A Travel Price Comparison for United Kingdom Orkney Islands vs. Loch Lomond National Park for Food, Hiking, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Orkney Islands or Loch Lomond National Park?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Orkney Islands and Loch Lomond National Park can help you decide which place is right for you.

Orkney Islands

Orkney Islands is a serene, tranquil, and natural archipelago. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the museums, food, and beaches.

Loch Lomond National Park

Loch Lomond National Park is a serene, peaceful, and relaxing national park. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the hiking.

Orkney Islands and Loch Lomond National Park: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Popular for food and cuisine
  • Popular beach
  • Good for hiking
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
  • Impressive beauty
Pros
  • Good for hiking
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
Things to Consider
  • Less popular for food


Is there more to do in Orkney Islands or Loch Lomond National Park?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Orkney Islands. Although Orkney Islands and Loch Lomond National Park are popular destinations, Orkney Islands has more sights and attractions for tourists. Orkney Islands is famous for its sandy beaches, serene landscape, and well-preserved Neolithic sights. It is also well known for The Heart of Neolithic Orkney. Loch Lomond National Park is famous for becoming the first designated national park in Scotland in 2002.

How is Orkney Islands different from Loch Lomond National Park?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Loch Lomond National Park and Orkney Islands. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Orkney Islands or Loch Lomond National Park?

Orkney Islands
Loch Lomond National Park

Orkney Islands is a archipelago with good options for its historical sights. However, Loch Lomond National Park does not have museums and landmarks.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Orkney Islands. The islands is home to a number of archaeological ruins including the stone age village of Skara Brae and the neolithic chambered cairn of Maes Howee. Also check out impressive Ring of Brodgar stone circle as well as the oldest dwelling in the UK, the Knap of Howar on Papa Westray.

Loch Lomond National Park does not have museums and landmarks.


Is the Food Better in Orkney Islands or Loch Lomond National Park? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Orkney Islands
Loch Lomond National Park

Orkney Islands is a great archipelago for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Loch Lomond National Park is not known for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Orkney Islands has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. You'll find so many local products on the islands. It's famous for its local beef, lamb, salmon, and seafood, but you'll also find cheeses and produce. There are two breweries on the island as well. Many people pick up some items that they take home with them.

Loch Lomond National Park offers some easy restaurants to choose from. You'll find some traditional Scottish food to sample but in general for the best food, head to one of the nicer hotels in the area.

Is Orkney Islands or Loch Lomond National Park Better for Beaches?

Orkney Islands
Loch Lomond National Park

Orkney Islands is a great archipelago for the beach. However, Loch Lomond National Park is not a beach destination.

The beaches at Orkney Islands attract visitors from all over. The archipelago has hundreds of miles of beaches that feel serene and remote. If you're looking for a tranquil setting that is natural and untouched, you'll have many to choose from. Some of the best beaches on the islands include Tresness Beach, Grobust Beach, and Sands of Evie Beach.

Loch Lomond National Park is not a beach destination.

Is Orkney Islands or Loch Lomond National Park Better for Hiking?

Orkney Islands
Loch Lomond National Park

Orkney Islands is a great archipelago for hiking. Also, Loch Lomond National Park is not as popular, but is still a nice national park for the nearby hiking options.

Many visitors go to Orkney Islands for the hiking trails. Rolling hills and rugged landscapes make for relaxing and beautiful walks. There are also many archaeological ruins that you can explore. Favorite hikes in the area include Balfour Village and Mill Dam, Birsay Whalebone, and Birwick to Barth Head.

Loch Lomond National Park offers some nice hiking trails. You can choose from relaxing walks or more strenuous hikes and options run along the shoreline or into the surrounding hills and forests. Some of the more popular hikes in the area include Ben Lomond, Conic Hill, and Callander Crags.


Is Orkney Islands or Loch Lomond National Park Better for Families?

Orkney Islands
Loch Lomond National Park

Loch Lomond National Park is great for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Orkney Islands is not as popular, but is still a nice archipelago for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Loch Lomond National Park. You'll find a wide range of diverse activities for kids around the park. They can explore the maze at the Lodge Forest Visitor Center, get up close with animals at Loch Lomond Bird of Prey Centre, Blair Drummond Safari and Adventure Park, or Loch Lomond Pony Trekking, or have an adventure at Doune Castle. Other highlights for the kids include Wellsfield Farm and the Maid of the Loch Paddle Steamer.

Orkney Islands is a family-friendly place to visit. Exploring the beaches is one of the best way to spend your days with kids. There are also several places you can take the kids like Barony Mill, Skate Rumple Alpaca Farm, Corrigall Farm Museum, and Kirbuster Farm Museum.

Is Orkney Islands or Loch Lomond National Park Better for Couples?

