A Holiday in History

Scotland's authentic victorian lifestyle experience

Your once-in-a-lifetime adventure in the past begins at Boloquoy Victorian Farm & Watermill.

A vintage room with a light blue wall, displaying a framed picture, decorative plates, a mirror, and antique furniture including a small table with a pitcher and basin, and a cabinet with objects on top.

The Boloquoy Experience

Live like you’re part of the history

Black and white photo of of the old Boloquoy Farm & Watermill, including the Fea Family with children and adults, posing in front of an old stone house with ivy on the right side and a dirt path leading to the front door.

The House

Fully furnished with the Fea family’s original furniture and artefacts, Boloquoy Victorian Farm & Watermill sleeps six adults in three historic double beds – and the option to sleep in an original Orkney box bed.

Spanning from the 1800s parlour to the authentic 1950s kitchen (and luxury 21st century bathrooms), Boloquoy is truly a journey through time.

Old photo of men in a field.

The Farm

Still home to a range of heritage livestock, crops and vegetables, Boloquoy has been a working farm for all of its three-century history.

Once considered the very model of a family-owned farm, the land is also home to a historic watermill which is undergoing restoration, and supports a wetland habitat conservation area.

Sea scape with crashing waves.

The Island

Sanday is one of Scotland’s great island treasures with over five thousand years of archaeology, abundant wildlife, spectacular seascapes, vast sandy bays and crystal clear water.

The island is also a thriving community with heritage and craft centres, eateries, outdoor activities and year-round events.

Features & Comforts

    • The ground floor Parlour sleeps two in an original Victorian double bed within the box bed alcove.

    • Upstairs, Annie’s Room sleeps two in a beautiful white cast iron double bed, or provides the opportunity to sleep in an authentic Orkney box bed. Meanwhile, the Master Bedroom features an 18th century four-poster bed.

    • The Old Kitchen, still containing original range, has been repurposed as a sitting room and study for guests. The New Kitchen and Dairy are staged in the 1950s, when they were added.

    • Hidden away upstairs is a modern shower room, and downstairs a luxury 21st century spa bathroom.

    • Check in and out at your convenience. On arrival, you will be met by your hosts, who will have prepared a Victorian-style afternoon tea.

    • Additional opportunities for our guests include learning heritage crafts, traditional music, historical baking and cooking, storytelling, wildlife guiding or hands-on farm experiences.

    • We will personalise your Boloquoy experience during the booking process, subject to availability.

  • In the house you’ll find:

    • Basic food. Tea, coffee, sugar, biscuits, milk, eggs, fruit, condiments, herbs & spices, cooking oil & other easily forgotten things, some local and handmade treats & surprises, kitchen towel. 

    • Cooking requisites. Washing-up liquid, cloths, towels, crockery, cutlery, cookware, bakeware, foil, parchment, binbags, mugs, glasses, kitchen appliances… if it’s not there just ask and we’ll bring it over. 

    • Personal needs. Toilet tissue, handmade soaps, crisp white bedlinen, big fluffy towels, bathrobes, slippers, hairdryers. 

    • Relaxation. Beach/swimming towels, period garden games, indoor games, period art and craft supplies, picnic basket, wellies & ponchos, historic books & magazines, the Fea photographic and documentary archive. No television – just the lost art of conversation, and Victorian parlour games.

    • All heating, lighting and hot water systems are hidden to enhance the authenticity of the Boloquoy experience. You’ll find the house cosy and featuring period lighting.

Iconic outline drawings of amenities and features for a heritage deluxe lodging, including 3 double bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, garden, farm, beach access, and other rustic icons on a dark background.

Authenticity. Nostalgia. Luxury

Find us

Getting here is part of the adventure

Getting to Sanday is straightforward via Orkney Ferries, Pentland Ferries, Northlink Ferries, or a quick and scenic flight from Kirkwall with Loganair.

Even without a car, exploring Sanday is easy. We offer complimentary pickup from the pier or airfield, and a local bus meets every ferry. We can provide bicycles or ebikes, or a mobility scooter.

We will support you with your travel arrangements during the booking process.

 

How to Book Your Stay

Immerse yourself in an authentic Victorian lifestyle experience

This unique retreat offers an exclusive experience, and as such, we manage bookings with personalised attention. Our reservation request form helps us specially tailor every Boloquoy booking.

Events & Tours

If a residential stay doesn't suit your plans, you can still experience the unique charm of Boloquoy Victorian Farm & Watermill by joining one of our scheduled tours or special events.