Orkney Cottages by the Sea

Orkney cottages by the sea are among the most coveted self-catering options in Scotland. The archipelago has 570 miles of coastline and the water is rarely far away, but not every property genuinely sits beside it. This guide lists seven that do: self-catering homes and lodges where the water is the dominant view, from a farmhouse that opens its French doors straight onto the shore at Rendall to a harbourfront apartment in St Margaret’s Hope where the bay fills the window.

Why the Coastal Setting Changes Everything

Orkney has roughly 70 islands and a coastline of extraordinary variety: white sand beaches in the North Isles, red sandstone cliffs on the Mainland’s west coast, sheltered bays dotted with fishing boats in the south. A property with a genuine coastal outlook captures all of it in one frame, whether that’s the changing light across Scapa Flow, the ferry crossing the Sound of Hoy, or the Atlantic swell arriving from the west on a clear September morning.

Self-catering properties with true sea views also tend to be positioned away from the main roads — which in Orkney means genuine quiet. The island is not a busy destination in the way the Scottish mainland can be. Add a coastal setting and the sense of space becomes something else entirely: sky, water and stone, without interruption.

Seven Orkney Cottages by the Sea

The seven properties below cover a range of sizes, settings and coastal types, from a traditional Stromness-area cottage overlooking the Bay of Ireland to an island farmhouse on Sanday surrounded by some of the finest beaches in northern Scotland. For the full search across self-catering accommodation in Orkney, the Orkney Stays listings let you filter by sea view, group size and amenities.

Riff Farmhouse stands on its own above the shore at Rendall, on the north coast of West Mainland, with French doors that open directly out toward the water. Grass runs down to the coast in front of the house, and the views across the bay are unobstructed in three directions. Sleeping ten across four bedrooms — with three bathrooms — it is one of the few genuine large-group coastal properties in Orkney. A private hot tub sits in the garden, and Kirkwall is around 20 minutes south. For a family or group of friends who want to be properly beside the sea, and want space enough that nobody feels cramped, Riff Farmhouse is the standout option.

Switha is a smart, modern home above Stromness, built around the view. Stone and larch cladding, a steeply pitched roof, and a wall of glass face the water, with sea views across Hoy Sound to the island of Hoy. Three bedrooms sleep six, with two bathrooms, a fully equipped kitchen and a private hot tub in an enclosed garden. Stromness town is a short walk away, with its flagstone main street, independent shops and ferry connection to Hoy. As a combination of genuine coastal outlook, space and quality of finish, Switha sets a high bar among Orkney self-catering properties with sea views.

Withi-Gill is a traditional single-storey Orkney cottage near Stromness: warm pebbledash walls, grey slate roof and a drystone wall along the front, sitting low against the land as the old houses here have always done. The outlook is across the Bay of Ireland, a sheltered inlet on the west side of Mainland that turns silver in flat light and deep green when the wind gets up. Sleeping four in two bedrooms, with a full kitchen, garden and reliable wifi, it has 9 guest reviews and a rating of 9.7. If what you want from an Orkney coastal cottage is authenticity rather than specification upgrades, Withi-Gill is the choice.

The Waterfront Apartment in St Margaret’s Hope lives up to its name. It sits on Front Road with the bay right outside, and a window seat that faces the water. Calm and silver on still days; grey and purposeful when a south wind runs across the Pentland Firth. St Margaret’s Hope itself is one of the most attractive villages in Orkney: a curved harbour front, a handful of independent shops and a good pub, with the Churchill Barriers and the Italian Chapel a short drive north along the coast. Sleeping two in one bedroom, with 37 guest reviews and a rating of 9.6, this is the pick for a couple who want the harbour right outside the door.

