Traveling to the Highlands and Orkneys next year

How many nights are you planning for Orkney? Will you go back via Inverness or fly or ferry out of Kirkwall?

Hi Pam, we are on the Orkneys for 6 nights (traveling with the Cloud Appreciation Society) and thinking of flying from Kirkwall to Edinburgh where we have family.

Oh excellent! That looks like a fun and interesting tour. Since you’re staying 6 nights I’m guessing you’ll go up a day early? I think this is a good plan to allow flex time in case there are ferry delays going over.

Flying Kirkwall to Edinburgh is a good exit strategy as well.

I’ve not taken the ferry from Inverness (I flew Aberdeen->Kirkwall->Lerwick->Aberdeen) so no experience with your proposed timeline.

The above plan works if the afternoon train is on time. If it has been delayed for any reason you could end up in trouble.
The rail line is main!y single line so delays can occur waiting for southbound trains at passing points, as well as other factors.
I would suggest either taking the morning train then the afternoon in Thurso.
Or the afternoon bus from Inverness. That runs to the port and is a guaranteed connection.

Your finest walks in the Cairngorm area are, to me, closer to Aviemore than GoS - it’s 14 miles to the Rothiemurchus Caledonian forest area from your base.That said, you will see nice woodland and river scenery at the Anagach Woods at GoS.
For the Aviemore area, the easy walk to the Green Lochan (Lochan Uaine) is stunning…classic Cairngorm Pine Forest scenery with the mountain backdrop.You can also continue on to Ryvoan Bothy , a nice spot for a picnic too and…if by hiking you are up for a slog up a smallish mountain, follow the excellent path to the summit of Meall a Bhuachaille.Great views of the Cairngorm biggies from there.

There are many hiking trails too from the Ski Centre car park either up onto the mountains (from a very high starting point of 2,000feet!) IF you are equipped with hillwalking gear and experienced and the weather is clear.Or simply keep to lower level amidst gorgeous sub Arctic tundra mountain scenery.

There are excellent trails round Loch Morlich and Loch an Eilein thoug I tend to find them too heavily forested as I prefer more open views.The Uath Lochans trail might suit too.And Craigellachie hill,opposite Aviemore..through birchwoods initially.

Ospreys can be seen around this whole area too with Loch Garten RSPB having cameras on a nest site.There are lots of woodland birds to be seen here from the excellent visitor centre.

The Old Bridge Inn at Aviemore does good food in a great atmosphere.

Cannich…Loch Affric is the place to do the most spectacular walk in the area IMO…car park at the end of the road then walk the big track on the loch’s south side.

There is a nesting site for Slavonian Grebes in the RSPB site at Loch Ruthven if of interest.

More later!

It's a fine sail from Scrabster too - we did it most recently in Sept this year, on a stormy but spectacular day.Look out for Shearwaters and also for Gannets diving and for Skuas.
It doesn't take long to get round the superb archaeological sites on Mainland with a car (will you have one?) Make sure you book Maes Howe many, many weeks in advance.Even in Sept we had difficulty in securing a spot as there aren't many per day.

The Old Man of Hoy walk is outstanding and should be on your priority list! In May, you might have to book the ferry to Lyness if taking a car.Some nice cafes on Hoy.There were nesting sea eagles there too but I don't think they did so well recently.Skuas on that walk too.

Marwick Head and the wonderful Yesnaby Stack walk are also superb. Lots of fulmars too.

The RSPB Loons Nature Reserve is worth a look though really, looking out for birds wherever you go will be rewarding.

We also did a day trip to Sanday as I love a stroll on a great beach and it has several which are closest to Hebridean standard.We visited Tresness on a sunny day and it was very lovely.Nice beach at Skaill House/Skara Brae too.

For food, the Kirk Cafe , part of the beautiful Sheila Fleet Jewellery store, is excellent for day time food, really good quality.

We also enjoyed dining at The Foveran, a really lovely hotel with a fine view near Kirkwall airport and a short drive from town.We tried Kirkwall's Judith Glue cafe for food day time but by the early afternoon they had run out of food and cakes and as ever, though popular, the place always seems to me a bit chaotic.Nice shop though.

Many thanks to Scotlandmac, Isn31c, and Pam for all the tips and advice! We will be shifting our plans accordingly. Very much appreciate you sharing your local knowledge and expertise.

“Judith Glue cafe for food day time but by the early afternoon they had run out of food and cakes and as ever, though popular, the place always seems to me a bit chaotic.Nice shop though”

Interesting! I thought it was just me! Went in August 2023 and was literally 10 minutes before 12. They started serving hot food at 12. Place was packed. They couldn’t take an order early although there seemed to be a lot of staff behind the counter. They could do a cold sandwich, so I ordered that, which surprise, surprise was served after 12, lol.