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Justin Foulkes

There’s a magic to Orkney that you begin to feel as soon as the Scottish mainland slips astern. Only a few short miles of ocean separate the chain of islands from Scotland's north coast, but the Pentland Firth is one of Europe’s most dangerous waterways, a graveyard of ships that adds an extra mystique to these islands shimmering in the sea mists.

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Experience the real Orkney. Let a local expert handle the planning for you.

Attractions

Must-see attractions.

Predating Stonehenge and the pyramids of Giza, extraordinary Skara Brae is one of the world's most evocative prehistoric sites, and northern Europe’s best…

Constructed about 5000 years ago, Maeshowe is an extraordinary place, a Stone Age tomb built from enormous sandstone blocks, some of which weighed many…

Tomb of the Eagles

Two significant archaeological sites were found here by a farmer on his land. The first is a Bronze Age stone building with a firepit, indoor well and…

St Magnus Cathedral

Constructed from local red sandstone, Kirkwall's centrepiece, dating from the early 12th century, is among Scotland's most interesting cathedrals. The…

Midhowe Cairn & Broch

Six miles from the ferry on Rousay, mighty Midhowe Cairn has been dubbed the 'Great Ship of Death'. Built around 3500 BC and enormous, it's divided into…

Knap of Howar

By the seashore, this sturdy stone-built farmhouse and storeroom are solidly built testimony to crofting life on Papa Westray island…5500 years ago. An…

Highland Park Distillery

This distillery, South of Kirkwall's centre, is great to visit. Despite a dodgy Viking rebrand, it's a serious distillery that malts its own barley; see…

Stromness Museum

This superb museum, run with great passion, is full of knick-knacks from maritime and natural-history exhibitions covering whaling, the Hudson's Bay…

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Aug 18, 2016 • 6 min read

In spring 2016, a mysterious brochure appeared in Orkney – the archipelago off Scotland's northern tip – listing reasons to visit the isle of Mama Westray…

Nov 6, 2015 • 5 min read

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Orkney and beyond

Churchill Barriers

See 5,000 year old sites in the UNESCO Heart of Neolithic Orkney, stroll along idyllic beaches and dramatic sea cliffs, get up close to amazing wildlife and reconnect with nature in Orkney. Discover Orkney Islands and find information on Orkney holidays, how to travel to Orkney, Orkney map, and more. 

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Things to Do in Orkney

Find amazing things to do in Orkney. Enjoy the outdoors, go on wildlife tours, visit world class attractions including the Italian Chapel, and enjoy some free time. 

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Heart of Neolithic Orkney

The Heart of Neolithic Orkney brings together four key sites near Stromness on the Orkney Mainland.

Landscapes & Nature in Orkney

Reset your mind and body and reconnect with nature in beautiful island surroundings.

Leisure & Sport in Orkney

Visitors of all ages can get active across Orkney all year round, whatever the weather.

Shopping in Orkney

Find a unique gift or keepsake in one of Orkney's independent shops.

Inspiration for Orkney Breaks

Brough of Birsay

© Orkney.com

Places to Stay

Find the right accommodation in Orkney to suit your budget, from camping and lodges to friendly B&Bs and cosy self-catering options. 

North Ronaldsay Lighthouse, Orkney

Tours, Routes & Trails

Make your way around Orkney on a dedicated tour or trail, from ancient pilgramages to tasty foodie experiences. 

Lorraine Kelly's Guide to Orkney

Orkney casts a spell over all its visitors. Among them are popular tv presenter Lorraine Kelly. Lorraine tells us all about her favourite things to see and do while exploring this destination which holds a special place in her heart. 

Discover the magic of Orkney with the help of Lorraine's personal itinerary. 

Unique Experiences

Experience some of Orkney's best loved and most unusual attractions.

The Italian Chapel

The Italian Chapel is a highly ornate Catholic chapel on Lamb Holm in the Orkney Islands.

11 breathtaking photos of Orkney

Andrew Learmonth from Destination Orkney shares his top beauty spots across Orkney.

Orkney's lesser-known islands

Enjoy some of Scotland’s most remote landscapes with our list of some of the lesser-known islands.

Map of Orkney

Explore orkney.

Get friendly and helpful advice for your trip at our iCentres.

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Travel to and around Orkney

Getting to orkney, getting around orkney.

There are three ferry routes, with several daily sailings.  Pentland Ferries  from Gill's Bay to St Margaret's Hope, Orkney (one hour) is the quickest sailing, and the most environmentally-friendly passenger ferry of its type in Scotland, thanks to the new purpose-built catamaran MV Alfred. 

You can also sail with  NorthLink Ferries  for 1.5 hours from Scrabster to Stromness in Orkney, or from Aberdeen to Kirkwall, Orkney for 7 hours and onto Lerwick in Shetland. 

During the summer, there is a fourth  ferry route for foot passengers from John O’Groats to Burwick . 

You can take public transport up north to the Orkney islands – you can travel to Aberdeen and Thurso by Scotrail train. You can then catch the ferry over to the islands. 

Planes also fly direct to Kirkwall from Glasgow, Dundee, Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Inverness with  Loganair , with flights lasting up to one hour. There are connections from Birmingham, Belfast City, Bristol, Exeter, Heathrow, Manchester, Newcastle, Norwich and Teesside. 

