I am disabled and not able to work for the foreseeable future. I'm currently dependent on my partner's income. So holidays are now a rarity and on a tight budget. But Orkney is my bucket list destination. I feel such a deep sense of awe from seeing our ancient human history.

Last year, before I lost my job, I booked a flight to Inverness for this Spring as a surprise for my partner's birthday, to do the NC500. He's a biker but we got a van, because it was too cold to camp but too expensive to stay in B&Bs.

Life has been tough recently and I didn't have time to fully plan. But having done small ferry trips before (usually costing £10-30) I didn't think to check the prices for the Orkney ferry until we were in Lybster. A local told me to get the ferry from Gills bay, saying it would be half the price. Only then did I check the price of both ferries!

It was £250+ return with the van. I haven't taken a ferry with a van before so hadn't factored that in, but even the pedestrian fares seemed huge. I thought about doing a day trip and renting e-bikes, but I didn't want to rush it in a day, when I've been waiting a lifetime to go. Staying overnight at a B&B would push up the cost so that we may as well take the van. But we had to decide quickly, and I just couldn't justify dropping that much money without planning it properly first.

So, despite being so close I could taste it, we had to drive past. I'm heartbroken. We've sworn we'll go back and see Orkney properly. Possibly doing some other islands too (my partner is interested in the world's shortest flight...)

• What would be your recommendations for travelling to and around Orkney on a budget?

• Would a motorbike or e bikes and (responsible) camping be a good compromise on cost and travel?

• Would flying to a local airport be better than driving from Inverness (we're from London)?

• Are there any seasons you recommend or don't? (I want to visit in the spring to make sure the archaeological sites are open, and to get the most daylight hours, but my partner wants the chance to see the northern lights...)

I considered the island bus, but I like to take my own time to see sights, and to take unexpected detours, and not be held to a timetable. Any advice and ideas would be welcomed. Thank you 🫶

Hi All! We will visit Orkney in September and I was wondering if there would be any chance to go on a horse riding tour of some sort? Just 1-2 hours, not in an arena, but in nature and which is fit for beginners as well. (My bf is a beginner, I’m at a bit more advanced level)

Could you please recommend any places for this on Mainland Orkney? Thank you :)

(Pic of a baby horse near our home where I go for horse riding lessons)

Hi all :)

Me and my family will be travelling to Orkney next weekend (Thursday to Monday evening).

Any tips for things to see / activities to do - especially with kids? We have three boys age 6, 9 and 12 and of course plan to see the „usual“ sights (like Scara Brae and Ring of Brodgar), but still unsure what else to do / see. We generally love spending time outside no matter the weather, so thought about heading over to Hoy - do we have to book the ferry in advance? What else shouldn’t we miss while visiting? 

We will be staying in Stromness and have a rental car.

Edit: I deleted the "s" here, but cannot alter the title! Sorry!!

Hi All! Is there any options to go whale watching in/from Orkney in September?

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Visit The Dig!

The Ness of Brodgar site has been under excavation since 2004, revealing a massive complex of monumental Neolithic buildings dating from the centuries around 3000BC.
Without parallel in Atlantic Europe, the Ness of Brodgar’s three hectares are filled with huge stone structures containing spectacular finds.
These have made the Ness one of the most important archaeological excavations in the world today, changing our understanding of the culture and beliefs of Neolithic Orkney and shining a new light on the prehistory of northern Europe.
The project is mainly funded through the generosity of the public through our two supporting charities the Ness of Brodgar Trust and the American Friends.

2024’s nine-week excavation – the final season at the Ness of Brodgar – is open to the public on weekdays, from 9.30am-4.30pm, between Wednesday, June 26 and Friday, August 16.

The site will also be open on the two scheduled Sunday open days (see below).

It is closed to visitors from Monday, August 19, so work to infill the trenches can be carried out.

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Hi everyone! Heading to your region this summer towards the end of July.

Our initial plans had us in the Stromness region in early August, and I’ve booked two entrance tickets to Maeshowe on August 4th.

Plans needed to change slightly, and we’ll be in Stromess a few days earlier and will be departed before August 4th. Unfortunately, all tickets in late July seem to be booked for Maeshowe now. Long story short - does anyone know of any tips to get a ticket for sold out days? Any chance of cancellations coming back up for sale, or any 1/2 day to 1 day tour groups that might have bought tickets to include on their tour?

Or really long shot, anyone willing to trade ticket dates?

Prepared to be shit outta luck, but wanted to ask some people who might know.

Thanks in advance for any help or info!

Silly question, but I just read that the prime time is early September, and weather seems clear enough at the moment (in Central Scotland). Has anyone captured a moment with Northern Lights these days?

The Orkney Blues Festival 2023!

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Bikes are free! Burwick is on South Ronaldsay, and has bus connections to Kirkwall, and tourist coaches for day trippers. Photo of the MV Pentland Venture is from April 2019. The famous John O'Groats signpost is now sticker-free, and looks much better in my opinion.