Things to Do in Orkney in Winter – A Local’s Guide

Winter in Orkney isn’t just a quieter version of summer — it’s a completely different island.The crowds have gone. The air feels sharper. The sea has a voice all of its own. From mist-shrouded ancient sites to warm fireside drams, this is the time of year when Orkney reveals its true character.

If you’re wondering about the very best things to do in Orkney in winter, a private tour of Orkney gives you the freedom to explore at your own pace, follow the sunlight, and take those detours you can only find with a local at the wheel.

Why Visit Orkney in Winter on a Private Tour?

You might be picturing closed doors and bad weather, but the truth is: most historic sites, viewpoints, and hidden gems are open year-round — and winter transforms them. Skara Brae dusted in frost. The Ring of Brodgar under a pewter sky. The corridors of St Magnus Cathedral almost to yourself.

Shorter days mean slower travel. No ticking off a checklist; just time to soak in the light, the air, the stories. With a private Orkney Island tour, you set the rhythm. We’ll work around the weather, keep you warm in between stops, and find the perfect mix of dramatic scenery and cosy detours.

See the Mirrie Dancers – Orkney’s Northern Lights

When and Where to See Them

From September to March, Orkney’s long, dark nights sometimes bring the Mirrie Dancers — our name for the Northern Lights. You don’t need to fly to Iceland to see them; here, they can sweep across the whole northern sky, sparkling over standing stones or shimmering above the sea.

We’ll keep an eye on the aurora forecasts and, when the conditions are right, head for the best dark-sky spots: Birsay, Yesnaby, or the Ring of Brodgar under starlight.

The Science and the Magic

The Mirrie Dancers appear when charged particles from the sun collide with gases high in our atmosphere. The colours you see — green from oxygen, purple and red from nitrogen — are space weather written in light.

But science only explains part of it. Seeing them in person will stay with you for life. On a Northern Lights tour of Orkney, we combine local knowledge with flexibility — because if the lights arrive, you want to be in the right place at the right time.

Visit Orkney’s Ancient Sites Without the Crowds

Skara Brae and Maeshowe

In summer, these World Heritage sites are busy. In winter, they can feel like yours alone. Skara Brae’s Neolithic homes, half-buried in sand, sit quietly under a low golden sun. Maeshowe’s chambered cairn glows with that unique winter light — and if you’re lucky, you might catch the midwinter alignment when the sun drops between Hoy’s peaks and strikes the central chamber.

The Ring of Brodgar

Fewer people, more atmosphere. The wind moves through the stones, curlews call across the loch, and you can stand where people have gathered for thousands of years — with no one else in sight.

Private, guided visits give the flexibility to chase the best light and weather, something more difficult on a group tour.

Wildlife and Coastal Adventures

Winter is one of the best times to spot Orkney’s grey and harbour seals hauled out on beaches or rocky shores. The cliffs and bays also attract wintering birds — great northern divers, long-tailed ducks, and eiders. Occasionally, orcas make an appearance. We are part of a whale watching group that shares live sightings, so if they’re in the area, we can try to meet them.

And then there’s the coast itself. Yesnaby’s cliffs, the Brough of Birsay (when tides and weather allow), or the towering Old Man of Hoy — all are at their most dramatic as the sea dashes itself into walls of foam.

On a private wildlife tour of Orkney, we’ll choose locations that are safe, spectacular, and suited to the day’s weather.

Storm Watching and Coastal Drama

If you’ve never seen a North Atlantic storm hit the cliffs, you haven’t lived. On days like those, the ground rumbles beneath your feet and the wind guides you towards the hearth.

Winter is our storm season, and from safe vantage points, you can watch waves explode into spray taller than houses. Favourite spots include the cliffs at Yesnaby and the western shores of Hoy, but we always prioritise safety — and having a warm café or pub in mind for afterwards.

Food, Drink, and Warm Orcadian Hospitality

After bracing sea air, nothing beats a warm fire and something good in your glass. Orkney’s pubs and cafés are at their cosiest in winter, with fewer visitors and more locals at the bar.

You can sip a dram at Highland Park or Scapa distilleries, try local ales, or linger over hearty seafood chowder. Many of our private Orkney tours include food stops — the kind of places you might miss without a local guide.

More Things to Do in Orkney During Winter

Winter also offers the space to enjoy Orkney’s smaller treasures:

• Local museums — from the Orkney Museum in Kirkwall to the Scapa Flow Museum, these bring the islands’ wartime, maritime, and prehistoric stories vividly to life.

• Craft shops and studios — meet the makers of Orkney jewellery, knitwear, pottery, and woodcraft, many of whom keep their workshops open all winter.

• Art galleries — explore the work of Orcadian painters, photographers, and sculptors, often inspired by the same winter landscapes you’ll see outside.

With a bespoke Orkney tour, you can combine the big sights with these hidden gems in a way that suits your pace and interests.

Practical Tips for Your Winter Trip

What to Pack

Layers are your friend — a warm base layer, jumper, windproof jacket, and sturdy waterproof boots will keep you comfortable in almost any weather.

Daylight Hours

Expect around 6–7 hours in December, 8–9 in February. The low sun creates some of the best photography light of the year, so plan to be out during those golden hours.

Getting Around

Ferries and flights generally run smoothly, but winter weather can mean changes. With a local driver-guide, there’s always a plan B — and C and D and E!

Book Your Private Winter Tour of Orkney

Winter in Orkney is a season of big skies, wild seas, and quiet moments you’ll never forget. It’s also a season when having a local, flexible, and well-prepared guide makes all the difference.

Tour Orkney designs private tours of Orkney that adapt to your pace, your interests, and the day’s weather. Whether you want ancient history, wildlife, storm watching, the Mirrie Dancers, or all of the above, we’ll build your perfect winter itinerary.

Ready to see Orkney at its most dramatic? Whether you’re searching for the best things to do in Orkney in winter or a tailor-made Orkney Island tour, we’ll make it happen. Book your Private Winter Tour of Orkney today.