The Cottage

We’re on Rousay, just north of Orkney Mainland. The Cottage is on our working rare-breed sheep farm. The ferry to Rousay leaves from Tingwall on Orkney Mainland. See where Rousay sits within Orkney.

The Cottage sleeps up to 2 adults and 2 children aged 14 or under. There’s a king-size bed in the main bedroom and bunk beds for the children in the smaller room.

Yes. The Cottage has sea views, and the beach is less than a mile away. Loch of Wasbister is a short walk from the farm too — a lovely place for birdwatching on Rousay.

The Cottage has a level entrance and three internal steps. It isn’t step-free or fully accessible. Before booking, we can discuss the layout and particular access needs through The Cottage on Airbnb.

The Cottage has a kitchen with an oven, hob and fridge-freezer, plus a washer-dryer. There is one shower room.

Yes. Bed linen, towels, heating and electricity are included in your stay at The Cottage.

There’s no TV in The Cottage. You’ll find plenty of books in both houses, and there’s bound to be something to suit everyone. There’s also space for writing, art and quiet days.

Yes, one well-behaved dog is welcome. Dogs need to be on a lead around the farm, where we have livestock. There’s a dog cleaning fee; we’ll confirm the amount before you book. Read our guide to bringing your dog for more details, and each ferry operator has its own pet policy.

No, neither cottage has an enclosed outdoor space. Dogs need to be kept on a lead around the farm.

Yes, there’s very fast internet with Wi-Fi in The Cottage, and corporate stays are welcome. You can message us through The Cottage on Airbnb about your dates and what you need for work. There’s more about working from the cottages in our retreat guide.

You can take a ferry to Orkney or fly to Kirkwall, then travel to Tingwall for the ferry to Rousay. Orkney Ferries recommends booking both ways in advance, whether you’re on foot or bringing a car. Sailings vary by date and season. Our Rousay ferry guide has links to the timetable and booking service.

Yes, you can bring your car on the ferry, and there’s plenty of free parking at The Cottage. You’ll need to reserve a vehicle space. If you’d rather hire a car in Orkney, we recommend Drive Orkney, who offer airport collection. The hire company needs to know you’re taking the car to Rousay. See our car-hire advice.

Yes, though a car is useful for getting to walks and archaeological sites. If you’re coming on foot, you’ll need to arrange transport from Rousay pier to the cottage before you arrive. You can also hire bikes here; we can share the details. We really recommend Rousay Tours for a full day exploring the island’s history.

Yes, you can arrange a private boat charter in advance. The crossing, luggage and transport to the cottage are agreed when you book. Charters depend on availability and sea conditions. If you’re bringing a car, it needs a separate booking on the vehicle ferry. Read about private boat arrivals.

Yes, Orkney Mainland is an easy day trip from the cottages on the Rousay–Tingwall ferry. Outward and return sailings can be booked together, with a vehicle space if you’re taking the car. Our Mainland walking guide has ideas for a day out.

Orkney Ferries’ service updates show changes to sailings, and the operator can explain your options. We can help with changes to your arrival through Airbnb. A private charter may be possible if the sea conditions and availability allow. Your travel and accommodation bookings have their own cancellation terms.

The calendar on The Cottage on Airbnb shows availability and the total price once you enter your dates and guest numbers. If you’re bringing a dog, we’ll confirm the cleaning fee before you book. Booking and payment are through Airbnb.

The calendar on The Cottage on Airbnb will show whether you can book the dates and length of stay you have in mind. You can message us there if you need help finding dates.

Check-in is from 4 pm and check-out is by 10 am. We can discuss arrival and ferry times through Airbnb before you travel.

The cancellation policy on The Cottage on Airbnb shows the deadlines and refund terms for your booking before you pay. Ferry tickets have separate terms.

It depends on what you enjoy. Summer gives you long days for exploring. Spring and autumn bring different birds and changing scenery. Winter has short days and can bring snow, high winds and plenty of rain, with more time for reading or writing indoors. Opening times and ferry timetables change with the seasons. Our season-by-season guide has more detail.

Our three-, five- and seven-day itinerary ideas cover Rousay on its own or with Mainland day trips. They count full days here, separate from arrival and departure days.