Your questions answered:
Ah, broadband. The first thing on everyone’s mind. Well, we can put your mind at ease, because Orkney has invested heavily in 4G and the broadband speeds are getting better every year. Of course, there are pockets where the signal might dwindle, but we are proud to say the majority of premises in Orkney now have super-fast broadband.
Scotland is not famed for its warm weather, and Orkney is no different. What you can expect though, is a stronger wind than the mainland – which will always blow the cobwebs away. Generally, we get the same amount of rain as mainland Scotland and being so far north means we also get longer days in the summer.
As with any move, we recommend you come and stay in Orkney for a short while before committing to a permanent move.
The main reason people move to Orkney is for its beauty. The unbelievable, dramatic, craggy coasts, and breathtaking views over the sea.
It’s a stunning part of the world and a fantastic place to live – and we are not being biassed. There’s a reason so many people want to venture this far north. We have low crime rates, great schools, plenty of clubs and social activities.
There is also an abundance of jobs in both the public and private sectors. Or if you work online, you can live anywhere – and as we said, the broadband is excellent.
The property market is soaring. More and more people want to move here, so the biggest issue is supply and demand.
Orkney is continually voted one of the best places to live in the UK year after year. And for good reason.
There’s honestly nowhere like Orkney.
There are a few ways to get to the mainland. If you want to fly, there’s an airport in Kirkwall with direct flights to Aberdeen, Inverness, Edinburgh or Glasgow, all with great connections to London.
Alternatively, if you have more time you can take the ferry to Aberdeen. It takes around 6 hours, leaving at 11pm on the journey south and 5 pm on the journey north.
There’s also a ferry from Stromness to Scrabster and one from St Margaret’s Hope to Gills Bay, so there are plenty of options for you to choose from.
