r/orkney

From Time Team, full story at link.

>We’re back on site tomorrow to investigate an intriguing circular feature revealed by the Time Team ground-penetrating radar (GPR) survey in July 2025.

>With a diameter of about nine metres, the circular anomaly lies to the north-west of former Trenches J and T, beneath the area used for vehicle access and parking in previous years. The four-week exploratory dig will see a 14 x 12 metre trench opened over the feature to clarify what it represents and how it relates, if at all, to the previously excavated archaeology. Over 20 years of work at the Ness Neolithic complex, circular features were notable by their absence.

>

Does anyone know how much it typically costs to enter and do you get anything for finishing please?

I really like those little 125ml of Orkney Ice Cream that you can get, and I'd really like to try either the lemon curd or the vanilla honeycomb ones, which the website says are available in the little tubs. Does anyone know where I could get either of these flavours? Any leads would be much appreciated.

I am disabled and not able to work for the foreseeable future. I'm currently dependent on my partner's income. So holidays are now a rarity and on a tight budget. But Orkney is my bucket list destination. I feel such a deep sense of awe from seeing our ancient human history.

Last year, before I lost my job, I booked a flight to Inverness for this Spring as a surprise for my partner's birthday, to do the NC500. He's a biker but we got a van, because it was too cold to camp but too expensive to stay in B&Bs.

Life has been tough recently and I didn't have time to fully plan. But having done small ferry trips before (usually costing £10-30) I didn't think to check the prices for the Orkney ferry until we were in Lybster. A local told me to get the ferry from Gills bay, saying it would be half the price. Only then did I check the price of both ferries!

It was £250+ return with the van. I haven't taken a ferry with a van before so hadn't factored that in, but even the pedestrian fares seemed huge. I thought about doing a day trip and renting e-bikes, but I didn't want to rush it in a day, when I've been waiting a lifetime to go. Staying overnight at a B&B would push up the cost so that we may as well take the van. But we had to decide quickly, and I just couldn't justify dropping that much money without planning it properly first.

So, despite being so close I could taste it, we had to drive past. I'm heartbroken. We've sworn we'll go back and see Orkney properly. Possibly doing some other islands too (my partner is interested in the world's shortest flight...)

• What would be your recommendations for travelling to and around Orkney on a budget?

• Would a motorbike or e bikes and (responsible) camping be a good compromise on cost and travel?

• Would flying to a local airport be better than driving from Inverness (we're from London)?

• Are there any seasons you recommend or don't? (I want to visit in the spring to make sure the archaeological sites are open, and to get the most daylight hours, but my partner wants the chance to see the northern lights...)

I considered the island bus, but I like to take my own time to see sights, and to take unexpected detours, and not be held to a timetable. Any advice and ideas would be welcomed. Thank you 🫶