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A mini guide to
Scapa Flow, the South Isles & Hoy: tips and FAQs
Local know-how and common questions
Local know-how
Tips for visiting
Book the Hoy ferry
Orkney Ferries asks travellers to book as early as possible, on foot or with a car, particularly in summer.
Allow a day for Hoy
The Old Man of Hoy, Rackwick and the Dwarfie Stane are at the north end of Hoy, while Lyness and Hackness are in the south.
Crawling space
The Dwarfie Stane is a tight fit to enter; Historic Environment Scotland notes the cells are too small to stand up in.
Check seasonal sites
Hackness, the Fossil Centre and the Tomb of the Eagles all have closed seasons, so check their websites before setting out.
Festivals
Orkney festivals and events
Dates are from each organiser's own website or, for the Ba', from its published custom; check before you book.
St Magnus International Festival
18 to 25 June 2027
Music, theatre, visual arts and literature by artists from Orkney, Scotland and around the world; the programme is announced in spring 2027.
Kirkwall Ba' games
Christmas Day and New Year's Day
A medieval street football game played through the centre of Kirkwall twice a year; when either day falls on a Sunday, the game moves to the Monday.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Where is Scapa Flow, the South Isles & Hoy?
Scapa Flow, the South Isles & Hoy is in Orkney Islands, Scotland. The Italian Chapel and Churchill Barriers, St Margaret's Hope, and Hoy's hills, Old Man and wartime Lyness. Nearby stops and stations include St Margaret's Hope pier, Churchill Barriers road, Houton pier.
How long do I need in Scapa Flow, the South Isles & Hoy?
Half a day for the barriers and South Ronaldsay; a full day for Hoy. Allow longer if you plan to eat out or visit several attractions.
What are the highlights?
Highlights include Italian Chapel, Churchill Barriers, Orkney Fossil and Heritage Centre. See the Things to do page for more.
How do I get there?
Nearby: St Margaret's Hope pier (Pentland Ferries); Churchill Barriers road (Stagecoach buses); Houton pier (Orkney Ferries). The Getting there page links to the official timetables and journey planners.
Where can I eat and drink?
We list 7 places to eat and drink in and around Scapa Flow, the South Isles & Hoy, with filters to help you choose.
Where should I stay?
We list 10 hotels and other places to stay nearby. Check availability and prices with each property.
Is Scapa Flow, the South Isles & Hoy accessible?
Accessibility varies by street, building and venue. Check each attraction or operator’s access information before you travel.
While you are here
Things to see in Scapa Flow, the South Isles & Hoy
A few of the sights in the area. The Things to do page lists them all, with directions and official links.
St Margaret's Hope
Village of about 550 people on South Ronaldsay, Orkney's third-largest settlement and the Pentland Ferries port.
Scapa Flow Museum
Museum in the former naval base at Lyness on Hoy telling Orkney's part in both world wars, with more than 250 artefacts.
Old Man of Hoy
Old Red Sandstone sea stack 137 metres high near Rackwick Bay, one of the tallest in the UK; first climbed in 1966.
Orkney
More areas to explore
North Isles: Rousay, Westray & beyond
Rousay's tombs, Westray's castle and cliffs, the Knap of Howar and the lighthouses of the outer isles
Open the mini guide →
Kirkwall & central Mainland
Orkney's main town: St Magnus Cathedral, the palaces, the Orkney Museum and Neolithic tombs close by
Open the mini guide →
Stromness & the West Mainland
Skara Brae, Maeshowe and the stone circles, Stromness harbour and the cliffs of Birsay and Yesnaby
Open the mini guide →Photo credits
- Rackwick: Rob Burke, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- St Margaret's Hope: Bob Jones, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Scapa Flow Museum: Richard Harvey, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Old Man of Hoy: Anne Burgess, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- North Isles: Rousay, Westray & beyond: MichaelMaggs, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Kirkwall & central Mainland: Robert Scarth, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Stromness & the West Mainland: Dr. John F. Burka, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
Photos from Wikimedia Commons, used under the licences shown. All photo credits
Keep exploring Orkney