Van life guide: Scotland
Van Life in Orkney: Best Spots, Meetups & Where to Park
Find fellow van lifers, join campouts and convoys, or meet someone who gets the lifestyle in Orkney. Orkney is an island group of Neolithic wonders, sea cliffs, white beaches and big skies off Scotland’s north coast.
The van life scene in Orkney
The Mainland is gently rolling farmland, with the sea cliffs of Yesnaby and the Old Man of Hoy to the west and south. Skara Brae and the Ring of Brodgar are part of a World Heritage landscape.
When you are parked up in Orkney, it is easy to make friends when you plan a walk with other travellers. The capital, Kirkwall, has its own guide.
Meeting people in Orkney
Pick a brew somewhere public and busy, tell a friend where you are going, and keep your exact pitch to yourself until you trust 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.
Orkney at a glance
- Where: Orkney, Scotland
- Best time to go: May to September, with long summer evenings, and ferries that need booking ahead
- Local flavour: Orkney fudge, Orkney cheese, local ales and fresh seafood
- Approximate location only: never your exact pitch
Best spots in Orkney
Favourite spots in Orkney include Skara Brae, the Ring of Brodgar, the Italian Chapel, St Magnus Cathedral in Kirkwall, the Old Man of Hoy and the Yesnaby cliffs.
Things to try: a visit to Skara Brae, a sunset at the Ring of Brodgar, a ferry trip to Hoy, a walk along the Yesnaby cliffs.
Parking up and staying legal in Orkney
Reaching Orkney needs a ferry crossing, and larger vehicles should be booked well ahead, especially in summer. Roads are quiet but narrow, and many sites have limited parking.
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 leave places as you found them, be considerate to residents, and see our Community Guidelines and Safety Tips.
Ready to meet van lifers in Orkney?
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.