A buyer’s guide to St Margaret’s Hope, property prices and council tax, schools and their latest HM Inspectorate of Education reports, transport, healthcare, flood risk, the local lending realities, and the questions worth asking before you commit.
- Quick Answers
- Prices
- Market
- Why St Margaret’s Hope
- Transport
- Schools
- Police & Fire
- Areas
- Healthcare
- Flood
- History
- Beyond the Mortgage
- FAQs
thatsfamilyfinance.co.uk · hello@thatsfamilyfinance.co.uk
We do not arrange mortgages ourselves, we introduce you to carefully selected, FCA-regulated mortgage advisers.
Figures in this guide were correct when it was produced and do change. Always verify council tax with the local council, school inspection reports with HM Inspectorate of Education and journey times with the operator before you rely on them.
Mortgage Adviser & Broker in St Margaret’s Hope
Whether you’re buying your first home in St Margaret’s Hope, remortgaging, upsizing or simply researching the main village of South Ronaldsay, “the Hope”, reached across the Churchill Barriers past the Italian Chapel, with the Pentland ferry to the mainland at its pier and a small, close-knit crofting community by the sea, this guide covers what buyers and homeowners in St Margaret’s Hope actually want to know.
Quick answers about St Margaret’s Hope
Click any question to expand the full detail and sources.
Is St Margaret’s Hope a good place to live?⌄
Yes, a peaceful, close-knit island village, if you want that life.
Is St Margaret’s Hope affordable?⌄
Broadly affordable, but very limited supply.
How do you get to and from St Margaret’s Hope?⌄
The Churchill Barriers to Kirkwall, and the Pentland ferry to Gills Bay.
What is St Margaret’s Hope known for?⌄
The Churchill Barriers, the Italian Chapel & the Pentland ferry.
Does St Margaret’s Hope have a hospital?⌄
No, GP provision only; the nearest A&E is Kirkwall.
Is St Margaret’s Hope right for you?
Every town suits some buyers better than others. Here is how St Margaret’s Hope rates for the people who most often buy here, and why.
| Buyer type | Rating | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Quiet island-village seekers | ★★★★★ | One of the most peaceful, close-knit villages in Orkney, a crofting and fishing community around a sheltered bay, with heritage, the sea and very low crime; for people who want this life, genuinely special. |
| Crofters & those working the land/sea | ★★★★☆ | South Ronaldsay is farming and crofting country, and the village and its pier serve that life, steady, if limited, demand from those working the land, the sea and the ferry. |
| Remote workers | ★★★☆☆ | Peace, space and improving digital links suit remote working for those who want to get away from it all, though connectivity should be checked address by address on a remote island. |
| First-time buyers | ★★★☆☆ | Village cottages and smaller homes are the most accessible way in, and LBTT relief (£175,000 for first-time buyers) means many pay no purchase tax, but choice is very limited and amenities and jobs are scarce locally. |
| Downsizers & retirees | ★★☆☆☆ | A beautiful, peaceful village, but with no hospital, limited amenities and the mainland a ferry or flight away, a later-life move here needs very careful thought about health and family distance. |
An honest, at-a-glance summary of what St Margaret’s Hope does brilliantly, and what to weigh carefully, before you commit.
St Margaret’s Hope at a glance
The key facts buyers ask us about most, in one place.
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| County & council | Orkney (Scottish unitary): Orkney Islands Council |
| Community council | South Ronaldsay & Burray has a community council but it does NOT levy a precept. Band D is Orkney Islands Council’s own charge |
| Nation | Scotland, 8 council-tax bands (A–H); schools inspected by HM Inspectorate of Education; police = Police Scotland |
| Postcode district | KW17 |
| Approx. character | The main village of South Ronaldsay, a peaceful, close-knit crofting village by the sea, very remote |
| Average house price | Broadly moderate to affordable for Scotland, often around £150,000–£210,000; larger and croft homes beyond; sources vary |
| Getting there | Road across the Churchill Barriers to Kirkwall (~25–30 min); Pentland ferry St Margaret’s Hope–Gills Bay (~1 hr) |
| Nearest A&E | The Balfour Hospital, Kirkwall (~25–30 min over the barriers; emergency department); serious/major cases flown to Aberdeen (ARI) or Inverness (Raigmore), no hospital in the village |
| Schools | Education-Scotland inspected (no single grade); a village primary; secondary at Kirkwall Grammar School (a normal comprehensive) |
| Known for | The Churchill Barriers, the Italian Chapel & the Pentland ferry |
| Population | About 550 (village), Orkney’s third-largest settlement, on South Ronaldsay |
| Roads & sea | The A961 across the Churchill Barriers; the pier and the Pentland ferry are the real links to the mainland |
| Water & sewerage | Scottish Water (billed alongside council tax but a separate charge; many homes are on private supplies/septic) |
| Council tax (Band D) | £1,669.07 for 2026/27 (Orkney Islands Council’s own charge; no police, fire or community precept), confirm your band |
Property prices & council tax in St Margaret’s Hope
St Margaret’s Hope is broadly moderate to affordable for Scotland, reflecting its remote village setting and its mix of older cottages, croft and coastal homes, tempered by very limited supply. It offers village cottages, terraces and smaller homes around the bay (frequently the most accessible way in), some larger detached and modern homes, and croft and rural properties across South Ronaldsay and neighbouring Burray. Published figures vary widely by property and area, and choice at any moment is very limited, so treat the ranges below as a broad guide and verify for the exact home, and remember that in Scotland you pay Land and Buildings Transaction Tax, not Stamp Duty, with a £145,000 nil-rate band (£175,000 for first-time buyers).
