Getting About in Orkney. A trip to Orkney is not complete without a visit to one or more of the islands, as well as visiting all the interesting places on the Mainland. Since each island is different, with its own charm and the inter-island transport system is good, it is both easy and interesting to visit all of the islands as well as the Mainland parishes. Due to the number of routes and operators the system is rather complex, and intending users are strongly advised to procure the latest timetables from the Tourist Office, or direct from the operators. Orkney Ferries operates ro-ro services to most of the islands, while British Airways Express operate flights to most of the North Isles. Bus services meet ferries at Stromness, Houton and Burwick, and there are services from Kirkwall to Stromness, Dounby, Tingwall, Houton, Deerness, and St Margaret's Hope. Minibus services are available on some of the islands, and taxis, hire cars and bicycles are available on the Mainland and on many of the Islands. INTER-ISLAND SEA TRANSPORT. The main internal sea transport operator is Orkney Ferries, which operates to most inhabited Islands from Kirkwall, Tingwall, Houton and Stromness. Orkney Ferries publishes a detailed timetable annually with full details of all services. Further information can be had by calling their head office at the Pierhead, Kirkwall, Tel (01856) 872044, Fax (01856) 872921. All services are ro-ro except those to Papay, North Ronaldsay and Graemsay, where vehicles are handled by crane. The modern fleet of ships runs frequent daily services to all islands except North Ronaldsay, which is once or twice weekly. The services run as follows: from Kirkwall for Westray, Papa Westray, Eday, Sanday, Stronsay and North Ronaldsay. to book telephone (01856) 872044 from Tingwall in Evie for Rousay, Egilsay Wyre. to book telephone (01856) 751360 from Houton in Orphir for Hoy and Flotta. to book telephone (01856) 811397 from Stromness for Graemsay and North Hoy to book telephone (01856) 850624. Fares. There are two levels of fares to the islands. Tickets for the inner islands of Hoy, Flotta, Rousay, Egilsay, Wyre and Shapinsay are cheaper than those to the Outer Isles of Westray, Eday, Sanday, Stronsay and North Ronaldsay. All fares are very reasonable, and a reduction of 25% is available for 10 journey tickets. Since these apply to all islands in the same price band it is quite easy to use up 10 tickets in a holiday! See also Orkney Ferries advertisements and posters for further information. Independent operators also have boats available for hire. Please ask at the Tourist Office or locally for the latest information. INTERNAL AIR SERVICES. British Airways Express, (operated by) Loganair run daily services (except Sunday) to most of the Outer North Isles - Westray, Papay, North Ronaldsay, Sanday and Stronsay and to Eday on Wednesdays only with 8-seat Islander aircraft. Flying from Kirkwall airport, this service is very popular, and booking is generally required. Special deals exist for visitors, including the Orkney Adventure ticket which allows visits to up to three islands at a very special price. Also available is the Sightseer Fare, bookable 30 minutes before departure, which allows a discount of 50% and is an excellent way to have an aerial tour of the North Isles. Bookings and Inquiries Telephone numbers Loganair Tel (01856) 872494, Fax (01856) 872420 or the local travel agent, Ridgway Travel, Tel (01856) 873359, Fax (01856) 872680 for further details. Details of all internal flights can also be had on British Airways central inquiries and reservation number Tel 0345 222111. PUBLIC TRANSPORT AND BUS TOURS. Scheduled Services Several operators run scheduled bus services on the Mainland, including the main operator, JD Peace tel (01856) 872866, as well as Shalder Coaches tel (01856) 850809, Rosie Coaches tel (01856) 751227, Stove Coaches tel (01856) 741215 and Causeway Coaches tel (01856) 831444. Details of all these services are published weekly in the on Thursdays, and may also be found at the Tourist office, or direct from the operators. Information on transport operators in the islands is available from the Tourist Board, and is listed under each island in the gazetteer. See advertisements for details. Tours of Orkney Mainland Both general and special-interest tours are available. Sinclair Dunnet of GO ORKNEY runs a series of tours of the Mainland and also goes across to Hoy and Rousay. There is no better introduction to Orkney than his Grand Tour. Wildabout offers an entirely different type of experience. Historical, Wildlife, Folklore and Environmental excursions are available as advertised in the Wildabout brochure. Michael Hartley also does visits to Hoy and runs the Dusk/Puffin patrol with his new 15-seat mincoach. Details from the Tourist Office, or on Tel (01856) 851011. Shalder Coaches operate daily tours of the Mainland in conjunction with John O'Groats Ferries including Maxi Day Tours and the shorter Highlights Tours. Car Hire Orkney is very much a car-orientated society, and independent transport makes it much easier to see the areas not served by public transport. Several firms have cars for hire, including those advertising here. It is also possible to hire cars in many of the islands. Details about services are available from the Tourist Board. In particular a car is essential to reach many of the most interesting places on the Mainland as public transport only serves the main population centres. Taxis Taxis are available throughout Orkney, either for normal hires, or tours. See advertisements for telephone numbers. Please check in or ask at the Tourist office for further information. There are taxi ranks at the Pier Head, and Broad Street in Kirkwall and in Stromness at the Pier Head. Bicycle Hire Orkney, being relatively flat, is good country for cycling - but note the wind direction before setting off - it could be much harder getting back! While the main Kirkwall-Stromness road can be rather busy, there are many secondary roads which are very quiet. On a nice day there is no better way to absorb the rhythm of the countryside than from a bike. Bicycles can be hired on the Mainland in Kirkwall at Two-Wheeled Orkney, Tel (01856) 873097 and in Stromness at Orkney Cycle Hire, Tel (01856) 850255. They may also be hired on many of the other islands. Please check under the particular island, or ask at the Tourist Office or locally for further information.

