The Ring of Brodgar
#2



Joined: Oct 2005
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. . . when you are in Orkney. Not being snarky here. No specific time is 'best' - just when you are visiting Scotland and therefore Orkney. Anytime between say April and the end of October. In winter the problems are short days, rough ferry crossing, chance of nastier weather (though there can be nasty weather any time of year)
#4



Joined: Jul 2006
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Thinking about it some 12 hours later there is probably a good opportunity at Solstice as well. Then there are some special events https://oisf.org/fest-event/outing-the-ring-of-brodgar/ https://www.orkney.com/events/summer-solstice
#6



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In the area. It really depends on what other facilities you want.
I'd prefer to stay in Kirkwall which has a range of hotels, restaurants, bars, shops etc. I've stayed in rentals, hotels and with friends. Because of the geography of the islands, do not expect the externals to be very impressive. We found the Shore was reasonably enough. Their breakfasts were a bit samey so we ate breakfast out a few times. If instead you want a spa and don't want other facilities then there are some hotels out in the countryside
I'd prefer to stay in Kirkwall which has a range of hotels, restaurants, bars, shops etc. I've stayed in rentals, hotels and with friends. Because of the geography of the islands, do not expect the externals to be very impressive. We found the Shore was reasonably enough. Their breakfasts were a bit samey so we ate breakfast out a few times. If instead you want a spa and don't want other facilities then there are some hotels out in the countryside
Last edited by bilboburgler; Oct 11th, 2023 at 06:03 AM.
#7



Joined: Oct 2005
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Not being snarky here - honest. But looking at both of your threads -- you really don'y give us much to work with. We really like to help but with one and two sentence posts we don't have much to work with. Is the visit to Orkney during the same trip as your Cumbria visit?
The 'best' hotel in the area? -- What budget? What sort of property? (I assume you want to stay on Mainland Orkney)
The 'best' hotel in the area? -- What budget? What sort of property? (I assume you want to stay on Mainland Orkney)
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#8
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Joined: Oct 2023
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Thank you for your reply. I’m sorry if I didn’t give enough information in my previous posts. I’m new to this forum and I’m not very good at writing in English. I want to visit Orkney in February. I think I will be in Orkney for 3 or 4 nights. I want to see historical and natural attractions in Orkney. I don’t have a specific budget for the hotel (the cheaper the better for me, but I can spend up to 150 pounds per night), but I would prefer something comfortable and convenient, with a good view and also a good WIFI. Also, I think I want to stay on the mainland to explore easier, but if there is a better place somewhere else, it is not too important for me
#10



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#12



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You are in the north of Scotland, on an island with virtually no trees and no protection from the North Atlantic. It can be miserable, windy etc. I've been there when it was calm in the middle of winter, but that is not common.
A friend of mine took me to a lighthouse powered by solar panels, they used to have a wind turbine but it had blown down..... If you take the ferry you may find it gets cancelled and if you fly in then it can be a bit scary with cross winds.
A friend of mine took me to a lighthouse powered by solar panels, they used to have a wind turbine but it had blown down..... If you take the ferry you may find it gets cancelled and if you fly in then it can be a bit scary with cross winds.
#13



Joined: Oct 2005
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Thank you for your reply. I’m sorry if I didn’t give enough information in my previous posts. I’m new to this forum and I’m not very good at writing in English. I want to visit Orkney in February. I think I will be in Orkney for 3 or 4 nights. I want to see historical and natural attractions in Orkney. I don’t have a specific budget for the hotel (the cheaper the better for me, but I can spend up to 150 pounds per night), but I would prefer something comfortable and convenient, with a good view and also a good WIFI. Also, I think I want to stay on the mainland to explore easier, but if there is a better place somewhere else, it is not too important for me

I'm sorry to give bad news, But I probably would not plan on visiting Orkney in February - unless it was maybe to visit relatives for a major family event. And even then I'd have to think long and hard. Short days (though substantially longer than in December) with sunset around 4:30PM. But the biggest problem will be the weather. It could be decent, but most likely it won't be. Jan and Feb are the stormiest months in Orkney. High winds, lots of rain, though not much snow. High temps in the Low 40's°F/5°C. Not pleasant for tromping around neolithic sites.
And if you are arriving by ferry -- sometimes the ferries are cancelled for days because of rough weather
#15
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Joined: Oct 2023
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Thank you very much for your reply. I have to go there, but I will try to change it to March. I am really happy to find Fodors and have this insight about the place that I have not visited before.
One of my friends told me that she stayed at the Stromness Hotel in Orkney. She said that they had good breakfast and a good view of the harbor. Do you have any experience with it?
One of my friends told me that she stayed at the Stromness Hotel in Orkney. She said that they had good breakfast and a good view of the harbor. Do you have any experience with it?
#16



Joined: Jul 2006
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Stromness Hotel is a funny one. I've been visiting the Island for 30 years or so and that hotel goes bust every couple of years. It has been a hostel and before Covid it was a Chinese takeaway.
If I wanted to book it, I'd make sure I paid on departure.
If you must stay in Stromness, less to do that Kirkwall, then find a B&B
If I wanted to book it, I'd make sure I paid on departure.
If you must stay in Stromness, less to do that Kirkwall, then find a B&B
#17



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https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=...75.-2207520000
good photos from the Island
good photos from the Island
#18

Joined: Mar 2011
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Here's Orkney photos from 1980 and then 2017. Summer means eternal sunshine, and that means that at one point or another, it is likely not to be raining. Between 1980 and 2017 the Maeshowe cairn, very close to Ring of Brodgar, transitioned to a place where you went to the nearby farmhouse and picked up the key, and could spend as much reflective time as you wanted there, to a Heritage Site where you have to sign up at the Visitor Centre a couple kilometers away, where you have to sign up in advance for a guided tour, and get transferred there by bus, and walk in formation along your tour, and you are not allowed to take pictures of the interior:
#20



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