| Property type / area | Typical position in the market | Who it suits |
|---|---|---|
| Village cottages & smaller homes | Indicatively around £110,000–£160,000 | First-time buyers; the most accessible ways in |
| Terraced & larger village homes | Indicatively around £150,000–£210,000 | First-time buyers; smaller families |
| Detached & modern family homes | Indicatively around £190,000–£270,000 | Growing families; relocators for village life |
| St Margaret’s Hope average | Broadly moderate to affordable, often around £150,000–£210,000 (verify per property) | A broad benchmark for the village |
| Croft, coastal & rural homes | Indicatively £240,000–£450,000+ | Buyers wanting land, a coastal setting or a croft (verify tenure) |
What income might you need?
These illustrative figures use roughly 4.5x household income and assume a typical deposit. They are a starting point for budgeting only, not a quote.
£140,000
Cottage / smaller home
~£31,000
household income (guide)
£180,000
Village benchmark
~£40,000
household income (guide)
£280,000
Croft / detached home (indicative)
~£62,000
household income (guide)
St Margaret’s Hope affordability & Land and Buildings Transaction Tax calculator
A quick, no-obligation way to see roughly what you could borrow in St Margaret’s Hope and what Land and Buildings Transaction Tax (LBTT) you'd pay. In Scotland the tax on buying a home is LBTT, collected by Revenue Scotland, not stamp duty (SDLT). Illustration only. Real figures depend on the lender and your circumstances.
Illustration only, not a mortgage offer. Lenders' income multiples and criteria vary. First-time buyer relief in Scotland raises the LBTT nil-rate band to £175,000 (up to £600 saving). Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.
Borrowing ready-reckoner (around 4.5× income)
| Yearly income | Rough maximum mortgage |
|---|---|
| £30,000 | ~£135,000 |
| £40,000 | ~£180,000 |
| £50,000 | ~£225,000 |
| £60,000 | ~£270,000 |
| £75,000 | ~£337,500 |
Land & Buildings Transaction Tax (LBTT) in Scotland, as at October 2026
Scotland replaced Stamp Duty with LBTT in April 2015. The residential rates below apply to your only or main home. First-time buyers pay 0% up to £175,000 (a saving of up to £600).
| Portion of price | Standard rate |
|---|---|
| Up to £145,000 | 0% |
| £145,001 to £250,000 | 2% |
| £250,001 to £325,000 | 5% |
| £325,001 to £750,000 | 10% |
| Over £750,000 | 12% |
Worked examples: a £145,000 home = £0 LBTT; a £200,000 home = £1,100; a £250,000 home = £2,100; a £350,000 home = £8,350. First-time buyers pay up to £600 less. An Additional Dwelling Supplement (ADS) of 8% applies to second homes and buy-to-lets across the whole price.
LBTT rates as at October 2026 (Scotland). England & Northern Ireland (SDLT) and Wales (LTT) differ. Council tax in Scotland is billed with a separate Scottish Water/waste-water charge on top. Check the exact figure with the official Revenue Scotland LBTT calculator (revenue.scot), and confirm with your solicitor.
The St Margaret’s Hope property market in depth
St Margaret’s Hope offers a small, quiet market, village cottages and homes around the bay, some larger detached and modern houses, and croft and coastal properties across South Ronaldsay and Burray, with genuine village character, peace and safety, and demand from returners, crofters and those seeking a remote life, tempered by very limited supply.
| Property type | What to expect | Typical guide |
|---|---|---|
| Village cottages & smaller homes | The most accessible way in; popular with first-time buyers and relocators. | £110,000–£160,000 |
| Terraced & larger village homes | Older stone and later homes around the bay and village, the Hope’s character stock. | £150,000–£210,000 |
| Detached & modern family homes | Newer and larger homes in and around the village, popular with families and relocators. | £190,000–£270,000 |
| Croft, coastal & rural homes | Croft and country property across South Ronaldsay and Burray, the top of the local market. | £240,000–£450,000+ |
St Margaret’s Hope’s appeal, a peaceful, close-knit island village with genuine character and community, keeps demand steady among those who want that life, from first-time-buyer cottages to croft and coastal homes, but supply is very limited and the right property can take real patience to find.
