Temperature
3–7°C
Rain Days
21
Daylight
6 h
Season
Off-peak
What to expect in December
December is Orkney's darkest month and one of its most atmospheric. Daytime highs sit at 7°C, lows at 3°C, rainfall remains at the yearly co-peak of around 21 wet days, and daylight collapses to just 6 hours around the winter solstice — sunrise close to 9am, sunset by 3:15pm. Wind keeps doing its job, and storms are routine. Accept all of that and December gives you something very few other places can match. Yule traditions on Orkney run unbroken back to Norse times — fire ceremonies, Yule logs, distinctive food. The Kirkwall Ba' on Christmas Day and again on New Year's Day is a centuries-old mass football match between the Uppies and Doonies that takes over the town centre for hours and is the single most distinctive cultural event in the islands' calendar. The Aurora Borealis remains active, accommodation is at its cheapest, and the Cathedral hosts a packed programme of carol concerts and recitals. Pack as if heading to a properly cold, properly windy place — because you are — and accept that ferry plans may shift around the weather.
For the full year-round overview, see our Orkney weather month-by-month guide.
Events this month
- The Kirkwall Ba' (Christmas Day and New Year's Day)
- St Magnus Cathedral carol services and recitals
- Hogmanay torchlit processions in Stromness
What to pack for December
- Fully waterproof, fully windproof outer shell
- Thermal base layers (merino preferred)
- Insulated down or synthetic mid-layer
- Insulated, waterproof walking boots
- Wool hat, scarf, insulated gloves, head torch
Things to do in Orkney in December
- Watch the Kirkwall Ba' on Christmas or New Year's Day
- Attend a Cathedral carol service
- Hunt for Aurora at the Brough of Birsay
- Tour Highland Park distillery on a winter afternoon
- Visit Maeshowe, aligned to the winter solstice sunset
Browse the full Orkney activities directory for more options.
Where to stay in December
December is firmly off-season — accommodation rates are at their lowest, and the islands feel like they belong to locals again. Choose a Kirkwall hotel for short days and warmth, or a Stromness self-catering apartment if you want a fireside base for storm-watching.
Off-peak rates — budget-tier picks
Hand-picked stays for December
HostelThe Anchorage
Orkney
10.0/ 10
Bed And BreakfastOld School - Exclusive 5 Room private suite
Orkney Islands
9.9/ 10
Bed And BreakfastHeatherlea Bed & Breakfast
Orkney
9.8/ 10
Bed And BreakfastAultnagar Accommodation
Orkney Islands
9.7/ 10
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Plan your days
Bookable experiences for December
ExperiencePeatfire Tales Of Orkney Evenings
An evening of island stories, songs and dances told the way they were once told — by the fire, before anyone had a screen to look at instead.
Live price on Booking.com
ExperienceScapa Tours
A six-hour private minibus tour of Orkney built around what you actually want to see — Neolithic stones, the Italian Chapel, sea cliffs, or all three.
Live price on Booking.com · 6 hour
Some links are affiliate — we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Kirkwall Ba'?
The Kirkwall Ba' is a centuries-old mass football match held on Christmas Day and New Year's Day in Kirkwall town centre. The Uppies and Doonies — teams determined by which side of the Cathedral you were born on — try to drive a hand-stitched leather ball to opposing goals. It can take hours and is the most distinctive cultural event in the Orkney calendar.
Does Orkney get a white Christmas?
Rarely. Snow is more often a wet flurry that doesn't lie. The Gulf Stream keeps coastal Orkney milder than mainland Scotland in midwinter — frost and gales are far more typical than lying snow.
Is there much daylight in Orkney in December?
Around six hours at the solstice — sunrise ~9am, sunset ~3:15pm. Plan outdoor activities for 10am–2:30pm and embrace long, lamp-lit evenings.