Gairsay Island

Small Orkney island with historical farm settlements

One of Orkney's smaller islands, Gairsay appeals to boaters and birdwatchers for coastal cliffs, archaeological traces and quiet remoteness.

Gairsay at a Glance#

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About Gairsay#

Gairsay is a small island in the Orkney Islands, Scotland, located off the coast of Mainland Orkney. It is modest in size and has a limited number of buildings and land used for grazing and seasonal occupation.

The island has been inhabited at various times but today supports only a small permanent population or holiday residences; there are no regular public ferry services and access is by private boat. Natural features include coastal cliffs and seabird habitat that surround the island.

Gairsay lies within the northern North Sea around the Orkney group, close to the larger islands that make up the archipelago and connected by short boat passages to mainland Orkney.

Private ownership: A small island in the Orkney archipelago, privately owned and largely used for grazing and occasional holiday occupation rather than regular tourism.

Best Time to Visit Gairsay#

Gairsay (Orkney) is most pleasant in summer (June-August) when temperatures are mild and daylight is longest, though it remains a remote, quiet destination year‑round.

Summer

Jun-Aug · 10-15°C

Mildest, sunniest period with long daylight hours-best for visiting remote Orkney islands and doing coastal walks.

Autumn / Spring

Mar-May / Sep-Nov · 4-10°C

Cool and changeable with a higher chance of wind and rain; fewer visitors but unpredictable weather.

Winter

Dec-Feb · 0-6°C

Cold, dark and often windy with short daylight; ferry and travel disruptions are more likely.

Weather & Climate near Gairsay#

Climate

Gairsay's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with cool summers (peaking in August) and cold winters (coldest in February). Temperatures range from 2°C to 15°C. Abundant rainfall (1100 mm/year), wettest in November.

Air Quality: AQI 22 Good

Best Time to Visit

JuneMayJuly

Temperature & Rainfall

Temperature Range

21°

Warmest Month

-1°

Coldest Month

Monthly Conditions

Month	Comfort	Temp	Feels	Rain	Sky	Humidity	Wind	UV	Daylight
January	Poor	3° - 7°	0°	114 mm	overcast	83%	8.2 m/s	0.0 low	6.7h
February	Poor	2° - 6°	-1°	88 mm	overcast	83%	7.8 m/s	0.1 low	9.0h
March	Poor	3° - 7°	0°	101 mm	overcast	83%	7.6 m/s	0.2 low	11.6h
April	Poor	3° - 8°	2°	69 mm	overcast	84%	6.6 m/s	0.6 moderate	14.3h
May	Acceptable	6° - 10°	5°	54 mm	overcast	84%	5.8 m/s	0.9 moderate	16.8h
June	Acceptable	8° - 13°	10°	57 mm	overcast	85%	5.4 m/s	1.2 high	18.2h
July	Acceptable	9° - 14°	12°	62 mm	overcast	86%	5.1 m/s	1.1 high	17.5h
August	Acceptable	10° - 15°	12°	75 mm	overcast	86%	5.2 m/s	0.8 moderate	15.3h
September	Poor	9° - 13°	11°	105 mm	overcast	85%	6.3 m/s	0.4 low	12.6h
October	Poor	7° - 11°	6°	122 mm	overcast	84%	7.1 m/s	0.1 low	10.0h
November	Poor	5° - 9°	3°	132 mm	overcast	84%	7.4 m/s	0.0 low	7.4h
December	Poor	4° - 8°	1°	121 mm	overcast	83%	7.6 m/s	0.0 low	5.9h