That remote village setting is the headline, but the right mortgage and the right checks still matter. Older stone and coastal properties, exposure to wind and salt air, private water supplies and septic tanks (common here), and croft tenure are all things lenders, surveyors and conveyancers assess carefully, and some lenders are more comfortable with remote-island and croft properties than others. A mortgage adviser helps you match the right lender to an Orkney purchase, the kind of introduction we can arrange.
What makes St Margaret’s Hope so popular?
St Margaret’s Hope’s appeal is a peaceful, close-knit island village, the Churchill Barriers and the Italian Chapel, the Pentland ferry and the pier, and the sea, the crofting land and the quiet all around.
The Churchill Barriers & the Italian Chapel
The wartime causeways linking South Ronaldsay to the Mainland, built after HMS Royal Oak was sunk in Scapa Flow in 1939, and the ornate little Italian Chapel on Lamb Holm the POWs created, one of Orkney’s most moving landmarks.
The village, the bay & the Pentland ferry
The sheltered bay, the pier and the stone village around it, and the Pentland ferry crossing the firth to Gills Bay, a working, close-knit island village with a real sense of place.
Heritage, the Tomb of the Eagles & local tradition
The Tomb of the Eagles (the Isbister chambered cairn) at the south of the island, and the Hope’s own traditions, the Festival of the Horse and the Boys’ Ploughing Match, living Orcadian culture found nowhere else.
Transport & commuting from St Margaret’s Hope
Transport in St Margaret’s Hope is defined by the causeways, the sea and the air, the Churchill Barriers to Kirkwall, the Pentland ferry at the pier, and Kirkwall Airport beyond. These indicative times are a starting point, always verify current timetables before relying on a specific journey, and remember weather can disrupt sailings, flights and, in severe storms, the barriers.
| Route | Approx. time | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| St Margaret’s Hope → Kirkwall | ~25–30 min drive | North on the A961 across the Churchill Barriers, past the Italian Chapel, for services, the airport & the Balfour Hospital |
| St Margaret’s Hope → Gills Bay (Pentland ferry) | ~1 hr | The shortest Pentland Firth crossing, from the village pier to the Scottish mainland near John o’ Groats |
| St Margaret’s Hope → Kirkwall Airport | ~30–35 min drive | North over the barriers for flights to Aberdeen, Inverness, Edinburgh & Glasgow |
| St Margaret’s Hope → Aberdeen (via Kirkwall, flight/ferry) | ~1 hr flight / ~6 hrs ferry | Loganair from Kirkwall Airport, or the NorthLink ferry from Kirkwall harbour |
| St Margaret’s Hope → Inverness (via Kirkwall, flight) | ~45 min flight | Loganair from Kirkwall Airport, for the Highland capital and Raigmore Hospital |
| St Margaret’s Hope → the Italian Chapel | ~15–20 min drive | North on the A961 to Lamb Holm, on the way to the Mainland |
| St Margaret’s Hope → Stromness | ~45 min drive | North over the barriers and west across the Mainland on the A961/A965 |
| St Margaret’s Hope → the Tomb of the Eagles | ~15 min drive | South to the tip of South Ronaldsay for the Isbister chambered cairn |
Getting around St Margaret’s Hope
Day-to-day mobility here is worth thinking through, the practical picture.
By road & causeway
The A961 carries you north across the Churchill Barriers, over Burray and the small holms, to the Orkney Mainland and Kirkwall (~25–30 min), past the Italian Chapel; a car is essential for village life here.
By ferry
Pentland Ferries sails from the village pier across the firth to Gills Bay, near John o’ Groats (~1 hr), the shortest crossing to the Scottish mainland; the NorthLink ferries run from Kirkwall and Stromness.
By air
Kirkwall Airport, about 30 to 35 minutes north over the barriers, flies to Aberdeen, Inverness, Edinburgh and Glasgow with Loganair, the fastest link to the mainland, weather permitting.
By bus
South Ronaldsay has bus links to Kirkwall across the barriers, limited, rural services, so check current routes and frequencies carefully.
On foot & by bike
The village around the bay is walkable, and South Ronaldsay’s quiet roads, coast and crofting land suit walking and cycling for the confident.
For the mainland
Plan around the ferry and flight timetables and the causeways, and build in real weather margin, especially in winter, when sailings, flights and even the barriers can be affected.
