Orkney Experiences for 2026

There is so much to see and do in Orkney, and all within a few hours striking distance of each other making Orkney a beautifully compact and culturally rich destination. But islanders are busy, creative, entrepreneurial folk and rarely sit still, which means every year a crop of new experiences and attractions come to market. Below is a selection of some of the exciting new things you can enjoy while you are here with us. Warning! – you may need to extend your stay!

If you are still at the planning stage and are thinking about accommodation there is a huge variety of hotels, B&BS, self-catering, hostels and campsites to choose from.

One of Orkney’s bucket list experiences is to see a puffin!

And new this year is an extension to the well-loved Albert Hotel, in Kirkwall. The brand new annex offering panoramic views, boosts the room count to 30 ensuites. The new addition, decked in Orkney’s finest materials and designs, offer studio-style living with modern kitchenettes and luxurious king-size beds.

Garden House Rooms, on New Scapa Road just outside Kirkwall is completely new and offers convenience and quality with self check-in via digital code. There are 22 modern and bright king size and super kingsize double en-suite rooms, including 4 ground floor accessible rooms. Ideal for the leisure and business traveller.

I recommend a stay on one of the outer isles, where one day feels like a self-indulgent short break as time slows down and you find yourself ‘being’ rather than ‘doing’.

In Sanday, Orkney Retreats is expanding its luxury portfolio this year with How Farmhouse opening its doors. It boasts 3 bathrooms and a sauna, ample for the 8 guests it will generously accommodate.

In Stronsay, the Island of Bays, the Stronsay Hotel is under community management and has undergone a complete refurbishment, including its 5 ensuite double rooms. Expect a warm welcome in the bar and restaurant from new managers Penny and Anton.

Similarly, in Rousay, The Taversoe Inn is under new ownership and its 4 double and twin ensuite rooms have been completely overhauled, as has its menu offering the freshest local and seasonal ingredients.

With night time sorted, thoughts turn to daytime and what’s new. One of Orkney’s bucket list experiences is to see a puffin and there are a few places you can see them but with no guarantees. But if you want to up your chances, Wild Orkney Walks is this year offering The Ultimate Puffin Experience – a day trip to Westray on foot to see these comical sea parrots. It will run Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 13th May to 3rd August inclusive. Price £125pp including the return ferry fare.

Puffin enthusiasts can get another fix with newly-launched Stroma Wildlife Cruises who sail across Pentland Firth and to Stroma Island for an exclusive tour of this tiny uninhabited island.

Orkney is made for walking, and there are many guides offering walks across the isles, but new this year is Summit To Sea Adventures, offering bespoke walking tours as well as off the peg group tours. They include Women Wellbeing Walks and a six day St Magnus Way Walking Tour with transport to accommodation and lunches included. If you prefer paddling to plodding, the same company offers a range of kayaking experiences for all levels.

For those who like their history up close and personal, get in touch with Orkney Time Travel, who are offering some totally gripping new experiences. The Witches of Orkney tour plunges you into a darker history, with a 90 minute guided walk through Kirkwall exploring Orkney’s 17th century witchcraft trials. While the Smugglers, Pirates and Gin tour will bring you into beard distance of ship-wrecked survivors, Jacobite rebels, and the infamous Pirate J Gow. The tour starts and ends at The Orkney Distillery, where your reward awaits in the form of a well-earned gin tasting.

And if you like your holiday with a swig of something you’ll have lots of distillery and breweries to choose from, including a new tour from Swannay Brewery at its beautifully and recently constructed tasting hall. Or for those taking things a bit more seriously how about a one, three or five day course at Orkney’s first Whisky School?

As you can see there are so many ways to experience Orkney, with new additions all the time – one visit might not be enough.

By Cheryl Chapman Cheryl has been writing and editing for more years than she cares to mention! She cut her professional writing teeth in journalism, worked in PR and marcomms and has written and edited newspapers, magazines and websites. Find her at www.writeacrosstheboard.co.uk

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