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I was helping my daughter move into her new uni digs in Aberdeen today. Whilst driving back I started hatching a plan!
I’ll be driving her back in Sept so I thought I might use up a few days leave and do a bike tour in Orkney. Will get Thursday overnight ferry and return on the Monday night. So that gives me x4 full days to cycle around. So, what tips, itineraries, campsites, hostels, pubs are recommended. Let’s let STW plan my trip!
Cheers
Following with interest as this sounds like a cracking plan
I went to Orkney a few years ago, but we were Sea Kayaking we were based here
It's a nice campsite with great facilities next to a leisure centre with a short stoll to Kirkwall on Orkney Mainland. We also paddled round some of the other islands but wild camped on the islands. You could probably do a lot of the main island from here.
I really liked Orkney and we had a great time, I hope you enjoy it as well and have a great time.
With the caveat that I was cycling with family on day trips rather than a tour.
we enjoyed the loop of roosay, getting the ferry from Stromness to cycle to the old man of hoy and then a bigger loop from dounbay round to Edie and then down to the ring of brodgar.
Merkister hotel near harray was nice.
The Italian chapel is well worth a visit and the neothlic sites on roosay are amazing.
Don't under estimate the wind. I think it took us about 2 hours to cycle the 6 miles to skara brae and about 20 minutes to cycle back
Also following with interest, as I have been having the same thoughts about an Orkney bike trip.Was wondering if it's easy to abandon/Park cars close to the ferry and pedal on.
Was wondering if it's easy to abandon/Park cars close to the ferry and pedal on
There is free parking on the pier at Gills Bay for the Pentland Ferries crossing to St Margaret’s Hope.
The ferry from Aberdeen to Orkney is not an overnight one.
Gets you into Kirkwall sometime after 10pm I think.
Aberdeen is a long, long way from Orkney.
Don't take the Aberdeen ferry - slow, expensive and more likely bumpy. Go with Pentland Ferries from Gills Bay - the drive up and down is stunning....
You will need to check ferry times - connecting a few islands over a few days needs thought, and more than a few are 'out and back for a day trip (e.g. Rousay) but worth it. I still have the northern Orkneys to visit...
Yesnaby cliffs are ace.
My cousin lives on Papa Westray and it's an amazing visit. The island is only 4.5 miles long though and basically one road so the cycling is a little limited.
The service from Aberdeen is operated by Northlink and the vessels are modern and comfortable - the crossing is seldom rough in my experience… if it’s likely to be rough they won’t sail. Though cancellations are more common in the winter months, it is possible in September, but i’d say you’d be a bit unlucky for that to happen.
As giant scum has pointed out the northbound service is not overnight, however southbound is - departs Kirkwall at around 23:45 and gets you into Aberdeen at 7am. Personally I always book a berth for the southbound leg, but it’s advisable to book this as early as possible if you want one as they get booked up.
If I only had 4 days, i’d probably base myself in Kirkwall (Kirkwall the night you arrive anyway) or Stromness and do day rides.
If I only had 4 days, i’d probably base myself in Kirkwall (Kirkwall the night you arrive anyway) or Stromness and do day rides.
And that was to be my question; can you see enough based in one location and doing day rides? Thanks for the prescience.
can you see enough based in one location and doing day rides?
I guess it depends a bit on whether you’re main aim is cycling or sightseeing. Orkney’s not huge, so if you want to crank out some miles then you’re likely to end up back where you started anyway. However if you’re more wishing to pootle and stop loads then, yes a tour could work for you… especially if wild camping. Kirkwall and Stromness both offer plenty of accomm and eating out options. Horses for courses I guess.
Yeah, I'd be on holiday with a bicycle rather than on a cycling holiday.
We spent a couple of weeks touring around by bike about 5 years ago. We camped in official sites, and found them well set up with indoor kitchens,lounges etc. A couple were part of hostels and we were encouraged to use the indoor facilities, which was good because the weather was, ahem, a bit changeable at times.
Highlights were Rousay, just amazing archeological sites and peace, and Hoy, we stayed a couple of nights at Rackwick bay bothy. Maeshowe was a must see (might need to pre-book), Scara brae is best at lunchtime when the cruise ship passengers are having lunch, the sea cliff birds at Brockan (although I think the flu might of got some of them. We did loads of walking too which I would recommend if you can fit it in.
Despite some of the challenges ( maybe because of them?) I would rate it as one of the most varied and interesting places I've been, plus very friendly locals.
We spent 7 days there, based next door to the brewery at Quoyloo . I rode most days. Just day trips going with the weather.
If you have not got a car, I would base in Kirkwall.
The buses and ferries are superb.
There's a couple of museums with visiting: Scapa flow for a start. Embrace ancient life and go see loss of the Brochs and more. Skara Brae and Broch of Gurness are free out of hours.
I loved the Yellow Bird gallery at Birsay, and mrs_oab the very down to earth gallery run by the GP on Shapinsay!
You *must* go for a meal at Evie Bakehouse - but book in advance. A brilliant Italian and Bakery.
Both distilleries worth a visit - they are very different expressions of whisky...I preferred Scapa to Highland Park. Orkney Brewery makes my favourite beer...
https://www.flickr.com/gp/matt_outandabout/5766DXg845
This is all great stuff, thanks
I am now of an age where comfort beats adventure, so camping with facilities (warm indoor space) beats wild camping most of the time, so I love the idea of camping with hostel type facilities.
I do need to start and finish from Aberdeen so set on using that ferry, which means my times are set.
Lots to plan but I also like the idea of not planning too much, if that makes sense. I don't need to cover huge miles, more just cycling between different camp sites and places to visit.
Main thing to look at is where / how to camp when ferry arrives at 11pm!
Main thing to look at is where / how to camp when ferry arrives at 11pm!
the Pickaquoy campsite is a 5 min ride from the boat, or if you don’t fancy pitching a tent at midnight there’s the Peedie Hostel close by too.