Accommodation

All our accommodation in Orkney and in other destinations world-wide are carefully selected and researched by us. We like to choose hotels that are conveniently placed to explore the area, have local character, highest standards of care and cleanliness, excellent food and pleasant & comfortable rooms.

Accommodation on Orkney Holidays

We use a variety of accommodation on our Orkney Holidays.

  • Merkister Hotel, Harray, Mainland.

    The Merkister Hotel is situated on the shores of the Loch of Harray in the West Mainland of Orkney. It is a beautiful country house, set in its own grounds and has lovely views. It is run by the MacDonald family who are very welcoming and friendly. They have the same approach to their guests as we have ourselves: they want everyone to enjoy their stay and take care to ensure this. These factors, plus the lovely house and the peaceful rural setting made us choose this Hotel as an ideal Mainland base for some of our Holidays.

    Full board using excellent local produce will be provided: breakfast and dinner in the Hotel's Skerries Restaurant overlooking the loch, and lunch out and about - either a packed lunch or soup and sandwiches in one of Orkney's excellent rural cafes.

    All rooms are ensuite, and the price of the Holiday is for a comfortable 'standard' grade room. If you wish to ensure a 'superior' room with a loch view you can elect to pay a small premium or if you would like a superior ground floor suite there is a higher additional charge. Please let us know your choice on the booking form.

    Subject to availability you can arrange to stay on at the Hotel for a few days after your Holiday with us, to relax in the lovely surroundings, visit new places or pursue other interests in Orkney. Let us know and we'll be happy to help and advise.


  • Furrowend Guest House on Shapinsay.

    Some of our Orkney Holidays are based from our purpose built top quality Guest House on Shapinsay, the Green Isle in the heart of Orkney.

    Furrowend is our home which we share with our guests. Paul & Louise Hollinrake are responsible for the smooth running and efficiency of our Guest House and employ local staff to help with the catering and running of the establishment. We provide a very comfortable home from home feel.

    All five guest bedrooms are large and spacious with full ensuite private facilities, with both baths and showers and spectacular sea views. The communal living areas are spacious and have superb views over the nearby islands, and we appreciate possibly the best sunsets in the World! The house is set in 36 acres of its own farm land which we manage for wildlife, right on the shingle shore.

    Seals are nearly always in the bay. We keep a small flock of sheep which help with this management. There is a large bird hide from which to observe wildlife in the ponds and brackish pools and sea, and footpaths around the farm for you to enjoy. From our own hide, you can birdwatch before breakfast or after your evening meal, or stroll along our peaceful shore & fields.

    Good quality food is an important part of every Holiday, and we are keen that you enjoy your meals. Our team of local people provide hearty breakfasts with plentiful choice - cereals, fruit, yoghurt, rolls, toast, a variety of cooked items -- to set you up well for the day ahead. Packed lunches are prepared by you: you select exactly what you want from a wonderful spread laid out before you.

    We always round off the day with an excellent three-course dinner. The evening meal is a great time to relax in a convivial atmosphere. We serve complimentary wine in Shapinsay with dinner. Where possible we use locally produced Orkney ingredients to prepare your food, such as local lamb, beef, fish, cheese and vegetables, and take great pride and interest in providing you our guests with delicious and imaginative meals.

    We can cater for some special dietary needs on request, and ask you to tell us of any special likes and dislikes on your booking form.


  • Cleaton House Hotel, Westray.

    We have been staying at the four-star Cleaton House Hotel in Westray for more than ten years on our Wanderer Holidays. It makes a good base from which to explore both Westray and Papay. It has been a Hotel for nearly twenty years, built up by Westray-born Malcolm Stout who is now the proprietor of the Lynnfield Hotel in Kirkwall. Current owners, Tony and Lynne, have continued the traditions of beautiful decor and good food for their guests.

    We enjoy full board accommodation here, with full traditional breakfasts and three course evening meals during our stay. All the rooms are large and airy, with high ceilings and lots of space. They are tastefully decorated and furnished, and all have views out over the island. Their ensuite bathrooms are luxuriously appointed. The residents lounge is an attractive and comfortable room with period furniture and an original large fireplace. The dining room continues the theme, decorated in-keeping with its time. The large public bar has a sea-faring theme, based on ships with some connection with Westray.

    All in all, it is a Hotel of character, with a degree of comfort and luxury which often surprises visitors finding it in this small northern island.


  • North Ronaldsay Bird Observatory, North Ronaldsay.

    The Birds Observatory in North Ronaldsay was established over twenty years ago and over the years has expanded and developed to provide good quality guest house accommodation, with ensuite rooms and enjoyable food.

    It is run by Kevin Woodbridge, North Ronaldsay's doctor and ornithologist and his wife, ornithologist Alison Duncan. Guests can learn from the work of the Observatory, as common resident and unusual migrant birds are recorded for national scientific projects.

    The buildings housing the guest accommodation are interesting in their own right. The aim is to use renewable energy as much as possible, so there are wind generators, solar panels and a heat exchange incorporated into the heating system. The dining room is a solar space, and the bar is an intriguing octagonal room. Both have lovely views to the south and west, giving a unique perspective to the other Orkney Islands in the distance. All bedrooms are well appointed, ensuite and very comfortable.

    The food is good home-cooked wholesome fare, and includes a welcome soup and sandwiches lunch each day. We enjoy full board accommodation and food here during our stay.


  • The Lynnfield Hotel, Kirkwall.

    Run by experienced and dedicated hotelier Malcolm Stout and his partner Lorna, the head chef, the Lynnfield is a peaceful and luxurious haven on the edge of Kirkwall. It has a great panoramic view over the town to Kirkwall Bay, which looks as nice lit up at night as it does during the day. The well-appointed dining room has this view. The residents lounge is a large well furnished room with imaginative furnishings and décor, and a large open fireplace.

    Bedrooms are all ensuite to a high standard. Malcolm does not compromise on comfort and he has a particular aversion to the 'token bathrooms' found in some hotels. Consequently all the bathrooms make imaginative use of space. Some of the bedrooms have four-poster beds and all are lovely to be in.

    Another exceptional area from Malcolm and Lorna is the food, and guests can expect an amazing menu using top quality local ingredients. Because of this, the Lynnfield is popular with visitors and locals, who also enjoy the well-stocked bar.