Park Cottage sits at St Mary’s in Holm, directly facing the water. It is a generous family home for five — three bedrooms, a well-equipped kitchen and a private hot tub in the garden — with the bay right across the road. Holm sits on the East Mainland, 15 minutes south of Kirkwall, within easy reach of the Churchill Barriers (which connect the East Mainland to South Ronaldsay via a series of causeways built during the Second World War). The position is quiet without being remote: there is a pub in the village and the road north to Kirkwall is straightforward. For families travelling to Orkney with children, Park Cottage combines space, a bay outlook and the practical bonus of the hot tub.

Kisumu is a white-walled bungalow sitting alone in open fields with a long, uninterrupted view across the bay to the hills beyond. A one-bedroom apartment for two, with a private hot tub, garden and good wifi, it has 31 guest reviews and a rating of 9.8 — one of the highest on this list. The open-plan living space is designed to face the water, and the sense of being genuinely set apart from everything is one of its main qualities. For a couple who want peace, the ever-changing Orkney sky and a setting that does not require you to share it with anyone else, Kisumu is the recommendation. The Stromness area is within easy reach, with the Standing Stones of Stenness and the Ring of Brodgar a short drive east.

Orkney Retreats is a collection of traditional island farmhouses and cottages on Sanday, one of the northern isles of Orkney and an island known for its long stretches of white sand beach and brilliant turquoise water. The welcome is hands-on in the best way — it is not unusual to be met at the door with something fresh from the water. The properties sleep up to eight across three bedrooms, are pet-friendly, and offer the kind of island quiet that the Mainland, for all its charms, cannot quite replicate. Sanday is reached by ferry from Kirkwall in approximately 1 hour 25 minutes to 2 hours 30 minutes, depending on the route, or by a Loganair inter-island flight of around 15 minutes from Kirkwall Airport. For visitors who want an island, not just a sea view, this is the one to book.

All Seven at a Glance

If sea views and a hot tub are both priorities, the guide to Orkney self-catering with hot tubs covers the full range of properties that offer both, including several that also have coastal settings.

Common Questions About Coastal Self-Catering in Orkney

Where are the best coastal areas to stay in Orkney?

The West Mainland coast around Stromness offers views across Hoy Sound and the Bay of Ireland. The East Mainland and South Ronaldsay have sheltered bays and harbourside villages. For island beaches, Sanday and the other northern isles are outstanding. All offer genuine sea views with minimal development.

Are Orkney cottages by the sea available year-round?

Most self-catering properties on Orkney Stays accept bookings year-round. Winter offers dramatic skies, the Northern Lights and complete quiet; summer brings long daylight hours and milder weather. Availability varies by property, so checking individual listings is recommended.

Is self-catering accommodation in Orkney pet-friendly?

Several coastal properties in Orkney accept dogs, including Switha, Riff Farmhouse and Waterfront Apartment in St Margaret’s Hope. Orkney’s beaches and coastal paths are well suited to walking with dogs, though some sites — particularly around ground-nesting seabirds in spring — may require dogs to be kept on leads.

How far are Orkney coastal cottages from Kirkwall?

Distances vary. Riff Farmhouse at Rendall is around 20 minutes from Kirkwall; St Margaret’s Hope is about 20 minutes south; Stromness is 25 minutes west. Properties on Sanday and the outer islands require an Orkney Ferries sailing (1 hour 25 minutes to 2 hours 30 minutes from Kirkwall, depending on the route) or a Loganair inter-island flight of around 15 minutes.

What is the best time of year to visit Orkney for a coastal holiday?

Late May to September offers the mildest weather and the most daylight — over 18 hours at midsummer. June and July are popular for wildflower coastal walks and migratory birdwatching. September brings quieter roads and the first chance of the Northern Lights. Spring and autumn shoulder seasons suit those who prefer their own company.

Do Orkney coastal properties need to be booked far in advance?

The most popular coastal self-catering properties — particularly those with hot tubs and strong review records — book out several months ahead for summer. Properties on the outer islands have fewer alternatives if a first choice is full. Booking at least three to four months ahead for July and August is advisable.