Self-Drive Tours in Orkney
Scotland
Drive across islands where 5,000-year-old villages sit beside working farms, Viking heritage meets Neolithic stone circles, and quiet roads connect some of the most remarkable archaeological sites on Earth.
Self-Driving in Orkney
A self-drive tour of Orkney is unlike any other driving experience in Scotland. The islands are low, green, and fertile — more like Denmark than the Highlands — and the roads are quiet, well-maintained, and rarely more than a few miles from the sea. You can cross the Orkney Mainland in 30 minutes, yet spend a week discovering its layers of history.
Most visitors arrive by ferry — Pentland Ferries from Gills Bay to St Margaret's Hope (one hour) is the quickest crossing, or NorthLink from Scrabster to Stromness (90 minutes). Both take cars. The Mainland holds the concentration of Neolithic sites: Skara Brae, the Ring of Brodgar, the Stones of Stenness, and Maeshowe can all be visited in a morning from a Stromness base, though each deserves time.
Skara Brae requires pre-booked tickets (cheaper online). Maeshowe chambered cairn is accessible only by guided tour with limited capacity — book well in advance, especially for the December solstice alignment. The Ring of Brodgar is free and open 24/7, and a sunset visit is unforgettable.
Beyond the Neolithic sites, drive east to Kirkwall for St Magnus Cathedral, the Bishop's Palace, and the town's excellent food shops. South to the Churchill Barriers for the Italian Chapel. The car ferry to Hoy takes you to the Old Man of Hoy sea stack (a 3-hour round-trip walk from Rackwick).
Your Celtic Vacations self-drive package includes car hire, accommodation, ferry bookings, a detailed day-by-day itinerary, 24/7 concierge support, and unlimited mileage.
Highlights of Orkney
Neolithic Circuit
Skara Brae, Ring of Brodgar, Stones of Stenness, and Maeshowe — all within a 15-minute drive of each other on the Mainland.
Kirkwall & St Magnus
Red sandstone cathedral founded 1137. Bishop's Palace. Excellent food shops — Orkney cheese, beef, and craft beer.
Italian Chapel
WWII prisoners of war transformed Nissen huts into an ornate chapel. Reached via the Churchill Barriers — causeways with wartime history.
Island Hopping
Inter-island ferries to Hoy, Westray, Sanday, and more. The Old Man of Hoy. Seabird colonies. White beaches. Profound island quiet.
Sample Orkney Self-Drive Itinerary
A suggested rhythm — yours to bend.
Day 1
Ferry & Stromness
Ferry from mainland Scotland to Orkney (Scrabster to Stromness or Gills Bay to St Margaret's Hope). Settle into Stromness — explore the flagstone streets, harbour, and Pier Arts Centre.
Day 2
Heart of Neolithic Orkney
Full morning at Skara Brae (pre-book tickets). Drive to Ring of Brodgar and Stones of Stenness. Afternoon guided tour of Maeshowe. Return to Brodgar at sunset.
Day 3
Kirkwall & Italian Chapel
Drive to Kirkwall for St Magnus Cathedral, Bishop's Palace, and town shopping. South via the Churchill Barriers to the Italian Chapel. Return via Scapa Flow viewpoints.
Driving Tips for Orkney
Essential Tips for Your Self-Drive Adventure
- 1Book ferry car spaces well in advance — summer crossings sell out, especially the Scrabster-Stromness route.
- 2Orkney roads are quiet and well-maintained. Speed limits are 60mph on main roads but drive slower to enjoy the scenery.
- 3Wind is constant on Orkney — park nose-to-wind and hold car doors carefully when opening.
- 4Pre-book Skara Brae tickets online (cheaper than the door) and Maeshowe guided tours well ahead.
- 5Fill up with fuel in Kirkwall or Stromness. Outer island fuel stations have limited hours.
- 6Allow 3-4 days for the Mainland sites. A full week lets you add Hoy and outer island ferries.
- 7Orkney uses the same roads as farm vehicles — be prepared for tractors and livestock, especially in autumn.
Frequently Asked Questions: Self-Drive in Orkney
Three ferry routes: Pentland Ferries from Gills Bay to St Margaret's Hope (1 hour), NorthLink from Scrabster to Stromness (90 minutes), or NorthLink from Aberdeen to Kirkwall (7 hours overnight). Book car spaces well in advance for summer.
3-4 days covers the Mainland's major sites — Skara Brae, Brodgar, Maeshowe, Kirkwall, and the Italian Chapel. A full week allows Hoy and outer island visits. Celtic Vacations offers packages from 3 to 7 days.
Yes — pre-booking is essential in summer and cheaper than buying at the door. The combined ticket includes Skaill House from April to October. Maeshowe also requires pre-booked guided tours.
Orkney feels remote but is well-connected. Kirkwall has supermarkets, restaurants, and services. The islands have good mobile coverage on the Mainland, though outer islands are patchier.
Let's start dreaming —
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