The location is ideal for touring Orkney Mainland, it lies about 4 miles from Skaill Bay, with its wonderful rocks and sandy beach and the world famous Skara Brae, around 6 miles to the Standing Stones of Stenness, Maeshowe and the Ring of Brodgar.

It is about 8 miles to Stromness and 14 miles to Kirkwall.  The Brough of Birsay is within easy reach, with walks along the coast both there and at Marwick Bay and Marwick Head.

The Old Swartland Road, which is a footpath running along the edge of fields and the Loch of Harray is just around the corner and leads all the way to The Merkister Hotel, a lovely summer evening’s walk for a meal or a drink.

West Mainland is dotted with craft makers and artists and also has a number of small museums and many other places of interest including many wonderful tearooms!

Orkney boasts 13 bird reserves, 6 within about 10 miles of the cottage.  Dene Cottage is also within easy reach of all other parts of Mainland Orkney, the southern isles via the Churchill Barriers and for day trips to the inner isles.

The patio window of the sun-lounge is a perfect vantage point from which to view the many birds which visit Orkney throughout the seasons as the cottage overlooks an area of marshland much favoured by so many birds.