Temperature
8–14°C
Rain Days
17
Daylight
12 h
Season
Shoulder
What to expect in September
September is the month most Orkney locals will quietly tell you they prefer to August. Daytime highs sit at 14°C, lows at 8°C, and rainfall ticks up to about 17 wet days, but the autumn light is extraordinary — low, golden, sharp — and the islands empty out as the school holidays end. Daylight is back to 12 hours by month-end, and you start to get proper darkness again, which means the first Aurora opportunities of the autumn return from mid-September onwards. Wildlife is in transition. Puffins are gone, but migrant geese — pinkfoot and barnacle — start arriving from Iceland, sometimes in flocks of thousands at the Loch of Stenness. The first storms of the autumn equinox arrive late in the month, but settled weeks are common. Accommodation rates fall significantly from week three onwards, and ferries free up. It's the best single month for combining good-weather days, low crowds, fair prices, and the start of dark-sky season — and a fine time for an unhurried Neolithic visit while the buses thin out. Pack a slightly warmer layer than for August and accept that one or two days will be properly wet.
For the full year-round overview, see our Orkney weather month-by-month guide.
Events this month
- Orkney International Science Festival (early September)
- Migrant geese arrive at the Loch of Stenness
- First Aurora Borealis opportunities of the autumn
What to pack for September
- Proper waterproof shell — autumn rain is heavier
- Mid-weight fleece or merino jumper
- Walking boots over shoes — paths get muddy fast
- Hat and light gloves for evenings
- Binoculars for migrant birds
Things to do in Orkney in September
- Watch migrant geese at the Loch of Stenness
- Catch the Orkney International Science Festival
- Walk the cliffs in autumn golden light
- Try Orkney cheeses and bere bannocks at a farm shop
- Photograph the Standing Stones at low autumn light
Browse the full Orkney activities directory for more options.
Where to stay in September
September 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 September
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 September
Guided tourOrkney West Mainland Tour
Six hours along Mainland's western edge — Skara Brae, the Ring of Brodgar, Yesnaby's cliffs and the Earl's Bu — in a small group with an Orcadian guide who actually lives here.
Live price on Booking.com · 6 hour
Guided tourIsland of Hoy Day Trip
An eight-and-a-half hour guided run to Orkney's strangest island — Dwarfie Stane, Rackwick Bay, Betty Corrigall's grave, and the cliffs that pretend to be Hebridean. Ferry and transport in.
Live price on Booking.com · 8 hour
Some links are affiliate — we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Frequently asked questions
Is September a good time to visit Orkney?
Many locals consider it the single best month. Mild weather, dramatically fewer crowds than July–August, lower accommodation rates from mid-month, returning Aurora opportunities, and exceptional autumn light. The trade is slightly more rain than August.
When do the Northern Lights start in Orkney?
Mid-September onwards, once true darkness returns after the Simmer Dim. The window runs through to early April. September and October geomagnetic activity is often strong because of equinox effects.
How cold is Orkney in September?
Highs around 14°C, lows around 8°C. Equivalent to a UK October on the mainland. A mid-weight fleece plus a windproof shell is right.
Read further
Auf Deutsch: Wetter auf den Orkney-Inseln