Temperature
4–10°C
Rain Days
14
Daylight
14 h
Season
Shoulder
What to expect in April
April is when Orkney visibly turns the corner. Daytime highs reach a comfortable 10°C, lows are a manageable 4°C, and rainfall drops to around 14 wet days — noticeably drier than the winter months. Daylight stretches to 14 hours by month-end, with sunset close to 8:30pm. The cliffs are filling up: puffins are back at Marwick Head and the Brough of Birsay, fulmars are nesting, and the first guillemots and razorbills are establishing their ledges. Wildflowers begin to appear — primrose, marsh marigold, then the first orchids in damp glens. Easter falls in March or April depending on the year, and Orkney quietly comes alive: the Italian Chapel returns to full summer hours, family-friendly heritage events run at the Cathedral, and several distilleries reopen public tours. Wind remains the year-round constant, but actual storms are rarer than in March. Accommodation rates begin to climb but haven't yet hit peak; a self-catering week in mid-April is meaningfully cheaper than the same week in June. Pack for layered, changeable weather rather than serious cold.
For the full year-round overview, see our Orkney weather month-by-month guide.
Events this month
- Easter weekend family events at Skara Brae and the Cathedral
- Italian Chapel reopens on full summer hours
- First guided cliff walks and puffin-watching trips of the season
What to pack for April
- Lightweight waterproof shell (jacket and overtrousers)
- Layerable mid-weight fleece or merino jumper
- Walking shoes or boots — coastal paths are still muddy
- Hat and light gloves — cliff tops stay cold
- Binoculars for nesting seabirds
Things to do in Orkney in April
- Watch puffins return to Marwick Head and Birsay
- Photograph the first wildflowers and orchids
- Walk the cliffs at Yesnaby in shoulder-season quiet
- Hop to Hoy for the Old Man and Rackwick Bay
- Cycle the West Mainland on quiet shoulder-season lanes
Browse the full Orkney activities directory for more options.
Where to stay in April
April is the shoulder season — better-value accommodation than peak summer, with the same long daylight and most heritage sites open. Kirkwall puts you closest to the Cathedral, museums and the airport; Stromness suits visitors heading for Hoy and the West Mainland.
Best value, mild weather
Hand-picked stays for April
Holiday HomeCongesquoy Barn
Orkney Islands
10.0/ 10
Holiday HomeEgypt
Orkney Islands
10.0/ 10
HotelStronsay Hotel
Orkney
10.0/ 10
HostelThe Anchorage
Orkney
10.0/ 10
Some links are affiliate — we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Plan your days
Bookable experiences for April
Some links are affiliate — we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Frequently asked questions
Are puffins in Orkney in April?
Yes. By mid-April puffin colonies are fully established at Marwick Head, the Brough of Birsay and Westray. They stay through July before heading back out to sea. Mornings are best for sightings.
What is the weather like in Orkney at Easter?
Mild but unsettled — typically 5–10°C, 14 hours of daylight, and a mix of bright spells, showers and brisk wind. Easter on Orkney is one of the best-value family weeks of the year.
Is April a quiet month to visit Orkney?
Yes — it's shoulder season. Heritage sites are reopening, ferries are reliable, and accommodation is 20–30% cheaper than peak July. You'll have the cliffs largely to yourself outside Easter weekend.