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 The Islands Map of the Orkney 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 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 offers flights to Kirkwall, Orkney from Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness, Aberdeen and Sumburgh. Air service is operated by Loganair. 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. See Neolithic structures Awarded World Heritage status by UNESCO in 1999, the ''Heart of Neolithic Orkney'' includes: Skara Brae, 30km west of Kirkwall [2], the best-preserved prehistoric village in Western Europe. The village was inhabited before the pyramids of Egypt were built. 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 [3], finest chambered tomb in north-west Europe, which contains the best collection of Viking runes outside Scandinavia. Advance booking required. Admission*: adult £5.20, child £2.60, concessions £4.20 Ring of Brodgar, 16km west of Kirkwall [4], amazing stone circle with henge ditch. Free admission. Standing Stones of Stenness, [5] 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. 2008 admission prices. 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 [6] Drink Highland Park, Kirkwall [7]. The world's most northerly Scotch whisky distillery. Tours, including a free sample of the product and a gift shop are available. 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 [8] - Sea Facing - St. Margaret's Hope, Orkney Rickla [9] - Harray Merkista Hotel [10] - Loch Harray Albert Hotel [11] - Kirkwall Ayre Hotel [12] - Kirkwall Foveran Hotel [13] - Kirkwall The Lavrockha Guest House [14] - Kirkwall Queen's Hotel [15] - Kirkwall Scorralee [16] - Orphir Westrow Lodge [17] - Orphir Girnigoe[18] - Shapinsay Miller's House [19] - Stromness Stromness Hotel [20] - Stromness Cleaton House [21] - Westray Auld Smokehoose & Scapa Lodge +441224739123 - Kirkwall 76 Junction Road +441856872281 - Kirkwall Bis Geos Self Catering [22] - Westray The Kilnmans Cottage [23] - Westray Kirkwall Youth Hostel [24] - Kirkwall Stromness Youth Hostel [25] - Stromness The Creel Restaurant with Rooms [26] - St. Margaret's Hope 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!