All About Ashwhin

Your Personal Retreat

Enjoy - Learn, Discover

Retreat Introduction

Our Location and Getting Here

Orkney is a lot easier to get to than you might imagine, and there are many possible ways and means.

The journey invites you to open up, to move forward, and look for different points of view.

It is a time for allowing yourself to glory in the wild beauty of Scotland, recognising the constant movement of living that the sea mirrors, and celebrating every moment, every breath.

The following travel information has been compiled from several sources.

By Air:

Flights to Orkney are available via Aberdeen, Glasgow, Edinburgh and Inverness - www.flybe.com . Book through Fly-be, but flights operated by Loganair The airport information desk in Orkney is +44 (0) 1856 872421. Loganair - Kirkwall office Tel: 01856 872494.

It's essential to book well in advance if travelling during the peak season. Away from the summer peak things are considerably quieter, and early spring and late autumn offer another time to visit Orkney in more uncrowded circumstances.

By Car:

The main road to the north-east of Scotland is the A9, which you can get on from the end of the Scottish motorway system heading north. Roads to Wick (for John O' Groats) and Thurso (for Scrabster) are well signposted, but allow plenty of time for your journey as the scenery is spectacular and the road is very twisty at times.

The Ferries:

Northlink

Northlink is the largest and best known of the Orkney ferries. It is also the most expensive. They run three routes - from Aberdeen to Kirkwall, from Shetland to Kirkwall, and most popular from Scabster (2 miles away from Thurso) to Stromness

Scrabster to Stromness - 90 minutes

From Aberdeen 6 hours

Northlink ferries +44 (0)845 6000 449

www.northlinkferries.co.uk

Pentland Ferries

Pentland Ferries is a family run business that runs a growing service from John O Groats to St Margaret's Hope. It is shorter, faster and less expensive than Northlink.

Gills Bay (near John O Groats) to St Margarets Hope 50-60 minutes

Jog Ferry

This is a great option for people coming via coach or train to John O Groats. The ferry is for passengers only, and offers tours on Orkney; coach available from Inverness. Well worth looking into if you're pinching pennies.

John 'O' Groat Ferry +44 (0) 1955 611 353 www.jogferry.co.uk

Rail/Coach/Ferry:

You can travel to Orkney by rail or bus as far as Thurso, Wick or Aberdeen from any destination in the UK.

A bus will then link you to a ferry at either Scrabster from Thurso, Gills Bay from Wick and in

Aberdeen the railway station is a short distance from the Ferry. Customers are advised to check the local bus timetable. There, many taxi's are available it may be advisable to take a taxi to the ferry so as not to struggle with luggage. Local taxi numbers are Aberdeen +44 (0) 1224 494949 or +44 (0) 1224 878787.

Contact Scotrail +44 (0) 8457 484950, www.firstscotrail.co.uk

City Link +44 (0) 8705 505050, www.citylink.co.uk

Coaches

Orkney Coaches +44 (0) 1856 870555
Highland Coaches/Rapsons +44 (0) 1463 710555

Scottish CityLink - Tel: 0990 50 50 50.
National Express - Tel: 0990 80 80 80.

Train

Scotrail - Tel: 0345 484 950.

Ferry to Shapinsay

Just 25 minutes out from Kirkwall, you come into the Pier at Balfour Village on Shapinsay. The locals (quite rightly) say that this ferry is more reliable and frequnt than most wheeled public transport - though that is good too. Best to turn up at Kirkwall pier about 15 minutes ahead of departure time

If you want to bring you car to the island it is wise to book ahead with Orkney Ferries

Website http://www.orkneyferries.co.uk - timetables available on line

Telephone +44 (0)1856 872044

Fax +44 (0)1856 872921

Email info@orkneyferries.co.uk

Arriving as foot passenger.

You need only turn up to ferry terminal a dew minutes before departure time. If you would like us to collect you from Balfour, please let us know in advance if you can, but you can normally get me on the mobile 07787 289212.

Finding Ashwhin

• Once you have debarked the ferry, turn right and go through the village, past the pottery/mill and up the hill.
• At the top of the hill turn left on the road sign posted Ness.
• Follow the road for just under two miles (be careful to look for signs as they are few and far between)
• On the left there are two turnings to Odin Stone - the first is a footpath, the second is the small metaled road next beyond it - this is the turn you want!
• Follow the road to its end (there is a sharp turn to the right at the begining of the road)
• At the end of the road take the track to the left - it leads to Ashwhin.