ORKNEYS, or ISLAY?

tresrikay

Guest
Off to the land of the Blessed in August and I have been looking at the ferry prices to both these destinations, The fares are similar, both have distilleries, though Islay wins hands down on that one.

SOOOoooo,,, What I am asking if any of you have any pics, tales, and spots to wild, then I would appreciate the help in making up our minds.

Thanks in anticipation.........;)
 
Hi. Been to Orkney twice and Islay once. As far as wildcamping goes you wont have an issue on either. Havent got any spots to recommend but you will easily find them. They are quite different. There is much more going on on Orkney and it is more populated but there is also more to see. The towns are bigger with supermarkets and the like and Scarabrae Skara Brae - The Discovery and Excavation of Orkney's finest Neolithic Settlement is unmissable. However if you want to get away from it all and sample some seriously good scotch Islay is worth a visit and will be much quieter. If your doing Islay I would get a hopscotch ticket and do a few islands. They are all worth seeing from Arran to the Shetlands. (think Im up to 18 islands now)

Cheers
BD
 
I have never done Islay , but I have Orkney, and well worth a visit.

Has Barry mentions there is Skara Brae, In addition Maes Howe A burial chamber vandalises by the vikings in 12 th century and Viking graffiti inside.

Italian chapel, rings of Brodgar, Chrchills barrier, and if you are adventurous a trial dive in Scapa Flow over German battleships scuppered at the end of WW1

And you can fish anywhere !!

Channa
 
On Islay we (boys VW trip) went to the Bowmore Distillary. We were the only ones there and the wee lassie who took us around was something special and we spent the whole tour chatting her up. At the end we got to sample the whole range of scotch and all left half cut. I remember us slumping into the van with bottles of Bowmore and still being their in the morning. nobody batted an eyelid as we sang our way through a bottle or two.

Happy days!
 
Is that all you lot think about, WHISKY, try looking up the Heritage and History of the Islands.
Now let's see, they have been distilling whisky on Islay for over 200 years----------
Laphroig, you will be at home, sound advice from Barryd, but the girl will be a grandma by now:D

Go for it Rick and enjoy.

regards,
Bill.
 
Pioneer said:
Is that all you lot think about, WHISKY, try looking up the Heritage and History of the Islands.
Now let's see, they have been distilling whisky on Islay for over 200 years----------
Laphroig, you will be at home, sound advice from Barryd, but the girl will be a grandma by now:D

Go for it Rick and enjoy.

regards,
Bill.
Click to expand...

Oi! It was only about 6 years ago! Yep your probably right, a grandma
 
thoughts

Rick

Great minds think alike. Pam wants to go to the Shetland Isles and I have already got the Orkney brochure. Inner Hebrides is now also on our list to do. For some reason we were considering Devon/Cornwall but after the Barra trip, all I know want is more of the same. In fact, if I could guarantee puffins and dolphins I could convince her to go anywhere.

Jon
 
Telstar said:
Rick

Great minds think alike. Pam wants to go to the Shetland Isles and I have already got the Orkney brochure. Inner Hebrides is now also on our list to do. For some reason we were considering Devon/Cornwall but after the Barra trip, all I know want is more of the same. In fact, if I could guarantee puffins and dolphins I could convince her to go anywhere.

Jon
Click to expand...

You could get the ferry from Aberdeen to Shetland and then come back via Orkney again. It works out about the same price and breaks up the 12 hour crossing in half. If you can afford it I would get a cabin if you go from Aberdeen or you could just get hammered in the bar and crash out on a sofa like we did. Had to be woken up and chucked off the Ferry when it came in.
 
we were in orkney last june & loved it went with pentland ferries. no problems wild camping & loads of public toilets to empty your cassette.
why not do one this year & the other next year.
we are doing mull & iona this june.
tony
 
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Hia
Do you go from Aberdeen or Thurso
Yes I have been looking at the Orkneys
My late husbands ancesters came from Birsey Orkneys and Stormness

I wondered if to go from Aberdeen and then come back to Thurso and travel back from there as it will be down hill :D:D:D:D:D:D:D
 
Polly said:
Hia
Do you go from Aberdeen or Thurso
Yes I have been looking at the Orkneys
My late husbands ancesters came from Birsey Orkneys and Stormness

