The wealth of prehistoric sites heads a long list of Orkney options - including two historic towns, a magnificent cathedral, many museums and Scotland’s most northerly distillery.
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Easy-going walking, golf, until late in the evening in summer, great angling, superb dive sites, cruising, relaxed cycling - Orkney is certainly an active destination.
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Ancient OrkneyNowhere else in Britain has such a concentration of historic sites - simply bring your imagination to this inspiring place. See Listings for Historic Sites & Monuments in Orkney
Italian ArtistsOn Lamb Holm, in 1945, Italian prisoners of war lovingly converted two Nissen huts into a chapel using concrete, plasterboard, wrought iron, paint and incredible dedication. A poignant memorial to the past. Italian Chapel
The burial tomb of Maes Howe was already about four thousand years old when 12th-century Vikings broke in and carved their runes on the walls plus a serpent, walrus and dragon.
Kirkwall is a go-ahead, substantial harbour town with a main street busy with locals and visitors. First impressions will include the extraordinary choice of upmarket craft shops along the main street while, overall, the bulk of St Magnus Cathedral dominates the skyline, as it has done for more than eight centuries. There are many more things to explore around Kirkwall, try the Orkney Museum, or the Orkney Wireless Museum, or go for a taster at the Highland Park Distillery.
Stromness is strung out along its sheltered shore, with its crooked main street revealing narrow glimpses of blue water between its plain and practical dwellings. Well worth the stroll, however, especially to see Stromness Museum and Pier Arts Centre. For the sailors in olden times, Stromness was the last watering place before the wild North Atlantic.
No-one could be unmoved by the glimpses of domestic life in the Stone Age village at Skara Brae - but who can ever know the meaning of the Stones of Stenness? Find out more about Orkney's Historic Sites & Monuments.
In a go-ahead community sure of its identity, there are festivals and events celebrating many aspects of Orkney’s heritage. Find out more about Festivals & Events in Orkney.
Whichever island you choose, getting there is straightforward, thanks to fast, modern roll-on, roll-off ferry services.
Think Orkney, think seabird colonies - also divers and harriers, otters and seals. There’s even a ‘look out for otters’ road-sign within five minutes of Kirkwall’s main street.
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