Two charming 1800’s 4-star historic self-catering Cottages located right on the Stromness Harbour and waterfront. Retaining the charm of yesteryear, yet equipped with every modern amenity and tastefully decorated with contemporary stylish furnishings - the best of both worlds. Located on 10 & 18 South End in Stromness, the heart of the Orkney Islands.
17 September 2021
"Hi Rosemary
Thank you for your email to Gary. We will do as you suggest with the recycling material.
On a personal note, I would just like to thank you for allowing us to stay in your fabulous property, it is outstanding and in 40 years of renting holiday properties it is by far the best. Thank you also for your generosity regarding toilet paper and washing and foodstuffs. It makes such a difference to be able to cook in the property and eat outside at leisure. Thank you also for the weather!!!! What a pleasant surprise that has been.
We would love to return again next year but are struggling to find availability for 2022, so would appreciate it if you could help us with that.
We look forward to hearing from you.
Many many thanks."
Jill and Gary Allen
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15 August 2021
What a location! The bothy is right on the water with absolutely enchanting views. The house is slightly set back, has loads of space and all the facilities you could possibly want for a week or longer, including things like a dishwasher and dryer. Stromness itself is unique and utterly charming, and the whole Orkney mainland is easy to explore by car and then foot. Communication with Rosemary was excellent throughout, and made our stay simple and relaxed. We hope to come back!
Beren and Karen
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29 July 2021
My family and I stayed in the cottage for a week in July 2021. We are a family of two adults and three children (10yr, 7yrs and 7yrs). The cottage was awesome and we had a great week. The cottage was perfectly located for both walking into and out of Stromness but also day trips to most of the islands of the Orkney archipelago. The children loved being by the sea and watching the boats come in and out along with the tide and we were fortunate that the weather allowed us to have many of our meals in the garden overlooking the sea. A great place that I would recommend to anyone wanting to explore Orkney
Anthony
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12 June 2021
We are back safely home and just a quick note to let you know how much we enjoyed your cottage and being able to use your slipway for our canoes and boards to go out on the sea most mornings. We even swam (intentionally) on a few occasions. Thanks once again for giving us just what we needed!
John
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28 May 2021
Loved being on the seafront, yet in walking distance to the golf course, shops and art centre. Our favourite walk of the day was from the Cottage to Warbeth beach, since the walk hugs the sea. Such a treat. Thanks again so much for letting us stay in your place.
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08 May 2021
Just to let you know we have arrived back home and just want to touch base to let you know how very much we enjoyed our time in your seafront cottage. Our best was sitting on the pier eating the dishes we prepared with all the local fare available. Thank you Rosemary for your hospitality. We feel we have had a real holiday. All the best for the rest of the year.
Ruth
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25 April 2021
Thanks so much for last week’s stay - providing everything we might need and more. You have thought of everything. Looking forward to next year’s booking already – you just can’t beat being right on the sea like that.
Virginia
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FOODIE PLACES (all in walking distance from the cottages, unless otherwise mentioned)
The Bayleaf Deli: 19 Graham Place, Victoria Street, Stromness. A little gem of a deli with the basics such as milk etc and then a lovely healthy gluten free options as well as cheeses, smoked fish, wines, local beers, Orkney whiskies, great coffee to take away etc. Lots of fun interesting foods! Have to go there!
Argo’s Bakery: 50 – 52 Victoria Street. Has general groceries including basic toiletries, as well as Orkney Fudge and Confectionaries, Wines, Whisky’s and Malts as well as hot pies and confectionaries, newspapers and it is also the local Post office! Tel 01856 850245. Email: sales@argosbakery.co.uk. There is a bigger branch of Argos in Cairston Rd – a short walk from the Terminal/Stromness Harbour.
The Chinese Take Away: 63 Victoria Street. Tel 01856 850248.
The Royal British Legion Club (open to all visitors): 11 John Street (behind The Ferry Inn). Enjoy a welcoming very casual pub for a pint with the locals. You do not need to be a member to enjoy the Club.
