Orkney birdwatching, wildlife & culture holidays.  Self-catering also available.

Early guests in April and May will watch slavonian grebe, long-tailed duck, scaup and great-northern divers, all close up and breath-taking in their summer plumage.  Lapwings, curlews, snipe and redshank will all be displaying.  There are fewer visitors at the main archaeological sites.  The weather will be fresh, the days will be long and the sights and sounds of the Simmer Dim will remain with you always.  The cliff-tops will shock with their pinks and blues: thrift and sea squill.  Please use the bookings page to book or enquire for 2008 weeks or short breaks.

Main season guests in June and July will see seabirds, auk colonies, terns and skuas, and porpoises and whales offshore.  Midsummer in the Orkney Island archipelago is filled with the memories of seabirds and their young.  Orchids are in bloom in the moorlands and sea turf.  Seldom a day goes by without short-eared owls hunting over the farm at Gerraquoy and nearby moorlands.  July brings the 2nd flowering of the Scottish primrose.

Late season guests in August, September and October may see literally any kind of migrant bird and the returning
barnacle and pink-footed geese. Special grey seal pupping trips are also an annual highlight.  Hen harriers hunt regularly over Gerraquoy farm and the nearby moorlands.

At any time of the year we will aim to show you Orkney specialities such as seals and hen harriers.  Lucky guests may see corncrake, otters or orcas.  For lovers of cetaceans - whales and dolphins - click for additional information.  For botanists and lovers of wild flowers - click for more pictures.

Please note that some flowers such as Scottish primrose and orchids have particular flowering periods - please see the wild flowers page for more details. 

Please use the bookings page to book or enquire for 2008 weeks or short breaks.