Spirit of Orkney» Travel

Walking in Orkney and the Isles

admin — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 18:34:33 +0000

Wide open spaces, peace, tranquility and the sounds of nature blend together making Orkney one of the perfect places to strap on the walking boots and go for a walk.

Thousands of acres await any visitor to the mainland or the Isles who want to reset their brains and forget about the hustle and bustle of city life.

Looking out over the Churchill Barriers

During every walk you should stop and take in the surroundings. Take a moment to listen and look around and you may hear the sounds of the Atlantic beating against cliffs or see a seal enjoying the afternoon sun.

Signposted

Many walks are signposted and have well maintained paths and gates. Please keep to these paths and take care to keep away from animals. Keep dogs well under control at all times.

For the more adventurous or those people who want a local guide to help, a number of companies are now available to provide assistance. A local guide is especially useful during the winter or in bad weather to ensure your safety.

We have put together details of a number of walks, guides and maps on our sister site www.wherecanwewalk.com.

If you know of any walks not featured in this list or are a local guide then please get in touch and we can update our information.Similar Posts:

Take a cruise to Orkney

admin — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 18:18:46 +0000

For thousands of years the Orkney Isles have been seen by mariners as a great place to stock up with provisions before or after a great sailing expedition.

SAGA Ruby visiting Kirkwall in 2009

In modern times the safe harbours offered by Orkney were the last stopping point for ships heading out across the Atlantic to the New World and beyond.

Today this tradition continues with cruise liners frequently stopping in the waters just off Kirkwall and Stromness.

Orkney is now Scotland’s favourite cruise destination and third most popular in the United Kingdom.

According to a survey conducted in 2008 cruise ships boost Orkney’s economy by more than £2.8 million a year.

These ships deliver more than 30,000 passengers and 10,000 crew in to the local shops, restaurants and historic sites.

This accounts for around 25% of Orkney’s total annual visitors.

The average spend per passenger on shore was £49, with 94% of total passenger numbers coming ashore either to tour or shop.

Popular destination

Around 70 ships visit the islands every year.

The survey was commissioned by the Orkney Islands Council’s Director of Harbours, following a generic report by the same agency on European Cruise Ship ports and their economic comparative data.

Already scheduled for arrival in Orkney during 2010 are some well known cruise liners including:-

Statsraad Lehmkuhl – a three-masted barque rigged sail training vessel owned and operated by the Statsraad Lehmkuhl Foundation.
Ocean Countess – Operated by Cruise & Maritime Voyages
Oriana – Operated by P&O Cruises
SAGA Ruby – Operated by SAGA holidays
ms Eurodam – Operated by Holland America Line

Tall ships

Statsraad Lehmkuhl in Kirkwall

Orkney is one of 12 harbours around Scotland to be selected as a guest harbour to play host to Tall Ships during The Tall Ships Races in July 2011.

Both Greenock and Lerwick are official host ports within the race series, and plans are taking shape to encourage Tall Ships to visit to Scottish Guest Harbours during the cruise in company leg between Greenock and Lerwick from July 12-21.

Shetland is taking the lead to develop the nine day sail between these ports, a non-competitive leg of the Races series.

For further information about The Tall Ships Races-Lerwick, please visit www.tallshipsraceslerwick.com

Further information

Cruise Scotland website – Breathtaking scenery, stunning cities, haunting history, UNESCO World Heritage sites, and a variety of ports large and small make Scotland the perfect cruise destination.

Orkney Marine Services – Marine Services provides all pilot launch and pilotage services directly as well as Vessel Traffic Services for Scapa Flow and approaches and the Kirkwall Harbour area.Similar Posts:

Getting to Orkney

admin — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 11:38:24 +0000

Although Orkney has only had a regular ferry service since 1992, the Islands are easily accessible by Air and sea.

