Unearth Orkney's unique history, wildlife, islands, activities and culture by taking time to browse our Orkney blogs.
The West Mainland of Orkney contains a wealth of fascinating archaeological sites, great beaches to explore and plenty of playgrounds for the kids, and craft shops, restaurants, museums and art galleries to discover. The undulant, almost treeless landscape is very beautiful, with its hardly ebbing sun in the summer, and the dark loud blaze of…
Stronsay is a busy farming island, with acres of farmland, lovely beaches and low cliffs, including the impressive natural arch, the Vat of Kirbuster. The main town of Whitehall was a centre for Herring fishing for 200 years until the early 20th Century. Kelp making (to manufacture soap and glass) was also a major industry…
When travelling on the MV Hamnavoe from Scrabster, Stromness is one of the first sights you will see of Orkney. Restricted in space because of the hill, Brinkies Brae behind it, Stromness is a distinctive fishing town with houses and jetties bustling along it’s waterfront and a narrow flagstone paved shopping street running though it….
The Islands of South Ronaldsay and Burray as well as Lamb Holm and Glimps Holm are linked to the Orkney Mainland by The Churchill Barriers – blocks cast into the sea between islands, upon which a road has been placed. Beautiful sandy beaches have built up at Barriers number 3 and 4, making these excellent destinations…
One of the closest North isles to the Orkney Mainland, Shapinsay is an island dominated by farmland. One of the first sights of Shapinsay seen from the regular ferry from Kirkwall is the impressive Victorian Balfour Castle. Shapinsay is also worth visiting for its sandy beaches, Mill Dam RSPB reserve and archaeological sites of interest….
As its name suggests, Sanday is a North Isle famous for its beaches. A large but low-lying island, Sanday is particularly worth a visit in the summer when there are wildflowers, birdlife and pleasant weather to enjoy the sandy bays. Seals and birds enjoy Sanday’s coastline. Nowhere in the world, I suppose, is the sky…
These three islands can be reached by ferry from Tingwall in the north-west mainland of Orkney. Rousay is a large round island with a large hill in the centre. It is an archaeologist’s paradise – sometimes described as Egypt of the North – because it is littered with cairns. The road here undulates along the…
The most northerly of Orkney’s islands, North Ronaldsay is a small low island hemmed in by a sheep dyke which surrounds the perimeter, keeping the sheep on the shore and off the farmland. Here in RinansaySheep and Ocean are one.Ovine pulses beatTo the ebb and flow and slack.They graze on wave and ocean plants.Their flesh…
The capital of Orkney, the small city of Kirkwall is home to the magnificent St Magnus Cathedral and has an excellent shopping street, restaurants, pubs and evening entertainment available. Kirkwall is the busy heart of Orkney – inside the town, there are places where you can escape the bustle and rush. Tankerness House, with its marvellous…
