Visiting Orkney: Which is the best way to go by ferry?

[jednick]

I want to visit the Orkney Isles this year, in particular Kirkwall. I'll say I want about 24 hours there (I'll be camping on the island for one night). I am partly interested in how long the journey would take, but to me it's more important that I do it the cheapest way.

I'm travelling from the Birmingham area, by public transport. I don't want to fly there, so I'll be using a combination of trains / coaches / buses, and then the ferry.

So, which of the following would be best:

1. I base myself in or around Aberdeen and then I get the ferry direct to Kirkwall, have 24 hours there and then I return the same way.

2. I base myself in or around Inverness. I get the bus / train to Thurso, then I walk or get the bus to Scrabster and then I get the ferry to Stromness. I spent about 24 hours on the island and get a bus to and from Kirkwall.

I'm guessing that to get to Kirkwall takes very roughly the same amount of time, if I do it from either Aberdeen or Inverness.

The ferry journey from Aberdeen is direct but takes maybe 7 hours and also they don't sail every day and the arrival and departure time aren't ideal.

The journey via Inverness / Thurso / Scrabster / Stromness is obviously more complicated, but because the Scrabster - Stromness ferry is much more frequent, maybe I can arrive / depart Orkney at times more convenient to me.

Or maybe I go via Aberdeen, and then return the other way? Any ideas what would be best for me if I'm on a budget and I have to find somewhere to stay the night on Orkney with my tent?

 

[Struner]

There is the John o'Groats ferry as well of course. http://www.jogferry.co.uk/Express-Bus.aspx
good idea when travelling on a budget.
---Peter.

 

[Traintripper]

If you are travelling between 1st June and 31st August, I would travel to Inverness via train and then take the JOG bus from there. It’s £25 each way and drops you off at Kirkwall.

 

[Romilly]

It was some years ago, but: Day 1 - Nairn-Inverness-Wick by train, bus to John O'Groats, ferry to Burwick (Orkney), connecting bus to Kirkwall; Day 2 - minibus tour of Mainland (Orkney); Day 3 - 9am connecting bus to Burwick, ferry to John O'Groats, bus to Thurso, train to Inverness, train to Kyle of Lochalsh, bus to Portree (Skye). The JOG ferry runs 1st May to 30th September - 40 minutes journey time on a boat that cuts through the water: foot passengers and cyclists only.

 

[Struner]

All the same, why would you go to Orkney for just a single day?
It deserves more than that!
---Peter.

 

[eastwestdivide]

The Thurso-Scrabster-Stronmess ferry has the advantage of passing the Old Man of Hoy, and on the day we went, the ferry was piped into the harbour by a kilted bagpiper.

I know you're on a budget, but I'd seriously recommend spending more than 24 hours on Orkney though - it's a long way to go and it would be a shame to spend such a short time there.

 

[Struner]

The Thurso-Scrabster-Stronmess ferry has the advantage of passing the Old Man of Hoy and on the day we went, the ferry was piped into the harbour by a kilted bagpiper.

The Hamnavoe takes the route thru Scapa Flow as well at times & not just in adverse weather. I have seen her passing thru Gutter Sound between Lyness & Fara quite a few times in fair weather. & even in fine weather it is quite spectular to see the tidal rips in the Pentland Firth.
(& kilts aren't really an Orkney thing of course )
---Peter.