Orkney Islands

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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 the 'Old Man of Hoy' an isolated stack of rock over 450 ft high.

Over 1000 recorded archaeological sites - including the world famous Skara Brae can be found scattered throughout the many islands. Other archaeological sites include Maeshowe, built nearly 5,000 years ago, the Standing Stones of Stenness, dating back to 3,000 BC and Knap of Howar on Papa Westray, dating back to 3,700 BC.

Picts and Vikings also left their mark, especially in the place names of the islands and geographical features, such as headlands etc.

Getting to the Orkney Islands is either by air to Kirkwall or by the regular ferry from Scrabster and Aberdeen to Stromness. Ferry services to the outer islands on a regular basis makes the watching of the vast number of seabird that nest here in every conceivable rock and ledge, easily managable. Fishing enthusiasts will also find everything they would need here to make their sport worthwhile.

The southern islands of Burray and South Ronaldsay are connected by a causeway called the 'Churchill Barrier'. Built in the Second World War by Italian prisoners of war to protect naval ships anchored in the deep sea haven of Scapa Flow. The same Italian prisoners of war converted an old tin hut at their camp into a chapel, a wonderful sight worth seeing.