Orkney

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Approximately twenty miles north of the Scottish mainland lie the Orkney Islands, which were annexed to Scotland in 1468. They were pledged for 50,000 florins by King Christian I of Norway as part of a dowry when his daughter married James III of Scotland. Although made up of about 70 islands, only 28 are inhabited and the summer is almost nightless.

Orkney is a destination in its own right. You do not visit Orkney en route to somewhere else , it is a first-choice holiday for most visitors. The islands' attractions, culture, wildlife, activities and hospitality are guaranteed to keep any group of visitors amused and entertained for a long time.

Lying 6 miles to the north of the Scottish Mainland and separated by the turbulent waters of the Pentland Firth, this fascinating and flourishing archipelago of 70 islands are home to a population of over 19,000. From the moment you arrive, Orkney seduces you with its landscape, its wildlife, its stories and its unhurried pace of life. Exploration never ceases with spectacular scenery that appears to change by the hour thanks to the intensity and fluctuation of the light.

Historically, Orkney's heritage dates back through six millennia. There are well over 1000 recorded archaeological sites throughout the islands and the quality and importance of many of them has resulted in Orkney's Neolithic heartland being awarded World Heritage Site Status. This heartland includes sites such as Maes Howe at Stenness - a magnificent chambered tomb dating back to 2,800 BC, the Standing Stones of Stenness, the Ring of Brodgar, Barnhouse Neolithic village and probably the most well known of them all, Skara Brae, a well preserve stone age village engulfed by sand 5,000 years ago - Orkney's own Pompeii.

However, these are not the oldest of the ancient sites. That accolade is left to the Knap of Howar on the island of Papa Westray, which, dating back to 3,700 BC, comprises the oldest standing houses in North West Europe.

Mine Howe, an Iron Age site in Tankerness, has now been re-opened having been open to the public briefly in the 1940s. Once again the purpose of this sunken chamber accessed by 29 steps can be debated using as evidence the displays at the Orkney Museum at Tankerness House.

Although the Picts replaced Orkney's stone-age residents, it was the Vikings who made the biggest impression on the islands from the 9th century. For generations Orkney was a Viking Earldom and most of the place names are Norse in origin.

Kirkwall (with its airport links to Shetland, Aberdeen, Inverness and outer islands, which also have ferry links) is Orkney's capital and is a fine example of an old Norse town. It is dominated by the magnificent 12th century St Magnus Cathedral still in regular use. Nearby are the ruins of the Bishop's Palace and the Earl's Palace. A visit to Kirkwall would not be complete without a guided tour around the Highland Park distillery, the most northerly Scotch whisky distillery in the world.

Kirkwall's Wireless Museum, looking at radio communications since the 1930's, gives an introduction to Orkney's wartime heritage based around Scapa Flow where in 1919 the German fleet was scuttled to be followed in 1939 by the torpedoing and sinking of the Royal Oak by a German submarine. Consequently, the islands of South Ronaldsay, Burray and Lamb Holm were joined by four causeways called the Churchill Barriers to avoid such an event re-occurring. Italian prisoners of war helped to build the causeways. Diving is now a major recreation here, complete with training facilities. They also made the Italian Chapel on Lamb Holm from an old Nissen hut. It is now the most popular and moving attraction in Orkney.

Stromness (with its ferry links to Scrabster) is Orkney's second town dating from the C17th when trade between Europe and distant colonies was growing rapidly. The town was an important port of call for the fleet of the Hudson's Bay Company before they set sail over the Atlantic. The Stromness Museum portrays the Hudson's Bay story and the town is also home to the internationally famous Pier Arts Centre.

The Orkneyinga Saga Experience in Orphir, the Rousay Heritage Centre and the Westray Heritage Centre each give further insights into the history and way of life in Orkney as does the Scapa Flow Visitor Centre on the island of Hoy.

Arriving by ferry from Scrabster, a 450 foot perpendicular sandstone column can be seen on the west coast of Hoy - this is the Old Man of Hoy, a magnet for rock climbers and the scene of one of the BBC's first ever outside broadcasts.

History astounds, but wildlife abounds! One in six of all British species of seabird (over 350 recorded species) nest here in every conceivable rock, cranny and ledge in Orkney's dramatic cliffs. These include guillemots, razorbills, shags, storm petrels, cormorants, and the favourites, puffins and over 8000 hectares of nature reserve land are managed by the RSPB. The islands are also home to a large percentage of the UK's grey and common seal populations.

This wholesome Orkney environment, the attention to detail lavished on customer satisfaction with its meats, seafood, cheeses and oatcakes, ales and whiskies, make Orkney a sensory feast for those who appreciate good food made with fresh local produce.

Orkney encompasses a wealth of history, heritage, culture and scenic beauty. Accessing Orkney is easy thanks to regular flights and ferry crossings throughout the year. Exploring Orkney's mainland and outer islands is a joy , as are the many excellent award winning eating out establishments you'll discover along the way , all using fresh local produce for which Orkney is famed.