Schools in St Margaret’s Hope
Schools in Scotland are inspected by HM Inspectorate of Education, not Ofsted, and Scottish inspection reports use quality indicators under “How good is our school?” rather than a single overall grade, so read each report in full. Scotland is comprehensive, with no selective grammar schools; St Margaret’s Hope has a village primary, and secondary pupils travel to Kirkwall Grammar School (a normal non-selective comprehensive) across the Churchill Barriers. Orkney’s heritage is Norse and Orcadian, the local dialect is Insular Scots (Orcadian), not Gaelic, so, unlike parts of the Highlands and Western Isles, Gaelic-medium education is not a feature here. Because catchments, placing requests and the secondary commute matter, confirm the current position directly with Orkney Islands Council.
| School | Type | Inspection | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hope Primary School | Primary (state, co-ed) | HM Inspectorate of Education report | The village primary, serving St Margaret’s Hope and South Ronaldsay, Education-Scotland inspected, with no single overall grade; read the latest report and check the current catchment. |
| Burray Primary School | Primary (state, co-ed) | HM Inspectorate of Education report | A neighbouring primary on Burray, across a short causeway on the way to the Mainland, Education-Scotland inspected; confirm the catchment and read the latest report. |
| Kirkwall Grammar School | Secondary (state, comprehensive, non-selective) | HM Inspectorate of Education report | Orkney’s largest secondary, in Kirkwall across the Churchill Barriers (~25–30 min), where secondary pupils from South Ronaldsay travel, despite the “Grammar” name it is a normal non-selective comprehensive; Education-Scotland inspected; read the report and check the commute. |
| Orkney College UHI | Further & higher education (college) | Orkney College UHI | Orkney College, part of the University of the Highlands and Islands, is based in Kirkwall and offers further and higher education, including renewables and marine-energy links (EMEC), a genuine local option beyond school age. |
Map, Police & Fire Services in St Margaret’s Hope
A useful local guide should show the practical services buyers actually check, policing, fire cover, emergency healthcare and the local crime context for St Margaret’s Hope.
Popular parts of St Margaret’s Hope & nearby
Where you buy in and around St Margaret’s Hope shapes both your budget and your character, from the village around the bay to the crofting land of South Ronaldsay and neighbouring Burray. A quick orientation.
Local highlights & days out from St Margaret’s Hope
St Margaret’s Hope packs wartime history, a moving little chapel and deep prehistory into one remote island parish. A few of the best-loved local highlights.
Sports, leisure & community in St Margaret’s Hope
For a small remote village, St Margaret’s Hope offers real depth, wartime and prehistoric heritage, unique traditions, and the sea and coast all around.
Heritage & culture
The Italian Chapel, the Churchill Barriers, the Tomb of the Eagles and the Hope’s own Festival of the Horse and Boys’ Ploughing Match give heritage and living culture found nowhere else, with a village hall and community life at the centre.
The outdoors & the sea
South Ronaldsay’s coast, cliffs, sands and crofting land, Scapa Flow to the west, birdwatching, walking and sea trips, a genuinely outdoor, big-sky place.
Village life & nearby Kirkwall
A village shop, pub and hall and a close-knit community, with Kirkwall about 25 to 30 minutes north over the barriers for the islands’ main shopping, leisure, the airport and the hospital.
Healthcare & local services in St Margaret’s Hope
Healthcare access in St Margaret’s Hope is the honest remote-island picture, GP provision for South Ronaldsay, but no hospital, and the nearest A&E in Kirkwall across the barriers.
St Margaret’s Hope has GP provision for South Ronaldsay, with dentistry and pharmacy reached in the village or in Kirkwall, but no hospital, for hospital and emergency care the Balfour Hospital in Kirkwall, about 25 to 30 minutes north over the barriers, is the base, with its emergency department and island services. For the most serious or specialist care, patients are transferred to the mainland, usually by air ambulance to Aberdeen or Inverness, with NHS Orkney responsible for care across the islands. This is an honest and important point for buyers, especially those with ongoing medical needs or planning a later-life move to a remote village. GP and dental registration availability changes over time, so always check directly with a practice about its current position before relying on it for a move.
Living in St Margaret’s Hope
Day to day, St Margaret’s Hope is a peaceful, characterful island village, real heritage, community and the sea, with the trade-offs of genuine remoteness. Here is a sense of everyday life.
St Margaret’s Hope has the amenities of a small island village, a shop, a pub, a village hall, a primary school, GP provision, the pier and the Pentland ferry, and a strong, close-knit community, along with the Churchill Barriers, the Italian Chapel, the Tomb of the Eagles and the coast all around, and Kirkwall about 25 to 30 minutes north over the barriers for the islands’ main shopping, secondary schooling, the airport, the Aberdeen ferry and the Balfour Hospital. The big everyday pluses are the peace, the community and the sense of place.
