Journey Back in Time: Rich History of 5,000 Years on the Orkney Islands
The Unique Geography of the Orkney Islands
The Orkney Islands are made up of around 70 islands, consisting of the Mainland and numerous other smaller isles. These islands are located off the northeastern corner of Scotland in the North Sea. The archipelago has a diverse range of topography, including sandy beaches, rugged cliffs, rolling grasslands and heather-clad moorland. The coastline features many impressive sea stacks, sheltered coves and jagged sea caves of varying shapes and sizes.
The islands are separated into four distinct regions: Mainland Orkney, the North Isles, the South Isles and Westray. Each region has its own unique character with a variety of sites to explore including scenic villages, ancient monuments, and wildlife-rich forests. The climate of the Orkney Islands is temperate with mild summers and cool winters.
Captivating Wildlife in the Orkney Islands
The Orkney Islands are home to an abundance of fascinating wildlife. From seabirds and seals to dolphins, whales, and otters, the area is a paradise for nature lovers. In addition to the diverse birdlife of the islands, visitors can also spot red deer, hares, rabbits and even wildcats in their natural environment.
The islands’ clear waters also provide excellent opportunities for spotting dolphins, whales and porpoises. With over 6,000 individual species of flora and fauna, the Orkney Islands are a nature-lover’s paradise.
Rich History of the Orkney Islands
The history of the Orkney Islands dates back to the Stone Age, with evidence of human habitation going as far back as 5000 BC. The Neolithic period is particularly well represented and there are several prehistoric monuments throughout the archipelago, including Skara Brae, a stunning stone village which is over 5,000 years old.
In addition, the Orkney Islands are home to a wealth of Iron Age, Viking and Medieval sites. The Orkney Museum in Kirkwall also offers visitors a fascinating insight into the islands’ rich history.
Fascinating Local Culture and Cuisine
The culture of the Orkney Islands is nourished by its stunning landscape and its people’s strong sense of identity. This is reflected in the islands’ traditional music, which is often played on Nordic instruments such as fiddles, accordions, and mouth harps. The local cuisine also draws heavily from the islands abundance of fresh seafood, with Orkney smoked salmon being a particular delicacy.
The islands are packed with fascinating festivals throughout the year, including fire festivals, music and art events. Visitors of all ages can explore the Orkney Islands and discover its vibrant culture and unique cuisine.
The Best Way to Explore the Islands
The best way to experience the beauty of the Orkney Islands is to explore them on foot. There are many walking routes across the islands, including coastal trails and inland paths, with spectacular views of the surrounding seas.
The Orkney Islands also offer visitors the opportunity to take part in an array of outdoor activities. From kayaking and sailing to rock-climbing and coasteering, there is something for every adventurer.
So if you are looking for a unique and unforgettable holiday experience, the Orkney Islands should be top of your list. Whether you’re interested in exploring its rich history, discovering its captivating wildlife or delving into the islands’ fascinating culture, there’s something here to suit every taste.
These islands are truly a special place that should not be missed!
How to get to the Orkney Islands
The easiest way to get to the Orkney Islands is by plane. Two airlines provide services to and from the islands: Loganair and Eastern Airways. Regular flights depart from Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness, Kirkwall and Sumburgh airports in Scotland. Depending on where you’re flying from, there are also connecting flights from London, Manchester and other airports.
Another option is to travel by ferry. NorthLink Ferries operates a service between Aberdeen, Kirkwall and Lerwick in Shetland. The journey takes around 10 hours and is a great way to see the beautiful British coastline en route.
Orkney Islands Day Trip from John O’Groats
Travellers from John O’Groats can discover the postcard-perfect natural vistas and mystical landmarks of the far-flung Orkney Islands on a full-day tour. A local guide will lead visitors by ferry across the Pentland Firth to explore villages steeped in Viking mystery such as 5,000-year-old Skara Brae, the Churchill Barriers and landmarks like the Lamb Holm Italian Chapel and St. Magnus Cathedral. Tour highlights include a ferry boat ride across Pentland Firth with chances to spot seals and whales and visits to villages such as Stromness and Skara Brae.
A full day of discovery awaits visitors on this journey from John O’Groats to the Orkney Islands.
Ready to start planning that trip to Scotland? Start here!
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Where is the bridge from John o groats to the mainland you have to use the ferry ?
I think whoever wrote this piece of rubbish needs to actually visit Orkney first. I’ve lived here my whole life and never seen a red deer or a wildcat. Also where the heck did they find a bridge to Orkney, come on people get a grip and get your facts right.
I think you should check your facts!
Clearly written by someone who’s never been to Orkney..
Bridge?
Deer?
What?
Has the person who wrote this ever actually been to Orkney? No forests, no deer, no wild cats, no fire festivals,( we are not Shetland!) These are just a few of the inaccuracies in this article. And you will get very wet feet if you drive over the non existent bridge connecting the isles to the mainland!
Am starting to think this was a comedy piece.
Think you need to get your facts right, no red deer, no wild cats, no forests, no bridge from Scotland, Westray is one of the North Isles, no fire festival and 6 hours from Aberdeen to Orkney or 1 hour from the top of Scotland on the ferry to Orkney
Honestly who wrote this rubbish. There are so many inaccuracies it laughable.
They are a group of islands, you cannot drive to orkney.
There are tow ferry companies, Pentland ferries and Northlink.
Only loganair provided flights.
You should sack whoever wrote the article about Orkney . It is bullshit and totally misleading . I have never read such an inaccurate report in my life !
