Kirkwall, Orkney

In a first for the ECC, we will have the use of a modest but cosy hostel on the outskirts of Kirkwall, the capital of Orkney.  (Pro tip: you can say “Orkney”, or “the Orkney Islands”, but never “the Orkneys.) So if you’ve always wanted to go but thought it was too far or too difficult to organise a trip, this is your chance.   

We expect it will be a week of community living with plenty of socialising and relaxing with a group of men who love men, offering the usual range of workshops led by participants. That might include sessions on dance, music, art, meditation, massage, or games and crafts to name just a few. There is usually something for everyone and - of course - nothing is compulsory.  There will also be plenty of opportunities to enjoy the archipelago’s spectacular scenery, rich history, and vibrant community. The week will include a Big Day Out for anyone who wants to spend time visiting some of the key sites - especially the World Heritage listed “Heart of Neolithic Orkney”.  And there will, of course, be time for people who want to hire a taxi or use the county’s excellent bus network to spend more time exploring.  

We’re running the week in October which does bring the possibility of some, er, bracing weather.  But it makes renting the hostel for our exclusive use much more affordable. There is a small number of double rooms for couples.  But we hope that most people attending who don’t want to share will be able to have a room to themselves.  Despite that, the cost of the week will be lower than many other events ECC offers. But, to balance that out, travel to Orkney will be more expensive - and more complex - than getting to events on the UK mainland.   

The options are: 

• The Northlink ferry that leaves Aberdeen in the late afternoon and docks in Kirkwall around five hours later (at 22:30 ish) 
• The Northlink ferry from Scrabster (on the north coast of the Scottish mainland) to Stromness (and then a taxi or bus to Kirkwall)  
• The Pentland Ferries service from Gills Bay (on the north coast of the Scottish mainland) to St Margaret’s Hope (and then a taxi or bus to Kirkwall)  
• Loganair flights to Kirkwall from Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow or Inverness. 

(NB: The foot passenger service from John O’ Groats - which used to offer a coach link from Inverness, and into Kirkwall - no longer operates.)  

We can use the hostel from mid afternoon on Saturday 3rd October.  There will be an evening meal that night.  But, so people arriving on the Aberdeen boat don’t miss anything, the week won’t start properly until a big Go-Round after breakfast on Sunday 4th. Similarly, it will end with a final Go-Round on the evening of Friday 9th October, after which anyone returning south on the Aberdeen ferry will be shuttled to the terminal at Hatston outside Kirkwall.  Anyone going back to the mainland by other means - or planning to stay on for a longer visit - will be welcome to sleep in the hostel that night, and will need to to check out after breakfast on Saturday 10th. (Please don’t plan to leave before the final Go Round.)  

We plan to have base groups and/or a heart circle for an hour each day before the evening meal. These provide an opportunity to share how we are feeling and to get to know a small number of participants really well. Towards the end of the week we will have an informal soirée where we invite you to share a poem, a song or something else. But being an enthusiastic and supportive audience member is a valuable contribution to the success of the evening.   We will also have an auction of items and services one evening during the week, which raises cash to fund bursaries for people not able to afford the fees to attend ECC events.   

Organisers

Your organisers are Paul Ryan, Stephen Messinger and Huw Williams.

Paul
My first ECC event was at Wasdale in August 2017. From the very first day I felt I had discovered something very special in ECC - my gay family. I have been to August events at High Close and New Year events at Wasdale and at Dufton near Appleby. It is hard to describe what I get from these events - a sense of community, friendships and lots more. Because of this I wanted to give back to the community, first by becoming the treasurer in November 2024, and by organising High Close in August 2025. This for me is an exciting opportunity to be part of the organising team for Orkney, and I looking forward to working with Stephen and Huw.

Stephen
I was delighted to find a warm and community-focused group of people when I attended my first ECC event in 2016. Since then I have enjoyed a number of ECC events each year which makes me feel a part of something great, even in between the events. I enjoy helping to organise ECC events and the chance of doing this with Huw and Paul is really exciting. Orkney will provide a more earthy, remote and rugged environment compared to many other ECC events and having previously lived 8 years in Scotland I've had a taste of the world-renowned hospitality that it offers. I'm very much looking forward to spending the week with Paul, Huw and all those who come along.

Huw
I attended my first ECC event at Wasdale over New Year 2025 and, I suppose like most people, I had no idea what to expect. But spending time in the company of so many lovely men, most of whom I would never have met outwith ECC activities, was an extraordinary experience. Since then I’ve attended Kench Hill, High Close, the Autumn Gathering, and this year’s Wasdale retreat. At all those events I’ve had a growing conviction that I would love to see an ECC event take place in Orkney, where I’ve lived since 2017. The opportunity to make that vision a reality, to give something back to the community, and the chance to work with Paul and Stephen, are all things I am very much looking forward to. And I look forward to meeting you in Kirkwall in the autumn, and getting the chance to show you a little of why I love the county so much.

