Best Time to Visit Orkney: A Seasonal Guide to Rousay

When is the best time to visit Orkney?

Late spring and summer suit a holiday with plenty of walking and exploring, thanks to the long daylight hours. Autumn brings changing colours and different birds; winter suits a quieter stay with shorter outings and more time indoors. Whichever season you choose, leave room to change plans with the weather.

Spring: longer days and returning birds

The days are getting longer, with more time for walks and visits to the ancient sites. There’s fresh colour along the coast and in the fields. Seasonal businesses begin reopening at different points through the spring.

Birds to look for · March–May

Spring birds include lapwings, curlews and oystercatchers, with skylarks singing over open ground. These birds all appear in Rousay’s May eBird records. Later spring also brings the chance of Arctic terns: our local eBird calendar includes April and May reports.

Our cottages are on a working sheep farm, where dogs are welcome on a lead. Farm tours and lamb-feeding sessions are not offered. For a broader picture of the season, see Orkney’s month-by-month guide.

Spring wildflowers

Pale yellow wildflowers among roadside grasses, with green fields and the sea beyond on Rousay — Spring flowers with a view of the sea.

Small pale purple wildflowers growing among long grass on Rousay — Purple wildflowers among the grass.

Pale yellow wildflowers with golden centres on a grassy roadside verge on Rousay — Pale yellow flowers on the roadside verge.

Yellow wildflowers beside a dry-stone wall along a narrow road on Rousay — Yellow flowers beside a stone wall.

Close view of pale purple flowers with four petals among green grass on Rousay — A closer view of the purple flowers.

Summer: more daylight for exploring

The long days are a reason to choose summer if you want to spend plenty of time outdoors. According to UHI’s Orkney daylight guide, June brings more than 18 hours with the sun above the horizon, followed by lingering twilight.

Birds to look for · June–August

The coast has Arctic terns, fulmars and oystercatchers in summer, while short-eared owls may be seen over the moorland. All four appear in Rousay’s June eBird records; our local calendar also has July reports of Arctic terns and short-eared owls. Our Trumland birdwatching notes cover the reserve’s moorland birds.

The long evenings are one of the lovely things about summer here. There’s still time to go out after a day of exploring. Summer is popular, and both accommodation and vehicle spaces on the ferry can be booked ahead.

Autumn: migrating birds and longer nights

Orkney’s autumn brings migrating birds, seal pupping and longer nights. The coast and open countryside both have their seasonal visitors. The autumn guide on Orkney.com gives ideas for the wider islands.

Birds to look for · September–November

Curlews, redshanks and eiders are among the birds recorded around the shore in autumn. Rousay’s October eBird records include all three, alongside fieldfares and hen harriers. You may see a harrier hunting over open country.

Some attractions have shorter opening seasons in autumn, and the ferries move to their winter timetable.

Sheep in a green field on the farm, with the loch, sea and Rousay coastline beyond — Early autumn on the farm.

Winter: short days and winter birds

Near the winter solstice, Orkney has roughly six hours between sunrise and sunset. It can be stormy, but the bright winter days are beautiful.

Birds to look for · December–February

Greylag geese, wigeon and eiders are among the winter birds found around water and the surrounding landscape. Rousay’s January eBird records also include long-tailed ducks, redwings and fieldfares. The loch, fields and coast each have different birds through the winter.

If you want time to write, draw or read, winter can suit that well. We offer stays of up to one month, including for people thinking about moving to Orkney. Dates and prices are agreed with us. Our creative retreat guide explains the cottages, and the Orkney winter guide has more about visiting in winter.

Winter views of Rousay

Snowy fields, the flock and low winter light, photographed here in January.

Sheep in a snowy field beside ruined stone buildings on Rousay, with the coastline and a hill behind — The flock in the snow.

Footprints through snowy fields on Rousay, with fences, buildings, a coastal hill and the sea beyond — Snow across the fields on Rousay.

Low golden sun above a snowy field and fence on Rousay, with tracks in the foreground — Low winter light over the snow.

Snow-covered wooden fence posts and wire across white fields on Rousay beneath tall clouds — Snow along the field fences.

Snowy fields above a loch and the sea on Rousay, with a hillside beneath sweeping white cloud — Winter views across the fields and water.

Northern lights from the cottages

We took these photographs from the cottages, including one through an open window.

Green northern lights above the dark landscape, seen from the cottages on Rousay — Northern lights from the cottages.

Green northern lights above a dark landscape, framed by an open cottage window — Northern lights through an open cottage window.

Birdwatching near the cottages

Loch of Wasbister is a short walk from the farm and the closest eBird hotspot to our cottages. Its eBird bird list shows recorded sightings, and our island map includes all three Rousay hotspots.

The seasonal examples above come from Rousay’s all-years, month-filtered eBird records, checked on 18 September 2026. They show what people have seen in those months, rather than how common each bird is. Some months have more reports than others. A gap in the records doesn’t mean a bird isn’t here.

Our month-by-month bird calendar combines the three Rousay hotspots. The illustrated bird guide helps you recognise twelve island birds and includes ideas for a half-day birdwatching trip to Egilsay.

Which season suits you?

The right season depends on what you most enjoy: long days outdoors, a particular event, or quiet time at the cottage. Our travel guides bring the journey together, with Orkney Ferries’ service updates available for the latest travel news.

A few more questions

Can I see the northern lights from Orkney?

Yes. We’ve photographed them from the cottages, including through an open window. Sightings depend on auroral activity and a clear, dark sky.

Is winter a good time to try living in Orkney?

We love winter in Orkney, but honestly, it’s not for everyone. If you are thinking of moving here, spending a few weeks in winter before you commit is a really good idea. You’ll get a feel for the short days, the weather and everyday life here on Rousay.

Find out more

From Stay Rousay. Practical information checked 16 September 2026. The links go to the operators and local organisations for the latest details.