HAGGIS ADVENTURES: THE ORKNEY ISLANDS
We started the day with an early bus at 7 am to drive up North to the ferry terminal. The ferry trip takes around an hour to get to the Orkney Islands!. We stopped in Golspie and in Wick for some short breaks but then had lunch in a small town called John O'Groats. It is such a cute little sea-side town with cute coloured buildings and I found a little red fisherman's boat and got some cute pics of it!! The photos remind me of what I thought I would see in Scotland!
If you are wondering which tour I booked in Scotland, it is the 7 day Coast to Coast tour with Haggis Adventures, through TourRadar!!. I got to see so many amazing places in Scotland! Loch Ness, Orkney Islands, Dunrobin Castle, Oban, Glencoe, Jacobite Steam Train (Hogwarts Express) and so much more!!
There is so much packed into the tour that you'll never have a boring day!!. I have written a tour review post about everything you need to know about going on tour with Haggis Adventures --> Haggis Adventures: Coast to Coast Tour Review
WHERE TO STAY
Orcades Hostel - Kirkwall, Orkney
We stayed in Orkney for 2 nights at the Orcades Hostel in Kirkwall. Kirkwall is the main town of the Northern Isles and the capital of Orkney. Kirkwall is a quiet seaside town away from Scotland's mainland. I really enjoyed my stay here and loved exploring around the Orkney Islands.
The rooms are very comfortable with plenty of space and a real Scottish feel to it. All of the rooms are shared with the other people from your tour and all rooms offer bunk beds for 4-6 in people in each room. Free wi-fi is available as well as the use of kitchen and fridge facilities.
Location: Muddisdale Road Orkney, Kirkwall KW15 1RS, United Kingdom
WHERE TO EAT
Roads End Coffee Shop - John O'Groats
This coffee shop is a little local shop located in John O'Groats on Scotlands far north coast. They offer hot food, sandwiches and drinks. Just what you need to fuel up before your ferry trip to the Orkney Islands. Would recommend stopping at John O'Groats and walking around the little town. There is a fishing harbour and cute multicoloured buildings.
Location: County Road, John O'Groats, Scotland
Skippers Bar - Kirkwall (Orkney)
We went to Skippers Bar for dinner while in Kirkwall, it is located in the centre of town. The menu has a range of options from pasta to burgers and much more, there is also a bar to enjoy some drinks.
Location: 2 Bridge St, Kirkwall KW15 1HR, UK
WHAT TO DO
John o' Groats is a Scottish village located in the far north of Scotland. It is a very small village with a population of around 300. John O'Groat's is located only a short 10-minute drive from the Gills Ferry Terminal, which is where the ferry leaves to get to the Orkney Islands. The town has a few little shops and cafes, I ate at the Roads End Coffee Shop. They offer small snacks, soups, sandwiches and coffee. We had a little time to explore the town and take some photos. John O'Groats has some really colourful buildings and a sign that points to different locations in the world and says how far away it is!!
Location: 58.6373° N, 3.0689° W
The ferry leaves from the Gills Bay ferry terminal and arrives at St Margaret’s Hope ferry terminal in Orkney. The ferry leaves 3 times a day from both ferry terminals and the trip takes around an hour. Cars/buses and other vehicles can go on the ferry. It is a really nice scenic trip, as there is a viewing deck, outdoors seats and also indoor seats.
If you want to get the ferry over to the Orkney Islands a ticket will cost you £16. It costs £38 for a car to go on the ferry, not including any people. Buy your tickets on the Pentland Ferries website. Tickets can be bought either online or at the ferry terminal. Passengers should arrive at the ferry terminal no later than 30 minutes before departure time.
Location: Gills Bay, Canisbay KW1 4YB, UK
Skara Brae is a Neolithic settlement which is made out of stones. It is located on the Bay of Skaill on the west coast of the Orkney Islands mainland. Consisting of eight clustered houses, it was occupied from roughly 3180 BC to about 2500 BC and is Europe's most complete Neolithic village. I had no idea about Scotlands Neolithic history before travelling around the country. It is really fascinating to see everything and learning all about it for the first time. They are a few Neolithic sites scatted around the Orkney Islands. Skara Brae is definitely a must see in the Orkney Islands.
Location: Sandwick, Stromness KW16 3LR, UK
The Ring of Brodgar is a Neolithic henge and stone circle located north-east of Stromness on the mainland in the Orkney Islands. It is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site known as the Heart of Neolithic Orkney. I have never been to a henge site and it was really cool to see up close. It reminds me of what the Stone Henge looks like! The rocks are meters tall and it is amazing to wonder how they all got there and why they were put in a ring formation.
Location: B9055, Stromness KW16 3JZ, UK
The Standing Stones of Stennes are similar to the Ring of Brodger. It is said to be the oldest henge site in the British Isles. There are only a few stones left standing and is much smaller than the Ring of Brodger.
Location: Stromness KW16 3JZ, UK
The Kitchener Memorial
I would suggest doing the Kitchener Memorial Walk if you have time in Orkney. The walk starts down at the beach and then continues up the hill to the top where the memorial is located. It is a really nice coastal walk and even though we didn't have the best weather, it is still worth. Once up the top, you can see down at the cliffs and there are plenty of birds flying around and ... puffin penguins!! I didn't get to see any up close but saw some through binoculars.
Location: B9056, Orkney KW17 2ND, UK
We had the choice to do another walk or to go to The Orkney Brewery, so we decided it was time to hit up the brewery!! I don't like beer but it was fun to see how it is made. We took a tour of the brewery and ended with a beer paddle with three beers! Would recommend this brewery if you are looking for something different to do in the Orkney Islands.
Location: Quoyloo House, Quoyloo, Stromness KW16 3LX, UK
St Magnus Cathedral can be seen throughout the town of Kirkwall. Built out of yellow and red sandstone, the cathedral took about 300 years to build with the foundations starting in 1137. It is a remarkable cathedral and would recommend you check it out when in Kirkwall.
Location: Broad St, Kirkwall KW15 1NX, UK
A highly ornate Catholic chapel located on Lambholm in the Orkney Islands. Built during World War ll by Italian prisoners of war. The Italian Chapel consists of two Nissen huts transformed into a beautiful chapel. If you would like to go into the chapel a ticket will cost you £3.
Location: Lambholm, Orkney KW17 2RT, UK