Connectivity for working is improving but should be checked, superfast broadband reaches parts of South Ronaldsay, and Orkney has invested in digital links, so remote working is increasingly possible, but coverage varies address by address on a remote island. The main trade-offs are honest and significant: amenities are limited (Kirkwall is the service centre), there is no hospital in the village and the nearest A&E is across the barriers with serious cases flown to the mainland, you depend on the ferry, the flights and the causeways, some goods and fuel cost more, and the winter weather and darkness are real. But for people who genuinely want quiet island-village life, the Hope offers it with heritage and community found nowhere else.
| Everyday amenity | In St Margaret’s Hope? | Nearest / notes |
|---|---|---|
| Primary school | Yes | Hope Primary School in the village; Burray Primary nearby; check catchment |
| Secondary school | In Kirkwall (~25–30 min) | Kirkwall Grammar School, across the Churchill Barriers, a normal comprehensive; check the commute |
| Further education | Nearby (Kirkwall) | Orkney College UHI in Kirkwall, part of the University of the Highlands and Islands |
| GP & health | GP in / near village | NHS Orkney GP provision for South Ronaldsay, but no hospital in the village |
| Nearest A&E | Kirkwall (~25–30 min) | The Balfour Hospital, Kirkwall, emergency department; serious/major cases flown to the mainland |
| Ferry & air | Yes (the key links) | Pentland ferry St Margaret’s Hope–Gills Bay; Kirkwall Airport & the Aberdeen ferry ~30 min north |
| Shops & centre | Village shop; Kirkwall for more | A village shop and pub, with Kirkwall for the islands’ main shopping |
| Green & open space | Yes (abundant) | South Ronaldsay’s coast, cliffs, sands, crofting land and big skies all around |
Working & connectivity in St Margaret’s Hope
Superfast broadband reaches parts of South Ronaldsay, and Orkney has invested in digital connectivity, so remote working from the Hope is increasingly possible, a genuine enabler for people seeking a quiet island life. But coverage varies address by address on a remote island, is generally stronger nearer the villages than in the most far-flung crofts, and mobile signal can vary with the landscape and weather, so it is especially important here to check the specific property on the providers’ and Ofcom’s coverage checkers before you commit.
| Connectivity | Typical picture |
|---|---|
| Fixed broadband | Superfast in parts of South Ronaldsay; varies by address, check the exact property carefully |
| Mobile coverage | Can vary across the island and in weather, check the specific location |
| Ferry for the mainland | Pentland ferry St Margaret’s Hope–Gills Bay (~1 hr); NorthLink from Kirkwall & Stromness |
| Air for the mainland | Kirkwall Airport (~30 min north) to Aberdeen, Inverness, Edinburgh & Glasgow (Loganair) |
Check broadband before you make an offer in St Margaret’s Hope
Broadband speeds can vary street by street in St Margaret’s Hope, so check the exact address before you commit. Ofcom's free checker shows which broadband speeds and mobile coverage are available at any UK property.
Check broadband at an address (Ofcom)Flood risk in St Margaret’s Hope
On flooding, St Margaret’s Hope is largely a coastal-and-weather question, a village around a sheltered bay, so it is worth checking, particularly for homes near the shore and the pier and for surface-water and coastal risk in the big Atlantic storms.
Cost of living & running a home in St Margaret’s Hope
Beyond the mortgage, it helps to picture the ongoing costs of a home here. Indicative only, always confirm for a specific property.
| Typical ongoing cost | Indicative figure | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Council tax (Band D, 2026/27) | £1,669.07 | Orkney Islands Council’s own charge, no police, fire or community precept in Scotland (8 bands A–H); confirm your band |
| Scottish Water (Band D, 2026/27) | ~£652/yr | Water & waste water billed alongside council tax but a separate Scottish Water charge, reduced or nil for the many South Ronaldsay homes on private supplies/septic |
| Buildings insurance | Varies, check exposure | Coastal, wind-exposed and older stone homes can cost more; get a quote and a flood check before committing |
| Broadband | ~£28–£48/mth | Superfast in parts of the island but varies by address, check the exact property |
Financing a home in St Margaret’s Hope
A peaceful, characterful island village is a rewarding thing to buy into, a few points on the mortgage side are worth understanding first, because remote-island and older-stone property has its own considerations.
St Margaret’s Hope’s peace and community are the headline, but the right mortgage and the right checks still matter, from village cottages to croft and coastal homes. Older stone and coastal properties, exposure to wind and salt air, private water supplies and septic tanks (very common here), croft tenure, and any coastal or low-lying ground are all things lenders, surveyors and conveyancers assess carefully, so a survey on an older property, careful checks on water/drainage and, for a croft, careful conveyancing are wise, alongside the Scottish home report. Some lenders are more comfortable with remote-island and croft property than others, so getting the right lender for your circumstances is where good advice pays off.
