A weekend in Orkney

5,000-year-old villages, standing stones and sea cliffs off the north coast of Scotland

Independent UK guide
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Updated October 2026

Orkney is a group of low, green islands off the north-east tip of Scotland, with a remarkable amount of Neolithic heritage. Skara Brae, the Ring of Brodgar and Maeshowe form part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is older than the pyramids.

There are also sea cliffs, seabirds, beaches and the great natural harbour of Scapa Flow. It is a long way from most of England, so it suits a longer trip rather than a short weekend.

Best forHistory lovers, Wildlife lovers, Walkers, Couples

Best time to goMay to September for long days, wildlife and the best weather. Midsummer evenings stay light until very late.

Typical budget (2 people, 2 nights)£420–£730, excluding travel

Getting thereInverness: About 2 hours 30 minutes by car to Scrabster, then about 1 hour 30 minutes by ferry to Stromness.

Check prices for a weekend in Orkney

Plan your weekend in Orkney

Top attractions in Orkney

Skara Brae

A remarkably preserved prehistoric village, uncovered by a storm, beside a sandy bay.

The Ring of Brodgar

A huge circle of standing stones on a narrow strip of land between two lochs.

Maeshowe

A Neolithic chambered tomb with Viking graffiti inside.

The Italian Chapel

A beautifully decorated chapel built by prisoners of war from two Nissen huts.

The Old Man of Hoy

A towering sea stack reached by a long walk on the island of Hoy.

Best things to do in Orkney

Guides to the activities most people plan a weekend around.

Edinburgh Castle visit

Edinburgh Castle stands on an extinct volcanic rock above the city and is Scotland's most visited paid attraction. Allow 2 to 3 hours.

Jacobite steam train

The Jacobite is a steam train that runs between Fort William and Mallaig on the West Highland Line, crossing the Glenfinnan Viaduct made famous by the Harry Potter films. Allow about 2 hours each way.

Cairngorm Reindeer Centre

The Cairngorm Reindeer Centre near Aviemore looks after the only free-ranging reindeer herd in the British Isles. Allow about 2 to 3 hours.

Best areas to stay in Orkney

Kirkwall

The main town, with a cathedral, shops and the most places to stay.

Stromness

A pretty, old harbour town and the ferry port.

The West Mainland

Rural stays near the prehistoric sites.

Best hotels in Orkney

Prices for a double room in Orkney typically fall around £130–£220 a night in this price band. Guesthouses and B&Bs are usually the best value, while boutique hotels and inns with rooms suit a treat. Read recent guest reviews and use the filters on the booking sites for the things that matter to you.

Compare places to stay in Orkney

Prices change daily, so check a few sites. These are affiliate links.

Best time to visit Orkney

May to September for long days, wildlife and the best weather. Midsummer evenings stay light until very late.

Seasons that suit Orkney well: spring, summer, autumn.

Estimated budget for a weekend in Orkney

Hotel or B&B, per night for two	£130–£220
Food and drink, per day for two	£65–£100
Activities and extras for the weekend	£30–£90
Estimated total, 2 people, 2 nights, excluding travel	£420–£730

Higher-priced destination. These are rough 2026 estimates and vary by season and room type. Add the cost of getting there. For a personalised figure, use the BritBreaks finder.

Getting to Orkney

From Inverness: About 2 hours 30 minutes by car to Scrabster, then about 1 hour 30 minutes by ferry to Stromness.
From Aberdeen: An overnight ferry takes around 7 hours to Kirkwall.
From Edinburgh: Short flights run from Edinburgh and Glasgow, taking about 1 hour.

Journey times are rough guides. Check live train and road times before you travel.

A sample weekend in Orkney

Friday evening: Arrive, settle in and have dinner in Kirkwall.
Saturday: Start with Skara Brae, then The Ring of Brodgar. In the afternoon, head to Maeshowe.
Sunday: Visit The Italian Chapel or The Old Man of Hoy, then head home.

Packing list for Orkney

Handy things people often forget. These are Amazon links, so prices and availability are set by Amazon.

More kit guides: Walking gear Wet-weather gear

Good to know

Ferries and flights need booking well ahead in summer.
The weather can be wild, with strong winds even in summer.
Allow at least three nights, as the journey is long.

Orkney weekend FAQs

Is Orkney good for a weekend?

It is a long way, so most visitors stay three nights or more. Flights make a short trip possible from Edinburgh.

How do I reach Orkney?

By ferry from Scrabster or Aberdeen, or by short flights from Scottish airports.

More weekend ideas

ShetlandShetland

Puffins, Viking heritage and a wild, treeless coast far to the north

Isle of SkyeHighland

Jagged mountains, fairy pools and wild Atlantic coast

CairngormsHighland

The UK's largest national park, with arctic mountains and ancient pine forests

EdinburghScotland

A dramatic castle city of cobbled lanes, festivals and whisky

Explore more: Best weekend breaks in Scotland · Best coastal weekend breaks in the UK · Best romantic weekend breaks in the UK · Best UK weekend breaks for wet weather

Browse popular weekend activities or use the BritBreaks finder to match a weekend to your budget and travel time.

Last reviewed October 2026. Please check opening times and prices with each attraction before you go. Report an error or share a tip.