I wondered if to go from Aberdeen and then come back to Thurso and travel back from there as it will be down hill :D:D:D:D:D:D:D
Click to expand...

we went with pentland ferries from gill's bay north scotland, as you look at the map it is to the left of john o groats. the ferry takes about 1 hour.
provided you dont mind driving that far it is a nice ferry run between the islands. we did not do it in 1 day.
tony
 
Brandyman Orkney Islands

[IMG/IMG]
Hi Tresrikay there are lots wild camping in Orkney all over the Island most with
toilets most with disabled wheel chair friendly one in Rendal with shower very nice one,
There are two different ferries lots of things to doo I would try and come to Orkney when the agricultural shows are on or shopping week well worth a visit I will further this thread also if you contact me with AD I will send you brochures By the way some of the Islanders get 12 year old Highland park whiskey at £14 bottle can point you in right direction
I'm presently in hospital old heart thinks it is still 16 not 66 but when I get out I will post a list off places for wild camping when I learn to pictures on it will show what a lovely Island we have here in Orkney
hope this helps all the wild campers
NORTH LINK GIVE DISCOUNT TO FRIENDS @ FAMILYS
ALL WILDCAMPERS ARE MY FRIENDS
Bless you all Merv Hi brandyman here again just managed to put few photos on still learning thanks to all,
Now out of hospital doing well planing first trip early April
 

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hope you will be out & about soon.i agree orkeny is a beautiful place the air is so clear & the meadows are full of wild flowers, it reminded me of ireland back in the 50s .
we had no problem wild camping & the toilets are 1st class.
tony
 
Hi Brandyman,
good to have someone onboard from these out of the way locations, for all the knowledge regarding wildcamping, and having a chance meeting with you and your wife a few months ago in Bonny Scotland, just know you will help in anyway you can.
First and foremost have a speedy recovery. Brandy sales will be down in the Orkneys:D
Hope your up and about soon.
Best Wishes.

regards,
Bill and Angela.
 
Brandyman said:

Hi Tresrikay there are lots wild camping in Orkney all over the Island most with
toilets most with disabled wheel chair friendly one in Rendal with shower very nice one,
There are two different ferries lots of things to doo I would try and come to Orkney when the agricultural shows are on or shopping week well worth a visit I will further this thread also if you contact me with AD I will send you brochures By the way some of the Islanders get 12 year old Highland park whiskey at £14 bottle can point you in right direction
I'm presently in hospital old heart thinks it is still 16 not 66 but when I get out I will post a list off places for wild camping when I learn to pictures on it will show what a lovely Island we have here in Orkney
hope this helps all the wild campers
NORTH LINK GIVE DISCOUNT TO FRIENDS @ FAMILYS
ALL WILDCAMPERS ARE MY FRIENDS
Bless you all Merv
Click to expand...

Thanks so much to all of you, a speedy recovery to youself brandyman and I think your post has just swung it.
If I went to Islay and loaded up with all that necter, I would only have to waste it on AJ.:D:D
 
Brandyman said:
By the way some of the Islanders get 12 year old Highland park whiskey at £14 bottle
Click to expand...


kinellfire.. that cheaper than tesco's prices:eek:
....must admit.. not 1 of my very very favourites but i'll drink the stuff willingly…:D;):)

so all i have te do now is wait for leisurestrictly to announce

he's on his way back and lie in wait for the little fella.:D

like takin candy from a baby :p

regards:cool:
aj
 
:eek:
ajs said:
kinellfire.. that cheaper than tesco's prices:eek:
....must admit.. not 1 of my very very favourites but i'll drink the stuff willingly…:D;):)

so all i have te do now is wait for leisurestrictly to announce

he's on his way back and lie in wait for the little fella.:D

like takin candy from a baby :p

regards:cool:
aj
Click to expand...

Just returned from a weekend with my brother in Yorkshire and we demolished a bottle of YAKAZUMA:eek::eek:.......... Japanese single malt,,,,,,,,,and it w..a...s... fantastic...... £22 at Tesco.
 
tresrikay said:
:eek:

Just returned from a weekend with my brother in Yorkshire and we demolished a bottle of YAKAZUMA:eek::eek:.......... Japanese single malt,,,,,,,,,and it w..a...s... fantastic...... £22 at Tesco.
Click to expand...

look forward to a taster at Leek then.:D:D
 
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