That’s Family Finance introduces you to carefully selected, FCA-regulated mortgage advisers who search across lenders to fit your circumstances, including remote-island and croft purchases, and we make sure your protection is set up properly alongside it. Read our full guide to mortgage protection insurance. Talk to us →
Conveyancing & the searches to expect in St Margaret’s Hope
A few standard checks are worth their weight when buying in St Margaret’s Hope, especially the Scottish home report, water and drainage (private supplies are common here), and croft tenure where it applies.
History, heritage & famous connections
St Margaret’s Hope takes its name, most likely, from a medieval chapel dedicated to Saint Margaret, some link it to Margaret, the “Maid of Norway”, the child-queen of Scots who died in Orkney in 1290 on her way to her kingdom. For centuries it was a small crofting and fishing village around its sheltered bay on South Ronaldsay, one of the linked South Isles at the southern edge of Orkney, its life tied to the land, the sea and the herring trade.
The village’s modern story was transformed by war. After a German U-boat slipped into Scapa Flow and sank the battleship HMS Royal Oak in October 1939 with great loss of life, Winston Churchill ordered the eastern approaches sealed; the Churchill Barriers, four causeways across the sounds, built partly by Italian prisoners of war, were the result, and they also gave South Ronaldsay a permanent road link to the Mainland. The Italians left behind the Italian Chapel, made from two Nissen huts, now one of Orkney’s most visited landmarks. Today St Margaret’s Hope is a peaceful village of around 550 people, the terminus of the Pentland ferry, keeper of the Festival of the Horse and the Boys’ Ploughing Match, and a quiet, close-knit community at the southern edge of Orkney.
St Margaret’s Hope through the ages
A quick timeline of the moments that shaped the town you would be buying into.
| Year | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 13th C | A chapel dedicated to Saint Margaret gives the village its name; South Ronaldsay is a crofting and fishing community. |
| 1290 | Margaret, the “Maid of Norway”, child-queen of Scots, dies in Orkney, a name sometimes linked to the Hope. |
| 18th–19th C | St Margaret’s Hope grows as a herring and trading village around its sheltered bay. |
| 1939 | HMS Royal Oak is sunk in Scapa Flow; Churchill orders the eastern approaches sealed. |
| 1940s | The Churchill Barriers are built, partly by Italian POWs, who also create the Italian Chapel, linking South Ronaldsay to the Mainland by road. |
| 21st C | The Pentland ferry to Gills Bay, the Italian Chapel and the Festival of the Horse define the modern village. |
Famous connections
A few of the people and stories that put St Margaret’s Hope on the map.
The Churchill Barriers & HMS Royal Oak
The wartime causeways across the eastern approaches to Scapa Flow, built after the sinking of HMS Royal Oak in 1939, are both South Ronaldsay’s road link and a lasting war memorial, the rusting blockships still visible in the sounds.
The Italian Chapel
The ornate little church the Italian prisoners of war created from two Nissen huts while building the barriers is one of Orkney’s most moving and best-loved landmarks, a symbol of faith and artistry in captivity.
The Festival of the Horse & Boys’ Ploughing Match
St Margaret’s Hope keeps a tradition found nowhere else, children dressed in elaborate “horse” harness and a miniature ploughing match on the sands, a unique, living piece of Orcadian culture.
Looking beyond the mortgage
Buying a home in St Margaret’s Hope is a major commitment, and the mortgage is only part of the picture. Whatever you buy, the right protection can help keep the home yours if life does not go to plan.
Life cover
Pays out a lump sum if you die during the policy term, typically arranged to clear the mortgage so your family can stay in the home.
Critical illness cover
Pays out if you are diagnosed with a serious illness the policy covers, helping you keep up payments while you focus on recovery.
Income protection
Replaces part of your income if you cannot work due to illness or injury.
Life insurance, critical illness cover and income protection are what we do. We don't arrange mortgages ourselves; we introduce you to carefully selected, FCA-regulated mortgage advisers, and make sure your protection is set up properly alongside it.Talk to us →
Things people don't always tell you about St Margaret’s Hope
Beyond the brochure, a few honest points worth weighing before you commit to buying here.
