If you’re planning on visiting Orkney Islands for the first time, get ready for a destination that feels unlike anywhere else in Scotland.
Imagine standing inside a 5,000-year-old stone village, sailing between green islands where seals laze on the shore, and ending your evening with live music in a Kirkwall pub. This guide is here to give you the practical essentials: how to get here, what weather to expect, how to get around, and why Orkney’s culture and landscapes set it apart. It’s not a list of attractions, but a roadmap for newcomers who want to arrive prepared.
Start planning your journey with Experience Orkney’s island tours, the easiest way to connect history, adventure, and local insight.
How to Travel to Orkney Islands – Ferries & Flights Explained
If you’re wondering how to travel to Orkney Islands, the good news is that the journey is easier than many first-time visitors expect. You can choose between quick flights or scenic ferry routes, each offering its own experience of arrival.
Flights to Kirkwall
Orkney’s main airport is in Kirkwall, with flights operated by Loganair. There are direct routes from Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Inverness, with journey times of around 45–60 minutes. A seasonal connection also links Kirkwall with London Heathrow, making Orkney more accessible from further afield. If you’re travelling from Shetland, the hop from Sumburgh takes just 35 minutes.
Ferries to Orkney
Sailing to the islands is a popular choice for those bringing cars, campervans, or bikes. NorthLink Ferries run between Scrabster and Stromness (around 90 minutes), and between Aberdeen and Kirkwall (six hours, with an onward connection to Shetland). Pentland Ferries also operate a shorter crossing from Gills Bay to St Margaret’s Hope in about 70 minutes. Both companies welcome foot passengers, pets, and cyclists, so you don’t need to drive to enjoy the journey.
Other Connections
Reaching ferry ports is straightforward thanks to regular bus and train services across Scotland. For those sailing under their own power, marina facilities are available at Kirkwall, Stromness, and Westray.
Whether you choose the speed of a flight or the relaxed pace of a ferry, travelling to Orkney is part of the adventure, giving you an early taste of the islands’ coastal landscapes.
Orkney Weather – What to Expect and When to Visit
Orkney has a cool maritime climate, so plan for variety. Across the year, temperatures usually range from 2°C to 16°C and rarely dip below −1°C or rise above 19°C. Summer is short and mild, and winter is long, wet, and very windy. Daylight swings are dramatic – around 18 hours 30 minutes in late June and about 6 hours 11 minutes in late December.
Wind and rain
The windier season runs roughly from 21 September to 7 April, with average speeds above 28.5 kph, peaking in January at around 35.7 kph. The calmer stretch is 7 April to 21 September, with July the calmest at 21.1 kph. Expect rain in any month. The wetter season is early September to late March, with January averaging about 14–15 wet days. May is typically the driest month with around 7–8 wet days, while October sees the highest total rainfall near the mid-80s millimetres.
Sunlight and sea
From mid-April to early October, you’ll get the clearest skies, with May often the clearest month. Sea temperatures follow later cycles, with the warmest in August at around 13°C and the coolest in March, near 7°C.
Best time to visit
For the most settled conditions and long evenings, mid-July to late August scores best for warm-weather activities. Pack layers year-round – include a waterproof jacket, a warm mid-layer, and footwear that can handle wind, showers, and uneven ground.
Orkney Islands Tips for Getting Around – Driving, Public Transport, and Island Hopping
You won’t be short of options for getting around Orkney. Touring is straightforward by car, bus, bike, inter-island ferry, or plane, and you can mix methods to match your plans.
Get a car or motorhome
Most visitors bring a vehicle for maximum flexibility. Roads are generally quiet, with busier stretches in Kirkwall and on main routes. Petrol is available in Kirkwall, Stromness, Dounby, Finstown, and Quoyloo, and some isles have pumps too – check ahead. EV drivers are well served with multiple public chargers, and there is an EV car club for visitors. Motorhome and caravan parking is plentiful, but summer spaces go quickly, so book well in advance.
