From Wikitravel

The Orkney Islands [1] are an archipelago of approximately 70 islands some 10 miles (16 km) off the northern coast of Scotland.

[edit] Understand

The Orkneys 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

[edit] The Islands

• Mainland - the main centre
• Shapinsay - quiet island, a short hop from Kirkwall
• Rousay, Egilsay & Wyre - Rousay is packed with ruins
• Hoy - Old Man of Hoy and good walking
• Eday -
• Sanday - a quiet haven, with long sandy beaches
• Westray & Papa Westray - good for birds
• Stronsay
• South Ronaldsay - rolling farmland
• North Ronaldsay

[edit] Towns and Villages

[edit] Towns

• Kirkwall - the administrative capital of the Orkney Islands
• Stromness - attractive port and the Orkney's second town

[edit] Villages

• Birsay
• Lymness
• St Margaret's Hope

[edit] Get in

[edit] By plane

British Airways flies from Edinburgh to Kirkwall. The flight is operated by Logan air

[edit] By boat

RO/RO ferries travel to and from the Scrabster and Gill's Bay harbours in the far north of Scotland to Stromness and St. Margaret's Hope respectiveley. The ferries take between 1 to 2 hours to make the crossing.

A RO/RO ferry also travels from Aberdeen , North West Scotland cqlling at Kirkwall on the way to Shetland.

There is also a passenger only ferry that operates during the Summer Season that goes from John O'Groats to Burwick with connecting buses to Kirkwall. This is the quickest way to get from the mainland to the Southern tip of the Orkney Islands but the crossing may be affected by weather conditions.

[edit][add listing] See

[edit] Neolithic structures

• Skara Brae, 30km west of Kirkwall [2], a large very well preserved stone-built village, over 5000 years old. Admission: adult £6.00, child £2.40, concessions £4.50.
• Maes Howe, 14km west of Kirkwall [3], a chambered cairn and passage grave. Admission: adult £4.00, child £1.60, concessions £3.00
• Ring of Brodgar, 16km west of Kirkwall [4], stone circle and henge. Free admission.

[edit][add listing] Do

• The Orkney Folk Festival
• Diving: Most of the German WWI Imperial Fleet was scuttled in Scapa Flow and offers excellent opportunities to dive. Some diving companies:
  • Orkney Divers
  • Scapa Flow Diving
  • Stromness Diving Centre

Holidays & day tours with Orkney Archaeology Tours - all tours led by professional archaeologists & qualified Orkney tourist guides [5]

[edit][add listing] Drink

• Highland Park, Kirkwall [6]. The world's most northerly Scotch whisky distillery. Tours, including a free sample of the product and a gift shop are available.

[edit][add listing] Sleep

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 [7] - Sea Facing - St. Margaret's Hope, Orkney
• Rickla [8] - Harray
• Merkista Hotel [9] - Loch Harray
• Albert Hotel [10] - Kirkwall
• Ayre Hotel [11] - Kirkwall
• Foveran Hotel [12] - Kirkwall
• The Lavrockha Guest House [13] - Kirkwall
• Queen's Hotel [14] - Kirkwall
• Scorralee [15] - Orphir
• Westrow Lodge [16] - Orphir
• Girnigoe[17] - Shapinsay
• Miller's House [18] - Stromness
• Stromness Hotel [19] - Stromness
• Cleaton House [20] - Westray
• Auld Smokehoose & Scapa Lodge +441224739123 - Kirkwall
• 76 Junction Road +441856872281 - Kirkwall
• Bis Geos Self Catering [21] - Westray
• The Kilnmans Cottage [22] - Westray
• Kirkwall Youth Hostel [23] - Kirkwall
• Stromness Youth Hostel [24] - Stromness
• The Creel Restaurant with Rooms [25] - St. Margaret's Hope

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