Self-catering rental

Self-catering rental accommodation in Orkney
surrounded by standing stones. Sleeping 6.

Odin House
Stenness
Islands of Orkney
Scotland

A house in Neolithic Orkney
sleeping up to 6

Odin House was built for the wonderful views over water in an extraordinary setting on an isthmus between two lochs in the middle of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, The Heart of Neolithic Orkney. The Watchstone, Standing Stones of Stenness and Barnhouse Neolithic Village are beside Odin. The internationally acclaimed ongoing Ness of Brodgar archaeological dig and the Ring of Brodgar are just up the road and Maeshowe is within one mile of the house.

Where else could you stay surrounded two Neolithic villages, a stone circle and standing stones dating back 5000 years...?!

Above right; Odin House. Standing Stones of Stenness and the Watch Stone are visible on the right with Barnhouse Neolithic Villages just behind the house. Right; The Watchstone at sunset.

This light-filled house is a much loved family holiday home and is available for self-catering rental for up to six, all the year round.

Odin House is an excellent base for anyone interested in archaeology, fishing, birdwatching, cycling and walking, and for exploring Orkney's 17 inhabited islands (and a few dozen unihabited), deserted beaches, neolithic monuments, and ancient ruined chapels (see the map at the bottom of this page).

Fishing: Just yards from the door, Harray is probably Orkney's best brown trout fishing loch, excellent for wading with 14 miles of shore and across the road you can catch sea trout in the Stenness salt water loch.

Odin has a fully equipped rod room with toilet, sink, fridge and large BBQ. The adjoining summer house has tea and coffee making facilities and a table capable of seating up to 10 people should you wish to share your catch in a relaxed atmosphere. A ghillie can be arranged.

Bird watching: Odin is a luxury bird hide - a superb place to observe wildlife whatever the season. In Summer it is home to many species of birds which breed here, especially seabirds and birds of moorland and wetland. During Spring and Autumn large numbers of birds migrating north to breed or south for the Winter pass through, and rarities are often observed. Recently a hen harrier arrived at lunchtime and a red throated diver was sited at dinner.

Winter in Odin can be wild and challenging but very exciting. You may see wonderful displays of the Northern Lights, the mid-winter sun flashing or be lucky enough to see the mid-winter sun light up the Maeshowe burial tomb. Drive 4 miles into Stromness and visit the Piers Art Centre which has works by important British artists such as Barbara Hepworth, Ben Nicholson and Naum Gabo, or the newly opened Ness Battery. This important relic of Orkney's wartime heritage once defended Scapa Flow against enemy attack.

Right; Standing Stones in a winter snow-scape.

Accommodation:

Sleeping 6, 2 shower rooms and 3 bathrooms.

View of the Watch Stone, Stenness Loch and Hoy Hills from the front porch

Right;
The Conservatory has wonderful views to the west over the Loch of Stenness to the Hoy Hills. You can see the the Watch Stone to the right.

Right;
The Sitting room. Even more views, and from here you can see both lochs.

Bedrooms and bathrooms

Below left;
A single bedroom upstairs.

Below middle and right;
A twin bedroom and its shower room.

There is one further double and one further single room, all have bathrooms en suite. All have televisions.

Kitchen:

Right; The kitchen cupboards were made in the 1930's from salvaged fittings from RMS Mauretania.

Electric oven and hob.
Dishwasher.
Microwave.
Freezer.

There's also a utility room with

Washing machine.
Tumble drier.

There is a separate rod room and Summerhouse (photograph further down the page).

Getting here:

You an get to Orkney by ferry from Aberdeen (6 hours) or Scrabster near Thurso (2 hours). Several flights a day go to Kirkwall airport.

Tariff:

from £825 to from £1150 per week.

The house is heated by electricity. Electricity and linen are included in the price.

Wireless broadband internet access is available throughout the house. There are also DVD players and CD players, radios, TVs, Ipod docks, binoculars and an extensive library of books and maps. Payphone in the kitchen. Mobile phone reception is good.

No smoking and no pets please.

Photographs: Odin House exterior by Jane Glue. Others by by Charles Tait.
Right; Odin House and fishing, 1930s, Kirkwall Archives,

To enquire or to book:

Olive's website
http://www.odinorkney.com
has more information and photographs

Odin was built in 1936 by retired master mariner, Captain Cooper, who wanted to see water from each room in his house. It was constructed using wood from the Cunard liner RMS Mauretania. Some of the original fittings are still in evidence in the kitchen, hallway and a wooden seat in the front porch.

Please contact:
Olive Taylor
email: olivetaylor@btinternet.com
Odin
Stenness
Orkney KW16 3JZ
Tel: 01224 593029
Mobile: 07801350945
or from outside the UK:
Tel: 44 1224 593029
Mobile: 44 7801350945