"The Orkney Islands." Top 5 Page for this destination Orkney by leics

Orkney Travel Guide: 237 reviews and 404 photos

I'd wanted to go to the Orkney Islands for many years because of the archaeology (inevitably). I managed my first visit in 2000, and have returned twice since. I hadn't realised what else they had to offer. Now I want to live there.

I spent most of my time on Mainland, but have also visited Rousay and Hoy. Next time I go, I'll go to some of the other islands.

This photo of the Bay of Skaill is typical of Orkney beaches.......... white sand, crystal water and hardly any people. The Gulf Stream keeps Orkney warmer than you might think ......I found coral on the beach.

Prehistory.

Skara Brae

Orkney is world famous for its prehistoric monuments, which remain in excellent condition. Possibly the best-known is the Neolithic (5000 BC) settlement at Skara Brae. Covered over by sand dunes for thousands of years, it was exposed by a huge storm in the early twentieth century, excavated and preserved. There's an excellent Visitors' Centre and reconstructed Neolithic house to help you understand what life was like for the people who once lived in the houses you can see. What you probably won't know is that even more buildings are thought to survive, and are slowly being eroded out of the cliff. It's too dangerous to excavate them, so we must wait for the sea to do its work.

St Magnus' cathedral.

The Orkney Islands were governed by the Vikings for many years and strong links remain with Scandanavia, particularly Norway. A recent DNA investigation in Mainland showed strong genetic links between the islanders and Viking homelands, and their accent seems to be a mixture of Highland Scots and Scandanavian.

St. Magnus' cathedral in the capital, Kirkwall, is built of red sandstone, much weathered but still beautiful. Its peaceful atmosphere is rendolent of the past. The story of St. Magnus is best told by the Orkney poet and writer George Mackay Brown, who lived all his life in Stromness. I recommend reading some of his novels and short stories if you want a real flavour of the islands and their past.

More detail in the travelogues below. Enjoy!

Pros and Cons

Pros:Peace, solitude, prehistory, history, birds, landscape.
Cons:Can't think of any!
In a nutshell:The most wonderful islands!

Last visit to Orkney: Jul 2003
Intro Updated Mar 12, 2011
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Reviews (22)

Brough of Birsay. Things to Do (11)

The Brough of Birsay is a tidal island. accessible by causeway at low tide (pedestrians only). A Pictish community... more travel advice

Yesnaby Things to Do (11)

To get to Yesnaby you'll need a car or bike (thoughOrkney is one of the few places I'd feel safe hitchhiking), but it is... more travel advice

Scapa Flow Things to Do (11)

The natural harbour created by Scapa Flow has been in use for centuries .....records date from the Vikings in the 13th... more travel advice

Diving Scapa Flow. Sports & Outdoors (1)

I don't dive, but I do know that diving in Scapa Flow is a 'must' for many who do. The websites below will give you more... more travel advice

Transportation (2)
See All Getting there without a car.
Hotels (1)
Good central accommodation.
Off The Beaten Path (3)
See All Mine Howe

Travelogues (3)

1 - 3 of 3

Comments (33)

Trekki Feb 24, 2012 at 7:37 AM Report Abuse

Sounds fascinating as well. My kind of place with wind and green and rough coast to see. Did you work here? Archaological things I mean? Oh and more stuff to read, with George Mackay Brown :-)
lynnehamman Apr 22, 2009 at 4:12 PM Report Abuse

Hi-last night we watched a doco on the amazing Skara Brae iron-age discovories. I was mesmerised. I had NO idea about these, and now they are calling.Thanks for the great info and pics.
cpiers47 Oct 11, 2008 at 10:19 AM Report Abuse

Thanks so much for fantastic tips and pictures!
VeronicaG May 18, 2008 at 11:01 AM Report Abuse

Enjoyed the archaeological sites on your page very much. It all sounds so exciting...you must have been in your glory!
Anne12 Feb 22, 2008 at 12:54 PM Report Abuse

Hi J, when in the Orkneys I visited Skara Brae and was amazed, totally amazed. I have often told others about this place, but I feel you have had been there to understand:) Wonderful pages... Cheers from Aussie land:)
columbus756 Feb 21, 2008 at 2:38 PM Report Abuse

Thanks for posting this info--I've enjoyed reading and viewing.
evaanna Dec 2, 2007 at 1:22 AM Report Abuse

Fascinating page on great places. And to think that a colleague of mine has said there is nothing to see there. Loved the ancient tombs and remains of houses, not to mention the abundance of seabirds. Thanks for the link to the Orcadian too.
Roadquill Nov 20, 2007 at 9:22 PM Report Abuse

"J" Good info on the Orkneys. We were just in Scotland a few months ago in the Highlands and loved it. Not enough to live there though...;-) good travels, Karl
EdinburghRoc Apr 8, 2007 at 4:25 AM Report Abuse

Excellent photo of the inside of the Italian Chapel. Good info. Shown me how much I missed.
saracen Aug 30, 2006 at 2:22 PM Report Abuse

Thanks for the great pics and tips!