Orkney Retreats Experiences
What are you looking for?
Scandi-Romance
It’s a match with:
“Turn off the lights and look to the northern sky — the Merry Dancers often appear here, creating magical, once-in-a-lifetime moments for couples and honeymooners.”
Kilnbarn is designed for couples seeking space, serenity and unforgettable moments together. From uninterrupted coastal views to cosy candlelit evenings, every detail invites you to slow down, reconnect and enjoy each other’s company.
Uninterrupted Privacy
Set on its own stretch of coastline, Kilnbarn offers rare peace and seclusion. With only the local otter as your neighbour and the sound of the waves, it’s a true sanctuary for couples looking to switch off from the world and simply be together.
Breathtaking Sea Views
Wake up to vast ocean panoramas, watch seals drift past from the comfort of the sofa, and drift to sleep with the gentle rhythm of the waves. The sitting room’s picture window creates a natural cinema screen for storm-watching, sunrise coffee or a quiet glass of wine at sunset.
Cosy Evenings, Scandinavian Style
Soft lighting, warm throws and the flickering flame of the biofuel stove creates the perfect hygge-inspired atmosphere. It’s a beautiful space to curl up together, play music, share a bottle of wine or enjoy a slow evening by candlelight.
Aurora Borealis From Your Doorstep
Kilnbarn is one of the best places in the UK to witness the Northern Lights. Step outside, turn off the lights and look to the northern sky — the Merry Dancers often appear here, creating magical, once-in-a-lifetime moments for couples and honeymooners.
A Star-Lit Outdoor Bath
The unique outdoor bathroom is a highlight for many couples. Sink into a warm soak beneath the stars, surrounded by sea views and open sky — a romantic experience you’ll never forget.
Candlelit Dinners Made Easy
Cook together in the well-equipped kitchen, including an aga, or elevate your stay with a farmhouse meal prepared by a local chef and delivered discreetly to your door. Perfect for anniversaries, honeymoons or any occasion worth celebrating.
Adventures for Two
For couples who love exploring together, Sanday offers endless possibilities:
Coastal walks and hidden coves
Start Point Lighthouse Island visit
Wildlife photography tours
Cycling along quiet island roads
Heritage and archeology on your doorstep
Local craft studios and galleries
Tidal islands, dramatic cave walks and wild swimming
Dog Friendly Holidays
It’s a match with:
“With beaches stretching for miles in both directions, your dog can roam freely, splash in the shallows, chase sticks, or enjoy long coastal walks with you — often without seeing another soul.”
Whether you're travelling solo with your faithful companion or enjoying a holiday as a family with dogs in tow, all of our properties are dog friendly and designed to make holidays with your dog easy, relaxing and enjoyable. From safe outdoor spaces to miles of open shoreline, this is a place where dogs — and their humans — can truly unwind.
Miles of Beaches to Explore
If you want direct access to a beach for easy morning walks, our properties all sit either directly on or a stone’s throw from stunning bays. With beaches stretching for miles, your dog can roam freely, splash in the shallows, chase sticks, or enjoy long coastal walks with you — often without seeing another soul.
Stress-Free Evenings Indoors
After a day of exploring, our properties become a cosy haven. Dry off sandy paws with the dedicated dog towels, throw a blanket on the sofa, and settle in for a peaceful evening in. Solo travellers will find it especially comforting — a warm, quiet place to read, relax and enjoy your dog’s company.
Dog-Friendly Essentials Provided
We make travelling with dogs simple by providing:
Bowls for food and water
Spare leash
Poo bags
Dog towels and throws
Toys and balls
Beach-friendly blankets
No need to overpack — everything is ready and waiting.
Perfect for Solo Travellers with a Dog
Kilnbarn’s peace and privacy make it an exceptional escape if you’re travelling alone with your canine companion. You’ll feel safe, welcome and completely at ease — with everything you need close to hand and endless beauty right outside your door.
The quiet beaches, breathtaking landscapes and comforting routines of daily walks create a restorative, grounding holiday experience.
Holiday in History
It’s a match with:
“Staying here means participating in something rare — a tribute to heritage and simpler times.”
Immerse yourself in a one-of-a-kind stay at Boloquoy Victorian Farm & Watermill.
Open the door and step into the lives of the Fea family. Experience their simple, close-to-nature existence. Immerse yourself in the everyday life of a remote island farm between 1880 and 1950.
A Historic Home with Character & Calm
Boloquoy is furnished with the original furniture and artefacts of the former inhabitants — the Fea family. Guests stay in historic double bedrooms (plus the option of an original Orkney box-bed), wander rooms filled with 19th- and early 20th-century furnishings, and breathe in a sense of heritage that’s rarely preserved so fully.
