Kirkwall Airport: where to stay, areas and recommended hotels
Kirkwall Airport: where to stay, areas and recommended hotels
Kirkwall is the main airport of Orkney and the starting point for connections to the smaller islands, often with very early-morning Loganair flights. The terminal is a few minutes from Kirkwall's centre, convenient for those with only one night or a short stopover. Those wanting to follow the Churchill Barriers towards the beaches and wartime history of Scapa Flow find a base in Burray; those aiming for Skara Brae and the Ring of Brodgar prefer the western mainland, around Loch Harray, from which a car is needed for every trip.
Kirkwall
City centre · Taxi in 5-15 minutes from the terminal; Stagecoach bus in about 20-27 minutes.
Best for: Those with a dawn flight or a single night who want to stay close to the terminal and the harbour.
Pros
- The shortest route to the terminal of the whole area.
- Shops, harbour and St Magnus Cathedral within easy reach.
Cons
- Few rooms available in high season.
- Limited parking in the historic centre.
Recommended hotels in this area
- Royal Oak Guest House: A few minutes from the harbour, with a breakfast tailored to each guest every morning.
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Burray and the Churchill Barriers
Neighbourhood · Car or taxi in about 20-25 minutes from the terminal, across the Churchill Barriers.
Best for: Those wanting to follow the Churchill Barriers, the beaches and the wartime history of Scapa Flow.
Pros
- Overlooking Scapa Flow, away from the traffic of Kirkwall.
- A convenient base for the Italian Chapel and the barriers.
Cons
- A car is needed, direct links with the airport are scarce.
- Few places open in the evening outside the season.
Recommended hotels in this area
- The Sands Hotel: Former 1860 fish warehouse on the Burray pier, with a restaurant overlooking Scapa Flow.
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Western mainland, Loch Harray
Nearby town · Car in about 20 minutes from the terminal; no direct bus link.
Best for: Those visiting Skara Brae and the Ring of Brodgar who prefer to sleep close to the Neolithic sites.
Pros
- A few minutes from Skara Brae and the Ring of Brodgar.
- A view of Loch Harray, away from the traffic of Kirkwall.
Cons
- You need your own car for every trip.
- Very few services nearby besides the hotel.
Recommended hotels in this area
- Merkister Hotel: Family-run for over thirty years on the shore of Loch Harray, with local catch on the menu.
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