Choose your day trip or create an exciting holiday tour. See more ideas about scotland travel, scotland and orkney islands. There are many tour operators from which to choose from in kirkwall for orkney island tours. Things to do in orkney list of tourist attractions in. Orkney attractions will take you to the heart of this most unique destination, and it can often feel hard choosing what orkney points of interest to include in your. Orkneyjar, also known as the orkney islands, is an archipelago in the northern isles of scotland, situated off the north coast of the island of great britain. Orkney is 10 miles 16 km north of the coast of caithness and has about 70 islands, of which 20 are inhabited. To help you plan your visit, i am sharing with you in photos the top things to do in orkney, especially on mainland orkney, plus a guide to help you plan your visit.
In this list, we have put together some of the things to do in orkney and around. Situated on kirkwalls harbourfront, the orkney distillery is the ideal attraction for gin enthusiasts looking for a quality visitor experience in the heart of orkney s main town. Self catering orkney earl thorfinn cottage kirkwall. In addition, if you want to leave your car behind, you can see many orkney points of interest and explore orkney from the comfort of a motor coach. As for the weather, it actually benefits from a cool but temperate climate due to the gulf stream. This unforgettable threenight experience for two adults will take you to the spectacular orkney islands where youll explore. Consider taking one of the orkney tours and let your guide unearth some of the bestpreserved prehistoric sites in europe for you amongst other amazing activities. Orkney scotland orkney things to do orkney points of interest orkney isla orkney islands despite its diminutive size, there are an endless amount of things to do in. Orkney points of interest include wolrd war ii history but also stories of vikings, you can feel the strong norse heritage. Stopping off on the way at various websites who have kindly given their permission for their use to inform you of places and points of. Both of orkney s burghs, kirkwall and stromness, lie on the island, which is also the heart of orkney s ferry and air connections. Overview of mainland, the central and largest of the orkney islands of scotland, which lie off the northern tip of the scottish mainland.
Excavated in 1929, the broch has a large central building with many smaller dwellingsbuildings and ditches surrounding it. Irregularly shaped, mainland is deeply indented by the inlets of kirkwall bay and scapa flow. Earl thorfinn and buttquoy park are conveniently situated 5 minutes walk to kirkwall town centre, shops, cafes, bars, restaurants and with an easy 25 minutes drive to all the historic and neolithic sites and points of interest, skara brae, ring of brodgar, masehowe and many more. Have a priority pass silver bronze on the waiting list 1 point 6. Idyllically situated by a sandy bay 8 miles north of stromness, and predating stonehenge and the pyramids of giza, extraordinary skara brae, one of the worlds most evocative prehistoric sites, is northern europes constructed about 5000 years ago, maeshowe is an extraordinary place, a stone age tomb built from enormous sandstone blocks. The house has a central hearth, complete with peat fire, and a stone neuk bed reminiscent of the neolithic interiors that can be seen at sites such as skara brae, orkney. The 10 best things to do in orkney islands updated 2020. Bosa200427 an archaeologists view of orkney and shetland we will stay on both orkney and shetland, allowing more time to appreciate the special charm of these islands. If youre wondering what to do in orkney and you only have limited time then this is the place to go. Business and vacation travelers alike can make the most out of. The 15 best things to do in orkney islands 2020 with. It includes the tomb of maeshowe, the stones of stenness, the ring of brodgar and now, the ness of brodgar.
Both of orkneys burghs, kirkwall and stromness, lie on the island, which is also the heart of orkneys ferry and air connections seventyfive per cent of orkneys population live on the island, which is more densely populated than the. Top attractions in orkney islands saint magnus cathedral. Beste bezienswaardigheden in mainland, schotland tripadvisor. Other points of interest on orkney include the churchill barriers a series of four causeways that link the mainland island to south ronaldsay via burray and the. The orkney islands have points of interest stretching way. A thousand years or so ago, vikings ruled the orkney islands, and remnants of this period can be seen in spots you can visit today, such as kirkwalls st.
Distillery tours run at 11am and 2pm each day except sundays with extra tours added for peak times. Expression of interest form orkney islands council. Its crazy that there are so many points of interest in orkney in just one small area. Situated on kirkwalls harbourfront, the orkney distillery is the ideal attraction for gin enthusiasts looking for a quality visitor experience in the heart of orkneys main town. I would like to take you on a virtual journey through the orkney islands from the south to the north.
Enjoy the wonders of holidays in orkney with structured day trips including world heritage sites and the unique ability to reach offroad view points and unusual sights. Orkney golf course is a treelinked parkland course with undulating greens. Orkney has 36 sites of special scientific interest and special protection areas and rspb nature reserves many with viewing hides. Whether youre traveling with friends, family, or even pets, vrbo vacation homes have the best amenities for hanging out with the people that matter most, including wifi and kitchens. The shores of this irregularly shaped island are deeply indented from north and south, respectively by the inlets of kirkwall bay and scapa flow, reducing its width to less than 2 miles 3 km at one point. With so much to do, youll need a great deal on orkney islands minivan car rentals. It has thirtyone bunkers and five water features as well as the vaal river, which runs parallel to the 8th, 9th,10th and 11th holes. Only a few short miles of ocean separate the chain of islands from scotlands north coast, but the pentland firth is one of europes most dangerous waterways, a graveyard of ships that adds an extra mystique to these islands shimmering in the sea mists. If you have plans to visit united kingdom and are not sure if orkney should be included in your itinerary, keep reading.
