Off to the Orkneys and Mull

[Augusta08]

We've got the MoHO booked on the Scrabster Ferry just after Easter. looking forward to cacthing up with the ansestors.

Any recommended sites/sights?

Gerry 'n Anne

 

[Solwaybuggier]

No idea for Orkneys, but we went to Mull last May. Fidden Farm is in a glorious situation , although may be busy at Easter?? Plenty of room away from the front. We were surprised quite how busy Mull was overall- some sites were full while we were there.

 

[barryd]

This is well worth a visit. Its a long time since I was there but I enjoyed it.

Overview

www.historicenvironment.scot

It used to be possible to take a flight as well from Orkney airport to the out lying islands. I think we went to North Ronaldsay and a couple of others. It was a bit like a bus service. Cheap as well. There is an observatory on North Ronaldsay you can spend the night at also (not with the van obviously)

 

[Purrfecttune]

Did the Orkneys last year, loads of good stopping places (free)

Used Park4night.

 

[Bonsaiman]

A Guide to Camping and Motorhomes on the Isle of Mull

Mull welcomes motorhomes and campers, offering campsites in all parts of Mull and camping only on Iona. Read our complete guide on camping and motorhome facilities across the islands.

visitmullandiona.co.uk

I found this very helpful especially for the sites

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[Hezbez]

The locals really don't like it being referred to as 'The Orkneys'.
It's Orkney or The Orkney Islands.

 

[Millcourt]

The locals really don't like it being referred to as 'The Orkneys'.
It's Orkney or The Orkney Islands.

Same for Shetland. We don’t say “The Yorkshires”, “The Lincolnshires” or the “The Dorsets”………

 

[Puddleduck]

Just relax and enjoy Orkney. One of my favourite places on the planet.

I have ancestors and very distant cousins from Orkney and Shetland. One set are crofters with a boat, the others are fishermen with a croft.......

I've never been to Shetland but it's on my bucket list.

 

[lindyloot]

Did Mull a couple of years ago. We stayed on two sites, The one by the ferry terminal. If you only have your motorhome and no other transport , you can catch the bus to Tobermory. The other site we stayed on was Fidden Farm, around 35 miles along mostly single track road. Its a lovely site with white sand and azure blue sea. We were lucky enough to bag a beachside pitch. there is a Ferry from the village just before Fidden Farm that will take you to Iona , well woth a visit but best to be a foot passenger

 

[hja]

Ferry from Mul round Staffa also worthwhile, if the weather is on your side!. Orkney - fantastic. Lots of archaeology. Both Stromness and Kirkwall worth looking round. We have been twice, i could easily go again.

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[garry f]

We were in Orkney last year, had a great few days on Sanday, stayed at an air north of the island most northerly wood fired pizza and puddings to die for. Book ferry from Kirkwall

 

[Kelsae2]

Been to the Orkney Islands quite a few times, but not for 5 or 6 years since’ discovering’ the Hebrides. Great place with lots of history and places to visit.
Visited Mull last year and enjoyed it. Fidden Farm is a good site especially if you want to be beside a beach. Enjoyed Iona. Another small island to visit on foot is Ulva. There is a 5 van parking before the ferry area.
Other parking spots on P4N.
Enjoy.

 

[bigtwin]

Same for Shetland. We don’t say “The Yorkshires”, “The Lincolnshires” or the “The Dorsets”………

Or “The Channels” ……..

Ian

 

[Bertilak]

On topic for OP: we loved Orkney, especially as we enjoy pre-history. There is a lot for free, but for the star exhibits there is a multi-ticket. Maes Howe (including the the UK's best collection of viking rune script) is something else - but limited capacity so you have to book. Scara Brae is a bit of a one-off, too. Look into going to the smaller islands as well, even less populated. Avoid cruise ship days, when all attractions are swamped.
Loads of A1 free camping, we went with a tent, and it's the reason we got our first van! There were empty beaches with grassy foreshores and free toilets with hot showers... (In 2011). Not sure about the situation now though.
Expect it to be windy, and at Easter probably cold.

 

[CAB96]

Orkney, if you are doing Scara Brae, Ring of Brodgar, Italian Chapel, Kirkwall and Cathedral, have a look on the Orkney Council website, they list the cruise ships and when they will visit, so you can avoid the crowds.

