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3, The Noust,

Front Road

St Margarets Hope

Orkney

KW17 2SL

An island until 1945, South Ronaldsay is connected to the Orkney Mainland by the Churchill Barriers

Orkney by land and sea

Whether you travel by car, coach or train, the main approach follows the A9 from Perth to Caithness. The A9, which has been much improved and shortened in recent years, connects from central Scotland and England’s main motorway and rail networks. Dual Carriageway connects Aberdeen to central Scotland.

By car from Perth to Inverness is 114 miles through some of Scotland’s most beautiful landscape. From Inverness to Scrabster is a spectacular 111 miles.

By train you can travel to Thurso, where a bus connects to the ferry at Scrabster, or Aberdeen where the station is near to the harbour area. There is also a coach connection from Inverness/Wick to Gills Bay. By coach you can either go to Scrabster or John O’Groats (but remember that the John O’Groats route is a summer, passenger-only service).

Which Ferry?

John O’Groats Ferries Ltd www.jogferry.co.uk
40 minute crossing from John O’Groats to Orkney. 1st May to 30th September. Day Trips, Short Breaks and Express travel from Inverness to Kirkwall. Passengers only. Capacity 250 passengers.

NorthLink Ferries www.northlinkferries.co.uk
Regular sailings between Aberdeen/Kirkwall/Lerwick. Scrabster to Stromness, the gateway to Orkney with a crossing time of just 90 minutes. Call 0845 6000 449 for a brochure.

Pentland Ferries www.pentlandferries.co.uk
Offers the shortest most sheltered route to Orkney only an hour cruise for passengers and vehicles.

If you are coming by car the choice is Northlink or Pentland, as Pentland ferries operates into St Margaret's Hope it offers the fastest, cheapest route and The Noust is about 2 minutes drive from the terminal. They have a brand new Sea Cat on order which should be operational early 2008 which promises to shorten journey times and with the double hull, should be more comfortable.

Northlink operates into Stromness from Scrabster and Kirkwall from Aberdeen. Longer journey time and a drive at the other end to St Margarets Hope. The voyage passes by the Old Man of Hoy and the drive across the Orkney mainland is very pleasant about 30 miles.

Flights are operated by Loganair on behalf of British Airways www.ba.com from Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen and Inverness.

We always use Orkney Car Hire and find them first rate, excellent vehicles and good rates www.orkneycarhire.co.uk fast, friendly and efficient service and they collect you from the Airport. If you are used to dealing with the mainstream car hire companies, you will find this long established Orkney family run business a refreshing change!

If you are travelling by car and wish to perhaps have a two centre holiday, then Inchtuthill near Dunkeld in Perthshire comes highly recommended. This beautiful two bedroom self catering coach house is owned by our good friends Victoria and Stuart Brooks. Idyllically situated and maintained to the highest standards - you will not be disappointed. Short breaks may also be available at certain times of year. www.inchtuthill.com