Rockworks Chalets No.3 St Mary's

This is Rockworks Chalet No. 3. It's a small chalet, one of a row, right on the edge of Scapa Flow. You look out at the sea, and you can see the Italian Chapel across the water.

It sleeps two. One bedroom, one bathroom. It's got a 4 Star rating, so it's comfortable and well-equipped, but it's not a hotel. The layout is open plan, so you get a lot of light from the big windows. Everything is on one level inside.

You've got your own patio area outside. Parking is right there. There's a washing machine, bedding and towels are included, and the wi-fi works. There's a cot and a highchair if you need them.

There's a cafe and gallery next door. The nearest shop is about half a mile away in St Mary's village. For a pub or restaurant, you'd drive into Kirkwall, which is about five miles.

The location is the main thing. You're a few minutes' drive from the Churchill Barriers and the Italian Chapel. Kirkwall is ten minutes away, with St Magnus Cathedral. The Neolithic sites like the Ring of Brodgar are about twenty minutes by car. Stromness, which is a really nice old harbour town, is maybe twenty-five minutes.

For walking, the west coast of the mainland is about thirty minutes away. Yesnaby is spectacular. You can get the ferry from Houton, which is close by, over to Hoy to see the Old Man. The local Visit Orkney site has good information. For the historical sights, Historic Environment Scotland is the one to check.

A few other chalets in the row can be booked together if you're coming with more people.