The house has been lovingly restored to combine authenticity with comfort: while you sleep amid oak floors, antique beds and vintage décor, modern bathrooms have been added discreetly to make your stay comfortable.
For someone who loves connecting with the past, this home is filled with a vast archive of authentic photographs, documents and artifacts - an experience that will transport you back in time.
A Quiet Place to Rest and Reflect on the History
Tucked away on the western coast of Sanday, Boloquoy lies far from urban noise or bustle. This remoteness encourages deep focus and immersion into the history of the Fea family.
Inside, you have multiple cosy retreat-spaces: the historic parlour, the old kitchen (re-imagined as a sitting room or study), and even window-nooks ideal for reflection or reading.
With the landscape outside — sea, farm fields, coastline — the setting offers natural inspiration and space for calm, creative energy.
Reconnect With Nature and Heritage
Boloquoy offers more than just a view: it offers immersion. The restored farm continues to nurture heritage livestock, crops, and a functioning wetland habitat.
The coastline and countryside of Sanday offer wide open spaces, fresh air and nature’s rhythms — perfect to clear your mind, reset your focus, or find stimulus for creative projects.
Birdsong, gentle breezes, the distant sea — this is the kind of environment where the history of the Farmland and landscape comes alive.
A Unique Blend – Past, Present, Comfort and Authenticity
Boloquoy is a historic farm restored with love: period furnishings, original artefacts, and the atmosphere of a “living museum.” Staying here means participating in something rare — a tribute to heritage and simpler times.
At the same time, essentials for a comfortable stay are provided: crisp white linens, hot water, modern bathrooms, kitchen amenities, and thoughtful touches that make life easy without affecting the authenticity of the place.
It’s a balance of slow, historic charm and practical comfort — ideal for a long stay.
Family Holidays
Up to 4 people, it’s a match with:
Up to 6 - 8 people, it’s a match with:
“There’s plenty to fill your days — or you can take things slow, island-style.”
Sanday is the perfect place to spend the school holidays — with safe beaches right on the doorstep, space to explore, wildlife-filled adventures and everything families need for relaxed, carefree days together. Whether you’re looking for outdoor excitement, educational experiences or slow, simple island moments, Orkney Retreats makes school breaks feel easy, fun and unforgettable.
Ideal For Outdoor Adventurers
Sanday is a treasure trove for curious young explorers. Running and playing on Sanday's miles of deserted sandy beaches, collecting shells and finding treasures on the tidal shores will keep them entertained for hours
Homes Set Up for Family Life
School holiday routines made easy:
A warm, welcoming living space for family evenings, How Farm especially will have a huge amount of room for all the family
A fully equipped kitchen for those who love to create culinary delights or simple meals after a busy day exploring
Board games, books and cosy seating for chilled-out nights
A safe, enclosed gardens
Laundry access for sandy clothes and swimsuits
Family-friendly extras: highchair, cot, children’s crockery, and more
Endless Things to Do Across the Island
Something for every age:
Swimming pool sessions
Play parks and wide-open green spaces
Hire some bikes or bring your own
Clifftop walks with breathtaking views
Craft workshops and studios to visit
Snap away at the local wildlife
Fishing in nearby lochs or at the pier
Tire out the children at local community events that welcome everyone
Simple, Stress-Free Mealtimes
Whether you prefer cooking together or taking a break from it all:
Our properties have everything you need for family meals
Outdoor dining is perfect for sunny days
The local shop is surprisingly well-stocked (and delivers!)
Optional farmhouse dinners and desserts can be pre-ordered
Parents get a breather; kids stay happy and well-fed.
Off Devices and Into Nature
For families who enjoy turning holidays into experiences, Sanday offers rich, hands-on learning opportunities that feel like pure fun:
Take a tour of Boloquoy Victorian Farm & Watermill (subject to availability)
Quoyness Chambered Cairn – step inside a Neolithic tomb
Start Point Lighthouse – a dramatic coastal landmark
Shipwrecks & WWII archaeology – explore island history
Sanday Heritage Centre – fascinating local stories
Wildlife spotting and birdwatching – from otters to orca
It’s the perfect blend of adventure and enrichment.
Solitude & Wellbeing
It’s a match with:
“It’s peaceful, meditative and grounding — ideal for clearing your head and reconnecting with nature.”
