Information and Links
We've set up this page to give you more information on the local services and activities that are available to you while you are in Orkney.
This list will help you navigate the page and find information and links on:The Visit Orkney website
Anybody not familiar with Orkney who wants information on what to do or where to stay should really go to Visit Orkney. It has a wealth of information and just about everything you would need.[Back to top]
Travel to Orkney
- Northlink Ferries
- Pentland Ferries
- John O' Groats Ferry
- CityLink Buses
- ScotRail Trains
- British Airways
- Logan Air
- easyJet
- FlyBe
- RyanAir
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Accommodation in Orkney
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Top things to do in Orkney
- Skara Brae: Neolithic village (directions) - Total outing time, 2 hours
- Ring O' Brodgar: Neolithic stone circle (directions) - Total outing time, 1 hour
- Maeshowe: Neolithic chambered cairn (directions) - Total outing time, 1 hour
- The above three historical sites are part of the Heart of Neolithic Orkney UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Italian Chapel: built during WWII by Italian POWs (directions) - Total outing time, 1 hour
- Highland Park Whisky Tour - Total outing time... hmmm.
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Other activities to do in Orkney
- All 5 Senses - Learn Stone Age skills like fire-making
- Logan Air - Fly to another island for a day!
- Eco-Tours at sea
- Guided Tours
- Scapa Flow and its ship wrecks
- Roving Eye Boat Tours
- Diving In Scapa Flow
- Various sport and leisure activities at The Pickaquoy Centre in Kirkwall.
- - The Picky Centre also has Smugglers' Cove, a soft-play area for children.
- The Northern Lights (if you're lucky)
- Whisky Tasting
- The Cinema - also at the Picky Centre
- Explore Kirkwall (map download 500kb)
- Information on "What's On" in Orkney from the Orkney Today newspaper.
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Shops
The range of shops in Kirkwall would surprise you. There are plenty of local butchers, grocers, newsagents and a good music shop among others... and, for the morning of the wedding, lots of hairdressers! (Although we'd advise that if you want your hair done for the wedding, you book an appointment in advance.) You will also find these UK chains:- Boots
- Woolworths
- Lidl
- Co-Op Food
- Tesco - which will be opening in Kirkwall in mid-May
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Food & Drink
- The Foveran: - Great local food with fantastic views over Scapa Flow (01856 872389)
- The Lynnfield: - hotel in Kirkwall with good food reviews (01856 872505)
- Trenabies Tea Room: - Great for breakfasts and lunches, right in the middle of Kirkwall (01856 874336)
- The Strynd: - Super little café tucked away up an 17th century lane
- Empire: - Chinese food (01856 872300)
- Busters Diner: - Fast food (01856 876717)
- Chippies galore!
- Pubs-a-plenty!
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Car Hire
- Orkney Car Hire
- WR Tullock
- Drive Orkney
- John Shearer
- *EuropCar - Airport Car Hire
- Causeway Cars (Good for Pentland Ferries passengers)
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Taxis
There are plenty of taxi services to help you get around while you stay.A taxi from the reception to Kirkwall will cost about £20 before midnight, and £25 after midnight.
- Craigie's Taxis (Kirkwall) - Tel: 01856 878 787
- Bob's Taxis (Kirkwall) - Tel: 01856 876 543
- CD Taxis (Kirkwall) - Tel: 01856 875 000
- Stromness Taxis (Stromness) - Tel: 01856 852 852
- (Stromness to Kirkwall is around £20)
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Maps
Here are some maps to help you calculate distance and routes. Right click the maps to set an origin, right click again to set a destination for routes, distances and journey times. Click the route and drag it to change the route to a different road.- Kirkwall
- Stromness
- Burwick
- St Margaret's Hope
- Scrabster
- Gill's Bay
- John O'Groats (foot passengers)
- Inverness
- Aberdeen
- Glasgow
- Edinburgh
- Troon
- Stranraer
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