The Pentalina

Ferry services from Aberdeen, Gill’s Bay, John O’ Groats and Scrabster sail regularly to the island taking passengers by car, motorhome, motorcycle, bicycle and of course on foot.

One of the shortest crossings from Gill’s Bay to St Margaret’s Hope on South Ronaldsay only takes an hour with Pentland Ferries.

Rail links into Scotland provide an easy alternative for those who wish to leave their vehicles behind.

By air you can take in stunning views of the islands, with Flybe flights (operated by Loganair) from the major British airports and good inbound links from European and North American destinations.

Leaving Kirkwall Airport

CityLink operate buses from the main Scottish bus stations to Aberdeen and Thurso/Scrabster that connect with the NorthLink Ferries service.

The Orkney Bus provides direct express travel from Inverness through to Kirkwall, (May to September) connecting with the John O’Groat’s Ferries.

The local buses operate a service between Thurso and Gill’s Bay connecting with Pentland Ferries.

Buses/Coaches

Scottish Citylink Coaches Ltd www.citylink.co.uk 08705 50 50 50

The Orkney Bus in partnership with John O’Groats Ferries www.jogferry.co.uk (01955) 611 353

The Orkney Express, (01856) 870555

By Sea

John O’Groats Ferries Ltd www.jogferry.co.uk (01955) 611 353

NorthLink Ferries www.northlinkferries.co.uk 0845 6000 449
Please note photographic ID is required for travelling with Northlink Ferries.

Pentland Ferries have 3 to 4 sailings per day depending on season from Gills Bay and St. Margaret’s Hope.
Pentland Ferries www.pentlandferries.co.uk (01856) 831 226

By Air

Flybe operated by Loganair, flights to Kirkwall, www.flybe.com, tel 0871 7002000

Kirkwall Airport. www.hial.co.uk/kirkwall-airport.html (01856) 886210

Travel Agents

Tour operator run many specialist packages. Some of these operators have special interest packages.

Ridgway Travel & Holiday Centre www.ridgwaytravel.co.uk (01856) 873359
The Orkney travel specialist.

Orcadian Wildlife www.orcadianwildlife.co.uk (01856) 831 240
Orkney birdwatching, wildlife and culture holidays. Self catering also available.

Orkney Archaeology Tours www.orkneyarchaeologytours.co.uk (01856) 721 450
Holidays, short breaks and tours led by professional archaeologists and guides.

Orkney Arts Adventures www.rosecrossing.com (USA 001) 516 978 2260
Cultural immersion travel. Workshops with the arts and history.

Orkney Island Holidays www.orkneyislandholidays.com (01856) 711 373
Guided holidays and tours with island experts.

Scottish Cycling Holidays www.scotcycle.co.uk (01250) 876100
Specialists in self-led, group & tailor made tours to all parts of Scotland.

John Leask & Son www.leaskstravel.co.uk (01595) 693 162
Discover orkney and Shetland with a specialist family run company.

Wildabout Orkney Tours www.wildaboutorkney.com (01856) 851 011
Unique personal guided tours with professional accredited orkney tour guide, Naturalist and Historian.

McKinlay Kidd www.seescotlanddifferently.co.uk/scottish-island-holidays/45/ (+44) 8707 60 60 27
We design short breaks, celebration trips and tailormade self drive holidays to Orkney.

Orkney Marinas www.orkneymarinas.co.uk (01856) 871313
Secure, affordable, serviced pontoon berthing with a wide range of onshore facilities for visiting boast in 3 marinas at Kirkwall, Stromness and Westray.

Tour Orkney & Shetland www.tourorkneyshetland.co.uk (01856) 87 6566
Specialising in quality group tours, guiding services, inclusive holidays and shore excursions.

Scotsell Holidays & myguide Britain, www.visitislands.co.uk (0141) 5308598
Scotsell for Specialising in individual self drive holidays throughout Scotland, including Orkney.

More detailed travel information can be found on the official Orkney tourist website www.visitorkney.com

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