The Royal Hotel: 55 Victoria Street. In summer it has 3 pubs open as well as a more formal restaurant (The Haven Restaurant) too. Great ales! Tel 01856 850342. Check opening times in off-season months.
The Pier Bistro: 22 Victoria Street. Take away and sit down. Great fish and chips!! For take always, you need to phone in to book your slot. Great fish and chips! And lots of other good meals too including their curry. It is right on the seafront at the Stromness Harbour (opposite Stromness Hotel), 22 Victoria Street. Tel 01856 851416.
The Stromness Hotel: 15 Victoria Street. Well-priced evening meals and Sunday Carvery (12 – 2pm). Please phone to check if they have availability/are open when you want to dine there. Stromness Harbour, Tel 01856 590195.
Julia’s Café & Bistro: John Street (diagonally opposite the Stromness Ferry Terminal ). Enjoy light meals while seated under cover outside on benches under a marquee. Tel: 01856 850904.
The Ferry Inn: 10 John Street, Stromness Harbour. Tel: 01856 850280. Cosy Pub with a great selection of Ales and locally produced beers, gins and whiskies. Check opening times in off-season.
Flett Family Butcher, Fruiterer and Greengrocer: 63 John Street, A country selection of local Orkney fresh produce, game birds, venison and poultry, haggis, black pudding and great pre-prepared meals … old fashioned and quaint. Tel 01856 850309
The Co-Op: A general grocery store at 27 North End Rd (about 400 meters north of where you disembark off the Hamnavoe/Northlink Ferry Terminal/Harbour). You can get most of your supplies here and you can stock up with delicious Orkney milk, Orkney Cheeses, Orkney Butter, Orkney bannocks, Stockan’s Orkney oatcakes (great with Orkney cheese on them), Orkney fudge, Orkney Ice Cream, freshly baked breads and confectionaries etc. Orkney beers, gins and whiskies too! It is conveniently open 7 days a week 7am - 11pm. For a bigger supermarket - there is a large Tesco’s in Kirkwall, (18 Pickaquoy Rd, Kirkwall), open 7 days a week 6am – midnight and on Sundays 8am to 10pm. Tel 0345 026 9658
Orkney Fish and Shellfish: Garson Street in Garson Park, Stromness. Local seafood can be bought from there for you to cook up an Orkney Storm … scallops, salmon, fish, crab, lobster, fish, smoked and some ready to eat and much more! Phone to establish seasonal opening times. Tel 01856 850870, contact@orkneyfishshop.co.uk.
Little House Larder: Stromness. Want to have a marvellous spread of snacks/grazing or a seriously delicious pavlova birthday cake … contact Tash Sclater on +447539220855 , she will deliver to your cottage! Tash’s food is so beautiful, you will want to keep it and not eat it! Have a look at Facebook.com/Littlehouselarder to see how stunning the food is!
Cafelolz in Kirkwall: If you are wanting delicious Orcadian freshly baked confectionary treats as well as gluten free dishes and/or light luncheon meals with a difference (really sumptuous!) – treat yourselves to this cute little café down a short lane (Strynd Lane) off the main street (the lane right next to Highland Park Distillery Shop and in between St. Magnus Cathedral). Strynd, Kirkwall. +44 1856 877714. If you want someone to cater for your group while you are in Orkney or a take away meal for your family or a special occasion – Lorraine can organise this too, with advance notice. Contact Lorraine on orders@cafelolz@gmail.com. The website www.cafelolz.co.uk provides further details.
TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS
FERRIES ACCROSS TO ORKNEY - There are two Ferry Services to get to Orkney.
