FOODIE PLACES (all in walking distance from the cottages, unless otherwise mentioned)
The Bayleaf Deli: 19 Graham Place, Victoria Street, Stromness. A little gem of a deli with the basics such as milk etc and then a lovely healthy gluten free options as well as cheeses, smoked fish, wines, local beers, Orkney whiskies, great coffee to take away etc. Lots of fun interesting foods! Have to go there!
Argo’s Bakery: 50 – 52 Victoria Street. Has general groceries including basic toiletries, as well as Orkney Fudge and Confectionaries, Wines, Whisky’s and Malts as well as hot pies and confectionaries, newspapers and it is also the local Post office! Tel 01856 850245. Email: sales@argosbakery.co.uk. There is a bigger branch of Argos in Cairston Rd – a short walk from the Terminal/Stromness Harbour.
The Chinese Take Away: 63 Victoria Street. Tel 01856 850248.
The Royal British Legion Club (open to all visitors): 11 John Street (behind The Ferry Inn). Enjoy a welcoming very casual pub for a pint with the locals. You do not need to be a member to enjoy the Club.
The Royal Hotel: 55 Victoria Street. In summer it has 3 pubs open as well as a more formal restaurant (The Haven Restaurant) too. Great ales! Tel 01856 850342. Check opening times in off-season months.
The Pier Bistro: 22 Victoria Street. Take away and sit down. Great fish and chips!! For take always, you need to phone in to book your slot. Great fish and chips! And lots of other good meals too including their curry. It is right on the seafront at the Stromness Harbour (opposite Stromness Hotel), 22 Victoria Street. Tel 01856 851416.
The Stromness Hotel: 15 Victoria Street. Well-priced evening meals and Sunday Carvery (12 – 2pm). Please phone to check if they have availability/are open when you want to dine there. Stromness Harbour, Tel 01856 590195.
Julia’s Café & Bistro: John Street (diagonally opposite the Stromness Ferry Terminal ). Enjoy light meals while seated under cover outside on benches under a marquee. Tel: 01856 850904.
The Ferry Inn: 10 John Street, Stromness Harbour. Tel: 01856 850280. Cosy Pub with a great selection of Ales and locally produced beers, gins and whiskies. Check opening times in off-season.
Flett Family Butcher, Fruiterer and Greengrocer: 63 John Street, A country selection of local Orkney fresh produce, game birds, venison and poultry, haggis, black pudding and great pre-prepared meals … old fashioned and quaint. Tel 01856 850309
The Co-Op: A general grocery store at 27 North End Rd (about 400 meters north of where you disembark off the Hamnavoe/Northlink Ferry Terminal/Harbour). You can get most of your supplies here and you can stock up with delicious Orkney milk, Orkney Cheeses, Orkney Butter, Orkney bannocks, Stockan’s Orkney oatcakes (great with Orkney cheese on them), Orkney fudge, Orkney Ice Cream, freshly baked breads and confectionaries etc. Orkney beers, gins and whiskies too! It is conveniently open 7 days a week 7am - 11pm. For a bigger supermarket - there is a large Tesco’s in Kirkwall, (18 Pickaquoy Rd, Kirkwall), open 7 days a week 6am – midnight and on Sundays 8am to 10pm. Tel 0345 026 9658
Orkney Fish and Shellfish: Garson Street in Garson Park, Stromness. Local seafood can be bought from there for you to cook up an Orkney Storm … scallops, salmon, fish, crab, lobster, fish, smoked and some ready to eat and much more! Phone to establish seasonal opening times. Tel 01856 850870, contact@orkneyfishshop.co.uk.
Little House Larder: Stromness. Want to have a marvellous spread of snacks/grazing or a seriously delicious pavlova birthday cake … contact Tash Sclater on +447539220855 , she will deliver to your cottage! Tash’s food is so beautiful, you will want to keep it and not eat it! Have a look at Facebook.com/Littlehouselarder to see how stunning the food is!
Cafelolz in Kirkwall: If you are wanting delicious Orcadian freshly baked confectionary treats as well as gluten free dishes and/or light luncheon meals with a difference (really sumptuous!) – treat yourselves to this cute little café down a short lane (Strynd Lane) off the main street (the lane right next to Highland Park Distillery Shop and in between St. Magnus Cathedral). Strynd, Kirkwall. +44 1856 877714. If you want someone to cater for your group while you are in Orkney or a take away meal for your family or a special occasion – Lorraine can organise this too, with advance notice. Contact Lorraine on orders@cafelolz@gmail.com. The website www.cafelolz.co.uk provides further details.
TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS
FERRIES ACCROSS TO ORKNEY - There are two Ferry Services to get to Orkney.
Northlink Ferry Service which proudly boats the impressive vessel The Hamnavoe, which travels between Scrabster and Stromness. It docks right in the Stromness Harbour – a 4 minute drive to the cottages. It is exceptionally well-maintained and comfy. There is a play area for the children, pleasant pub and a self-service restaurant where you can enjoy a good, well-priced meal aboard. It is a really pleasant crossing and is part of the holiday, you also get to travel right past the Old Man of Hoy, so make sure you have your camera out, quite special! https://www.northlinkferries.co.uk/timetables/
Pentland Ferries has two vessels and they travel between Gills Bay (4km from John O’Groats) and an Orkney town called St Margaret’s Hope. It is a 45-minute drive from St. Margarets Hope to Stromness where the Cottages are positioned. It is a pleasant drive and not difficult to navigate at all. There are also attractions along the way you might want to stop at such as the Churchill Barriers and the Italian Chapel. https://www.pentlandferries.co.uk
FLIGHTS TO ORKNEY
There are regular Loganair flights to (Kirkwall) Orkney from Edinburgh, Inverness, Glasgow and Aberdeen. Kirkwall is about a 35-minute drive to Stromness, where Seafront Orkney Cottages are located. Loganair also operates scheduled island-hopping flights within Orkney, linking Mainland with the isles of Eday, North Ronaldsay, Sanday, Westray and Papa Westray. Flying between Westray and Papa Westray is the world’s shortest scheduled flight! Treat yourselves to this world record! It takes under two minutes depending on the wind direction.
https://www.loganair.co.uk/destinations/scotland/orkney
https://www.loganair.co.uk/destinations/scotland/orkney-inter-island
TRANSPORTATION ON THE ISLAND
Taxis
There are no taxis waiting as such at the airport, but you can telephone or pre-organise by contacting any of these Taxis that transport guests to and from the airport regularly:
· Stromness Taxis – 01856 850750
· Orkney Taxis - 01856 875511
· Craigie's Taxis - 01856 878787
· Finstown Taxis - 07934 839058
· George's Taxis - 07541 034830
· Kirkwall Taxis - 018Bus Service
Bus Service
A bus service operated by Orkney Coaches meets the early morning and late evening flights, with a shuttle service throughout the rest of the day. Service times are available from Orkney Coaches on 01856 870 555 or from the airport Information Desk by calling 01856 886 210.
Car Hire
Car hire is a good option to look at. Prices are reasonable and it is fun to have one's own independent transport in Orkney – you will definitely end up doing more if you have your own transport and I think enjoy your holiday more. The nice thing about driving in Orkney is that it is not at all intimidating, since there are lovely quiet roads, everything is easy to find, no traffic, slow driving and you never feel stressed about driving around, since getting lost is a pleasure since everywhere you are surrounded by sea and green pastures! Even if you try you can't get too lost! You could contact the details below just to get a quote. The nice thing is that you can pick the car up at the airport and return it there, so that covers both sides too so you can maximise your last day too.
W R Tullock
Contact telephone - 01856 875 500
Email: info@wr-tullock.co.uk
Email: airportcarrental@btconnect.com
Norman W Brass
Self Drive Car Hire
Blue Star Garage, North End Road,
Stromness, Orkney, KW16 3AG
Tel: 01856 850850 / Fax: 01856 850985
Email: info@nwbrass.co.uk
J D Peace Cars
Scotts Road
Kirkwall, Orkney, KW15 1GR
Tel: 01856 879600 / Fax: 01856 875300
Mobile: 07786956843
Email: info@jdpeacecars.com
John G Shearer & Sons
Burnmouth Road
Kirkwall, Orkney, KW15 1QY
Tel: 01856 872950
Email: info@shearersorkney.co.uk
A1 Car Hire/Colin Gregg Cars
Hatston Industrial Estate, Kirkwall, Orkney, KW15 1RE
Telephone: 01856 870900
Mobile: 07856 870900
Email:anna@colingreggcars.co.uk
Drive Orkney
Grainshore Road, Kirkwall, Orkney, KW15 1FL
Telephone: 01856 877551 / Fax 01856 871738
Email: info@driveorkney.com