Eviedale Cottages

Eviedale is a cluster of traditional whitewashed cottages at Evie, on the green north-west corner of the Mainland. The buildings have the proper old Orkney look — white walls, slate roofs, a painted door and a bench out front — set around a gravel yard with a stone-walled bed of heather and flowers. There's parking on site and a real sense of stepping into a working bit of rural Orkney.

Inside

The living room is cosy and characterful, built around a wood-burning stove with a tall flue. There's a comfortable mix of sofas and armchairs, a rustic timber dresser and shelving unit, a TV and a drop-leaf dining table that folds out when you need it. Pictures and a small rug give it a lived-in, welcoming feel. The kitchen sits open to the seating area under a beamed ceiling, with white units, an electric hob and oven, a fridge, microwave, toaster and kettle — everything you need for self-catering, and a window over the sink looking onto the greenery.

Where you'll sleep

The cottage sleeps four, with comfortable bedding and a snug, traditional feel throughout.

Step outside

Evie is close to the shore, and one photo here catches a double rainbow arching over the bay from a grassy foreshore — the sort of weather drama Orkney does so well. There's a known on-site connection to local baking too, a nice touch for a hands-on rural stay.

The setting

Evie is a quiet crofting district handy for the Broch of Gurness, the Birsay coast and the RSPB reserves, with the wider islands of Orkney easy to explore from here.

Perfect for

Sleeping four, with parking, Wi-Fi and a proper wood-burner, Eviedale suits couples or a small family who want a genuine traditional cottage in a peaceful coastal-edge setting.