Lovely Orkney Cottages
Links
Below we have a list of links to various Orkney web sites, some of which may come in useful if you are planning activities on the islands. Please note we are not responsible for the content of these sites.
Information
- Orkney Archaeology Society, a web site with lots of information, the society supports and develops Orkney’s extensive archaeological and historical resources.
- Orkney Islands Council The OIC is Orkney’s biggest employer and manages many aspects of local life including waste disposal, education, health and care.
- The Orcadian The local newspaper, published on Thursday each week.
- Visit Orkney Local tourism website with lots of useful local information.
- Orkney.com A general website promoting Orkney.
- Orkney Harbours manage Orkney’s various ports of call, their website also has a lot of useful local marine information.
- Time Traveller video a short youtube video outlining Orkney’s history.
Orkney Produce
- Applepot Locally made pottery.
- Local Jewellry: Aurora, Sheila Fleet, Ortak, Ola Gorie
- Belgarth Bodhrans Locally made drums.
- Whisky: Highland Park Distillery and Scapa Distillery are both based near Kirkwall and do tours in the summer months.
- Gin: Kirkjuvagr and Orkney Gin have both begun distilling gin locally.
- Hoxa Tapestry Gallery Artwork by Leila and Jo Thomson based in South Ronaldsay.
- Beer: The Orkney Brewery Based in Quoyloo on the West Mainland of Orkney. The Orkney Brewery runs tours from March. The Swannay Brewery is also based on the West Mainland and produces a selection of tasty beer and ales.
- Orkney Cheddar local cheese
- Jollys fish shop great for local salmon, seafood and other quality produce
- Orkney Soap manufactured in Stronsay.
Galleries, Museums and Sites
- The Pier Arts Centre An arts gallery in central Stromness featuring work from various artists.
- The Tomb of the Eagles stone age tomb.
- Skara Brae neolithic village on the West Mainland of Orkney.
- The Orkney Museum in Kirkwall (formerly Tankerness House Museum) has a collection of national importance and well worth a browse.
- Kirbuster Museum, Corrigal Farm Museum and the Barony Mill are also worth a look.
- Orkney Wireless Museum has a fascinating collection of radio equipment from the previous century. The museum is open during the summer, central Kirkwall.
Travel
- Loganair The local airline, runs flights to and from Kirkwall to mainland Scotland as well as Norway. Also runs flights to Orkney’s Northern Isles.
- Northlink Ferries Manages ferries to/from Orkney. The routes are Strabster to Stromness, Kirkwall to Aberdeen and Kirkwall to Lerwick.
- Pentland Ferries Runs a short crossing over the Pentland Firth from Gill’s Bay (Caithness) to St. Margaret’s Hope (South Ronaldsay).
- Trainline book your railway journey here.
- Scotrail Rail travel through Scotland, will take you to Thurso (for Scrabster) or Wick.
- Walkinghighlands
- Orkney Ferries Manages ferries around many of Orkney’s islands
- John O Groats Ferries The John O Groats ferry is a short sea crossing run in the summer from John O Groats in Caithness to Orkney catering for foot passengers.
Shows
- Orkney Folk Festival A festival of folk music including visiting as well as local artists (featuring Eddie Reader for 2017).
- St. Magnus Festival Orkney’s fesitval of the arts including music performances from all over.
Water Sports
- Orkney Marinas Orkney has marinas in Kirkwall, Stromness and Westray.
- Scapa Scuba Scapa Flow is very popular among scuba divers due to the remains of the German High seas fleet lying on the seabed (as well as other shipwrecks). Scapa Scuba is a PADI dive centre based in Stromness.
- Orkney Sailing Club Orkney’s biggest sailing club and an RYA training centre.
- Holm Sailing Club Snipe class sailing club based in St. Mary’s
- Stromness Sailing Club The Snipe class is also popular in Stromness, but yachts and traditional yoles and skiffs are popular at this club.
- Kayaking is popular among the islands, the Kirkwall Kayak Club and the Orkney Sea Kayak Association organise paddling round the extensive coastline.
- Orkney Rowing Club Based in Kirkwall the Orkney Rowing Club does training and racing in Shetland Yoals and St. Ayles Skiffs.
Other
- Cycle Orkney The local cycle shop, offering cycle hire based in Kirkwall
- The Pickaquoy Centre Orkney’s main sports centre with cinema, swimming pool, running track, squash courts, climbing wall as well as many other sports facilities. The Pickaquoy Centre is in Kirkwall not far from the town centre, the Kirkwall campsite is located next to the Pickaquoy Centre.
- Wheems Organic Farm has glamping pods and camping on offer in a beautiful organic farm on South Ronaldsay.
- Orkney Archaeology Tours offers interesting tours of the many local sites.
- The Reel often has live music in the evenings, they also do music lessons, have a music shop and a café.
- Orkan Adventures Paintball activities in Burray, among other activities.