Merkister Hotel - Harray

Lochside hotel on Orkney with award-winning dining and a private fishing pier

Amenities

The Merkister Hotel Harray operates a private pier on Harray Loch for guest fishing, with staff who can arrange boat trips and tuition. Free private parking is available on site, and the hotel also welcomes pets throughout its grounds. The property includes a lounge bar, a games room with darts, and relaxing gardens with outdoor seating.

Rooms

Merkister Hotel offers a variety of room types, including Luxury Suites with private terraces overlooking the loch and Budget Double rooms for shorter stays. Many rooms come with en-suite bathrooms and televisions, while all feature tea and coffee making facilities. Loch view rooms provide direct sightlines across the water to the hills of Hoy.

Dining

The hotel's award-winning restaurant sources Aberdeen Angus Beef from farms within a 16 km radius and serves fresh local seafood such as hand-dived scallops and fresh-landed halibut. Special diet menus are available, and the restaurant uses locally sourced ingredients throughout its seasonal menu. Breakfast includes a full Scottish option, and evening meals can be taken in either the dining room or the bar.

Location

Merkister Hotel is situated on the shore of Harray Loch, a 15-minute drive from the main towns of Kirkwall and Stromness. The hotel lies within easy reach of key Orkney sites such as Skara Brae, Maeshowe, and the Brough of Birsay. A daily event bulletin helps guests plan visits to local cultural events and nature attractions.

Activities

The hotel's resident ghillie provides organised fishing services directly from the pier, with boat trips and tuition available. Out-of-season rates apply for fishing from October to April, offering lower-cost access to the loch. Guests can also spend time in the games room, the lounge bar, or take a quiet stroll through the hotel's private gardens.

• Location: On the shore of Harray Loch, 15 minutes from Kirkwall and Stromness
• Dining: Award-winning restaurant with hand-dived scallops and Aberdeen Angus Beef from local farms
• Fishing: Organised boat trips and tuition from the hotel's own pier, with out-of-season rates October-April
• Pet-Friendly: Dogs welcome across the property
• Nearby Attractions: Skara Brae, Maeshowe, and Brough of Birsay within short drive