Situated just off the northern coast of Scotland, the Orkney Islands really deserve an entire book about them, but since there are plenty this is the whirlwind guide to the islands and what not to miss.
Although often referred to as simply “Orkney”, there are in fact over 70 islands making up the group although only about 17 of these are at all inhabited by people. The rest tend to be exclusively for the local wildlife, of which there is plenty.
Most visitors first experience of the main Orkney island is stepping off the ferry from Aberdeen either into Kirkwall (the capital of Orkney) or the smaller town of Stromness. Personally I would head straight for Kirkwall as there are many more hotels, shops and attractions based there….then you can get your bearings and work out what you want to see.
Kirkwall: One of the attractions you can’t easily miss in Kirkwall is the 12the Century St. Magnus Cathedral built by the Earl Rognuald of Orkney. A very impressive structure for any town, the cathedral specialises in telling the history of the islands from the Vikings onwards.
A slightly more modern if a little unusual type of attraction is the Orkney Wireless Museum, which as it’s name suggests charts the history of radio. The museum was founded by someone who simply had a passion for radio, and now forms one of the most extensive collections in the world.
Part of the Orkney Island history which might not always be remembered is how important a role it played in World War II. There was a critical base at Scapa Flow which is now documented by the Scapa Flow Visitor Centre, detailing how the allies tried invasion from Norway and shipping using the North Sea to gain access to the Atlantic.
Stromness: On the opposite side of the main Orkney Island, close to Stromness, is one of the best preserved groups of Stone Age houses in Western Europe – Skara Brae. The houses were covered until a storm revealed them in 1850 and the area has now become recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visitors can see the original stone-carved furniture, drains.
Next door to Skara Brae is Skaill House which shows a reconstruction of how Skara Brae would have looked back in Neolithic times. The house is open April to September.
Skara Brae isn’t the only example of Neolithic houses around the islands which have made them one of the most important pre-historic locations in the world. The best way to find the further remains is either pick-up a leaflet when at the local tourist information centre, or take a tour with one of the local taxi drivers.
Other Islands: One of the biggest attractions around the Orkney Islands are simply the islands themselves. During the Summer there are a number of small ferry services which run around and between them, as well as taking wildlife tours. The areas are teaming with wildlife including seals, whales and sometimes dolphins, along with large colonies of sea birds especially during Spring and early Summer.
Getting there: There’s really 2 main options for Orkney. You can fly in with Flybe from Glasgow, Edinburgh and Inverness although that does tend to be expensive. Or take a ferry either from John O’ Groats or Aberdeen with Northlink Ferries.
If like me you can’t even cross the channel without feeling ill, then you’ll be pleasantly surprised by the trip to Orkney. I just recommend you fly to Shetland afterwards if that is in your plans as that part of the trip is very different.
Highly recommended for those looking for the wilderness combined with the comfort of a nice hotel, and very friendly people.
Other Orkney resources:
Kirkwall visitor attractions
Hotels and B&Bs on Orkney
Orkney Tourist Board
Stromness visitor attractions
Hotels in Stromness
This is one of the most famous ghost pictures around, but until recently I didn’t realise it was taken in this country.
Many major cities now have an underground railway, with the London Tube being one of the most famous, and it was here on the 10 January 1863 that history was made with the opening of the Farringdon Street terminus of the Metropolitan Railway – the worlds first underground railway.
There are actually quite a number of Highland Games which take place throughout the year in Scotland, especially in the Scottish Highlands, but by far the biggest and possibly the oldest is the Inverness Highland Games.
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Brits have always had a reputation for being a little eccentric, but every now and then you find someone who took this to the extreme. One example of this was William Lyttle – aka the Moleman of Hackney – who spent around 40 years digging tunnels and shafts under his house in the London Borough.