Orkney Islands
Loch Lomond National Park

Both Orkney Islands and Loch Lomond National Park are superb destinations to visit as a couple.

Orkney Islands is a great archipelago if you're traveling as a couple. Nature lovers will enjoy the stunning beaches and beautiful natural setting. There are also some great restaurants and even live music performances that make for a fun date night.

Loch Lomond National Park is a very popular place to visit for couples. There are many waterfront accommodation options that make for a beautiful and peaceful couples retreat. The nature and serenity is perfect for couples who want to get away from it all.

Is Orkney Islands or Loch Lomond National Park Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Orkney Islands
Loch Lomond National Park

Orkney Islands is a great archipelago for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Loch Lomond National Park is not as popular, but is still a nice national park for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Orkney Islands. If camping is your style, you'll find some great campgrounds and campsites that make the most of this beautiful natural setting.

Plenty of backpackers visit Loch Lomond National Park. There are some camping options available for backpackers and those who want to experience nature in its fullest.


Is Orkney Islands or Loch Lomond National Park Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Orkney Islands
Loch Lomond National Park

Orkney Islands is a archipelago with good options for times when you don't have a car. However, Loch Lomond National Park is not known for its public transit.

While Orkney Islands offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. Buses travel to many parts of the islands and many islands are connected by ferries.

Public transit is generally limited in Loch Lomond National Park. You can reach the park by train, but transportation option within the area are generally limited.

For even more information, also check out Is Orkney Islands Worth Visiting? and Is Loch Lomond National Park Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Loch Lomond National Park or Orkney Islands?

How long in Orkney Islands or Loch Lomond National Park?

It's fun to spend time in either Orkney Islands or Loch Lomond National Park. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Orkney Islands due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Orkney Islands, and 2-4 days is enough time in Loch Lomond National Park.

Families should spend more time in Loch Lomond National Park than Orkney Islands. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Loch Lomond National Park, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Orkney Islands than Loch Lomond National Park. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Orkney Islands that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Orkney Islands than Loch Lomond National Park if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Orkney Islands.


  • How many days in Orkney Islands or Loch Lomond National Park? Ideal Length of Stay
    Orkney Islands 3-7 
    Loch Lomond National Park 2-4

One day in Orkney Islands or Loch Lomond National Park?

Visitors enjoy the food and museums when visiting the tranquil archipelago of Orkney Islands. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

In Loch Lomond National Park, you'll find . But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Orkney Islands or Loch Lomond National Park?

Visitors enjoy the museums and food when visiting the destination of Orkney Islands. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. Anyone can find something fun to do here. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Loch Lomond National Park is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Because of this, a weekend is usually enough time for a trip here.


Five days in Orkney Islands or Loch Lomond National Park?

Orkney Islands is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have five days, this archipelago makes for a great vacation. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Because of this, five days is usually enough time for a trip here. It offers something for everyone.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Loch Lomond National Park. It offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Orkney Islands or Loch Lomond National Park?

Orkney Islands is a popular choice for travelers. One week here is typical. One week is usually enough time to experience most activities. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Travelers enjoy the when visiting the national park of Loch Lomond National Park. Your budget might influence how long you stay. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips.


For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Edinburgh, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United Kingdom, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United Kingdom, and The Best Historical Tours in United Kingdom.


Which place is cheaper, Loch Lomond National Park or Orkney Islands?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Orkney Islands is £128, while the average daily cost in Loch Lomond National Park is £61. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Orkney Islands and Loch Lomond National Park in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Orkney Islands £60
    Loch Lomond National Park £31
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Orkney Islands £120
    Loch Lomond National Park £62
Compare Hotels in Orkney Islands and Loch Lomond National Park

Looking for a hotel in Orkney Islands or Loch Lomond National Park? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Orkney Islands


Hotels in Loch Lomond National Park


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Orkney Islands £56
    Loch Lomond National Park £20

Is it cheaper to fly into Orkney Islands or Loch Lomond National Park?

Prices for flights to both Loch Lomond National Park and Orkney Islands change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Orkney Islands £34
    Loch Lomond National Park £15

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Orkney Islands £27
    Loch Lomond National Park £16

Tours and Activities in Orkney Islands

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Orkney Islands.

  • From Kirkwall - Orkney Mainland Private Tour: $275
  • Semi Private Tour - Orkney and Kirkwall : $246

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Orkney Islands £6.43
    Loch Lomond National Park £3.93


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Orkney Islands and Loch Lomond National Park, we can see that Orkney Islands is more expensive. And not only is Loch Lomond National Park much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Loch Lomond National Park would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Loch Lomond National Park and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Orkney Islands would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Orkney Islands than you might in Loch Lomond National Park.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Orkney Islands Expensive? and Is Loch Lomond National Park Expensive?.


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