Car hire, taxis, and buse
If you are not driving, local car-hire firms and taxi companies can cover point-to-point travel or private tours. Orkney’s bus network reaches most of the Mainland, with stops near major sites such as the Ring of Brodgar, the Standing Stones of Stenness, the Churchill Barriers, and the Italian Chapel. Many isles also run local buses.
Cycling
Bikes can be hired in Kirkwall, Stromness, and on several islands. It’s a rewarding way to explore at a slower pace – check route guides and safety advice before you set out.
Island hopping
Orkney Ferries links 13 communities from four Mainland ports – book early, especially in summer, whether on foot or with a vehicle. For a quicker hop, Loganair operates inter-island flights from Kirkwall to six islands, including the famous Westray to Papa Westray route, the world’s shortest scheduled flight.
Arriving by boat
For those exploring under sail, Orkney offers excellent facilities and a warm welcome. Well-equipped marinas at Kirkwall, Stromness, and Westray provide safe berthing along with easy access to shops, restaurants, and cultural sights. Westray marina is open seasonally from May to September, making it a popular stop during summer cruising.
Beyond marina berths, visitors can also join local Orkney boat trips for wildlife watching, fishing excursions, or sightseeing tours of hidden bays and sea stacks. Whether you’re docking your own vessel or hopping aboard a guided trip, arriving by boat gives you a unique perspective on Orkney’s dramatic coastline and rich maritime heritage.
Why Visit Orkney Islands Compared to Other Destinations
Orkney is renowned for its remarkable Neolithic sites and Norse landmarks, many of which are part of the UNESCO World Heritage highlights known as the Heart of Neolithic Orkney. Together, they reveal thousands of years of human life, from early farming communities to Viking settlers.
Skara Brae – Europe’s best-preserved Neolithic village
Skara Brae offers a remarkable glimpse into daily life 5,000 years ago. The stone-built homes, complete with hearths and furniture, make it one of the most complete prehistoric villages in Europe.
Standing Stones and Ring of Brodga
Orkney’s ceremonial stone circles are among the most iconic in the world. The Standing Stones of Stenness, some more than 13 feet tall, and the vast Ring of Brodgar are thought to have been centres for ritual gatherings.
Maeshowe and chambered cairns
The Maeshowe tomb is a masterpiece of Neolithic engineering, aligned with the winter solstice sun. Across the islands, other chambered cairns such as Taversoe Tuick and Knowe of Yarso continue this tradition of monumental burial.
Norse heritage and St Magnus Cathedral
Orkney’s Viking legacy is everywhere – from place names to sagas. Kirkwall’s St Magnus Cathedral, founded in the 12th century, stands as a testament to the islands’ Norse rulers. Nearby, the Bishop’s Palace and Earl’s Palace reflect later medieval power.
Island hopping and Scapa Flow
With more than 70 islands, around 20 inhabited, Orkney is perfect for island hopping by ferry or flight. Each island has its own flavour, from Rousay’s cairns to Westray’s wildlife. Scapa Flow, one of the world’s great natural harbours, is steeped in naval history and now attracts divers from around the globe.
Wildlife Watching and wide horizons
Orkney’s coasts and cliffs are home to puffins, gannets, and seals, while whales and dolphins are seasonal visitors. In summer, long daylight hours stretch into glowing midsummer nights, while winter brings dramatic skies and a sense of close-knit community.
Food and Drink in Orkney – Local Flavours to Try
Fresh Seafood and Local Produce
Orkney’s farming heritage and surrounding seas provide some of Scotland’s finest ingredients. Expect creamy cheeses, quality beef, and hand-dived seafood like crab, lobster, and scallops. Farmers’ markets and restaurants across the isles serve these with pride, often giving traditional dishes a modern Orcadian twist.
