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Loch Harray | Orkney, KW17 2LF, Scotland
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Reviews you can trust

90% Recommend
4.5 of 5 stars 11 reviews
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5 of 5 stars
OrkneyFangfarrier   2 contributions
Orkney
Nov 12, 2009 | Trip type: Couples

I have stayed at the Merkister several times over the years as well as visiting it for meals. I have always found the servcie excellent and well mannered. Am very surprised to read those two negative reviews as that is definitely not the Merkister I know and recommend. In fairness there can be an issue with window tables in the... more

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5 of 5 stars
MMMMF   6 contributions
St. Mary's, United Kingdom
Nov 11, 2009 | Trip type: Couples

My husband took me for a long weekend treat to celebrate our wedding anniversary. Roaring fires, excellent food, the highest quality Orkney steak I have ever tasted with an extensive wine list to compliment . We were treated exceptionally well. The surrounding area is beautiful and a brisk walk along the side of the Loch helped sharpen our appetite. We... more

disappointed
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2 of 5 stars
janekeScotland   3 contributions
Penicuik, United Kingdom
Nov 9, 2009 | Trip type: Friends getaway
1
person found this review helpful

We were going to be an hour late arriving so I rang ahead to see if we could get a sandwich or a bowl of soup. "Kitchen's closed" I was told. So we stayed in Kirkwall and had fish and chips. My friend and I shared a small twin room overlooking a courtyard. We had the tinyest ensuite I have... more

Management response from
lorna munson, Partner

I have emailed this guest and apologised that their stay did not meet their expectations, this review was for a stay in October 2008. From October – April the hotel runs as a Bed & Breakfast and the cost is halved £25pppn. Out of Season we do not have a Resident’s Lounge, therefore the Orkney Books, Eric Linklater etc….would not...

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5 of 5 stars
yorkshirepug   6 contributions
yorkshire
Sep 3, 2009 | Trip type: Family

We stayed here for one night on a family holiday in Orkney. Our rooms were clean and tidy, and big enough for our stay. There was a flat screen TV in each room with freeview channels, and the bathrooms were clean and had baths and showers. We had our evening meal in the bar, and the food was well cooked,... more

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5 of 5 stars
Tarkajay   43 contributions
North Devon
Sep 27, 2008 | Trip type: Friends getaway
2
people found this review helpful

Standing on the shores of Harray Loch, the Merkister is ideally placed for a fishing holiday. We booked a room overlooking the loch itself and each morning we would wake to a beautiful view and to the sights and sounds of the local birds like oyster catchers, grey lag geese and once or twice to the thrilling sight of a... more

Superb !!!
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5 of 5 stars
spange77   1 contribution
Mintlaw
Sep 27, 2008 | Trip type: Couples
1
person found this review helpful

I decided to book a trip to Orkneys to assist in the rehab of my fiance who had a stroke in April - I could not have picked a better place to visit or a better hotel. The Hotel is run by "Lorna" and "jackie" , both being daughters of the owners Angus and Elma. Lorna runs the hotel side... more

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5 of 5 stars
nemesisfife   2 contributions
dalgety bay fife
Sep 1, 2007 | Trip type: Friends getaway
8
people found this review helpful

When my friend and I decided to go totally off the beaten track and chose the orkneys we couldnt have prepared ourselves for the amazing time we had. Arriving at Stromness I half expected to see an island full of dungaree wearing yocals chewing straw and playing banjos - nothing could have been further from the truth. From the minute... more

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5 of 5 stars
tudan   30 contributions
scotland
Jun 24, 2007 | Trip type: Couples
3
people found this review helpful

We booked the hotel via e-mail after checking out the website, We are members of Historic Scotland and were visiting all the ancient monuments. We booked into room 7 for the first two nights, I also found out that the hotel has free wireless broadband so we could get on the web with our laptop no problems, The room was... more

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5 of 5 stars
Nonamerequired   2 contributions
Edinburgh
Jul 7, 2006
2
people found this review helpful

A home from home is often promised and seldom fulfilled. Here it is really true! Our room was a superb twin overlooking the loch, with a large corner bath and shower en-suite. Our friends went for a double which was in fact a SuperKingsize and had a great pwer shower en-suite. The food is the best we have had in... more

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3 of 5 stars
ScottishTravellWoman   9 contributions
Glasgow
May 29, 2006 | Trip type: Business
7
people found this review helpful

This old hotel on the shore of Loch Harray is used by many fishermen who are trying to catch the lochs' brown trout. The staff are friendly, the bar and restaurant are OK. It was the bedrooms which let them down. I had a single room in which you couldn't swing a cat. The decor was dated and the carpeted... more

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Merkister Hotel Also Known As

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Address: Loch Harray | Orkney, KW17 2LF, Scotland