Orkney Islands

The easiest way is to take a Loganair flight between Inverness and Kirkwall. It won't be the cheapest but it's the easiest and fastest. (I did this a few years ago.)

Otherwise you're looking at a combination of bus/train and ferry.

I agree with Frank, definitely fly…and give yourself some flex time on either side if you can!

When are you traveling?

Loganair fly once a day (not on Saturday, when there are no flights) for what can be eye watering sums of money.

Apart from that you take a bus or train into Inverness. From there Stagecoach run a coach-bus at 1420 to Scrabster (just outside Thurso) for the Northlink ferry to Stromness (on the other side of the island). There is a connecting bus #X1` from that ferry to Kirkwall.

Stagecoach also now have cheaper and faster competition from Ember Bus who also serve Scrabster- bus leaves Inverness Union Street at 1434. Ember also have a bus at 0430 which connects with the morning ferry to Stromness.

You can also take a train from Inverness to Thurso then a taxi to the port. However due to tight connections it is suggested you take the late morning train. No connecting train on Sunday.

If you have taken the morning train there is a connecting bus to Gills Bay for the Pentland ferries evening sailing to St Margaret's Hope on Orkney for a connecting bus #X1 to Kirkwall.

Loganair also fly twice a day (morning and evening) (once a day Saturday and Sunday) from Aberdeen to Kirkwall if the INV flight time doesn't suit you. Take a train from Inverness Airport to Dyce for a very short bus journey to Aberdeen Airport. Northlink also sail 3 times a week from Aberdeen to Kirkwall at 1700, arriving at Kirkwall at 2315.

We drove and took the car ferry over so we were free to use our car there. We did not find driving in Scotland daunting and put 1,800 miles on the vehicle over three weeks. Saw a ton and had a great time. Orkney is so worth the visit!