Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
(
office hrs only 01856-873535;
www.orkney.gov.uk
; dm/f £17/41; )
This clean,
bright hostel has an enviable location, around 15 minutes' walk from Moaness Pier, at the
base of the rugged Cuilags. Rooms are all en suite and include family options.
Getting There & Away
Orkney Ferries (
Click here
)
runs a passenger and bike ferry (adult £4.15, 30 minutes,
two to six daily) between Stromness and Moaness at the north end of Hoy.
There's also a frequent car ferry to Lyness (on Hoy) from Houton on Mainland (passen-
ger/car £4.15/13.20, 40 minutes, up to seven daily Monday to Friday, two or three
Saturday and Sunday); cars must be booked in advance. Sunday service is May to
September only.
Northern Islands
The group of windswept islands north of Mainland provides a refuge for migrating birds
and a nesting ground for seabirds. Some of the islands are also rich in archaeological sites,
but it's the beautiful scenery, with wonderful white-sand beaches and azure seas, that's the
main attraction. Most islands are home to traditional Orcadian communities that give a
real sense of what Orkney was like before the modern world infringed upon island life.
The tourist offices in Kirkwall and Stromness have the useful
Islands of Orkney
bro-
chure with maps and details of these islands. Note that the 'ay' at the end of each island
name (from the Old Norse for 'island') is pronounced 'ee' (Shapinsay is pronounced
'shap-in-
see'
).
Getting There & Away
Orkney Ferries
(
01856-872044;
www.orkneyferries.co.uk
)
and
Loganair
(
01857-873457;
www.loganair.co.uk
)
enable you to make day trips to many of the islands
from Kirkwall on most days of the week (North Ronaldsay services run only on Friday).
That said, it's really best to stay and soak up the slow, easy pace of life.
