A luxuriously furnished stone built cottage on the north shore of Scapa Flow, with fine unspoilt views south over the flow and west to the hills of Hoy.

The cottage was converted in 1998 from traditional croft buildings to provide a unique environment for family holidays in one of the Orkney mainland’s most popular parishes.

The cottage is equidistant from Kirkwall and Stromness and is a mile from the south isles ferry terminal of Houton.  With excellent walking country in the Orphir hills, and a short drive to Maeshowe, the Ring of Brodgar and the Standing Stones, the cottage provides a perfect base for exploring the mainland and south isles.

The cottage is capable of sleeping up to six people in two spacious double bedrooms and using the double pull-out sofa bed in the living room. All bed linen and towels are provided.

View from the cottage west towards Hoy

Green Tourism

In the interests of green tourism, as promoted by Visit Scotland's Green Tourism Business Scheme, visitors returning to Findlay's Cottage in 2010 will notice a few changes.  The most prominent is a small (6 kW) pole mounted wind generator on land well to the back of the cottage which now feeds electricity by underground cable to heat and light the cottage.  This supplements the mains supply and allows surplus electricity to be fed back into the grid.  With the same interest of reducing the carbon footprint of the cottage, the  insulation in the loft spaces has been considerably increased, making the cottage feel warmer and more comfortable, as well as saving energy.  Also, a solid fuel stove has been provided in the sitting room to replace the open fire and all lights are now fitted with low energy bulbs.  Facilities are provided for collection and recycling of waste.

These measures complement the superb natural surroundings of the cottage which provide a habitat for many species of birds, including oyster catchers, curlews, lapwings and the rather rare short eared owl, as well as an abundance of hares.

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