Any advice, comment, suggestions for visiting either with the moho? Places to pitch, places to visit, etc. Leaning toward Orkney as easier, quicker, cheaper to get to (Scrabster-Stromness). Have 12 days, ex-London, need a day or two in Aberdeen for work.
Orkney and Shetland
- Thread starter Simon G
- Start date
Will watch with interest. We are up in Scotland now and intended on doing Orkney, but have cancelled that idea now as haven’t enough time.
Last time I did it quite a few years back on a boys only trip we did Shetland from Aberdeen but came back via Orkney to Gills Bay and drove back from the top of Scotland. Wild camping was dead easy. Not sure if it still is but I suspect so.
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It was amazing when we did the Orkney islands for wild camping. Everyone was very friendly and we found loads of places to stay wild.
Loved Skara Brae. There was also some archaeologists doing some work while we were there.
Overview
The Italian Chapel was also fascinating.
The Italian Chapel | Orkney.com
The Italian Chapel consists of two Nissen huts transformed into a beautiful chapel by Domenico Chiocchetti and his colleagues, Italian prisoners of war captured in North Africa and transported to the Island of Lamb Holm in Orkney.
If you have paddle boards and good weather, the block ships were absolutely amazing too.
We looked at Shetland, it was a long ferry crossing and we only had 2 weeks so just did Orkney. Very good it was!
If you need to be in Aberdeen then the sensible option would be to get the Northlink ferry from Aberdeen (gives you the choice of sailing all the way to Shetland (circa 14 hrs) or getting off at Orkney en-route to Shetland). Taking the Aberdeen ferry would save you driving west along the NE coast and then north to the ferry ports on the north coast (Pentland Ferries from Gills Bay (nr JoG) 1 hr crossing, or Northlink from Scrabster (nr Thurso) 1hr 45m crossing).
Ian
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I have done both orkney and shetland a few times and would suggest orkney with your time constraints...I would also suggest Pentland ferries crossing gills bay to st margrets hope which would take you to the south of the Orkney archipelago and then travel North over the churchhill barriers taking in all the views and points of interest on your way to the north of the islands and then consider a return ferry from Stromness, which is in the north, its surprising how far it is up through the islands...or do the trip in reverse....what ever you choose...enjoy...I'm jealous.
Both are great but echo Orkney with time constraints. It is now easier to get onto some of the islands other than Mainland now. Suggestions above would agree with. There is lots of archeology on Orkney, if you get a guide book you can see what attracts you. Lots of bird watching, also. One word of warning - cruise ships. They take coach trips around the island visiting all the main sites like Italian Chapel, Scara Bray. If you end up at an attraction with them there, go somewhere else and come back. They won’t be there long. The cathedral in Kirkwall also worth a visit, don’t think that has been mentioned.
Puddleduck
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The Bishop's Palace at Birsay. When I was with a friend looking round and the ruins a young man on a unicycle came through the palace ( taking a short cut?) which was quite surreal.
There is just so much to see on Orkney you will need and want to go back.
There is just so much to see on Orkney you will need and want to go back.
Someone who has been more recently might know but you used to be able to hop on a plane at the airport at Orkney and take a flight to North Ronaldsay and it was cheap as chips. They stop at other islands as well if people want to get off. Me and my pals did it about twenty years ago and it was about £25 each I think. You used to be able to stay overnight in a room at the observatory at North Ronaldsay as well. To be honest, there isn't much there apart from some unusually tall sheep. 
But seeing the islands from the Air is fantastic. Landing is a bit "interesting" on the small islands.
Don't forget the obligatory photograph you have to do when you find the sign.
But seeing the islands from the Air is fantastic. Landing is a bit "interesting" on the small islands.Don't forget the obligatory photograph you have to do when you find the sign.
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Puddleduck
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Nice church there as well.Someone who has been more recently might know but you used to be able to hop on a plane at the airport at Orkney and take a flight to North Ronaldsay and it was cheap as chips. They stop at other islands as well if people want to get off. Me and my pals did it about twenty years ago and it was about £25 each I think. You used to be able to stay overnight in a room at the observatory at North Ronaldsay as well. To be honest, there isn't much there apart from some unusually tall sheep.
Don't forget the obligatory photograph you have to do when you find the sign.
View attachment 1061503
CAB96
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Check the council websites for a list of cruise ships, then avoid the main attractions (Kirkwall, Scara Brae, Brodgar, Italian Chapel in Orkney) at those times.
We’re off to Orkney for six days mid June. Ferry’s all booked up okay. Can’t wait. A first for us. 
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Otter Spotter
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Been there done that and got the certificate! And the Pilot let me fly one of the legs. I love the Islander, just a little noisy
Otter Spotter
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Try this site for Shetland camping
www.shetland.org
Caravan and camping | Shetland.org
Embrace the elements and get back to nature with a camping trip to Shetland.
www.shetland.org
I love the Islander, just a little noisy
I remember once looking out of the window to see only ground as the pilot turned around the North Ronaldsay Lighthouse with the wings perpendicular to the ground!
I also remember the pilot reading the local paper (The Orcadian) on one flight.
Ian
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