Orkney Caravan Park at The Pickaquoy Centre
Orkney
Well-equipped park a short walk from central Kirkwall and the leisure centre
About Orkney Caravan Park at The Pickaquoy Centre
Orkney Caravan Park sits on Peerie Sea Loan on the western edge of Kirkwall, attached to the Pickaquoy Centre and only a few minutes on foot from the cathedral, the shops and the harbour. That combination of a proper serviced park and a town centre location is rare anywhere, and in Orkney it is close to unique. It makes an obvious first or last night stop for anyone arriving on the Aberdeen ferry or flying into Kirkwall Airport.
The park takes touring caravans, motorhomes and tents, with hardstanding and grass pitches, electric hook-ups and camping pods for those who would rather not put up a tent in an Orkney breeze. Facilities are modern and well maintained, with heated shower and toilet blocks, laundry, dishwashing and motorhome service points. Reception is handled through the Pickaquoy Centre, which has long opening hours through the week.
The biggest advantage is next door. Guests have the adjoining leisure centre on their doorstep, with its sports halls, gym, cinema screenings and cafe, which is a genuine asset if the weather turns and you have children to entertain. The season runs from March to the end of October and the park is popular in high summer, so book ahead for July and August. From here it is roughly twenty minutes by car to Skara Brae, ten to the Italian Chapel and a short walk to the Highland Park distillery. Buses to Stromness and the western sites leave from the town centre, so this is one of the few Orkney campsites where you can manage perfectly well without a vehicle.