Kilnbarn is just as special for solo travellers as it is for couples and families. Its peaceful setting, breathtaking views, safe surroundings and cosy, hygge-filled interiors make it the perfect place to rest, reset and reconnect with yourself. Whether you’re seeking solitude, creative inspiration or simply a quiet escape with the sea as your companion, Kilnbarn offers a deeply comforting and memorable solo retreat.
A Safe, Peaceful Sanctuary
Sanday is one of the safest, friendliest islands in the UK, and Kilnbarn sits in a quiet, secluded location with only seals as your neighbours. Solo guests can relax completely, knowing they’re in a welcoming community and a beautifully secure setting.
Cosy Enough for One, Spacious Enough for Comfort
Although the cottage sleeps four, it feels incredibly warm and intimate for solo travellers. The soft lighting, throws, biofuel stove and calming interior design create a comforting cocoon — ideal for reading, journalling, cooking, or simply enjoying quiet evenings by the fire.
A Creative Haven
Kilnbarn is a dream escape for writers, photographers, artists and anyone seeking inspiration. The ever-changing sea, dramatic weather, wildlife and soft island light create a rich, creative environment that many solo guests fall in love with.
Stargazing & Northern Lights, Just for You
With almost no light pollution, the night skies here are extraordinary. Whether it’s the Milky Way stretching overhead or the Northern Lights dancing across the horizon, these moments feel powerful and personal when experienced alone.
Flexible Food Options
Solo travellers often appreciate simple, stress-free meals:
A fully equipped kitchen for easy cooking
Local shop delivery before arrival, including locally caught fresh seafood
Optional farmhouse dinners prepared by a chef and delivered to your door
Cosy indoor or outdoor dining with spectacular views
You can choose total solitude or treat yourself without having to go out.
Perfect for Wellbeing Breaks
Many solo travellers come to Kilnbarn for:
Quiet retreats
Winter reset trips
Digital detox breaks
Nature therapy
Self-care holidays
The combination of peaceful interiors, fresh air, wild coastline and total silence makes Kilnbarn an ideal space to unwind.
The Sea as Your Companion
From the sitting room’s huge picture window, you can watch storms roll across the horizon, seals playing in the surf, the pure stillness of a calm sea and otters catching and eating their supper on the rocky shoreline.
Endless Space to Wander
From the garden gate, you can walk for miles on silent, empty beaches. Solo walkers love:
Long shoreline strolls
Exploring dunes and tidal landscapes
Clifftop routes and quiet countryside lanes
Watching wildlife undisturbed
Weddings & Celebrations
Up to 4 people, it’s a match with:
Up to 6 - 8 people, it’s a match with:
“With the possibility of the Northern Lights, dramatic winter skies, and absolute tranquillity, Christmas on Sanday will be one you remember long after the decorations come down.”
Whether you’re marking a milestone birthday, escaping for an anniversary, enjoying a magical Christmas away from the hussle and bustle, or gathering loved ones for pre- or post-wedding moments, all of our properties can cater to your special stay with us. With breathtaking views, cosy interiors and thoughtful touches throughout, it’s a setting that makes every celebration feel extraordinary.
A Beautiful Setting for Memorable Moments
If you want direct access to a beach for easy morning walks, Kilnbarn Cottage should be your pick, it sits directly between two stunning sandy bays, accessible straight from the garden gate. With beaches stretching for miles in both directions, you can roam freely, let the dog splash in the shallows, chase sticks, or enjoy long coastal walks with you and the family — often without seeing another soul.
Take Your Group Back In Time
If history and heritage is what you’re after, our immersive Victorian farmhouse and watermill could be the focal point of your special occasion. Open the door and step into the lives of the Fea family. Experience their simple, close-to-nature existence. Immerse yourself in the everyday life of a remote island farm between 1880 and 1950.
Boloquoy provides a comfortable stay – but one that will challenge you to reflect on your lifestyle and leave you changed.
Intimate Anniversaries & Wedding Parties - Book More Than One Property
Treat the bride and groom to a romantic stay at Kilnbarn Cottage and fill up How Farmhouse with family and friends. We're also happy to secure additional accommodation for your party on the island.
Looking for something even more bespoke for your celebration? Talk to us about quirky venue ideas including our Victorian Farmhouse, a beach celebration or a barn reception. We can also help you with catering and hospitality.
Christmas on Sanday
All of our properties are beautifully decorated for our Christmas guests with lots of special touches. How Farm, particularly, offers you a huge amount of space to bring the whole family; gran, the dog and presents by the tree!
Cooking a Christmas dinner in any of our properties is no problem, the well-equipped kitchens make festivities feel effortless. There is a local shop nearby and plenty of local fresh seasonal produce available. Guests staying at Boloquoy can harvest their own meals from the kitchen vegetable garden.
