Temperature
3–8°C
Rain Days
17
Daylight
12 h
Season
Shoulder
What to expect in March
March is the hinge of the Orkney year. Daytime temperatures climb only slightly — a typical 3–8°C — but the daylight clock changes everything. By the spring equinox you have over 12 hours of light, and by the end of March, with the clocks forward, sunset is past 7pm. That alone changes how the islands feel. The trade is weather drama: equinox-week storms are real, and gusts above 60mph are not unusual. Rainfall stays high at around 17 wet days, and the wind is at its most variable. Wildlife begins to wake up. Fulmars are already back on the cliffs, the first puffins make brief reconnaissance visits to Marwick Head, and lambs are everywhere on South Ronaldsay. Most heritage attractions reopen for the spring season around mid-March, including the Italian Chapel summer hours and several smaller museums. Self-catering and B&B rates remain at shoulder-season levels — a noticeable saving versus May onwards. Pack for genuine four-seasons-in-an-hour weather, and accept that whatever you've planned outdoors may need to be juggled around squalls.
For the full year-round overview, see our Orkney weather month-by-month guide.
Events this month
- Spring equinox sunrise-watching at Maeshowe (limited free tours, advance-booked)
- Stromness Folk Festival lead-up sessions in pubs (full festival is May)
- St Magnus Way pilgrimage walks restart for the spring season
What to pack for March
- Three-layer waterproof system — equinox storms are sharp
- Walking boots that drain well — paths are muddy
- Compact umbrella is useless; a proper shell is essential
- Sunglasses (the spring light off the sea is dazzling)
- Binoculars for returning seabirds
Things to do in Orkney in March
- Walk the St Magnus Way pilgrim route
- Spot returning fulmars and first puffins at Marwick Head
- Photograph spring storm-light over Yesnaby
- Tour the Heart of Neolithic Orkney UNESCO sites
- Pick up local cheeses at Mainland farm shops
Browse the full Orkney activities directory for more options.
Where to stay in March
March 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 March
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
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Plan your days
Bookable experiences for March
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Frequently asked questions
Is March a good time to visit Orkney?
It's a bridging month — warmer than February, with much longer days, but still rough enough that outdoor plans need flexibility. Good for low-cost shoulder-season trips, walking, equinox astronomy, and birdwatching as wildlife returns.
What's open in Orkney in March?
St Magnus Cathedral, Skara Brae, Maeshowe (booked tours), the Orkney Museum and Stromness Museum are open year-round. The Italian Chapel and many smaller heritage sites reopen for the spring season around mid- to late March.
Are puffins in Orkney in March?
Yes — the first reconnaissance visits to Marwick Head and the Brough of Birsay typically happen in mid- to late March, but the colonies don't fully establish until April. May and June are the prime puffin months.