Orkney and Shetland September

[meintjiesj]

Myself and the wife was planning on going to France start of September. She now has to go to the US so now thinking of doing Orkney and Shetland last week of September. Both will be on bikes and doing B&B and hotels. What is it like that time of the year over there? Also ideas of what to see will be appreciated.

Johan

 

[turnipbmw]

weather could be quite good, but it will probably be windy.

Lots of archeological stuff especially Scara Brae, all well worth a visit.
some lovely coastal walks and interesting birds (try Kitchener memorial)

Nice museums in Stromness and Hoy plus Martello towers.

I suggest you take a very cheap return flight to one of the outer islands to get a birds eye view.

Should be able to get a cheap deal on ferry tickets ( if you know a local they can get friends discount)

Scrabster - Stromness best bet for ferry, Aberdeen only for hardened sailors.

Dont assume that you will get back on time even in sept.

Strange places, the more you go, the more magical they become

 

[boxer]

Best B+B I've ever stayed in.

Linkshouse

N 59 07 35.5
W 003 18 55.4

 

[Gav]

Turnip's right- could be a bit windy and dreich but not necessarily cold. Was on Orkney with the bike last September- pretty wild crossing on the way back.

Maeshowe is worth seeing and if you get to Shetland, the broch on Musa is the best-preserved one so worth a visit.

 

[Scottishbmwbiker]

http://www.pentlandferries.co.uk/index.asp

Imo is a better cheaper ferry service you wont get the new cat as its not here yet but. If you want luxury and added expense go for the scrabster ferry.

onyack

Ps It will be cold, wet & windy here

 

[Stumpy]

http://www.pentlandferries.co.uk/index.asp

Imo is a better cheaper ferry service you wont get the new cat as its not here yet but. If you want luxury and added expense go for the scrabster ferry.

onyack

Ps It will be cold, wet & windy here

I've used this service and it does what it say on the tin at a reasonable price

Stumpy

 

[Voyager]

Now for a travelogue

Four of us went to Orkney in July, we were only there for a couple of days, so it was a 'lightning tour'.

We went from Scrabster to Stromness on the M.V. Hamnavoe, which was fine. Fortunately we had a smooth crossing as one of our party isn't good on boats (no, not me).

On the way we passed the Old Man of Hoy . . .

Orkney is full of Neolithic sites.

We visited The Ring of Brogar:

There is a 'dig' going on at present to try to establish the age of the site. It is thought that the site was used for meetings and that different 'tribes' each had their own stone. The stones have come from different locations around Orkney.

The deep encircling ditch would have been dug into the bedrock with stone and deer antler tools.

There are still quite a few stones standing.

We saw a few stones like this in private gardens . . Then discovered that Garden Centres sell them


Then on to Marwick Head and the Kitchener Memorial. It was blowing a hoolie that day

We had a look around Stromness:

Some interesting street names

Plus some local history.

One 'Old Wailer' is still there

There is a long military association because of Scapa Flow. We visited a museum in Stromness and then headed south to see the Churchill Barriers and the remains of the Block Ships.

On the way we visited the 'Italian Chapel' that was constructed out of two Nissen Huts.

This is just a taster, some of the 200 or so pictures I took.

You will have a great time - enjoy the trip.

Bob.

 

[Voyager]

Addendum.

We also visited 'The Tomb of the Eagles' on Burray.

Here with a Neolithic skull . . .

The one the Guide is holding is even older

Its getting late and I'm getting silly . . .

G'night all (except to those in the Southern Hemisphere).

Bob.

 

[DollyRocket]

Just got back from Orkney yesterday by bike. I will post some pics up, p.s. fill up with fuel in thurso if you are going via scrabster as fuel can be up to 20p more expensive per litre.

 

[Tartan Terror]

As a former native of Shetland I can only say get up there and see the place it's brilliant. Weather has been pretty dry so far this summer compared to Fife anyhoo!! Later in the summer, autum can be very nice and well worth the trip. Places to see have to be
Sumburgh head (cottages to rent up there too)
St Ninians Isle
And if you are in to old stuff then there is a huge dig going on down near the airport at Sumburgh too.

 

[Deleted account rno]

As a former native of Shetland I can only say get up there and see the place it's brilliant. Weather has been pretty dry so far this summer compared to Fife anyhoo!! Later in the summer, autum can be very nice and well worth the trip. Places to see have to be
Sumburgh head (cottages to rent up there too)
St Ninians Isle
And if you are in to old stuff then there is a huge dig going on down near the airport at Sumburgh too.

You're in Fife?

Release the hounds!


(plenty hounds in Fife afore sumdy else says it)

 

[turnipbmw]

If you fancy something different, you could stay in one of these.

Did a few in '06 - met some interesting people and got a feel for what it used to be like over there.


http://www.camping-bods.com/

 

[Jonnie Boy]

Myself and the wife was planning on going to France start of September. She now has to go to the US so now thinking of doing Orkney and Shetland last week of September. Both will be on bikes and doing B&B and hotels. What is it like that time of the year over there? Also ideas of what to see will be appreciated.

Johan

Both groups of islands has a place called Twatt. schoolboy snigger guwaff

 

[Tartan Terror]

You're in Fife?

Release the hounds!


(plenty hounds in Fife afore sumdy else says it)

How VERY dare you!!! Fife? Me? with my reputation? No I know someone who does live in the 'Kingdom' but don't like to talk about it too much !! I am up in the north east's 'Riviera' aka The Mearns.

 

[meintjiesj]

Thanks a million

Thanks for all the advise. This weekend it is surfing time. Will get the GPS routed and get the first 2 days accomodation booked. Any idea if the 9 days will be enough to do both Islands?