Orkney Islands Travel
Orkney Islands Overview
Orkney is a huge archipelago of approximately 70 islands off the northern coast of Scotland. The islands enjoy a temperate climate with cool summers and gentle winters. The best time to visit the islands is between Easter season and October.
Orkney Islands Main Attractions
Orkney Islands have been awarded World Heritage status by UNESCO in 1999 for the “Heart of Neolithic Orkney”. The Neolithic structures of Orkney Islands make it famous. The Heart of Neolithic Orkney includes Skara Brae, Maeshowe, Ring of Brodgar, and Standing Stones of Stenness. Orkney's World Heritage site also includes a number of unexcavated burial, ceremonial and settlement sites. There are so many exciting places to visit on Orkney that it is hard to figure out where to start.
Orkney Islands serve as home for different genera of birds. The sea cliffs of Orkney are a haven for seabirds, with some of the largest colonies in the UK. Most of the common species are fulmars, kittiwakes, guillemots and razorbills. Some islands shelter pecking birds. They are common in woodland habitat, which is in short supply on Orkney. The most common species here are blackbirds, thrush, chaffinches, and linnet and skylark and meadow pipit. These are only examples of birds you can see in the Orkney and there are much more to see.
Orkney Islands Activities
Orkney has unique festivals during the months of May, June and September. There’s the Orkney Folk Festival during May, St Magnus Festival in June and Orkney International Science Festival in September. The surrounding waters of the island shelter an amazing marine life and the best way to enjoy the water of this kind is diving or snorkeling. There are some diving companies that may help you in this unique diving experience. There is also holiday and day tours led by professional archaeologists and qualified Orkney tourist guides so you can enjoy the beauty of the islands.
Orkney Islands Accommodation & Dining
If your idea of a fine accommodation is a historic medieval coaching in or an elegant 18th century country house hotel, you’re not out of your path. Orkney is the home for this type of accommodation – they offer a taste of history. Orkney’s claim to be Scotland’s “secret jewel” is well-founded. Of all the Scottish Islands, it has the widest range of attractions to offer the visitor. The open living and dining area has a bright airy feel that makes Orkney dining a superb experience. The restaurants in Orkney serve good food ranging from local cuisines to international cooking.
Orkney Islands Shopping & Nightlife
Spending a night in Orkney is a superb experience. Apart from the traditional hanging out with your friends in different bars and pubs in the island, you can enjoy the invigorating mix of community and contemporary music. Every island has quite a lot of shops, markets, groceries and supermarkets. If you are self-catering, you can avail your basic needs at a reasonable price.
Getting To & Around the Orkney Islands
Flybe offers flights to Kirkwall, Orkney from Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness, Aberdeen and Sumburgh. Loganair operates air service. There are also different ferries operating from the mainland to Kirkwall.
