St Margaret's Hope Ferries

Sorry, there is currently no available ferries on this route.

St Margaret's Hope is easily accessible via the Pentland Firth ferry from Gills Bay on the Scottish mainland, with crossings taking approximately one hour aboard Pentland Ferries services. Travelers driving from Inverness can reach Gills Bay in roughly three hours, while those from Edinburgh face a journey of about six hours. Once in Orkney, the village is connected to Kirkwall, the main town, by regular bus services that meet ferry arrivals. If arriving by car, ample parking is available near the ferry terminal, though booking ahead during summer months is advisable. The village is also accessible from other Orkney islands via the Churchill Barriers, making it a convenient entry point to explore the archipelago.

Nestled on the island of South Ronaldsay in Orkney, St Margaret's Hope welcomes visitors with its picturesque harbor and traditional Scottish island character. This quaint village, often called 'The Hope' by locals, serves as a vital ferry gateway to the Orkney archipelago. Strolling through its narrow streets lined with colorful houses and craft shops, visitors immediately sense the unique blend of Norse and Scottish heritage that defines this tranquil coastal community.

The prime time to visit St Margaret's Hope falls between May and September when days are longest and temperatures most agreeable, typically ranging from 10-18°C. June brings the famous Orkney Folk Festival, while August hosts the unique Festival of the Horse and Boys' Ploughing Match, a centuries-old tradition where local boys create miniature ploughs. Winter months (November-March) offer a more authentic glimpse of island life without tourists, though ferry crossings may face disruptions during stormy weather. Spring brings wildflowers and migrating birds, making April and May excellent for nature enthusiasts seeking fewer crowds and reasonable accommodation rates.

St Margaret's Hope serves as an excellent starting point for exploring Orkney's fascinating islands. From here, travelers can journey to Kirkwall, Orkney's capital, in just 35 minutes by road to visit its impressive 12th-century St Magnus Cathedral and historic distilleries. The prehistoric marvel of Skara Brae and the mystical Ring of Brodgar are about an hour's drive away on the Mainland island. Ferry connections from Kirkwall allow further exploration to North Ronaldsay with its unique seaweed-eating sheep (2.5 hours by ferry) or the remote island of Westray (1.5 hours), home to dramatic cliffs and the shortest scheduled flight in the world. The village's position at the southern entry point to Orkney makes it ideal for island-hopping adventures.

The Smiddy Museum in St Margaret's Hope offers fascinating insights into traditional blacksmithing and local history, housed in a former smithy dating back generations. Just a short drive away, the Italian Chapel stands as a remarkable testament to wartime creativity, built by Italian prisoners during WWII. Seafood enthusiasts should sample fresh local fare at the Crafty Cafe, where hand-dived scallops and locally caught crab feature prominently. The village's craft workshops showcase talented artisans creating jewelry and textiles inspired by Orkney's landscapes and Norse heritage. Don't miss walking the spectacular coastal path to the Tomb of the Eagles, a 5,000-year-old chambered cairn with breathtaking sea views.

St Margaret's Hope is named after Margaret, Maid of Norway, who allegedly died near here in 1290 while traveling to become Queen of Scots, forever altering Scottish history. The village hosts the unusual Boys' Ploughing Match where young boys create model ploughs from driftwood and compete in sand-ploughing contests while local girls dress as horses in a tradition dating back over 200 years. Despite its small size, the village was once a bustling herring port with over 300 boats operating from its harbor in the 19th century. Local folklore claims the unusual tidal patterns in the bay are caused by a sleeping sea monster who occasionally shifts position, creating unexpected currents that sailors have navigated for centuries.