Frequently Asked Questions
We have put together a summary of our most frequently asked questions below. Please do get in touch at enquiries@orkneycampers.com if you have any other queries. You can find full details of our terms and conditions of hire here.
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Are there any campsites in Orkney?
Do I need a special license to drive a campervan?
What age do I have to be to hire a campervan?
What do I need to take with me?
What forms of payment do you accept?
Where can I camp/park up for the night?
Do I drive on the Right or Left hand side in Orkney?
Are your vans left or right hand drive?
Do I need to take my own bedding?
What will the weather be like?
Do I receive a full tank of petrol?
Why do you take a refundable deposit?
What if something breaks on the van?
When are pick up and drop off times?
We are arriving on the 11pm ferry from Aberdeen – is this too late for me to pick up my van?
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Fully comprehensive insurance including unlimited mileage, Breakdown cover, 2 bottles of camping gas, mains hook up, cooking equipment, crockery, cutlery, and an outdoor table and chairs so you can enjoy the sunshine. You can find a full list of what is included here.
Are there any campsites in Orkney?
There is a big campsite at Picky in Kirkwall and one in Stromness. There are also many other campsites throughout the mainland and other islands. More information on campsites in Orkney.
Do I need a special license to drive a campervan?
No – A standard car driving license (EU category: B) is sufficient to legally drive a camper.
What age do I have to be to hire a campervan?
For insurance purposes driver have to be over 25, with at least 2 years driving experience. If you are between 21 and 25 and have more than two years driving experience we may also be able to insure you. Do get in touch for more details.
What do I need to take with me ?
We recommend you travel light. The vans are kitted out with everything you need and you can hire bedding from us. It is vital you take both parts of your driving license and another form of ID showing your postal address for your insurance to be valid.
What forms of payment do you accept?
We accept bank transfer, cheque and PayPal.
Where can I camp/park up for the night?
There are plenty of beaches and places you can pull up to wild camp for the night. Many beaches have public toilets where you will also be able to get fresh water. There are also plenty of campsites
Do I drive on the Right or Left hand side in Orkney?
Orkney is the same as the rest of the UK – we drive on the left.
Are your vans left or right hand drive?
Poppy is a right hand drive vehicle and Mr Bumble is a left hand drive vehicle so you can chose which you prefer!
I am afraid no pets are allowed in either campervan. Sorry!
You can get here by road and boat or by plane. If you are driving north and want to leave your car on mainland Scotland we can usually meet you at the other side. Please give us plenty of notice and we will see what we can do. There are links to travel information on the links page.
Do I need to take my own bedding?
You can take your own bedding (we recommend sleeping bags) or you can hire sleeping bags and pillows from us. Both vans come with a selection of throws to help keep you cosy.
Why not hire our brand new driveaway awning ? It is quick and easy to put up and if you are parked up in a campsite you can drive off and leave it for the day. We provide airbeds to use in the awning, which sleeps an additional two people.
What will the weather be like?
Oh, if only we knew! As a rule Orkney is no different from the rest of the UK coast, apart from the average temperature being a few degrees lower. (Don’t expect it to get much above the teens for a lot of the summer). There tends to be a sea breeze a lot of the time too. The islands are bathed in the Gulf Stream from Mexico, which helps keep us temperate. It is warm enough to swim in the sea and we don’t have half as much rain as the West Coast. We have a few gales every winter and some fog in the spring and autumn. The sun doesn’t properly set in midsummer, so you can enjoy some long, lazy evenings on the beach (I have known my children to still be in the sea after 9pm).
Do I receive a full tank of petrol?
Yes, your tank arrives full and we ask that you return it to us in the same condition.
Why do you take a refundable deposit?
A security deposit of £500 is payable (in cash or credit card) on collection of your van. The £500 security deposit is refundable on safe return of the vehicle, in the condition in which it left Orkney Campers subject to a satisfactory inspection by us. This deposit is to cover the possibility of negligent damage to the vehicle and/or the fixtures and fittings and/or the equipment included in the rental. The vehicle and equipment must be returned in good condition, with no damage to it, its contents or any third party property. The security deposit will be refunded within 5 days of the end of the hire period. Should there be any damage, costs for any repair, replacement or special cleaning, the costs will deducted from this security deposit before the balance is returned to you. In the event that there is a claim we reserve the right to retain the security deposit for a longer period as is necessary to quantify the charges incurred which are to be deducted from the deposit.
Note: The £500 security deposit will be used towards funding any loss or damage whatsoever to equipment, fixtures and fittings or negligent damage to the vehicle. Where charges are incurred which result in your security deposit being debited we will provide you with an itemised invoice detailing the charges incurred by you.
All our vehicles are fully covered by the AA Roadside Breakdown, Recovery and Relay. However if the problem cannot be resolved quickly, then please call us and we'll work out the best way to get you back on the road ASAP. You will have with you a number where we can be contacted 24hrs a day.
What if something breaks on the van?
We know accidents happen so please let us know of any breakages on return of the van (or before). There is an itinerary onboard, with a price that will be deducted from your refundable deposit (or you can chose to pay us in cash on return of your vehicle.).
We can recommend a local company to hire bikes from and fit a hireable bike rack to the van should you need it.
When are pick up and drop off times?
At weekends our van has to be dropped off my 11am and can be picked up any time after 2pm. Weekday drop offs are 230pm and pickups after 630pm.
We are arriving on the 11pm ferry from Aberdeen – is this too late for me to pick up my van?
Not at all, we can have everything all ready for you and usually meet you from this boat if you give us plenty of notice.
