A Cinematic Adventure to the Orkney Islands

Wild, remote, stunning – these are all words that describe the Orkney Islands. The Scottish archipelago offers the ultimate retreat from everyday life and was the setting of the film adaptation of ‘The Outrun’ by local writer Amy Liptrot, starring Saoirse Ronan. The 2024 film was a hit at last year’s Sundance Film Festival and put Orkney on the silver screen. As Sundance 2025 draws to a close, our editors revisit these magical islands.

SAOIRSE RONAN IN ‘THE OUTRUN’

Courtesy of Studiocanal UK

Mainland, Orkney

'The Outrun’ plot follows Rona, a recovering addict who returns home to Orkney following a disastrous few years in London. Despite the bracing winds and roaring waves – which symbolise her mental state and are interlaced with Orcadian legend – Rona gradually reconnects with the surrounding environment, community, and ultimately herself.

Much of the first half of the film is based on Mainland, including 'The Outrun’ itself, a private farm on the island. Row Head, just south of the Bay of Skaill and beside Skara Brae neolithic village, offers the same unique landscape: “where the grass is always short, pummelled by the wind and sea spray.”

Another must-visit site is Stack o'Roo, an eroded sea stack reachable via a coastal trail from Marwick Bay while further inland, perched between two lochs, is the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Ring of Brodgar. On the film’s soundtrack, there’s a piece of music named after the ancient stone circle alongside ‘Dance of the Selkies’, an ode to the mythological shapeshifters that are said to roam the coastline. From here, you’re just a short drive from other notable locations in the film, including Wideford Hill, St John’s Head, and Inganess.

ANCIENT STONES OF THE RING OF BRODGAR, ORKNEY

Courtesy of Orkney.com

Papa Westray

Looking to take your adventures one step further? Hop on a ferry or seaplane from Kirkwall to Papa Westray to continue Rona’s journey. This island is even more remote than the first, but offers a rich tapestry of historical sites, hidden coves and towering cliff sides.

Rona embarks on many a hike during her stay here, visiting sites such as the Knap of Howar (the oldest buildings in Europe) and the cliffs of Fowl Craig and Fowl Flag for nesting seabirds and sightings of Scottish primrose. If you’re feeling brave, make like Rona and enjoy a chilly dip in the aquamarine waters of North & South Wich, perhaps greeting a Selkie on the way.

AN AERIAL VIEW OF KIRKWALL, ORKNEY

Courtesy of Orkney.com

As an ASMALLWORLD member, we recommend booking a stay at one of our hotels on mainland Scotland, such as Greywalls Hotel & Chez Roux or Cromlix & Chez Roux, before embarking on a scenic road trip or one-hour flight to Kirkwall, Orkney from Edinburgh or Glasgow. Of course, you can explore all of our hotels on ASMALLWORLD Collection, where you can get room upgrades, hotel credit and more at no additional cost.

Click here for further information about the Orkney Islands.