Craft Drinks and Distilleries
Beyond the plate, Orkney is known for its drinks culture. From small-batch gins to craft ales, you’ll find plenty to taste. For whisky lovers, a highlight is the legendary Highland Park Distillery, which has been perfecting its craft for more than 225 years.
Where to Explore More
Want to dive deeper into Orcadian gastronomy? Browse the Experience Orkney food & drinks page for inspiration, from fine dining hotels to cosy cafés, breweries, and distillery tours.
Whether it’s a glass of whisky, a plate of scallops, or a slice of Orkney fudge, the flavours here are an essential part of the islands’ culture.
Orcadian Culture & Dialect
Orkney isn’t just about stone circles and Viking sagas – its living culture is just as distinctive.
Festivals and Music in Orkney
From centuries-old traditions to international arts events, Orkney’s festival calendar is one of the richest in Scotland. Whether you’re drawn by music, history, or community spirit, these gatherings reveal the heart of island life.
The Ba’ Game (Christmas Day & New Year’s Day)
On Christmas Day and New Year’s Day, Kirkwall erupts into one of the most dramatic traditions in the UK – The Ba’. Played in the streets below St Magnus Cathedral, this mass football game pits the “Uppies” against the “Doonies” in a contest of strength, strategy, and sheer endurance. It’s chaotic, passionate, and utterly unique to Orkney.
Orkney Folk Festival (May)
Since 1983, the Orkney Folk Festival has brought world-class artists and lively pub sessions to Stromness and beyond. Expect toe-tapping fiddles, energetic stomps, and a warm welcome that makes it one of Scotland’s friendliest festivals.
St Magnus International Festival (June)
Founded in 1977, the St Magnus Festival transforms midsummer Orkney into a global arts stage. From orchestral performances in St Magnus Cathedral to theatre, dance, and literature events, it blends international talent with deep community participation.
Orkney Nature Festival (May)
Celebrating the islands’ landscapes and wildlife, the Orkney Nature Festival offers boat trips, guided walks, and family-friendly talks. It’s the perfect chance to spot seabirds, seals, and perhaps even whales while learning about Orkney’s unique ecology.
Orkney Storytelling Festival (October)
As nights draw in, the Orkney Storytelling Festival revives the ancient tradition of gathering for tales around the fire. Local and international storytellers bring myths, sagas, and community lore to life in venues across the Isles.
The Orkney dialect
Orkney’s dialect is one of the clearest reminders of the islands’ Norse past. Its roots lie in Norn, a form of Old Norse once spoken across the Northern Isles, blended with Scots over the centuries.
For generations, each island had its own variation in accent and vocabulary. As Graham Sinclair of Stronsay recalled:
“When you heard somebody speakin, you kent what island they were fae… The minute they opened their mooth you kent exactly whar they came fae. You couldna do that noo.”
That sense of place through speech remains part of local memory, even as modern media and education have softened the distinctions.
Today, the dialect is still valued as a marker of Orcadian identity. Oral history projects and cultural initiatives record island voices, exploring how words change across communities and how younger generations use dialect in schools, at home, or when “chanting,” then switching to “speak proper” depending on who they’re talking to.
The Norse influence runs deep in everyday language, making the dialect not just a way of speaking, but a living link to Orkney’s Viking heritage. Preserving it is as important to Orcadians as safeguarding their Neolithic sites or musical traditions.
Key Takeaways for First-Time Visitors to Orkney Islands
For anyone visiting Orkney Islands for the first time, the essentials are clear: flights and ferries make the journey easier than you might think, the weather rewards those who pack for variety, and getting around is simple, whether by car, bus, bike, or ferry. What makes Orkney truly unforgettable, though, is the blend of ancient UNESCO heritage, Norse history, thriving festivals, and wild island landscapes.
To get the best of it all, consider joining a guided experience through Experience Orkney. With local experts leading the way, you’ll discover not just how to see the islands, but how to feel their rhythm, stories, and living culture.