Heritage Farmhouse Retreat with Luxury Spa Suite — Coming 2026
It’s a match with:
Original photo of How Farm
Set on our historic working farm, our beautifully restored Edwardian Estate farmhouse, How opens its doors in 2026 — offering guests a unique blend of heritage charm and modern comfort. Every detail is being lovingly renewed to honour the building’s original craftsmanship, from its flagstone floors and traditional wood finishes to the warm, inviting rooms that once housed generations of Orkney families.
This spacious family home oozes sophistication, style and luxury. Wide farmhouse tables for long, lingering meals… deep window seats perfect for reading while storms roll in… and views across rolling fields and sea air that make each morning feel peaceful and fresh. Handpicked vintage furnishings, original artworks and a sense of history in every corner, the farmhouse will become a place where stories are made as much as remembered.
Whether you’re planning a family celebration, a quiet escape, a creative retreat, this charming farmhouse will offer a lot of space, warmth and a deep connection to island life. We can’t wait to welcome our first guests in 2026 — and to share the magic of this restored piece of Orkney heritage.
Remote Working, Literally
It’s a match with:
“These restorative pauses often lead to your best thoughts.”
Kilnbarn is an exceptional escape for anyone seeking a peaceful, inspiring place to work remotely or focus on creative projects. Whether you’re a professional looking for clarity, a writer craving solitude, or an artist in need of fresh inspiration, Kilnbarn offers the perfect blend of comfort, quiet and breathtaking natural beauty.
A Calm, Focused Workspace
The landscape surrounding Kilnbarn is a constant source of ideas:
Ever-changing skies and shifting sea light
Long, silent beaches ideal for thinking walks
Seals, seabirds and wildlife always passing by
Dramatic weather and beautiful horizons
Rich history, Neolithic sites and tidal islands
Space to Think, Space to Breathe
When your work needs a break, the island gives you room to reset:
Walk for miles along deserted beaches
Wander dunes and clifftops to clear your mind
Make tea while watching seals drift past the rocks
Sit outside wrapped in a blanket with the sea as your soundtrack
Evenings That Inspire New Ideas
After a productive day, the island offers magic:
A night sky alive with stars
Total darkness perfect for stargazing
Occasional Northern Lights displays
The sound of waves as you slow down
A warm bath outdoors under the open sky
These quiet evenings often become the highlight of a creative retreat.
Exploration & Discovery
Up to 4 people, it’s a match with:
Up to 6 - 8 people, it’s a match with:
“Whether you’re seeking quiet moments in nature or full days of roaming the island’s raw beauty, Sanday offers discoveries that stay with you long after you leave.”
Each of our Sanday properties — Kilnbarn, How Farmhouse and Boloquoy — offers its own gateway into the island’s rich landscape of wildlife, coastline and history. No matter where you stay, discovery begins right outside your door.
Kilnbarn: Life on the Water’s Edge
If you want direct access to a beach for easy morning walks, Kilnbarn Cottage should be your pick, it sits directly between two stunning sandy bays, accessible straight from the garden gate. With beaches stretching for miles in both directions, you can roam freely, let the dog splash in the shallows, chase sticks, or enjoy long coastal walks with you and the family — often without seeing another soul.
How Farmhouse: Countryside, Coast & Big Horizons
From How’s elevated position above Kettletoft Bay, the island opens up in every direction. Wander through fertile farmland alive with skylarks, pheasants and waders, before reaching wide, sweeping shores where seals bask and seabirds skim the waves. The area surrounding How is rich in wildlife and local stories — an inspiring setting for guests with a love of walking, photography or simply discovering the quiet magic of big skies and open space.
Boloquoy: Heritage, Wild Coastlines & Quiet Encounters
Boloquoy Farm & Watermill sits where history and wilderness meet. Follow the old mill stream to the shore, trace centuries-old footpaths, or roam the countryside where hares dart between field boundaries and owls patrol at dusk. The western coastline nearby is particularly rewarding for wildlife spotting, with seals hauled out on reefs and the chance of glimpsing an otter along the burn. It’s a peaceful, time-slowed landscape perfect for gentle exploration.
Across the island, you’ll find hidden coves, shipwrecks revealed at low tide, tidal islands waiting to be crossed, and a birdlife population that draws enthusiasts from around the world. Whether you’re seeking quiet moments in nature or full days of roaming the island’s raw beauty, Sanday offers discoveries that stay with you long after you leave.
Make your own experience
If you have something special in mind, please contact us and we’ll get back to you.
We’ll help to make your stay truly special.