Northlink Ferry Service which proudly boats the impressive vessel The Hamnavoe, which travels between Scrabster and Stromness. It docks right in the Stromness Harbour – a 4 minute drive to the cottages. It is exceptionally well-maintained and comfy. There is a play area for the children, pleasant pub and a self-service restaurant where you can enjoy a good, well-priced meal aboard. It is a really pleasant crossing and is part of the holiday, you also get to travel right past the Old Man of Hoy, so make sure you have your camera out, quite special! https://www.northlinkferries.co.uk/timetables/
Pentland Ferries has two vessels and they travel between Gills Bay (4km from John O’Groats) and an Orkney town called St Margaret’s Hope. It is a 45-minute drive from St. Margarets Hope to Stromness where the Cottages are positioned. It is a pleasant drive and not difficult to navigate at all. There are also attractions along the way you might want to stop at such as the Churchill Barriers and the Italian Chapel. https://www.pentlandferries.co.uk
FLIGHTS TO ORKNEY
There are regular Loganair flights to (Kirkwall) Orkney from Edinburgh, Inverness, Glasgow and Aberdeen. Kirkwall is about a 35-minute drive to Stromness, where Seafront Orkney Cottages are located. Loganair also operates scheduled island-hopping flights within Orkney, linking Mainland with the isles of Eday, North Ronaldsay, Sanday, Westray and Papa Westray. Flying between Westray and Papa Westray is the world’s shortest scheduled flight! Treat yourselves to this world record! It takes under two minutes depending on the wind direction.
https://www.loganair.co.uk/destinations/scotland/orkney
https://www.loganair.co.uk/destinations/scotland/orkney-inter-island
TRANSPORTATION ON THE ISLAND
Taxis
There are no taxis waiting as such at the airport, but you can telephone or pre-organise by contacting any of these Taxis that transport guests to and from the airport regularly:
· Stromness Taxis – 01856 850750
· Orkney Taxis - 01856 875511
· Craigie's Taxis - 01856 878787
· Finstown Taxis - 07934 839058
· George's Taxis - 07541 034830
· Kirkwall Taxis - 018Bus Service
Bus Service
A bus service operated by Orkney Coaches meets the early morning and late evening flights, with a shuttle service throughout the rest of the day. Service times are available from Orkney Coaches on 01856 870 555 or from the airport Information Desk by calling 01856 886 210.
Car Hire
Car hire is a good option to look at. Prices are reasonable and it is fun to have one's own independent transport in Orkney – you will definitely end up doing more if you have your own transport and I think enjoy your holiday more. The nice thing about driving in Orkney is that it is not at all intimidating, since there are lovely quiet roads, everything is easy to find, no traffic, slow driving and you never feel stressed about driving around, since getting lost is a pleasure since everywhere you are surrounded by sea and green pastures! Even if you try you can't get too lost! You could contact the details below just to get a quote. The nice thing is that you can pick the car up at the airport and return it there, so that covers both sides too so you can maximise your last day too.
W R Tullock
Contact telephone - 01856 875 500
Email: info@wr-tullock.co.uk
Email: airportcarrental@btconnect.com
Norman W Brass
Self Drive Car Hire
Blue Star Garage, North End Road,
Stromness, Orkney, KW16 3AG
Tel: 01856 850850 / Fax: 01856 850985
Email: info@nwbrass.co.uk
J D Peace Cars
Scotts Road
Kirkwall, Orkney, KW15 1GR
Tel: 01856 879600 / Fax: 01856 875300
Mobile: 07786956843
Email: info@jdpeacecars.com
John G Shearer & Sons
Burnmouth Road
Kirkwall, Orkney, KW15 1QY
Tel: 01856 872950
Email: info@shearersorkney.co.uk
A1 Car Hire/Colin Gregg Cars
Hatston Industrial Estate, Kirkwall, Orkney, KW15 1RE
Telephone: 01856 870900
Mobile: 07856 870900
Email:anna@colingreggcars.co.uk
Drive Orkney
Grainshore Road, Kirkwall, Orkney, KW15 1FL
Telephone: 01856 877551 / Fax 01856 871738
Email: info@driveorkney.com