Go to Rousay, Peedie Farm is a Campra CL. Great archaeology.

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[Puddleduck]

The archeology is brilliant.

One trip I was tour manager for a visiting American speaker who had a date in Kirkwall and thought I could drive him there. We flew up and hired a car doing B&B for a couple of nights. The landlady was very confused as I'd booked two singles and she assumed we were a couple!!!

My American friend loved it and still talks about the trip 12 years later. He adored The Italian Chapel but was less impressed with the stone circles but quite liked Skara Brae.

We also visited Twatt (made him giggle - a lot) and at one stop, Birsay Earl's Palace a young man came through the ruins on his unicycle which was quite surreal. I asked the young man to ride through again so my friend could video it. He also fell in love with St Magnus Cathedral.

The most surprising thing he found was that when I left the hire car at the airport it wasn't left locked and the keys were left under a foot well mat. He was also amazed that when I hired the car the man in the garage called me "Auntie Helen" even though our common ancestor was born in the 1700s.

The B&B was quirky to say the least with a Shetland pony in the back garden. We also had to order breakfast the afternoon before so the host could get to Tesco.

 

[Hezbez]

The guided behind the scenes tour of St Magnus Cathedral is really good. You climb up the narrow spiral stone staircases to see the bells and clock mechanism. £15 per person, needs booked in advance.

 

[barryd]

Oh yeah. You have to have the predictable photo taken here.

 

[Wendo55]

Another vote for Fidden Farm on Mull, although it's about 15 years since I went. Beautiful place.

 

[Purrfecttune]

Did Mull a couple of years ago. We stayed on two sites, The one by the ferry terminal. If you only have your motorhome and no other transport , you can catch the bus to Tobermory. The other site we stayed on was Fidden Farm, around 35 miles along mostly single track road. Its a lovely site with white sand and azure blue sea. We were lucky enough to bag a beachside pitch. there is a Ferry from the village just before Fidden Farm that will take you to Iona , well woth a visit but best to be a foot passenger

Or take your bikes

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[Drummerboy]

Check out https://59-degreesnorth.co.uk/motorhome-aire/

 

[Jane NotRog]

We took the ferry to Hoy and wild-camped here. It was fantastic and we were the only people for miles.

Rackwick Wild Camp
Outerhouse, Stromness and South Isles Ward
GPS: 58.873,-3.386

Notes
Amazing spot all alone near beach.

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[Kelvin8tor]

Really enjoyed our holiday on Orkney
The weather was glorious it was in June 2018 would love to go back sometime

 

[Gellyneck]

There is an open-topped bus tour from Kirkwall that takes in a number of the archaeological sites including Scara Brae. Charlie (rip) our Welshie Collie thought it was pure dead brilliant!

You can park motorhome at The Italian Chapel (don't think overnight though) and at the memorial for The Royal Oak at Scapa Floe.

The Council owned / operated caravan site in Kirkwall is next door to the leisure centre and 10 minutes walk into the town. Lidl and Tesco are about 5 minutes walk.

 

[Shipps]

On Mull then Salen Bay is a great campsite, great views and lovely walk along the shore line. Also Pennygowan is nice but closer to the road to Tobermory, both handy for the night before getting the ferry home, and bus to Tobermory goes past both sites.

Been a while since I went to Orkney. Went Kayaking and stopped in Kirkwall which is great. Pickaquoy was a good site with decent facilities. Stromness was lovely, had a feel of Whitby. Never stopped there but landed near Point of Ness Campsite and views from there looked to be lovely

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[Purrfecttune]

Last year before going to the Outer Hebrides, NW500 and then Orkney, we stayed on Mull at both Fidden Farm and Salen Bay. Both were excellent.

Fidden Farm for the Beach, scenery and Iona
Salen Bay for a base location to have days out

 

[Apacheman]

Most sites etc mentioned for Mull. If it’s your thing try the boat trip from Fionnphort to Staffa and Fingal’s cave. Boat will drop you off to explore Iona on the way back, if you want to, and after you can get the ferry back across to Fionnphort. Ideal if you’re staying at Fidden Farm. Likely to spot a Minky Whale or two on the trip.