Orkney Islands

[Greedyfly]

We are planning to go to the Orkney Islands next summer and would have a rather large group of people (around 20). We would like to stay together, preferably in the same area. Also in luxury accommodation. I have never been to Orkney and have no idea where to start. I have been googling but have not found anything luxury (4-5 star) that can provide lodging for everyone. Ideally I would like a group of cottages or similar. I found a castle but it would be a last resort. We would be going to Stronsay for a day trip and would ideally be as close to this island as possible.

Can anyone suggest anywhere to stay that is nice?! And has anyone been to Stronsay/Orkney before and can shed any light on what it is like for me?

Thanks

GF

[Invictas]

Hello there,
Weel, I have Googled quite a few pages on Orkney self catering,but I can only find the maximum being a farmhouse that sleeps 8.
I think the problem is that most properties on Orkney are either barns,cottages or crofts;which don't usually sleep much over five people.
You might get (say) 5 four bedded cottages,but I get the feeling they wouldn't be together,which could be awkward.
Please bear in mind that Orkney does get tourists,but it is not a place very geared up for tourism.
If the castle isn't TOO expensive it might be an option.
If you want to go to Stronsay then you need to be near Kirkwall as this where the ferries to Stronsay go from.
Do you HAVE to go for Orkney?
I would Google some of the other Scottish Islands and see if they can accomodate a party of 20.
This site:~
http://www.scottscast...h/results-292434.html
does have properties that sleep 20(and over) but not on Orkney,although one (at Ardnamurchan)looks over the Isle of Mull.

[Invictas]

Sorry I should have said Well,the Googling in Scotland has altered my vocabulary! LOL

[jake-the-peg]

I've not been to Orkney since the mid 80's but I must say there wasn't much in the way of luxury then.

http://www.orkneyhotel.co.uk/index.htm looks nice though

[jake-the-peg]

sorry misread thought you were looking for hotels - think you might be lucky with cottages

[Buenchico]

The trick to finding accommodation for such a large group is not to look for a single self-catering unit. Instead you need to seek out separate apartments within the same building (or on the same site) where the total accommodation is large enough for your needs:

Sebay Mill consists of 6 luxury (all either 4-star or 5-star) apartments, each accommodating up to 4 people:
http://www.sebaymill.co.uk/home.asp

Woodwick Mill consists of 4 apartments (all 4-star), accommodating 3, 4, 5 & 6 people respectively:
http://www.woodwickmill.co.uk/index.html

Atlantis Lodges consist of five 4-person units and eight 2-person units. They're all 4-star:
http://www.atlantislodges.com/

Information sourced from here:
http://www.visitorkne...ype=Self&loc=Mainland

Chris

[karenmac60]

What about this?
http://www.kirkwallapartments.co.uk/

If not, have a look at this, there's bound to be something there
http://guide.visitsco...Scotland&ralt=RGN20vs

[Marijn]

When we went to the Orkneys, we stayed in Kirkwall. We looked all round the Orkneys and it was beautiful, and we loved our holiday. But if we went back we wouldn't stay in Kirkwall again, as it was the least favoutite place to look at.