Buying Land in Orkney Islands

Highlands and Islands · SCOTLAND

Key Facts

Avg. Price/Acre

£3,500

area

380 sq miles

major Towns

Kirkwall, Stromness, St Margaret's Hope

population

22,000

Buyers looking at land in Orkney Islands tend to be farmers seeking additional grazing, self-builders wanting a rural plot, or those pursuing renewable energy projects on the islands. Before making an offer, it is worth checking title boundaries, access rights, and any crofting or agricultural designations that could restrict use. BuyLand does not list or sell land, but it provides plot reports, HM Land Registry documents, and free land valuations to help buyers carry out proper due diligence.

What land actually sells for in Orkney Islands

Transaction data for Orkney Islands is limited, which reflects a thin and infrequent market across the archipelago's 380 square miles. Agricultural land in the area carries a typical price of around £3,500 per acre, though individual sales can vary considerably depending on access, condition, and any tied designations. Activity tends to centre around the main settlements of Kirkwall and Stromness, with rural plots elsewhere changing hands rarely. Buyers should treat each opportunity carefully given how few comparable sales exist to guide valuation.

Where to find land for sale in Orkney Islands

BuyLand doesn't list plots. Land for sale in Orkney Islands is mostly marketed through the major portals under their land categories, through regional land and farm agents, and at property auctions, where plots often sell with short completion deadlines.

Wherever you find a plot, the checks matter more than the listing. Flood risk, planning constraints, access and legal title vary field by field, and the asking price tells you none of it.

Local planning authority: view the planning portal → for local plans, constraints and application history.

Map of Orkney Islands