Information
Travel to Orkney
Northlink Ferries sail three times daily from Scrabster to Stromness. You can take your car, and the crossing lasts 90 minutes. Northlink also operate an Aberdeen - Kirkwall - Lerwick service. Click here for more information.
Travel by air with Flybe from within Scotland or with British Airways from elsewhere.
Citylink coach from Inverness to Scrabster for year-round ferry service to Stromness.
The main railway line runs from Inverness up the mainland east coast to Wick and Thurso. You can then use the local bus service to reach the ferry at Scrabster.
Car Hire / Minibus Hire:
Car hire is available in both Kirkwall and Stromness, as well as at the airport.
- Europcar - Kirkwall airport
- W.R. Tullock. Tel: 01856 873212.
- Norman W. Brass, Stromness. Tel: 01856 850850.
- Drive Orkney. Tel: 01856 870000
- Peace's provide bus transport, taxi services, car and mini-bus hire. Tel: 01856 872866
Number of individuals and companies offering tours
- Wildabout Orkney offer a choice of 6 different day and half day guided tours by minibus from Stromness & Kirkwall.
- Private tours on Orkney can be arranged with guides from the Orkney Tourist Guides Association.
- Professional archaeologist and qualified tour guide, Caroline Mamwell, specialises in Orkney Archaeology Tours.
- Orkney Aspects offer private tour guiding services for small individual groups with an experienced qualified driver/guide.
- Five Senses runs off-the-beaten path tours of Orkney, focusing on archaeology, crafts and heritage. They can also teach skills such as firemaking and wilderness walking.
- Stromness by Carriage offers tours of the harbour and town in a Landau pulled along by Friesian horses.
Bike hire:
- Stromness Cycle Hire, Ferry Road, Stromness, Orkney KW16 3AA. Tel: 01856 850750
- Orkney Cycle Hire, 54 Dundas Street, Stromness, Orkney. Tel: 01856 850255
Local bus service:
There are several bus services on Mainland Orkney which usually operate Monday-Saturday. Check out the timetables via the web site by Rapsons Coaches
South End
Stromness
Orkney
General Orkney Websites
Orkney Guidebook (you will need to register for access)
The History and Archaeology of Orkney
Orkney Birds (you will need to register for access)
Orkney Fauna (including Seals, Otters and Whales) (you will need to register for access)