What's on in Orkney

Sitting just four miles of mainland Scotland, the Orkney Islands consist of over 70 unspoiled and beautiful islands, of which 16 are inhabited. They have a moderate climate (which surprises most people) that is warmed by the gulf stream and are dramatic, fertile and historic islands that are packed with wildlife and birdlife not seen on the mainland.

They are also full of historic sites, not surprising as Orkney’s history goes back more than 6 millennia and there are an astonishing 1000 (and counting) listed sites of historic interest and numerous stone circles created over 5000 years ago. Sites worth seeing include Skara Brae on the West Mainland, (a remarkably well preserved stone age village of ten houses from 3000 BC) as well as Brough of Birsay’s remains of early Norse settlers, including Earl’s Palace which was used in the late 16th century by the Earls of Orkney; also the Corrigall Farm Museum and the Ring of Brodgar, a spectacular stone circle ring from Neolithic times. Maes Howe Chambered Cairn is the finest chambered tomb in Europe, from 3000 BC and featuring the largest collection of runic inscriptions in the world. Over in Kirkwall (the capital of Orkney) and the East Mainland there is an unbelievable example of a preserved ancient Norse town and the fantastic St. Magnus Cathedral, built in 1137 as well as the Earl’s Palace, a beautiful example of later Renaissance architecture.

For scenery, head to the Gloup, a spectacular collapsed sea cave, and to Mull Head Nature Reserve, with over 200 acres of maritime grassland and home to tens of thousands of seabirds; to the Old Man of Hoy or Brough of Deerness; or to anywhere throughout the archipelago – you cannot go more than about a mile without seeing an incredible vista of wide open sky, abundant birdlife and crashing waves, and the odd ruin or two to add some perspective. When you throw in the ever-present sun in midsummer and the arrival of the aurora borealis in autumn, it soon becomes clear that the Shetland Islands are something quite special.