Egypt Sandwick

This is our place in Sandwick. It's called Egypt. There's no real reason for the name, there used to be a stream they called the Nile, so the house became Egypt.

It's a detached house so you're on your own. It sleeps seven, has three bedrooms and two bathrooms, which is handy with that many people. It's got a 4 Star rating. The house is up a rough track, so you want to take the driving a bit slow on that last bit.

It's quiet here. The view is over the fields to the sea. The nearest beach is about ten minutes walk. It’s a proper beach, not just a cove, you can walk a long way. You'll often see seals.

The village of St Margaret's Hope is four miles away for a shop and a pub. Kirkwall, the main town, is about half an hour's drive. They've got all the supermarkets and shops you'll need there, plus St Magnus Cathedral which is worth seeing.

For things to do, you're well placed. The Churchill Barriers and the Italian Chapel are close by. All the main historical sites like Skara Brae, the Ring of Brodgar and Maeshowe are within a 30 minute drive. The distillery tours in Kirkwall are popular too.

You can get ferries from here to other islands if you fancy exploring further.

As for the house, it's got a woodburner for chilly days. There's a dishwasher and washing machine. The garden is enclosed. It has ground floor facilities and wheelchair access. We allow up to two dogs. Wi-Fi, bedding, towels and parking are all included.

Useful links: Historic Environment Scotland for the monuments, and Visit Orkney for general planning.