St Margaret’s Hope compared with nearby towns
How St Margaret’s Hope sits against the places buyers most often weigh against it, a quick, indicative comparison.
| Town | Rough average price | Station? | Character |
|---|---|---|---|
| St Margaret’s Hope | ~£150k–£210k | No rail, Pentland ferry (Gills Bay) | The main South Ronaldsay village; Churchill Barriers & Italian Chapel; very remote & close-knit |
| Kirkwall | ~£180k–£220k | No rail, ferry to Aberdeen + Kirkwall Airport | The capital of Orkney; St Magnus Cathedral; the Balfour Hospital; services & harbour (~25–30 min) |
| Stromness | ~£160k–£210k | No rail, ferry to Scrabster (Thurso) | Orkney’s historic second town; flagstone port; Pier Arts Centre; Neolithic gateway |
| Aberdeen | ~£200k–£260k | Yes (mainline rail) | The mainland ferry-and-flight hub for Orkney, the “Granite City” and the nearest major city |
| Inverness | ~£220k–£280k | Yes (mainline rail) | The Highland capital, a short flight away, Raigmore Hospital and the gateway south |
Pros & cons of living in St Margaret’s Hope
An honest, balanced summary to weigh up.
| In its favour | To weigh carefully |
|---|---|
| A peaceful, close-knit island village with unique heritage | No rail and no bridge to the mainland. You depend on the Pentland ferry, the flights and the causeways |
| The Churchill Barriers, the Italian Chapel and the Tomb of the Eagles on the doorstep | No hospital in the village. The nearest A&E is the Balfour in Kirkwall (~25–30 min) |
| The Pentland ferry, the shortest crossing to the Scottish mainland | Serious/major medical cases are flown to Aberdeen or Inverness by air ambulance |
| A simple Scottish council-tax bill, no police, fire or community precept | Amenities are limited. Kirkwall is the service centre; secondary pupils travel there |
| Among the lowest crime in the UK, with a strong community | Some goods, fuel and building work cost more; winter weather and darkness are real |
| Broadly affordable homes, with LBTT relief for many buyers | Very limited supply; older/coastal homes need a survey; most rural homes are on private water/septic |
Villages & areas around St Margaret’s Hope
Many buyers who love St Margaret’s Hope look just outside it too, a quick guide.
Who tends to move to St Margaret’s Hope?
Understanding your fellow buyers helps you read the market and pitch an offer.
Quiet island-village seekers
People who genuinely want a peaceful, remote island village, community, heritage, the sea and quiet, whether returning to Orkney or moving north for the first time, and who choose the remoteness rather than tolerate it.
Crofters & those working the land or sea
People working South Ronaldsay’s farming and crofting land, the sea or the ferry, for whom the village and its pier are the natural base.
Remote workers & escapers
People wanting space, peace and a slower life, working remotely from a beautiful island village, and willing to plan around the ferry, the flights, the causeways and the weather, and to check connectivity address by address.
What your money buys in St Margaret’s Hope
A rough sense of what different budgets tend to secure, indicative only, and hugely dependent on position and condition.
Your move to St Margaret’s Hope, step by step
A simple order of play that keeps things on track.
1. Get your budget straight
Work out your deposit and the true monthly cost (mortgage, council tax, Orkney’s Band D is £1,669.07, the separate Scottish Water charge where the home is on mains, insurance including wind/coastal exposure, and any LBTT, though many homes here fall under the £145,000/£175,000 thresholds), and get a mortgage in principle so you can move quickly when the right island property comes up.
2. Do your homework on the property
Read the Scottish home report, get a survey on an older stone or coastal home, check private water/septic, broadband and any croft tenure on rural homes, check flood and coastal risk for shore-side property, confirm the school arrangements and the secondary commute, and be clear-eyed about the ferry, the flights, the causeways, the lack of a village hospital and the winter, before you fall in love.
3. Line up the right people
A mortgage adviser used to remote-island and croft purchases, a good local surveyor and an Orkney solicitor will save you time, money and stress. We can introduce you to the first.
Already live in St Margaret’s Hope?
This guide isn't just for people moving in. If you already own here, a few moments now can save a lot later.
If your current mortgage deal is within about six months of ending, it's usually worth reviewing your options rather than drifting onto your lender's standard variable rate, which is often more expensive. And whether or not you're moving, it's worth checking that your protection still matches your life. We can introduce you to an FCA-regulated mortgage adviser, and review your life cover, critical illness cover and income protection alongside it.
Review my options →In summary: buying in St Margaret’s Hope
If you are weighing up a move to the town, here is the honest bottom line.
Quick tips before you buy in St Margaret’s Hope
- Enjoy the Hope, the Churchill Barriers, the Italian Chapel, the pier and the Pentland ferry, the Tomb of the Eagles and the Festival of the Horse.
- Be sure about island-village life, no rail or bridge; you depend on the Pentland ferry to Gills Bay (~1 hr), the causeways and, via Kirkwall, the flights, and weather can disrupt all three.
- Note the value picture, homes are broadly moderate to affordable, and LBTT relief means first-time buyers pay nothing up to £175,000, but island living costs more and supply is very limited.
- Confirm the council tax and band. Band D is £1,669.07 for 2026/27 (Orkney’s own charge; no police, fire or community precept); Scotland has 8 bands A–H.
