com/groups/133013273445588
https://www.northlinkferries.co.uk/orkney-blog/30-birds-to-see-in-orkney/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4MhaxefQYPE
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100039830474161
PS: I REALLY loved Orkney. Honestly, I had no expectation that I would be so overwhelmed by it that I would immediately want to go back!