Attractions in Orkney

Orkney Mainland, Scotland, UK

One of the best remaining marshes on Orkney. From the hide in summer pintail and many waders can be seen. In winter the flooded marsh attracts ducks and white fronted geese

Broad Street, Kirkwall, Orkney, KW15 1NX

This magnificent cathedral was dedicated to the Norse Earl, Magnus Erlendsson, murdered in 1116. The cathedral was founded, only 20 years after Magnus's death, by his nephew Earl Rognvald.

Liddel, St. Margarets Hope, Orkney, KW17 2RW

Outstanding 5,000 year old burial cairn, named after the Sea Eagles whose talons were found buried alongside human skeletons. Visitor centre and craft shop.

Stromness, Orkney, KW16 3LR

The best preserved prehistoric village in northen Europe, with eight dwellings linked by low alleyways. The beautifully constructed houses have stone beds, dressers and seats. Visitor centre with replica house, and café.

Stenness, Stromness, Orkney, KW16 3HA

The finest megalithic tomb in the British Isles, built in Neolithic times before 2700 BC. Runic inscriptions tell of how it was plundered by the Vikings.

Birsay, Orkney, Scotland, UK

On this island, easily accessible at low tide, there was once a major Pictish and Viking settlement. The ruins of a 12th century church, associated buildings and Norse hall-houses can still be seen.

Aikerness, Orkney, KW17 2NH

Surrounded by a warren of Iron Age buildings, this broch probably dates to the first century AD.

Hoy, Orkney, KW16 3PQ

The tower, one of only three Martello Towers in Scotland, was built in 1815 to protect the Longhope anchorage from attacks by American privateers. A 24-pounder cannon was mounted on the roof top gun platform.

Kirkwall, Orkney, KW15 1PD

The Bishop's Palace is a 12th century hall-house, with a round tower added in 1541-48. The adjacent Earl's Palace was built between 1600 and 1607.

Rousay, Orkney, Scotland, UK

This moorland reserve reaches 250m and has superb views over the north isles of Orkney. Look out for red-throated divers, merlins, hen-harriers and short-eared owls. Two nature trails, trail guide available from Rousay Visitor Centre.

Hoy, Orkney, Scotland, UK

A mixture of moorland and cliffs, some over 300m high. Great skuas breed on the moor along with red grouse, dunlins and golden plovers. The spectacular cliffs have large numbers of guillemots, razorbills and kittiwakes.

Stenness, Orkney, Scotland, UK

Surrounding the Ring of Brodgar this small, but beautiful, lochside reserve is excellent for birds, with breeding curlews, redshanks, lapwings, snipe, and shovelers.

North of Stromness, Orkney, Scotland, UK

Many thousands of guillemots, razorbills, kittiwakes and fulmars breed on these great cliffs. There are spectacular cliff top displays of sea campion, thrift and spring squill.

Nr Finstown, Orkney, Scotland, UK

Cottascarth and Rendall are wonderful places to see hen harriers, merlins and short-eared owls. Rendall Moss has one of the highest densities of breeding curlews in Europe.

off East Mainland, Orkney, Scotland, UK

This beautiful uninhabited island, with nearly a mile of vertical cliffs rising up to 76 metres, is home to a vast seabird colony. A good place also to see migrant birds.