The fertile, flat lands of the Orkney Isles are littered with Stone Age burial tombs, Iron Age settlements, Celtic Christian monasteries and Norse Halls that all testify to an unbroken legacy of habitation in this remote part of the British Isles.They are located six miles north of the Scottish mainland. There are about 70 islands within the Orkney archipelago, 17 of which are inhabited. The 'Mainland', as the largest of the islands is known, has Kirkwell, the capital. Created a Royal Burgh in 1486 it is here you'll find the St Magnus Cathedral of 1137. The town is located on the mid-eastern part of the island, looking north over the outer islands of Shapinsay, Rousay, Stronsay, Eday, Sanday, North Ronaldsay, Westray and Papa Westray. You will find the mysterious Ring of Brodgar, near Stenness, which dominates the skyline. 27 of the 60 original stones still stand, some as high as 4m, forming a ring. Stromness is the main ferry port to the Scottish mainland that passes th ... < more >