Scotland and The Orkney Islands

A relatively short, 10-day trek to Scotland and The Orkney Islands, May 2019.

Overview

overview map of motorhome trekThe outward journey began with a drive to The Falkirk Wheel followed by The Kelpies, with an overnight stay at The Kelpies car park. This being Scotland there is a different attitude to overnight stays, instead of NO OVERNIGHT STAYS, there was a simple £5 overnight charge for parking. It was popular, there were 7 other motorhomes staying.

Next day took us just north of Inverness, staying at a delightful campsite on The Black Isle, day 3 took us to Castletown a few miles east of Thurso to that we were within easy travel to catch the early ferry from Scrabster the following morning. Overnight on the car park at Castlehill Heritage Centre.

Day 4 began early and a short drive to Scrabster where we boarded the Northlink ferry to Stromness, a 90 minute crossing, more details here. Once on Orkney we had decided to look at as many of the historic sights as possible. We had booked the campsite at Point of Ness for our first night so that we could assess whether we would need to book campsites or stay overnight in more remote locations. Our experience on the island of Harris is always uppermost in our minds, Harris is definitely not 'motorhome friendly'. Orkney was a delight, we found overnight stops relatively easily and stayed in some great places.

We began our tour of historic sites at Skara Brae, a 5,000 year old village. Here we purchased a one-year membership for Heritage Scotland that gives members access to all their sites. From there back to Point of Ness campsite at Stromness.

Day 5 we stayed around the campsite at Point of Ness for the morning, walking around the headland looking across to the island of Hoy and watching the ferry come and go. After lunch and servicing the Hymer we made our way to Maes Howe visitor centre. Maes Howe is a chambered cairn, you need to book in advance because the inside can only accommodate about 24 people. Also be aware that the entrance is via a 10 m long tunnel so it is not suitable for everyone. Inside is an amazing place, with Viking runes that were added later. Next call was at the nearby Ring of Brodgar, a circle of standing stones, before journeying on to Yesnaby cliffs. A wonderful coastal area with high cliffs. Wild and windy is the best description, we hiked around the cliffs then stayed overnight close to the old gun emplacements. The following day we moved off promptly because a large number of walkers arrived in cars that they parked without any thought for how they might be blocking us in.

Day 6 Yesnaby to the Brough of Birsay with a stop at Marwick Head where we hiked up the cliff and watched seabirds. Brough of Birsay is a Pict / Viking site on a small island that is approached via a causeway, so you need to time your visit for periods when the tide is not covering the causeway. There is also a lighthouse on the island and sheer cliffs of the seaward side. A short walk inland brings you to the village where the Earl's Palace ruins can be explored. Overnight on the car park at the Brough of Birsay.

Day 7 Brough of Birsay, drive to Broch of Gurness, an Iron Age village with a Broch, tower, great location to explore, then RSPB site at Cottascarth, a long walk from a small car parking area, no birds there during our visit, disappointing. Next to Kirkwall, and a stop of Tesco for milk and a few essentials before driving on to The Gloup, a massive sea cave whose roof has partly collapsed. Here we walked on the cliff path towards Mull Head, the wind was cold and extremely strong. Overnight on the car park.

Day 8 The Gloup to the Italian Chapel then over the so-called 'Churchill Barriers' to the islands, calling at St Margaret's Hope to check ferry times and prices then south to Burwick where there is a small harbour and a passenger-only ferry to John O'Groats. Overnight on a level area close to the harbour.

Day 9 Burwick on South Ronalday, a rainy start to the day and a poor forecast, we stayed put close to the harbour and caught up with writing and housekeeping tasks, then drove back to Stromness via Kirkwall to catch the late afternoon ferry back to mainland Scotland. After arriving we drove south to Helmsdale where we stayed overnight on the harbour car park with 8 other motorhomes.

Day 10 More heritage sites to explore in Scotland, first to Clava Cairns, a collection of 3 huge stone cairns, Ruthven Barracks then Dunked Cathedral before staying overnight at Kirkgate Park on the side of Loch Leven.

Day 11 Drive from Loch Leven over the Forth road bridge to Blackness Castle where we explored, then on to Linlithgow Palace and St Mary's Church. A series of very impressive buildings, followed by a drive of 200 miles home, arriving early evening, exhausted.

 

 

 

UK Treks - an overview

You have to start somewhere, so we began with a one-night trip to try out our purchase and see how we coped with motorhome living. All went well, otherwise we might never have continued and done more motorhome trips in the UK and Europe.

Following our successful first motorhome adventure we became a lot more ambitious and headed off on longer trips further afield in our Hymer.

  • Isle of Mull and the Western Isles to the Butt of Lewis followed by the North Coast of Scotland
  • Llangollen Eisteddfod
  • Hadrian's Wall
  • Stratford on Avon
  • Southampton
  • Various trips to Stockport (Grandparent duties)
  • Isle of Mull - again
  • Chippenham Folk Festival
  • Scotland and The Orkney Islands May 2019

so far these were all UK trips, then it was time to venture further afield and head for Europe . . .

continue to European trips