Planning a trip maybe 4-5 days on Orkney Island to visit Neolithic sites and WW2 sites plus a visit to Skaill House Falconry. We plan to stay in Kirkwall and travel by bus or taxi or with a tour guide. Suggestions on how to travel and if we go with a tour guide who do y’all like. Thanks
Also suggestions for lodging in Kirkwall.
Ellen
Posted by
Lincolnshire, UK
1833 posts
There are details of bus services on Orkney here. T11 will get you to Skara Brae and Ring of Brodgar but you don't ger very long at either site...
There are quite a few taxi firms based in Kirkwall. There is information about tour guides here.
https://www.otga.co.uk/about-us
Kirkwall is a very popular destination with cruise ships. Check if there are any cruise ships due while you are in Orkney. If so, make sure you book taxis or tour guides well in advance as they get snapped up quickly by people on the cruise ship.
Posted by
New York City, NY, USA
5678 posts
I know that there are many reason why people are hesitant to rent a car in the UK. But I wanted to comment that one of the least stressful places to rent a car in the UK is on an island. :). And I think that the Mainland of Orkney may be the least stressful of all. There are fewer than 20,000 people on the Mainland of Orkney. It's a great place to try driving on the left. Also, the people know everyone! When my brother-in-law drove the car into a ditch the local farmer said something to the effect of, "Ach, no worries, we'll get you out. Rodney's car has been in this ditch before! "
Posted by
stevens point, wi, usa
1189 posts
Hello from Wisconsin,
I don't know if this would interest you. There was an overnight mail boat that made the rounds of the Orkney Islands. My trip with them involved a prize winning boar, that people came out to see at every stop. What with Covid they may no longer be taking tourist like passengers.
I looked for car rentals on Orkney for June 15/16 and didn't find anything available. It is a windy place. Despite the wind I found it small enough to bicycle around to the different attractions. And don't miss the museum with the grandfather clock that belonged to one of the HMS Bounty's family members.
Of all the cathedrals I have visited St. Magnus in Kirkwall is the most obviously home made I have seen.
wayne iNWI
Posted by
New York City, NY, USA
5678 posts
Posted by
30 posts
We stayed at the Kirkwall Hotel. Rates seem pricey now and there may be other options then when I was last there but from a convenience standpoint, it worked well for us. Elevator was a mess if I remember correctly though as it was a bit small, even for European standards.
Enjoy!
Posted by
Texas
8 posts
Hello,
If I were you, I’d rent a car and have the luxury of going anywhere you please. You can rent a car in Kirkwall. In terms of driving difficulty, think of the most rural, most quiet place you know in the US. Driving in the Orkneys is like that.
The Orkney Islands are wonderful. You’ll love it.
Best regards,
Bioboy