Essential Information

VENUE: Hostelling Scotland Kirkwall, Old Scapa Road, Kirkwall, Orkney, KW15 1BB 

PHONE: 01856 87 22 43

WEBSITE: www.hostellingscotland.org.uk/hostels/kirkwall

DATES: 3rd - 10th October 2026 

ARRIVAL: Please arrive after 4pm on 3rd October.  Cleaning and preparation for our group will take most of the day, so we ask early arrivals not to enter the building until everything is ready. 

DEPARTURE: We need to be out of the hostel by 10.30am on 10th October. But anyone planning to return south on the Aberdeen ferry will need to leave by 9pm on the 9th October.   

PARTICIPANTS: There will be space for around 25 of us. A number of places will be held for first time attenders on an ECC event until Saturday 25th July 2026.  

ACCOMMODATION is in rooms containing between 2 and 4 beds. There is a small number of double rooms available.  But we hope anyone who doesn’t want to share should be allocated a room to themselves. 

FOOD: Vegetarian breakfasts, lunches and evening meals will be provided by our expert and experienced caterer Rena Johnston, though we will need to take it in turns to serve breakfasts and lunches, and to set up the dining room and wash up after meals.  Please let us know any allergies or dietary requirements when you book.  We will supply some basic snacks such as biscuits, tea, instant coffee, and dairy milk. You’ll need to provide anything beyond those items. 

NEAREST SHOPS: There is a wide selection of supermarkets and independent shops in Kirkwall - a short distance from the hostel. (But no M and S or Waitrose!) 

HEALTH: Please consider the welfare of everyone on the event. If you are unwell within 48 hours of the scheduled arrival please cancel your place to avoid spreading any infections.  

TRAVEL: Travelling to and from the venue is the responsibility of participants. We will meet the late night Aberdeen boat at the start of the week, and shuttle people to the terminal at the end of the week. But if you are coming by the other ferry routes, or by plane, you’ll need to travel by taxi or public bus.  Please note that Stromness and Gills Bay are some distance from Kirkwall.   

ACCESSIBILITY:  Hostelling Scotland don’t rate the building as fully accessible.  But everything is on the ground floor.  There was one step in the building, but that has now been replaced by a permanent ramp.  There is a small step up into all the showers in the building. Please contact the organisers before booking if you have any concerns about the building, and how this may affect your stay. We will work with you to resolve any concerns as best we can. You can read the full accessibility statement here: www.hostellingscotland.org.uk/media/hbkbl4su/mst-access-guide-280126.pdf (click on HOSTEL ACCESSIBILITY GUIDE then search for Kirkwall). There are a limited number of taxis in the area that can accommodate wheelchairs. If you require one, please ensure you book it well in advance of your arrival and departure.  Whilst we are a friendly and helpful group, we are not able to offer any form of individual personal care. 

SAFETY AND SAFEGUARDING: The organisers and workshop facilitators will take reasonable care to create a safe environment. However, we are all responsible for our own safety. And we shoud all go about the week being mindful of the safety and comfort of others.  So please only take part in activities you feel comfortable with. And feel free to ask anyone running a workshop for details of what will be involved before you sign up to take part.  Everyone has the right to feel safe and respected at this event. If someone’s words or behaviour make you feel uncomfortable or unsafe, you can choose how to respond. If you feel able to, you might start by talking to the person directly. You can also speak with your Base Group Facilitator or one of the organisers during the event. The ECC’s Safeguarding Lead is Andy Paterson, a member of the Maintenance Group. If you don’t feel your concerns have been addressed, you can contact him directly. For more information, please see the ECC’s safeguarding policies on our website.  

NEED TO KNOW MORE ANOUT THE VENUE?: Experience from other events has shown it works best if we channel contact with the hostel through the organisers, rather than all emailing the venue separately.  So, please ask the organisers, and we’ll ask the warden on your behalf.    

WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT ORKNEY? See this website: www.orkney.com 

Ten Orkney Fun Facts 

• Orkney is an archipelago of seventy islands, nineteen of which are inhabited.
• There is no island called Orkney. The name refers to the whole group of islands - the largest of which is called Mainland.   
• Around twenty two thousand people live in Orkney - nine thousand or so in Kirkwall, the main town.   
• Kirkwall has a pink cathedral which was built by Vikings.   
• The Heart of Neolithic Orkney is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Scotland featuring four key 5,000-year-old monuments.  
• Orkney is a global leader in renewable energy, generating over 100% of its electricity demand from wind, tidal, and wave power. 
• Every Christmas day and New Year’s day dozens of Kirkwall’s men and boys - split between the Uppies and the Doonies - compete in an ancient, and largely rule free, street football game, called the Ba.  
• Robert Shaw, the star of Jaws and From Russia With Love, grew up in Orkney.  His dad was a GP in Stromness - the second biggest town.   
• Local people will always say “in” Orkney, not “on” it.  The islands are communities where people live, not just lumps of geography.   
• Orkney chip shops specialise in patties - made from mince, potatoes and onion - as well as fish suppers.