Orkney advice please

Orkney 49

Image by wideford

Vicster Aug 22, 2009 09:36:27

Hey up

I have managed to blag a place on a trip to Orkney next month with a group of archaeology students from Glasgow uni....in reality, we will have 2-3 days of megalithing and so can only really look at sites on the mainland. We are staying in Kirkwall and will be concentrating on the "obvious" sites, due to time issues. My must see is Tomb of the Eagles and I really want to get to Wideford.

Just wondered if anyone had an itineray they had followed (successfully) in such a short space of time which took in the main sites plus any other interesting-but-less-well-known?

Also, any ideas for good places to eat, drink and make merry in Kirkwall?

Cheers folks

Hob Aug 22, 2009 09:49:59

Replying to Vicster

Eyup V,

Moth & Jane supplied an excellent itinerary when I were up there, I'd give them a shout if I were you. I'm not much use as I relied on the Mothtaxi to get me anywhere outside of easy walking distance of Stenness.

One thing that does stick in my head was the lovely atmos of Skara Brae after closing. I'm sure it's worth visiting the museum-visitor centre thing, but maybe try and time your visit so you can hang around for a bit after closing to get the place when it's nice and quiet.

Gwass Aug 22, 2009 10:14:45

Replying to Vicster

Hi Vic

You won't be dissapointed by Orkney. A couple of good chambered tombs are cuween hill (well sign posted and clearly marked on the OS) there's a bit of a steep climb and you have to literally crawl on your hand and knees to get in. There's a torch in a box by the entrance but take a spare in case it's been nicked otherwise you won't be able to see a thing. Another good one we did was Unstan, close to Stromness. The tomb of the eagles is accessible by road from the mainland although on a different island. Didn't find this out untill I had left so missed it and was gutted!

Have fun

Jane Aug 22, 2009 15:52:53

Replying to Vicster

Hi Vix
I didn't really blog much of our Orcadian trip but this blog takes in some of the Hollywood sites.
http://www.themodernantiquarian.com/post/30016/weblog/

Due to the now overcrowded nature of listings of Orcadian sites on here, it's hard to pick out the spectacular 'Hollywood' sites any more.

If you're on Mainland, the obviously ones are of course:
Brodgar, Stenness, MaesHowe and Skara Brae. All MUST-SEES for really good reason!

If you can get down to the Tomb of the Eagles you WILL have your mind blown :-)

Other easy 'interesting-but-less-well-known' ones are Wideford, Unstan, the Fairy Knowe. And Rennibister Earth House http://www.themodernantiquarian.com/site/5110/rennibister.html was superb.

There's no reason you shouldn't be able to see all those in 2 days.

If you can get to Skara Brae after official opening hours, you can see the place and have it to yourself without interruption from coach parties. We were there with Mr and Mrs Hob and it was absolute magic.

You may not need them as much as I did, what with me being a soft southern jessie, but don't forget your longjohns and a furry hat with flappydown ears suitable for polar exploration. And a flask of tea :-)

Have fun
J
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