All our seven bedrooms have en-suite facilities as well as tea coffee making facilities, radio alarms, TVs and hairdryers. Telephones are installed in all the rooms also so that you can stay in touch or connect your own computer. Our rooms are spacious and comfortable. The Guest House is in a quiet part of town, yet only a few minutes walk from the centre (1km approx.). For the comfort of all our guests Royal Oak Guest House operates a no smoking policy throughout. Booking/Enquiry Form. All prices are in GBP per room per night and include VAT. Visa, Delta and MasterCard accepted. We serve good home cooked food in our upstairs Dining Room which has views over Kirkwall and Scapa Flow. The Dining Room is bright and airy with views over Scapa Flow. There is a kitchen for the exclusive use and convenience of our guests. This will allow you the freedom to make your own pack lunch or have a light meal whenever you desire without the need to leave 'home', a laundry service is available on request. Ensuring that you are well provided for we also have a large car park at the rear of the building, iron and ironing board, shoe-cleaning Kit and cot and highchair. Groups of up to 16 persons can be catered for

Getting to Royal Oak Guest House. The Guest House is situated on Holm Road, approximately 1km from Broad Street at the centre of town. From Stromness If arriving from Stromness on the A965 turn right at the Esso filling station on the edge of town and then right again at the small roundabout after Safeway's. Follow the road ahead, bearing left up the hill (Holm Branch Road) towards the Distillery. Turn left at the top of the hill on to Holm Road. From the airport Turn right at the exit and head into town. Opposite the entrance to Bignold Park take a left (signposted Holm) onto the Holm Road. The Guest House is 300m on the left. From South Ronaldsay Follow the road to Kirkwall. About 200m after the Highland Park Distillery and bear right onto Holm Road. The Guest House is 300m on the right. For convenience print out this page. Map courtesy of Orkney Tourist Board

Facilities and Tariff. Getting to Royal Oak House. Getting around in Orkney. Booking and Enquiry Form. Royal Oak Guest House. Liz Bruce is the new proprietor of Royal Oak Guest House and your host when you come and stay here. The modern custom-built accommodation is about one kilometre from the centre of Kirkwall. All rooms are en-suite and a wide selection of facilities are available to help ensure that your stay in here is an experience that you will treasure for many years to come. Personal attention and that little bit extra is our policy. Royal Oak Guest House, Holm Road, Kirkwall, Orkney, UK KW15 1PY. VisitScotland 3 star Guest House. For the comfort of all our guests Royal Oak Guest House operates a no smoking policy throughout. Tel / Fax. 01856 877177. Send email to Royal Oak House

Food and Drink in Orkney. A selection of Orkney produce (Photo courtesy of. Food production is probably the biggest industry in Orkney. Apart from the traditional high quality beef for which Orkney is justifiably renowned, Orkney's farmers also produce milk which is used to make Orkney Cheese and Orkney Ice Cream, as well as excellent lamb. All cattle and sheep are grass-fed. Shellfish, whitefish and crustacea are other important products, as are farmed salmon, Sea Trout and now Halibut. Orkney Pickled Herring makes a delicious starter. Baked products include Orkney oatcakes, shortbread and bere bannocks - made from the old-fashioned bere barley. Highland Park malt whisky is well known throughout the world. The Visitor Centre is only a short distance from the Guest House and is a very good starting point for the visitor. Orkney Brewery makes a variety of beers and lager at the brewery in Sandwick. A wide variety of fruit and vegetables are also grown locally, both in field and under cover. The visitor to Orkney is thus assured of a wide selection of locally-grown food products.

 Baby chairs and cots are provided
 Playground for children
 Credit cards accepted
 Dinner may be served in the room
 Hairdryer
 Ironing facilities
 Kitchen
 Laundry services/washing machine
 Smoke-free guest rooms
 Parking lot
 Clock/radio
 Private/Ensuite bathroom
 Tea and coffee making facilities
 Phone at reception
 Phones in rooms
 TV sets in rooms