Orkney Islands

The Orkney Islands [1] are an archipelago of approximately 70 islands some 10 miles (16 km) off the northern coast of Scotland. Understand The Orkney Islands have been settled since the Neolithic Period. There is plenty to do on the islands. They are easy to navigate. The islands are great for culture holidays and sight-seeing Islands Map of the Orkney Islands Mainland, Orkney's largest island where 2/3 of the Isles' population resides. Rousay, the Egypt of the North with a large concentration of spectacular archaeological sites. Hoy, the High Island. Hike through R.S.P.B. Nature Reserve to cliffs overlooking the Old Man of Hoy seastack. Eday, the Isthmus Island with excellent walks. Sanday, aptly named the Sand Island for its beautiful beaches. Westray, Queen o' the Orkney Islands. Excellent place to spot puffins in late spring to find the best fish & chips in Orkney at the Pierowall Hotel. Papa Westray, referred to locally as "Papay", the island is home to the oldest site in Orkney, Knap of Howar. North Ronaldsay, well-worth the trip if only to climb to the top of the new lighthouse for fantastic views, and to see Old Beacon, the third oldest lighthouse in Scotland. Shapinsay, a short ferry sailing from Kirkwall and home to Balfour Castle. Flotta, location of oil terminal Egilsay, where Earl Magnus was martyred. Wyre Stronsay South Isles connected by the Churchill Barriers: Lambholm, home of the stunning Italian Chapel. Glimsholm Burray South Ronaldsay Towns and Villages Towns Kirkwall - the administrative capital of the Orkney Islands Stromness - attractive port and the Orkney's second town Villages Birsay Lyness St Margaret's Hope Get in By plane Flybe [2] offers flights to Kirkwall, Orkney from Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness, Aberdeen and Sumburgh. Air service is operated by Loganair. By boat Ro/Ro Ferries: Scrabster to Stromness, Orkney Mainland: 90-minute sailings offered 3 times a day, 7 days a week. Service provided by Northlink Ferries [3]. Approx. 30 minute drive to Kirkwall from Stromness. Aberdeen to Kirkwall, Orkney Mainland: 6-hour sailing offered Tuesdays*, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays. Service provided by Northlink Ferries [4]. No Kirkwall call from 1 Jan - 31 Mar & 1 Nov - 31 Dec. Gill's Bay to St Margaret's Hope, South Ronaldsay. 60-minute sailings offered 3 times a day, 7 days a week. Service provided by Pentland Ferries [5]. Approx. 35 minute drive to Kirkwall from St Margaret's Hope. Passenger-only Ferries: The Orkney Bus, ☎ +44 1955 611 353, [6]. Daily: 1 May to 30 Sept. 40-minute ferry from John O'Groats to Burwick £30 return. To go from John O'Groats with a connection to Kirkwall is £32 return. Day tour from [Inverness] is £65  edit See Neolithic structures Awarded World Heritage status by UNESCO in 1999, the ''Heart of Neolithic Orkney'' includes: Skara Brae, 30km west of Kirkwall [7], the best-preserved prehistoric village in Western Europe, inhabited before the pyramids of Egypt were built. 2009 Admission: adult £6.70, child £3.35, concessions £5.30. Prices include admission to Skaill House April to September. Admission to Skara Brae reduced October to March. Maeshowe, 14km west of Kirkwall [8], finest chambered tomb in north-west Europe, which contains the best collection of Viking runes outside Scandinavia. Advance booking required. 2009 Admission*: adult £5.20, child £2.60, concessions £4.20 Ring of Brodgar, 16km west of Kirkwall [9], amazing stone circle with henge ditch. Free admission. Standing Stones of Stenness, [10] one of the oldest stone circles in Britain. Free admission. Orkney's World Heritage site also includes a number of unexcavated burial, ceremonial and settlement sites. Do The Orkney Folk Festival [11] - May St Magnus Festival [12] - June Orkney International Science Festival [13] - September Diving: Most of the German WWI Imperial Fleet was scuttled [14] in Scapa Flow [15] and offers excellent opportunities to dive. Some diving companies: Orkney Divers [16] Scapa Flow Diving [17] Stromness Diving Centre [18] Holidays & day tours with Orkney Archaeology Tours - all tours led by professional archaeologists & qualified Orkney tourist guides [19] Explore the Isles: Take an eco tour or holiday with Wildabout Okney [20]. Drink Highland Park, Kirkwall [21]. The world's most northerly Scotch whisky distillery. Tours, including a free sample of the product and a gift shop are available. Sleep This article or section does not match our manual of style or needs other editing. Please plunge forward, give it your attention and help it improve! Suggested fixes: Listings should be formatted as explained at Wikitravel:Accommodation listings and moved to respective city/town articles. There are plenty of places to stay meeting all price criterias, from youth hostels to grand hotels, Orkney has it all! West End Guest House [22] - Sea Facing - St. Margaret's Hope, Orkney Rickla [23] - Harray Merkister Hotel [24] - Loch Harray Albert Hotel [25] - Kirkwall Ayre Hotel [26] - Kirkwall Foveran Hotel [27] - Kirkwall The Lavrockha Guest House [28] - Kirkwall Queen's Hotel [29] - Kirkwall Scorralee [30] - Orphir Westrow Lodge [31] - Orphir Girnigoe[32] - Shapinsay Miller's House [33] - Stromness Stromness Hotel [34] - Stromness Cleaton House [35] - Westray Auld Smokehoose & Scapa Lodge +441224739123 - Kirkwall 76 Junction Road +441856872281 - Kirkwall Bis Geos Self Catering [36] - Westray The Kilnmans Cottage [37] - Westray Kirkwall Youth Hostel [38] - Kirkwall Stromness Youth Hostel [39] - Stromness The Creel Restaurant with Rooms [40] - St. Margaret's Hope Lynnfield Hotel [41] - 4 star Kirkwall hotel Horrie Farm Holiday Apartments, Tankerness, [42]. Two spacious apartments surrounded by farmland teeming with wildlife. Close to Kirkwall and Minehowe with many amenities nearby.  edit Holland House, Harray, [43].  edit Get out This article is an outline and needs more content. It has a template, but there is not enough information present. Please plunge forward and help it grow!