Exploring Orkney: Campervan Journey to Skara Brae & the Wilds of Hoy

[@rmcwchandler]

We live in the Thames Valley and have never been to the Orkney Isles but your videos really inspire us to go. What fabulous beaches and amazing history. I love the way you visit every corner of the British Isles - the UK is so lovely and there is so much here we haven’t seen

[@earlyretirementwanderlust]

We never truly appreciated just how wonderful the British Isles are until we got our campervan and could get away regularly exploring - whether that is 30 minutes from home in the Dales and the Lake District or further afield. We have yet to really discover most of the south of England below Birmingham so lots of adventures still to be had! Thanks for watching 😊🚐 We really enjoy exploring the Scottish Islands - Arran was also a fantastic island with so much to see and do.

[@rmcwchandler]

@@earlyretirementwanderlust We live close to the Chilterns. Although it’s very close to London much of it is surprisingly quiet and very pretty with lots of lovely little villages. The South Downs, Chichester, Arundel and the coast around Bosham is nice too. Happy traveling!

[@stevelavelle2301]

This video is absolutely stunning, you’ve really captured the area so well especially the ruins. The weather looked amazing. Thanks so much for this

[@earlyretirementwanderlust]

Thanks for this Steve- very much appreciated. We loved the history aspect of the islands and it really surprised us. The Neolithic ruins were particularly fascinating. Have a great week. 👍

[@Beth-s9x]

Your video is wonderful and it is great to see your account of our wonderful islands. But, please, it is either "Orkney" or "The Orkney Islands" but never 'the Orkneys'.

[@earlyretirementwanderlust]

😬 I know, we realised how much we said it when we were editing at home - if we ever return to Orkney or Shetland we promise we will get it right! We have absolutely loved the islands - each so different and each very wonderful. Hoy was a definite highlight of the trip as was Westray and Papa Westray - you live in a beautiful part of the world x

[@beckypaullongwayhome]

Great video, we’re hoping to be up there in October so it’s good to get some tips. Fingers crossed we have some of the good weather you’ve experienced.

[@earlyretirementwanderlust]

fingers crossed for you too - we have been on The Outer Hebrides in November and had quite a few days of good weather and the days that were stormy just added to the atmosphere (as long as the storm passed over quickly)

[@deborahrosa123]

I loved Skara Brae, Brough of Birsay, all the history and of course the beaches. Plenty of memory dividends banked!

[@earlyretirementwanderlust]

Absolutely Debora! We loved our time on the Orkneys with so much to see and do. Thanks for the comment. 👍

[@gillianh]

Great video as always. We went to Orkney in 2016, loved it, will definitely go back one day.

[@earlyretirementwanderlust]

Hi Gillian, it definitely seems like that sort of place. We are all ready trying to work out when we can next return😂 There are just so many places out there yet to discover👍 Have a great week. 🙏

[@se3059]

Just on my way back home from the Orkney islands myself! You've captured it perfectly.

[@earlyretirementwanderlust]

Many thanks for your lovely feedback. As a little aside, many thanks for contacting Cadac and referring them to our video review of the Cadac Safari Chef. When we got home this week, we had received a lovely little care package from Cadac for our BBQ. We are so appreciative of your support- it's the first tangible product we have received as a result of the channel and we are really grateful for your kind intervention. Thank you🙏 Have a fab week. 👍

[@se3059]

Very pleased to hear that ❤​@@earlyretirementwanderlust

[@emmapercy2732]

Enjoyed watching and seeing some places we visited in July. We were on a campsite in Kirkwall with that overlander Rosie 😂

[@earlyretirementwanderlust]

Thanks Emma. We were quite overwhelmed by Rosie- she was a beast! Her owners were lovely and had a great story to tell. Overlanders aside, it's a pretty stunning place isn't it? Have a great week. 👍

[@crivensro]

Thank you so much for a stunning video with gorgeous pictures and views! I visited Shetland and the Orkneys some years ago and your wonderful views just brought it all back with much joy!