Only a few short miles of ocean separate the chain of islands from scotlands north coast, but the pentland firth is one of europes most dangerous waterways, a graveyard of ships that adds an extra mystique to these islands shimmering in the sea. The orkney brewery invite you to share our craft at our award. Kirkwall orkney islands, scotland carnival cruise line. Orkney was an important strategic site for the british navy during both world wars and the germans scuttled their fleet here in 1919. Portions of the island were designated a unesco world heritage site in 1999. Theres a magic to orkney that you begin to feel as soon as the scottish mainland slips astern. Visit orkney a guide to attractions and accommodation on. We sail with serco northlink ferries on their modern, purposebuilt vessels, the hrossey and the hjaltland, from aberdeen overnight to lerwick. Mainland, also called pomona, central and largest of the orkney islands of scotland, which lie off the northern tip of the scottish mainland. Sep 23, 2019 the relaxing islands have a lot of points of interest with history, landscapes and abundant birdlife. The 10 best things to do in orkney islands april 2020 with. Whatever time of the year you visit us, youll be made very welcome and encouraged to get to know orkney.
It is the last unrestored example of a traditional firehoose in northern europe. The 10 best things to do in orkney islands 2020 with photos. Orkney scotland orkney things to do orkney points of interest orkney isla orkney islands despite its diminutive size, there are an endless amount of things to do in orkney, scotland. The great city of orkney islands welcomes and invites you to explore its many points of interest. The cottages are set in a quiet part of stromness, yet in walking distance to many points of interest including the golf course, the stromness museum, pubs, cafes, bakery, deli, take away, shops, chemist and pier arts centre. The mainland is the main island of orkney, scotland. Discover a selection of 96 vacation rentals in ork, gb that are perfect for your trip.
Orkney and shetland islands travel guide expert picks. The capital of orkney, kirkwall, is a city rich with culture and history records. Many of the best wildlife sites can be easily combined with the archaeological ones, as the islands are quite compact. Orkney sightseeing, photos, accommodation islands of scotland. Cruise ship visitors are given a welcome brochure and street map with all the main tourism points of interest highlighted in eight international languages, and a complimentary shuttle bus service transports passengers from the main terminal at hatston pier into kirkwall. Choose from seven interesting day trips to experience the rich archaeology, spiritual and historical, wild and wondrous places in orkney. Visit orkney our aim places to stay book accommodation list of points of interest contact us orkney is an island group off the north coast of scotland. This taxi tour has been organised for guests with limited time who just want to get around to see key points of interest in orkney on their own. You can explore the enchanting islands on this 4 day short break in orkney.
Orkney sightseeing, photos, accommodation islands of. A scandinavian heritage gives the 170 islets that make up orkney and shetland a history and an ambience different from that of any other region of scotland. The 15 best things to do in orkney islands updated 2020. The broch of gurness is an impressive broch settlement dating from around 200bc. Orkney islands, scotland ancient sites and natural wonders. Most of the main attractions in the orkney islands are located on the west side of mainland. You might wish to revisit it someday again, to take a break and relax at orkney. This unforgettable threenight experience for two adults will take you to the spectacular orkney islands where youll explore the fascinating heart of neolithic orkney, experience breathtaking natural landscapes, admire traditional craftsmanship and learn about the worldfamous whisky. Orkney attractions will take you to the heart of this most unique destination, and it can often feel hard choosing what orkney points of interest to include in your bucket list. The 10 best things to do in mainland 2020 with photos. The main attraction for visitors to orkney is its ancient history.
The relaxing islands have a lot of points of interest with history, landscapes and abundant birdlife. Youll visit key orkney points of interest, such as the fascinating historic sites of the heart of neolithic orkney, and discover the wonder of orkney through the elements of fire, air, earth and water. Book your tickets online for the top things to do in orkney islands, scotland on tripadvisor. Earl thorfinn and buttquoy park are conveniently situated 5 mins walk from kirkwall centre of the town centre and an easy drive to all the historic sites and points of interest read more for full details. Below is an overviews of the things to do in the orkney on this island.
Book your tickets online for the top things to do in mainland, orkney islands on tripadvisor. Stopping off on the way at various websites who have kindly given their permission for their use to inform you of places and points of interest, and places to stay whilst visiting orkney. Getting to orkney for a day travel to orkney orkey. The 10 best things to do in orkney islands april 2020. Seventyfive per cent of orkney s population live on the island, which is more densely populated than the other islands of the archipelago.
Each day is very different and the islands history, culture, wildlife, arts and music are sure to leave a lasting impression. Day trip or exciting holiday tour explore orkney day. This unforgettable threenight experience for two adults will take you to the. Short break in orkney 4 day itinerary visitscotland. From the stone age to the picts and vikings, the islands have so many sites of archaeological interest that it is impossible to list them all here.