Orkney
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About Orkney
Orkney is a group of about 70 islands. The Orkney Archipegalo from the air shows the islands spread out. o Of the 70, only 14 islands are inhabited. So, if island hopping is your thing then Orkney is your ideal vacation destination. All of the inhabited islands are linked via ferries operating out of Stromness, Houton, Kirkwall and Tingwall. Island hopping flights are available from Kirkwall airport to six of the islands. Look out for special offers usually allowing travel to three islands at a reduced cost.
Orkney has an ancient history of inhabitation and it is well known for it's fine historic sites such as Maes Howe, Skara Brae and Papa Westray. Nowhere else in Scotland has as many prehistoric sites in such close proximity to each other as Orkney. Papa Westray has the oldest known houses in northern Europe - two adjacent farmsteads built 3800BC, which is centuries before the Ancient Egyptians built their pyramids. In all there are almost 3,000 historic sites wich have been discovered to date and more are discovered each year.
The Outer Islands offer the shortest scheduled flight in the world! People have travelled from the far-flung corners of the earth just to experience the two minute rise and fall between Westray and Papa and to take away the commemorative Certificate. If you fancy being up a bit longer and getting a bird's eye view of the archipegalo you can join British Airways' aerial sightseeing flight over Scapa Flow, West Mainland, Rousay, South Westray, Eday, Sanday and shapinsay. From this vantage point the geological jugsaw of the islands is at its most tangible abd it's an experience that will linger in your memory.
Hoy, meaning the high island, with its famous 137 metre rock stack offshore, is an island of dramatic contrasts. In the north , clifftops tower above the sea, whilst in the south headland and bay forge an inviting coastline where the Royal Navy made its base in World War I & II.
Orkney Links