Annie's Blog

Published on 12/02/2018

St Valentine's Eve - February....and it's still snowing in Scotland. Our January blog recorded early snow in Birsay Bay. When we first arrived at The Old Manse, (St Magnus Kirk, Palace, Birsay) in 2009, our good neighbour Bertie recalled 1948...

Published on 19/01/2018

It's the middle of January and Scotland is snowbound as we prepare to travel up to Birsay tomorrow. That makes us think ahead to our summer garden at Annie's Place, our self-catering property looking across Birsay Bay. The garden which...

Published on 13/11/2017

Weekend storms dished up this frothy brew for the arrival of this week's holiday guests to our Orkney self catering accommodation on the shoreline of Birsay Bay. But is it actually shaving foam for Orkney seals? ...

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Recent blog posts

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A magical week with stunning weather. Fantastically comfortable accommodation with such attention to detail and a lovely friendly welcome, a joy to pop next door and chat throughout the week. Thank you.
– 20th July 2025
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Another fabulous stay at Annie’s Place, thank you!
– 15th July 2025, guest from Burton--on-trent
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Very welcoming, close to the sea, lovely quiet place. My 7th visit.
– 6th July 2025, guest from Rishworth, Sowerby Bridge
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We have had a great 2 weeks here. A really comfortable and well equipped cottage where the owners go out of their way to make you feel welcome. A peaceful and beautiful location.
– 17th June 2025
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Ann & Robin, you were very friendly & welcoming. Felt that nothing was too much trouble. A lovely place to stay. You seem to have thought of everything.
– 2nd June 2025, guest from Dunfermline
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Very friendly and helpful.
– 1st June 2025, guest from Muir Of Ord
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Lovely cottage in a beautiful setting. There is so much to do in Orkney.

Anne and Robin are the perfect hosts!
– 18th May 2025, guest from Wakefield
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Anne and Robin are lovely and very helpful. Their local knowledge and willingness to share it meant we got to see the Arctic Terns the one day after they arrived which was the day before we sadly had to leave. Birsay is a spectacular place to stay, the views, the seabirds, the seascape. Annie's Place is a welcoming and comfortable place to stay. The neolithic sites are amazing and not far away.
– 11th May 2025, guest from Sheffield
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Traveling from France to one end of Earth to be greeted by the nicest couple there is, was a great experience.

Anne and Robin were the perfect hosts in the perfect house. We could have stayed longer just to get to know them better.

If you visit Orkney, stay at Annie's Place, you wont regret it !
– 3rd March 2025
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Warm and cosy. A great base to come back to after long day's of walking and exploring. It was so nice to find such a perfect, dog friendly place. We took a large box of provisions with us, but we shouldn't have bothered as everything we needed was already there for us when we arrived. Thank you Anne and Robin.
– 30th September 2024, guest from Cromarty
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Anne and Robin were extremely welcoming and gave us lots of useful information about the locality and further afield. The house had everything we needed and was very comfortable. The location was perfect for us with access to coastal walks at the end of the garden, a village shop next door, several places of interest within just a few miles and close to several archaeological sites.
– 20th September 2024, guest from Iron Acton
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This was my seventh stay at Annie’s Place. It is bascially my Orkney home and Anne and Robin are my Orkney family. They are so wonderful and I love not only spending time at Annie’s Place but spending time with them. But if that isn’t your thing, they will not bother you.
– 3rd August 2024
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Lovely comfortable clean accommodation. Anne and Robin are such friendly and welcoming owners. Always on hand with advice and a friendly chat. Their granddaughters do a wonderful job of cleaning on change over day!
– 12th July 2024
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A lovely cosy comfortable place to stay with warm friendly helpful hosts. Apart from the weather everything was perfect and despite the weather we had a wonderful time.
– 8th July 2024, guest from Sheffield
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Anne and Robin go above and beyond as hosts. It feels like you are visiting family members who truly care about you. A lovely experience from start to finish. This was our second stay at Annie’s Place and we really hope to visit again! The location is perfect for anyone who loves exploring history and nature. The accommodation itself is comfortable and welcoming. Thank you again so much Anne and Robin for your gracious hospitality! We enjoyed our time in Orkney so very much.
– 8th July 2024, guest from Marquette
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Annie’s Place is a haven of peace and comfort. No wonder I keep returning! I never tire of the many walks from the door. Gazing at the sea over the wall to the Brough of Birsay is always a joy whatever the weather. Seabirds, seals and sunsets are an added bonus. Thank you Robin and Anne for your always warm welcome.
– 16th June 2024, guest from Leeds

From Annie's Blog...

You can still book at Annie's Place for one week starting on 19th September 2026 and then onwards from 17th October for your Orkney holiday away from it all!

Published on 27/04/2026
Interested in ticking Orkney off your bucket list and staying in comfortable self catering accommodation in a small coastal village on the shoreline of Birsay...
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Robin & Anne Barr
The Old Manse
Palace Village
Birsay, Orkney
KW17 2LX +44 (0)7503 522 089
info@anniesplaceorkney.co.uk

Annie's Blog

Annie's Place in Snow

Snow in Summer for Orkney Holiday

Shaving foam for Orkney seals?

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From Annie's Blog...

You can still book at Annie's Place for one week starting on 19th September 2026 and then onwards from 17th October for your Orkney holiday away from it all!