What to see and do on Orkney Mainland: stunning coastal walks, fascinating history, and beautiful beaches, plus useful accommodation and travel tips.
The Orkney Islands in Scotland have a life of their own. Get swept along with our top 8 things to do in the Orkney Islands here.
Skara Brae is a large stone-built Neolithic settlement, located on the Bay of Skaill on the west coast of Mainland, Orkney, Scotland. It consists of ten clustered houses, and was occupied from roughly 3180 BC–2500 BC. It is Europe's most complete Neolithic village and the level of preservation is such that it has gained UNESCO World Heritage Site status and been called the "Scottish Pompeii". To view my blog from day five of my Scotland holiday. Click the link below. ynysforganjack.wordpress.com/2010/06/08/scotland-holiday-...
A view of the Ocean churning around Yesnaby Sea Stack, and the cliffs adorned with beautiful Pink Sea Thrift flowers in early Summer. West Mainland Orkney Northern Isles Scotland.
The Orkney Islands is an archipelago off the northernmost coast of Scotland. We took a 40 minute ferry ride from John O'Groats across the Pentland Firth to get there. I lived in the lowlands of Scotland as a child and the nearest I'd ever been to The Orkney Islands was when I went to the Edinburgh Tattoo with my parents and I was too young to remember that. I had a strong desire to visit the Orkney Islands and had to convince my husband who wasn't enamored about going to some remote area that experiences gale force winds and bleak weather for most of the year. (The Orkney Islands in latitude are only about 50 miles south of Greenland.) However, we went; the weather was better than expected - some wind and rain, but nothing exceptional and we thoroughly enjoyed it. I was surprised to discover that there was no Gaelic influence here - no clan system or tartans. The predominant influence historically were the Vikings or Norse from Norway, who were only about a day's sailing trip away. They settled on Orkney in the late 700's displacing the Picts, and their influence is all over the place. The Churchill Barriers - in 1939 a German submarine sank a British ship in the Scapa Flow. Winston Churchill, at that time the First Lord of the Admiralty, ordered a series of four causeways or barriers to be built to block the channels between the islands. These barriers were topped by roads which enabled better access to local communities for the Orkney residents. St Magnus Cathedral, Kirkwall This was one of highlights of the Orkney Islands for me. I felt like I'd stepped back into the world of Sigrid Undset's Kristin Lavransdatter - it's such an atmospheric place that you really do feel like you're stepping back in time to medieval Norway. A modern wooden statue of St Olaf that I think is a replica of the one found in the Nidaros Cathedral in Trondheim, Norway. The Nidaros Cathedral was built over the remains of King Olav II, the patron saint of Norway. More information here. The Cathedral here was named after Saint Magnus Erlendsson, Earl of Orkney, also known as Magnus the Martyr. There's some history here. Kirkwall Stromness The Standing Stones of Stenness - Neolithic monuments Skara Brae, a 5,000 year old Neolithic village, was uncovered by a storm that swept the area in 1850. Sunset as we head back to John O'Groats
The Orkney Islands in Scotland have a life of their own. Get swept along with our top 8 things to do in the Orkney Islands here.
The best place to see orca, whales and dolphins in Orkney is from the land. Hoxa Head (South Ronaldsay), Marwick Head and Scapa Flow (West Mainland) are all popular whale watching spots in Orkney's Mainland, while Catnick Head (Hoy), Noup Head (Westray) and North Hill (Papa Westray) are some of the best places to see orca in the Orkney Islands. Joining a wildlife tour is a great way to maximise your chances of orca and whale sightings, with Ocean Trek offering a great Historical and Wildlife Boat Tour. The best time to see orca in Orkney is in the Summer months of May-September, with peak sightings occurring between May to July.
In 1950, the parishes and islands of Orkney were described for the Third Statistical Account of Scotland. The accounts were published in a book in 1983 and this description of Harray by Charles Borwick is full of interesting detail and pleasure in the progress being made in Orkney at the time.
A Scotland travel blog: travel ideas & itineraries for Scotland & beyond. Guides for mountains, beaches, glens, waterfalls, distilleries & castles in Scotland.
Orkney Islands is an archipelago off the north coast of Scotland comprising 70 islands and is a history lovers dream. Nowhere else in our travels have we found Stone Age historical artefacts this a…
Mists swathe the Island of Hoy, seen here in Summer, from Ness Point, Stromness. A view encountered on the path to Warebeth. West mainland Orkney, Northern Isles Scotland.
Planning a trip to Orkney? This post has everything you need to know before you head to this archipelago of Scottish islands.
Explore Craig Taylor - Orkney's 739 photos on Flickr!
Gregor Lamb has spent a lifetime keeping Orkney's history alive. His latest book is a fascinating reference for Orkney Islands placenames and their origins.
Perfect for avoiding the crowds.
What to see and do on Orkney Mainland: stunning coastal walks, fascinating history, and beautiful beaches, plus useful accommodation and travel tips.
Orkney Islands farmer Jim Muir and his mother Elizabeth reminisce about 1960's Orkney farming, through devastating foot and mouth disease and beyond.
Ruth Aisling visits Hoy and finds unforgettable scenery, a remarkable Neolithic tomb, the Old Man of Hoy, and falls love with Rackwick beach.
Find amazing things to do in Orkney, including the Italian Chapel, Stromness, wildlife tours, Kirkwall, Highland Park Distillery, St Magnus Way and more!
Discover the well-preserved neolithic village of Skara Brae on Mainland Orkney (Scotland) - Map + pictures + tips to plan your visit
Exploring the rugged beauty of the Orkney Islands: from the rustic and weather-beaten streets of Stromness to the serenity of camping on Warbeth Beach. The Ring of Brodgar and the Skara Brae village hint at an ancient past and ancient people long gone. Explorando la belleza agreste de las Islas Ork
See some of Orkney's best scenery and discover fascinating wartime history on Hoy. Use our accommodation and travel tips to help plan your own trip.
We've picked out some of our favourite photos of Orkney.
Ferry to Orkney Scotland - Discover the views of the Orkney islands from the boat and tips to plan you journey from Scrabster to Stromness
We've picked out some of our favourite photos of Orkney.
Download our free, self-guided Orkney Folklore Trail. Drive Orkney's beautiful west coast with stories by native Orcadian storyteller and folklorist, Tom Muir.
Organising a trip to the Orkney Islands? Here’s the things you need to think about…
We've picked out some of our favourite photos of Orkney.
Scara Brae Neolithic Village is 5000 years old and predates the pyramids. It was uncovered from it's slumbers beneath the sand dunes during a fierce storm in 1860, dug into midden for insulation and warmth the houses are connected by tunnels. It is now a World Heritage Site in the care of Historic Scotland. Dan Leigh R4 and AutoKap
Use the Orkney Folklore Trail App, created by Orcadian storyteller Tom Muir and his wife Rhonda, to discover Orkney’s fascinating folklore.
Aerial images of Orkney Islands, Scotland
Native Orcadian storyteller Tom Muir and his American wife take you on peedie adventures in Orkney, where every hill and stone has its own story.
Skaill Beach and an example of the lovely rocks to be found there. West Mainland Orkney Scotland.