[@earlyretirementwanderlust]

Thanks for the lovely feedback. We are so pleased that our humble video evoked such special memories for you from the islands. Have a great week. 👍

[@TinaD-qm6mu]

Beautiful scenery but can we also give some major props to the handstand skills you both have? Impressive!🙌

[@earlyretirementwanderlust]

Thanks Tina- such kind words. Jackie is always getting her handstand out, I didn't want people to think that I was avoiding the handstand responsibilities😂 We got a few strange looks, but we had a giggle. Far too much time studying PE at Uni back in the day😉 Have a great week. 👍 R

[@Dentalteammedicalemergencies]

Brilliant. Ruth and I are just loving your videos and we are returning to Scotland and the islands next year. So many great tips that have helped us in our planning.

[@earlyretirementwanderlust]

Thank you so much- always nice to hear that our videos are hitting the spot. Much to our embarrassment, until we got our van we had hardly visited Scotland. Now we love the place so much we cannot wait to go back. The islands are really special and all have their own unique character. We still have a few left on our bucket list before we start revisiting our our favourites😂 Enjoy your planning👍

[@jasonnicol8302]

Did you visit the Italian Chapel that the Italian prisoners of WW2 built from one of the huts they used?. Impressive. Those large rocks on the beach were like eggs from Wonka land. Can’t believe you got more good weather, you must be gods. Oh can’t beat all Orkney Blonde beer!

[@earlyretirementwanderlust]

We stopped off to have a look at the Italian chapel on the way back from exploring South Ronaldsay and the Churchill Barriers - all of which was very impressive! The beach at Rackwick Bay on Hoy was quite incredible in so many ways. The weather did catch up with us more in our final week (Sundays video) Our biggest problem was the wind - we had 2 separate really stormy days and nights but luckily the rain held off for most of the trip 🚐 😊

[@motorroamingaround]

Fab video guys. The cliffs around Orkney are just stunning and the history of Skara Brae fascinating. Your video footage is fabulous as is your choice of music. We took Karen’s Mum to Orkney many years ago before we had a motorhome so we definitely need to revisit it. Keep safe. Irvine & Karen.

[@earlyretirementwanderlust]

Many thanks you two. It really has been a special tour, and we will always have it on our list to revisit. Have a great weekend👍

[@cedarcanoe]

I will be retiring in a year, my VW LWB campervan will ready in about a month, and I am sure you motivated me to visit the Shetland and the Orkney islands soon! Thanks

[@earlyretirementwanderlust]

Exciting news about the van and also the retirement date. Plenty of time to practice with your new van before the real freedom begins! Glad that you liked Shetland and the Orkneys- we certainly did! Have a great week.👍

[@grahamclarke2319]

Wow, you really are having a great time! I enjoyed watching your adventures again. I hope you don’t mind, but I’m looking for some covers like your orange ones. What brand are they please?

[@earlyretirementwanderlust]

We have had a blast and both Shetland and Orkney have surpassed all our expectations. The orange screen cover is from a company called rainbow screens that we found on Facebook - I think they do also have a website now.

[@grahamclarke2319]

@@earlyretirementwanderlust Thanks, I thought they might be from them.

[@alanbenham4139]

🙏

[@earlyretirementwanderlust]

🥰

[@Daren_King]

Another great video. Amazing video and audio. What kit are you using if you don’t mind me asking.

[@earlyretirementwanderlust]

Thank you - we keep the equipment really simple - most of the videoing is done on our iPhone 11 Pro and the videos out and about hiking are on a DJI osmo action 3. We really struggled with sound and wind so invested in a small DJI dual usb micro phone set which have made the world of difference particularly recording outside 😊

[@janetbowen7854]

Brilliant series, we're enjoying your journey around Shetland and the Orkney Islands, giving us ideas for the future 😀❤️🚐🐾 zx

[@earlyretirementwanderlust]

Thanks Janet- glad that you enjoyed it! It definitely remains on our bucket list to revisit😂 How can we ever get this list shorter??? Have a great week. 👍