Who wrote – and who proof-read this error ridden article?
It has become a running joke courtesy of BBC Radio Orkney and the Orkney Tourist Guides Association!
I very much doubt that the author has ever visited Orkney, let alone learned how to fact check information readily available online, for instance via http://www.orkney.com
Westray is one of the North Isles and there is no bridge to Orkney: you have to take a boat or plane, the easiest being a 90-minute ferry from Scrabster. The fire festival is in Shetland, a different archipelago 50 miles to the north. I’ve lived in Orkney my entire life and some of this is just blatantly untue! Who made this nonsense up? 🤣
Obviously you have never been here to Orkney. We have no Forests, no Red Deer, Eastern Airways do not fly here and if there is a bridge to mainland Scotland some bugger must have stolen it because those of us who lve here have never even seen a footing for one let alone driven on it. and those are just a few of the monumental mistakes in this so called expert review.
for goodness sake hire some real travel writers. I’m available and my rates are reasonable and at least you will get accurate copy and not this bullshite.
There is NO bridge between Scotland and mainland Orkney!
You can reach mainland Orkney from Scotland via Pentland Ferries or Northlink Ferries.
Westray is one of the North Isles (along with Sanday, Eday, Stronsay & North Ronaldsay) all of which are served by Orkney Ferries.
Think you need to check some of your facts about Orkney on here and there is definately no bridge from mainland Scotland to Orkney.
I don’t suspect you’ll publish this comment. But I suggest you take down the page until you have fact checked everything. Nor do I expect that you will respond, but it would be courteous if you did.
Really? I suspect you have never visited Orkney. This article is full of errors. You can’t ‘drive’ to Orkney, there is no bridge. Skye has a bridge. Orkney does not. There are three car / foot passenger routes via Aberdeen, Gills bay and Scrabster. Not to mention numerous errors in other areas of your article.
This page would be very confusing to visitors.
What a shame. This article is poorly researched. Did you even come here? Westray isn’t separate, there is no bridge to the mainland. These islands are also a fantastic place to visit with children. We have numerous beaches for rock pooling, paddling and building sand castles, lots of free playgrounds and attractions, a wildlife centre, huge soft play, sports centre. An award winning high street with local shops. There is so much here for all ages.
As an orcadian let me point out That we have no fire festival here, there is only one airline and I’d like to know when the bridge from the scottish mainland was built as I must have missed this even though I have lived on orkney all my life
This article on Orkney is one of the most poorly researched and inaccurate things I have ever read. A stark reminder not to believe everything you read on the internet. Orkney is definitely worth a visit but this article is worse than useless.
Are you having a laugh? A bridge? Red deer? Westray separate from the rest of the north isles? What? No Scrabster? No Gill’s Bay? What?
This description is full with errors
Westray is part of the northern isles, there are no wild deer or cats on the island and most importantly no bridge to Mainland Scotland. Does no one check what your AI is writing?
I have never seen an article full of such amazing innacuracies, I assume you havnt even been to our wonderful isles?
Still wondering if you’re having a laugh. Can’t wait to see that bridge 😂
As someone from Orkney, this article is complete bullsh*t. Very few of the ‘facts’ are right. Fannies lmao
What a load of baloney – you need to do your research. No bridge that I’ve ever seen, red deer never walk these islands, never heard of a fire festival or mouth harps – where on the planet are you fantasising about?
Your entry describing Orkney,”Exploring the Wonders of The Orkney Islands” is so full of inaccuracies can only assume the author did a quick “Copy and Paste” from other bits of information.
There are no “wildlife-rich forests”, visitors cannot spot red deer or wild cats in their natural environment because there are none of them in Orkney.
5000BC does not mean the same as 5000 years old.
Fiddles are not Nordic instruments and nobody knows anyone who regularly plays a mouth harp in Orkney.
There are no fire Festivals in Orkney (unless you count Bonfire Night).
Rock climbing and coasteering are not offered as activities for visitors.
No mention is made of the diving activities that take place in Orkney, mainly of the scuttled German Fleet in Scapa Flow.
Eastern Airways does not fly to Orkney. Kirkwall Airport is in Orkney and Sumburgh is in Shetland.
The ferry from Aberdeen takes 7 hours. No mention is made of the main route to Orkney operated by NorthLink Ferries, Scrabster to Stromness, which takes 90 minutes. There is also no mention of the service operated by Pentland Ferries from Gills Bay to St Margaret’s Hope.
Orkney cannot be accessed via a bridge to the Scottish mainland, it does not exist.
How the hell did this article get published? There are so many wrong things it’s laughable.
There is no bridge to the Orkney isles.
Ferries available from Aberdeen, Scrabster, Gill’s Bay and John O’Groats to Orkney mainland.
Eastern Airlines don’t fly to Orkney.
There are no forests on Orkney, barely any trees.
Westray is one of the northern isles.
There are no Wildcats on Orkney.
Fiddles and accordians aren’t ‘Nordic instruments’.
Please correct these, it makes you look very bad.
I think you need to check your facts. There are no red deer in Orkney and it’s not linked to mainland Scotland by a bridge! Also, Westray is one of Orkney’s North Isles. Loganair is the only airline to fly here. Lovely that you’ve featured Orkney but very disappointing that there are so many errors in your article.
Dear Sir/madam,
You cannot reach Orkney by bridge! You can catch a ferry or fly. There are no forests, deer or wildcats in Orkney either. You are mixing Orkney up with mainland Scotland, Orkney has a very different terrain.