Contact Us at Via House

Orkney Retreats
Via House
Sandwick
Orkney Islands
Scotland
UK
KW16 3JF

Tel: +44(0)1856 841207
E-mail: via@orkneyretreat.co.uk
 
Sunset over Stenness Loch  View from nearby Hoy Island  Sandwick coastline

Travel to Orkney by Land and Sea

Whether you travel by car, coach or train, the main approach follows the A9 from Perth to Caithness. The A9, which has been much improved and shortened in recent years, connects from central Scotland and England's main motorway and rail networks. Duel carriageway connects Aberdeen to central Scotland.

The last leg of your northward journey will be by sea, with a choice of sailings from Aberdeen and Scrabster, Gills Bay or John O'Groats in Caithness. NorthLink Ferries provide a service through Aberdeen and Scrabster, and the timetable includes evening sailings. By car from Perth to Inverness is 114 miles through some of Scotland's most beautiful landscape. From Inverness to Scrabster is 111 miles.

Pentland Ferries' route between Gills Bay and St. Margaret's Hope adds further choice and flexibility. It takes 1 hour and runs 3 times daily (check website for winter sailings). Pentland Ferries operate a new catamaran.

John O'Groats Ferries provides a May - September passenger service to Burwick on South Ronaldsay, served by the Orkney Bus, tickets from Inverness to Kirkwall.

By train you can travel to Thurso, where a bus connects to the ferry at Scrabster, or Aberdeen where the station is near to the harbour area. There is also a coach connection from Inverness/Wick to Gills Bay. By coach you can go either to Scrabster or to John O'Groats (but remember that the John O'Groats route is a summer, passenger-only service).

Orkney by air

Kirkwall is 90 minutes from either Edinburgh or Glasgow, 45 minutes from Aberdeen and a mere half an hour from Inverness. Flybe operate flights from all of the above airports, all of which have excellent UK connections. Glasgow, Edinburgh and aberdeen also have good European connections and if you're flying in from Ireland or the USA you can fly direct to Glasgow or Prestwick. On your approach to Orkney, you'll enjoy a glimpse of the bigger picture - the many islands that surround the Mainland.

Travel Company Contact Details

Escape from the mainland of everyday and travel to an island retreat.
Enjoy the freedom, safety and tranquility of Via House, take part in retreat activities or
choose your own personalised island break. Please contact us to find out more!!