Birsay Campsite is set to undergo a major upgrade after Orkney Islands Council secured more than £900,000 in external funding for the project.
The investment has been secured by the council’s Sport and Leisure Service and will deliver significant improvements to one of Orkney’s most important visitor and community facilities.
Planned works include the creation of hard standing pitches linked by a new one way internal roadway and the construction of a permanent modern amenity block to replace the existing portacabins.
Redundant stone buildings on the site will be removed to create an improved drying area for campers.
The new facilities will be powered by renewable energy, including solar panels and ground source heating.
Further upgrades will include improved chemical waste disposal, safer off road waste and recycling provision, additional electric hook ups for all pitches, and new planting to improve shelter, screening and biodiversity.
Groundworks are due to begin in February, with the full upgrade scheduled for completion by October 2026.
Birsay Campsite is currently used by visitors between April and September, with demand increasing year on year.
The site is also used by school pupils and volunteer groups from the North Isles, supporting outdoor education activities delivered through the council’s Education Service.
The upgrades will allow the campsite to remain open through to the end of October.
A significant portion of the funding has been secured through the Rural Tourism Infrastructure Fund, established by the Scottish Government and managed by VisitScotland.
The fund is designed to improve visitor experiences in rural areas experiencing pressure on local infrastructure as visitor numbers grow.
Cheryl Chapman, VisitScotland Development Manager for Orkney, said:
“This development is great news for Orkney.
“The improvements will help create much needed capacity and allow visitors to stay in less visited parts of the isles, spreading economic benefit further, as well as offering a boost to the quality of the visitor experience.
“Importantly, waste facilities will be available to motorhome campers all year round, encouraging the responsible behaviour we want to see in Orkney.
“The development marks another milestone in the delivery of sustainable tourism here, and I am thrilled that VisitScotland is supporting this through the Rural Tourism Infrastructure Fund, on behalf of the Scottish Government.
“VisitScotland is focused on the responsible growth of tourism and events.
“To be a sustainable tourism destination, we must ensure the right facilities to cater for the growing demands of both visitors and locals and to guarantee the best possible experience for all.”
Gwenda Shearer, who chairs the council’s Education, Leisure and Housing Committee, said:
“The upgrades at Birsay Campsite are all about giving visitors a warmer welcome and a better experience.
“By improving the facilities, we’re not only supporting tourism but also creating a better space for local community groups and schools who use the site for outdoor education.
“It’s important to us that the campsite continues to be a place where people of all ages can learn, explore, and connect with the landscape that makes Birsay so special.”
Funding for the project includes £735,885 from VisitScotland’s Rural Tourism Infrastructure Fund, £154,000 from Orkney Islands Council’s Tourism Infrastructure Fund, £37,000 from the Scottish Government Climate Emergency Capital Fund, and £18,000 from Scottish Government National Islands Plan funding.
The development aligns with Orkney’s Strategic Tourism Infrastructure Development Plan, Scotland’s Visitor Management Strategy, and national sustainability goals, while helping to extend the season, disperse visitors, and reduce environmental impact.
