The Orkney Isles are a unique and very special place and Herston Hall (listed in the Times in January 2013 as one of the 50 best rural retreats in Britain) is an equally unique and special place from which to explore their many delights.
Quick Info
Sleeps: 2 | Bedrooms: 1 |
Changeover Day: Sat | Pets Allowed: No |
No smoking | Bathrooms: 2 |
A former chapel, it dates from 1885 and was built as a mission hall to accommodate parishioners who found it too difficult to get to the district parish church. Outwardly it looks exactly as it did then, but internally it has been painstakingly and lovingly converted by its new owners as their own holiday retreat, which they have now generously decided to share with other fortunate visitors.
It has a fabulous situation on Widewall Bay, a bird watcher's paradise on South Ronaldsay near the pretty village of St Margaret's Hope (shops, cafes and hotel), which is where you will land if coming by the car ferry from Gill's Bay. South Ronaldsay is linked to the mainland by the Churchill Barriers, so you are effectively on mainland Orkney, with the capital Kirkwall just half an hour's drive up the road.
The Hall stands in its own garden area surrounded by a low wall, with stupendous sea views and it has hard standing parking across the tiny road from the garden. On entering, you come first to the former vestry, now a delightful little flagstoned sitting area, with a multi-fuel stove which assists the underfloor electric heating in keeping the place toasty warm. Next is a superbly equipped modern kitchen with a shower room off the kitchen area.
The main 'body of the kirk', to use an old Scots phrase, is now the main living area with the high vaulted roof and lancet windows giving a wonderful feeling of light and space. From there, stairs lead to a double bedroom with bathroom.
While the Hall is not troubled by the disturbance of a TV, there is a projector with built-in DVD player for dark evenings when the spectacular seascape outside is no longer visible to keep you enthralled. A selection of board games, books and WiFi round out the entertainment options.
Those coming in the summer, however, will find that Orkney is sufficiently far north to enjoy 'white nights' when it scarcely gets dark and there are only a few hours of twilight. All the more time, then, to explore this wondrous place.
This part of Orkney has perhaps the greatest concentration of attractions of any part of the islands. You can scarcely go anywhere here without becoming aware of the island's ancient past, dating back to the first settlers thousands of years ago, and South Ronaldsay is a veritable treasure trove of archaeological interest.
You'll also be amazed at the many different ways there are of accessing an ancient barrow or buriall mound (several of these have been discovered in the most relaxed way by local farmers, sometimes when a cow disappeared and they went to investigate! The Tomb of the Eagles on South Ronaldsay is one of the most imaginative - you roll in lying flat on a kind of buggy - kids will just adore it! There, too, is the Howe of Hoxa, which is reputedly the home of the Viking Thorfinn Skullsplitter (they told it as it was in those days), the Wheems Broch and the Cloddyhall Stone.
There is wonderful walking around the high cliffs, but there are also three great beaches nearby at Sandwick Bay, Eastside and the Sands of Wright. The Italian Chapel, just to the north and built by Italian prisoners of war, should also not be missed.
Across the impressive Barriers, you have all the rest of the mainland to explore - the World Heritage Site at Skara Brae, more fascinating remains at Maes Howe and the Broch of Birsay, the Cathedral and Earl's Palace in Kirkwall, the picturesque little town of Stromness, the Yesnaby Stacks. All that is even before you begin to consider doing a bit of island hopping to some of the outlying isles, which all have regular ferry services.
So get out your guide book, read all about it and prepare yourself for a wonderful holiday, enjoyed from a memorable base at Herston Hall.
Local Events and Attractions
Please note: while we make every effort to be as accurate as possible, the actual position of the cottage indicated on the map above and the proximity of the amenities in the Local Info section cannot be guaranteed to be precise and should be used as a guide only.
Accommodation
Downstairs
Snug with multi-fuel stove
Sitting/dining room with DVD projector and MP3 player
Kitchen with electric cooker (induction hob), fridge/freezer and washing machine etc
Shower room with WC and wash basin.
Upstairs
Double bedroom
Bathroom with bath, WC and wash basin.
What's included
- Linen (Double Bed)
- Free
- Sets of towels (per person)
- Free
- WiFi
- Free
Services
Bed linen and towels are INCLUDED. The first £20 of electricity INCLUDED with any additional usage payable by meter reading at the end of your stay. Heating is by underfloor electric heating and multi-fuel stove. WiFi is INCLUDED. Sorry, pets are not accepted. No smoking.
Weekly Prices
The weekly guide prices for this property are shown below. Use the availability & book sidebar on the right to select your holiday or calculate short break rates (where available).
From 10/10/2025 to 13/10/2025
From 17/10/2025 to 20/10/2025
From 06/12/2024 to 09/12/2024
From 04/04/2025 to 07/04/2025
From 03/10/2025 to 06/10/2025
From 24/10/2025 to 27/10/2025
From 17/10/2025 to 20/10/2025
From 10/10/2025 to 13/10/2025
From 20/12/2024 to 23/12/2024
From 27/12/2024 to 30/12/2024
From 29/11/2024 to 02/12/2024
From 13/12/2024 to 16/12/2024
From 11/10/2024 to 01/12/2024
From 24/12/2024 to 24/12/2024
From 23/12/2024 to 24/12/2024
From 30/12/2024 to 30/12/2024
From 29/11/2024 to 30/11/2024
Changeover Day: Sat
Rental - Date Range | Sleeps 2 |
26 Oct 2024 - 19 Dec 2024 | £550.00 |
20 Dec 2024 - 27 Dec 2024 | £695.00 |
28 Dec 2024 - 05 Jan 2025 | £695.00 |
06 Jan 2025 - 31 Jan 2025 | £550.00 |
01 Feb 2025 - 04 Apr 2025 | £595.00 |
05 Apr 2025 - 25 Apr 2025 | £650.00 |
26 Apr 2025 - 02 May 2025 | £595.00 |
03 May 2025 - 23 May 2025 | £650.00 |
24 May 2025 - 30 May 2025 | £695.00 |
31 May 2025 - 27 Jun 2025 | £650.00 |
28 Jun 2025 - 18 Jul 2025 | £695.00 |
19 Jul 2025 - 29 Aug 2025 | £750.00 |
30 Aug 2025 - 12 Sep 2025 | £650.00 |
13 Sep 2025 - 03 Oct 2025 | £595.00 |
04 Oct 2025 - 24 Oct 2025 | £650.00 |
25 Oct 2025 - 19 Dec 2025 | £550.00 |
20 Dec 2025 - 27 Dec 2025 | £695.00 |
28 Dec 2025 - 05 Jan 2026 | £695.00 |
06 Jan 2026 - 05 Jan 2027 | POA |
06 Jan 2027 - 05 Jan 2028 | POA |
06 Jan 2028 - 05 Jan 2029 | POA |
Please note: Prices are calculated based on your party size at the time of booking. If your party size changes for any reason after booking, please let us know so we can ensure the accommodation provided meets your exact requirements.
Reviews
(Supplied Independently through Feefo)
Excellent property. Great location.
Surpassed expectations! We had a wonderful week. Loved the telescope, became addicted to watching the wading birds. Al...
Read MoreVery well equiped house. Special features like telescope, bird guides and maps along with great range of dvds and books
Orkney is a fascinating place, with so many historical sites to visit. Herston Hall's site on South Ronaldsay means that...
Read MoreHerston Hall is beautiful, amazing location right on the water, warm and comfortable, wonderfully quiet and the decorati...
Read More