Favourite Driving Itineraries to Orkney
Depending on your interests and the amount of time you'd like to spend, there are a number of places you can visit on your way to Orkney.
We start from Edinburgh with a few of our favorites from the city, and have broken down the full journey into three parts:
If you were to drive quickly and absolutely non-stop, Edinburgh to the northern tip where you would catch a ferry would take 6 hours. However, if you would like to savour the journey...
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Part 1: Edinburgh to Perth
We assume you start in Edinburgh as it's the capital and one of the most beautiful cities. In fact, if you could only see two locations in all Scotland , we would suggest Orkney and Edinburgh - both World Heritage Sites. |
Allow two days to see Edinburgh and get up early to see the Castle before the crowds. Then head up Arthur's Seat (to reach this, walk down the cobbled Royal Mile and past Holyrood Palace , then up steeply to the volcanic top and views of Edinburgh. Take some warm clothes, drink and a picnic.
Spend the evening relaxing in bars, cinemas, restaurants, but ensure you walk around the city by night to see the floodlit castle and the Scott Monument in Princes Street Gardens.
The next day is a good one to devote to the National Museum of Scotland, where you can see some wonderful artefacts collected from Orkney - and a lovely place to eat.
Then feel free to explore side streets and alleys, like Grassmarket, maybe browse the shops of the Old Town. |
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Energetic folk can walk to the Botanic Gardens and sunbathe in beautiful, calm surroundings, or you can get a bus to the Leith Docks and see how the Royal Family traveled with the Ship Brittania, though it's now a tourist trap . Be careful in Leith at night, as it's an "up and coming" area that hasn't entirely arrived.
For archaeological enthusiasts, you may visit Cairnapple Hill, west of Edinburgh - three miles north of Bathgate, four miles from Linlithgow off the A706 and one of Scotland 's most important Bronze Age sites.
Early the next morning, head west out of town - now Scotland really begins!
Edinburgh to Perth - M90 motorway - 70 mph speed limit . 42 miles / 50 minutes
Cross the Forth Road Bridge, taking photos of the famous Railway Bridge .
Northbound traffic crossing the Bridge pays a toll (currently 80 pence for a car) so have a £1 coin handy. Change is given by the remarkably cheerful attendants.
At Kinross you pass Loch Leven , known for the island Castle and Vane Farm bird reserve.
http://www.kinrosshouse.com/lochleven_touristinfo.html
http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/v/vanefarm/index.asp
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Perth
http://www.perthshire.com/
Perth is a small and prosperous town with fine gardens and small shops, an engaging sculpture trail and the great River Tay.
It often holds markets and special shows, so keep an eye out. |
The motorway bypasses Perth - follow signs for Inverness and the A9.
Next: Part 2: Perth to Inverness
