Nearest accommodation to the Pentland (Orkney Islands) Ferry terminal in Gills Bay. Beautiful open…read morelocation, comfortable building, large rooms, panoramic views, very friendly proprietors. What's not to like? We picked this randomly from the roadside and were delighted with our choice. The price of GBP 60 with breakfast for a double in May was very reasonable. They probably could charge more because there are very few choices in the area.

We just visited the amazing Duncansby Head and came here to enjoy some more views and countryside…read more The drive here is pretty impressive, lovely views and hills and small mountain lakes. Dunnet Head itself was somewhat disappointing. Yes, the views are great (you can see the Orkneys) and there are some nice walks around. There are cliffs and rock formations as well. But compared to Duncansby Head this is a bit of a let-down nonetheless. That one just offers so much more - with a lot less tourists (at least at the time we visited). Nothing really wrong with it - but we were glad we spent most of the time at Duncansby Head and the Stacks.

Not sure where that fist low rating came from, but I loved this place…read more This is it folks, end of the line. Yeah sure, John O'Groats gets all the fame and glory of being the "northernmost" point in the mainland UK, but what if if I told you that was a lie? And that around 20 minutes away , there was a gorgeous lighthouse, and WWII base that was ACTUALLY further north? It's true....and it's also less crowded. If you've hauled your rear all the way up here, you'd be foolish not to come say high to the landscape that makes up for Dunnet head; the cliffs are a sight to behold (hike up the hill for some truly stunning views of the surrounding region while your at it).

I'll not say anything that the previous reviewer already said, but will add that you no longer need…read moreto pay to see the gallery of tapestries. In fact, there's an extension being built right now to house even more, plus art from Leila's daughter. The gallery now sells a huge selection of prints, as is, mounted or framed, plus 'hand tufted' rugs with designs from some of the tapestries. Definitely worth a visit if in the South Isles, though only really possible by car unless you want to spend the best part of a day walking there & back from St. Margarets Hope.

This is a lovely well gallery. It's a bit 'off the beaten track' but is signposted from the village…read moreof St Margaret's Hope. The views from the gallery are stunning - and you can continue on to Hoxa Head and see the remians of wartime buildings. Inside the gallery you can watch Leila Thomson working creating one of her huge tapestries. If you pay to go into the gallery you can see more examples of her work hanging - it's stunning. She sells postcards and prints of some of her tapestries so you can take a memento home - if you want to but a tapestry I believe you have to commission one and ther's a waiting list - yes, she is that good.

My wife loves fossils and I love my wife... which is why I visited this museum. I was astonished at…read morehow great this museum was. There is something for everyone, from a terrific WWII diorama to a brief history of Earth, to a mesmerizing collection of Zippo lighters (WHO KNEW?). It's small enough that you can't get lost and dense enough to get real value for your admission ticket.

Burnside Cottage is a beautiful, modern, well-outfitted bed and breakfast. My friend and I were…read morebooked on a ferry to Orkney from Gills Bay, and arrived to find it cancelled. With no idea what to do, we saw a small sign on the road above the port, and followed it. The owner was gracious, welcoming and accommodating. We couldn't believe our luck to find this outstanding lodging. Our twin room was clean, spacious, comfortable and quiet. The furnishings were among the best we've encountered, providing the function we needed with tasteful design. Plenty of hooks in the modern bathroom were so welcome, and more were near the door of the room. It's remarkable how this made a difference for two women with lots of stuff to hang -- most places we stayed have one hook per room, if any at all. Eco-sensitive soap and shampoo were wonderful. Did I mention the delicious breakfast, with many choices? I highly recommend Burnside Cottage and hope to visit again before and after I finally am able to travel to Orkney.

B&B run by a very nice lady and her daughter. Comfortable, well appointed rooms, beautiful views…read moreof the bay, the hills, the sheep, and the horses, terrific WiFi. Excellent breakfast - cereal, fruit, bread, meat and cheese plate served at your table with seconds if you wish. All for a reasonable price. About a mile walk uphill from the ferry terminal. (A half mile by shortcut for the surefooted. She'll show you the path). Yvonne will give you directions when you book. Just don't chicken out -- keep heading up the last road until you see the sign.

Okrney and wine? I'll wait until you finish chuckling…read more Now that we've gotten that out of the way, Orkney Wine Company doesn't actually make wine, per se. That is, their "wines" are not made from "grapes." Because "grapes" don't stand a snowball's chance of growing in the Orkney terroir, lovely as it is. Rather, Orkney wine is made from native plants like elderberry, blackcurrant, bramble, cranberries, wild sloe, rhubarb, gooseberries and root ginger. I'll wait until you finish chuckling. Because they're really not as bad as they sound. I was afraid all the wines we sampled would be cloyingly sweet and lack any sort of depth when we pulled in to parking lot, lured by the promise of a "wine tasting." We were certainly treated to possibly the most *unique* tasting I've had the privilege of undertaking. We were told, basically, we could sample whatever we wanted, we just had to ask; the Wine Company doesn't do organized tastings exactly. So husband and I sampled away, trying the Orkney White (interesting, dry and herbaceous) and the Orkney Red (dry and jammy) blends; the Gooseberry (floral nose, smooth finish); and the Taak Hid Sloe (the sweetest we sampled). We ended up purchasing a bottle of the Gooseberry, just for the novelty of it. The "wines" themselves were fine. But what set Orkney Wine Company apart, for me, was the boutique attached, stocked entirely with Orkney merch: Westray pottery; sheepskins, hats, scarves and cushions made from North Ronaldsay wool; Orkney cheeses and game charcuterie; jewelry from local artisans. Everything is superb quality, making Orkney Wine Company the ideal place to pick up a one-of-a-kind souvenir. All five of us did.