Van life guide: Scotland
Van Life in Kirkwall: Best Spots, Meetups & Where to Park
Meet other van lifers, join campouts and convoys, or meet someone special in Kirkwall. Kirkwall is Orkney’s historic capital, a harbour town with a red-sandstone cathedral and a rich Norse heritage.
The van life scene in Kirkwall
St Magnus Cathedral stands in the centre of the town, with the harbour just beyond. Wideford Hill and the Mainland’s farmland rise behind.
When you are based in Kirkwall, it is easy to meet people when you share a brew with fellow van lifers. Kirkwall is part of our wider Orkney guide.
Meeting people in Kirkwall
Pick a coffee somewhere public and busy, tell a friend where you are going, and keep your exact pitch to yourself until you know someone. With VanDates you choose what you are open to, whether that is friendship, convoys or romance, and you only ever show an approximate area.
Kirkwall at a glance
- Where: Orkney, Scotland
- Best time to go: May to September
- Local flavour: Orkney fudge, Orkney cheese and Highland Park whisky
- Approximate location only: never your exact pitch
Best spots in Kirkwall
Must-see stops in Kirkwall include St Magnus Cathedral, the Bishop’s and Earl’s Palaces, Highland Park distillery, the Orkney Museum, Kirkwall harbour and the Ring of Brodgar nearby.
Meetup ideas: a visit to St Magnus Cathedral, a distillery tour, a harbour stroll, a drive to Skara Brae.
Parking up and staying legal in Kirkwall
Reaching Orkney needs a ferry crossing, so book vehicle space well ahead. Kirkwall’s streets are narrow, so use car parks on the edge of the centre.
In Scotland, access rights cover lightweight tent camping in small numbers for two or three nights, but they do not include motor vehicles, so staying overnight in a campervan or motorhome is different. Landowners and councils can restrict where you park, and some areas, such as parts of Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park, have camping byelaws. Use campsites, motorhome stopovers or pubs that welcome vans, and follow the Scottish Outdoor Access Code.
Read the Scottish Outdoor Access Code guide to camping. Always take your litter home, be considerate to residents, and see our Community Guidelines and Safety Tips.
Ready to meet van lifers in Kirkwall?
Join The Crew. Discover who is parked or travelling near you, join upcoming community meetups, or find someone special who truly gets life on the road. Membership is £1.99 a week and you can cancel any time.