I am planning a trip to Scotland for myself and two others (77+75 y.o. but moderately active) this June/July. We have most of it set, but I was wondering if anyone had information/tips on the Orkney Islands. Here is our plan. Note that we WILL see Edinburgh, etc. but this is just focused on Orkney. Questions are in Bold and Italics.
Day 1: Urquart Castle, Loch Ness Museum in morning, scenic Highland drive in afternoon. Stay in Scrabster.
Day 2: Get 1st car ferry to Stromness at 845. See what is possible on Mainland, but then take the 1620 Ferry to Westray. Stay on Westray. (We are interested in Westray in particular since we are 95% sure that some of our ancestors are from there)
--Can we leave a car at the Kirkwall Ferry Port parking lot for about 48 hours?
---Are there taxis or other public transport on Westray? We are concerned about having to walk for a long distance to a hotel.
Day 3: Day Trip to Papa Westray on the shortest plane ride, explore PW and Westray. Stay on Westray.
Day 4: Return to Kirkwall on the ferry. 900 or 1725. Hotel in Kirkwall.
Day 5: Visit Sites on Mainland: Ska Brae, Churchill Barriers, etc. (This will be a Sunday) Hotel in Kirkwall.
Day 6: Return car ferry to Gillis. Drive to Oban. (5 hrs)
Additional Questions:
- Is this a "doable" itinerary?
- Should we cut down the time spent on Mainland (ie. take early ferry from Westray and see Mainland in what would basically be 1 day)
- Are there any suggestions that would make this go smoothly or things that tourists aren't usually told?