Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Sleeping
B&B
Linkshouse££
(
01856-721221;
www.ewaf.co.uk
; Birsay village; s/d £55/90; Mar-Oct; )
One
of the Orkney Islands' most charming B&Bs, this is a welcoming stone house near the
sea. The beautiful rooms - one with comforting sloping ceiling, one with a toilet that has
wonderful vistas - have been recently renovated and it's all looking fabulous. Original art
and handsome furniture grace them and the lounge, where a little gazebo lets you contem-
plate the scenery, or browse the topics, maps and sherry kept here.
Breakfast here is a treat, served on gorgeous crockery with standout fish and vegetarian
options changing daily - pancakes with blueberries and crème fraîche, anyone?
Birsay Hostel£
(
after hrs 01856-721470, office hrs 01856-873535;
www.orkney.gov.uk
; sites per 4
people £6.25-9.95, dm/tw £15.60/43; )
Birsay makes a lovely, peaceful place to stay
amid the Orkney countryside. Birsay Hostel is a former activity centre and school that
now has dorms that vary substantially in spaciousness - go for one of the two- or four-
bedded ones. There's a big kitchen and a grassy camping area. It's on the A967 south of
Birsay village.
HOSTEL, CAMPGROUND
EVIE
On an exposed headland at Aikerness, a 1.5-mile walk northeast from the straggling vil-
lage of Evie, you'll find the
Broch of Gurness
(HS;
www.historic-scotland.gov.uk
;
adult/
child £5/3; 9.30am-12.30pm & 1.30-5.30pm Apr-Sep, to 4.30pm Oct)
, a fine example
of the dry-stone fortified towers that were both status symbol for powerful farmers and
useful protection from raiders some 2200 years ago. The imposing entranceway and
sturdy stone walls - originally 10m high - are impressive; inside you can see the hearth
and where a mezzanine floor would have fitted. Around the broch are a number of well-
preserved outbuildings, including a curious shamrock-shaped house. The visitor centre
has some interesting displays on the culture that built these remarkable fortifications.
Wee
Eviedale Campsite
(
01856-751270;
www.creviedale.orknet.co.uk
; sites £5-9;
Apr-Sep; )
, at the northern end of the village, has a good grassed area for tent
camping, with picnic tables. Self-catering accommodation is available next door at three
excellent, renovated farm cottages with wi-fi (per week £320 to £350).