- Check Scottish Water on the specific home, about £652 at Band D, but reduced or nil for the many South Ronaldsay properties on private supplies/septic.
- Understand the healthcare point. There is no hospital in the village; the nearest A&E is the Balfour in Kirkwall, and serious/major cases are flown to Aberdeen or Inverness.
- On rural homes, ask about private water, septic drainage, broadband and croft tenure, and read the Scottish home report carefully.
- For schools, note Education-Scotland reports have no single grade, there is a village primary with secondary at Kirkwall Grammar (a comprehensive), and Orkney’s heritage is Norse/Orcadian, not Gaelic.
- Use the Revenue Scotland LBTT calculator for your purchase-tax figure, not an England Stamp Duty tool.
- Visit the Italian Chapel and walk the Churchill Barriers, and go south to the Tomb of the Eagles, to get a feel for South Ronaldsay.
- Note Kirkwall is about 25 to 30 minutes north over the barriers for the islands’ main shopping, secondary schooling, the airport and the hospital.
- Get a mortgage agreement in principle before you start viewing in earnest.
- Review your protection at the same time as your mortgage, important for family buyers, and doubly so in a remote island village.
- Take your solicitor’s advice on the home report, private water/septic, croft tenure, flood/coastal and standard searches.
Nearby areas worth considering
If you are weighing St Margaret’s Hope against the surrounding area, these are the places buyers most often compare.
Kirkwall
The capital of Orkney, about 25 to 30 minutes north over the Churchill Barriers, the airport, the Aberdeen ferry, secondary schooling and the Balfour Hospital’s emergency department.
Stromness
Orkney’s historic second town on the west Mainland, about 45 minutes away, the Scrabster ferry and the Pier Arts Centre.
Aberdeen
The “Granite City” on the mainland, the NorthLink ferry from Kirkwall and the busiest flight link, the natural mainland hub for Orkney.
Inverness
The Highland capital, a short flight from Kirkwall Airport, home to Raigmore Hospital, where serious Orkney cases can be transferred.
Edinburgh
Scotland’s capital, around 1h15 by air from Kirkwall, the central belt and the fast London trains beyond.
Glasgow
Scotland’s largest city, around 1h30 by air from Kirkwall, the west-central belt.
Family Protection
Whichever area you choose, the right life cover, critical illness cover and income protection matter just as much as the mortgage.
Talk to us about family protection →Speak to Us
Researching St Margaret’s Hope or a nearby area? We are always happy to point people in the right direction.
Ask us where to start →Is this the right route for you?
This is likely a good fit if…
- You are buying, moving or remortgaging in St Margaret’s Hope and want help comparing lenders rather than relying on one bank’s own range.
- You are employed or self-employed with reasonably clean credit and a deposit of around 5% or more.
- You want the mortgage and the protection that goes with it sorted together, rather than as two separate jobs.
- You would rather someone else dealt with the lender, the paperwork and the chasing.
We do not advise on the mortgage ourselves. The mortgage advice comes from a separately regulated firm we introduce you to.
Not sure it fits? Ask us anyway.
Frequently asked questions
Is St Margaret’s Hope a good place to live?
Is St Margaret’s Hope affordable?
How do you get to St Margaret’s Hope from the mainland?
What is St Margaret’s Hope known for?
Does St Margaret’s Hope have a hospital?
Does St Margaret’s Hope have good schools?
What salary do you need to buy in St Margaret’s Hope?
How much is LBTT on a St Margaret’s Hope property?
How much is council tax in St Margaret’s Hope?
Which police and fire services cover St Margaret’s Hope?
Is St Margaret’s Hope a safe place to live?
What is there to do in St Margaret’s Hope?
What is broadband like in St Margaret’s Hope?
Is St Margaret’s Hope good for families?
Is St Margaret’s Hope good for commuters?
What searches should I expect when buying in St Margaret’s Hope?
Is flooding a problem in St Margaret’s Hope?
How do I get started with a mortgage for St Margaret’s Hope?
Can existing homeowners in St Margaret’s Hope benefit from a mortgage review?
Useful resources
Need help?
Whether you're researching St Margaret’s Hope, planning a move, reviewing your finances or simply exploring your options, we're always happy to point people in the right direction.
By submitting your details you agree that your contact information will be passed to a carefully selected, FCA-regulated mortgage adviser.
Also for homeowners in St Margaret’s Hope: Equity release in St Margaret’s Hope: releasing tax-free cash from your home in later life.
Other money guides for St Margarets Hope
Buying is one piece of it. These cover the rest of the picture in St Margarets Hope.
Protecting the mortgage is the part we advise on ourselves. Read how mortgage protection insurance works, including which type of cover suits which situation.
Short reads that work through the local numbers. No sales pitch.