Many people arrive in Orkney in their own car or hired vehicle. Orkney has quiet roads and an excellent inter-island ferry service. Electric vehicle drivers will find  multiple public charging points across the islands . You can find petrol stations in Kirkwall, Stromness and Dounby as well as petrol pumps on some of the outer islands.

There are several car-hire firms and taxi services on Orkney if you don't have a vehicle. 

Bike hire is widely available in Orkney.  Bicycles  can be hired in both Kirkwall and Stromness and outer islands such as North Ronaldsay and Stronsay.

Bus and coach

Prefer to travel by bus? Orkney's local bus services will help you reach most corners of the Orkney mainland. The network can be used to visit iconic sites such as the Ring of Brodgar and Italian Chapel. The outer islands often have local bus services too.

Looking to hop around several islands? Check out services from Orkney Ferries which are accessible from four ports on the Orkney mainland.

For an exciting sightseeing adventure, you could even hop onboard an inter-island flight with Loganair . These flights reach six islands from Kirkwall Airport, including the shortest scheduled flight in the world, between Westray and Papa Westray.

What's on in Orkney

North Ronaldsay beach

There are plenty of events and festivals taking place on the island. It's a great way to get to know the community and experience life as a local in Orkney.

Places to Eat in Orkney

Birsay Tea Room

© VisitScotland / Paul Tomkins

Food & Drink

Orkney is full of exciting food & drink destinations. Why not sample a tipple or brew or take a look at our list of island restuarants to try?

A tip from your local expert

Skara brae, part of the heart of neolithic orkney world heritage site

Step back 5000 years with a visit to western Europe’s best preserved prehistoric village. Skara Brae is older than Stonehenge and gives you a true insight into the lives of people who are long gone. 

Assistant iCentre Manager, Kirkwall

Other things you might like

Accommodation in Orkney

10 Amazing Things to Do in Orkney

Orkney's hidden gems.

Scotland's Islands

Scottish Islands & Island Hopping

Wellness Retreats in Scotland

Airports & Flights in Scotland

Getting around Scotland by Ferry

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A Guide to Vacationing on the Orkney Islands

Quintessentially Scottish coastlines, whiskey distilleries, and Stone Age remains are just a ferry ride away.

In the North Sea just beyond the tip of Scotland, the Orkney Islands often fail to register with tourists. Almost never are they included on any list of Europe's highlights , but why? Because, despite their "island" title, they don't offer white-sand, umbrella-clad beaches, or a balmy Mediterranean climate à la Greece and Spain?

Instead, this scattered archipelago of 70 islands — two thirds of which are uninhabited — has a time-worn, slightly mystical charm of its own. On the Orkney Islands, visitors are rewarded with storm-battered cliffs, ancient stone circles, and ominous-looking "sea stacks" rising from the churning blue water like swords.

Though the Orkney Islands are just 10 miles off the mainland and entirely accessible by ferry from the northern coast, including from Gills Bay and John O'Groats, or by plane from Aberdeen and major U.K. cities, getting there typically requires a few hours and multiple modes of transportation. The farthest-north ferry terminals (i.e., the ones that offer 40- to 60-minute rides) are at least a 2.5-hour drive from Inverness, and the perhaps more-convenient ferry from Aberdeen to Kirkwall takes six hours. The quickest way to travel to the islands is via a 45-minute flight from Inverness to Kirkwall.

Rest assured, the journey is worth it. On Orkney, you'll find a thriving capital with shops and tour operators, frequent ferry service connecting the islands, and one of Europe's highest concentrations of ancient Neolithic sites , all of which are open to visitors. So, ready to plan a trip? Here's everything you need to know before traveling to the Orkney Islands.

Visit an ancient site.

Mainland (the largest of the Orkney Islands) is packed with prehistoric treasures and was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999. Start off with a visit to the Ring of Brodgar , a stone circle that, at an estimated 4,500 years old, is similar in age to Stonehenge and the Egyptian pyramids. Somehow, 27 of its original 60 stones remain standing after all this time, and the experience of walking around these ancient monuments is nothing short of breathtaking.

Nearby Skara Brae is a preserved Stone Age settlement that was uncovered in 1850 when a particularly violent storm blew away all the sand that had concealed it for centuries. Here, you can make out walls and furnishings that were hand-laid by humans more than 5,000 years ago. And if you like the idea of sleeping alongside the prehistoric ruins, it's possible to rent an apartment inside Skaill House , a lovely 17th-century farm manor that sits 600 feet from the archeological site.

Go for a coastal hike.

With the raging North Sea beneath you and a particularly vibrant wildflower display occurring each spring, the Orkney Islands make for very memorable hiking. On western Mainland, you can walk the rugged coastline on a 10-mile path that takes you right to the edge of the cliffs. It offers fantastic views of the sea stacks, those teetering rock formations hewn from the island by the waves.

For something more guided, book a tour with the private company Orkney Uncovered , which offers themed expeditions all over the islands.

Take the world's shortest flight.

Once you've made it to the Orkney Islands from mainland Scotland, there are plenty of ways to get around. Travelers can jump on a bus, catch additional ferries, or head off in a rental car. But much like in the Faroe Islands to the north, there are also inter-island flights, these ones operated by a Scottish airline called Loganair . Among the destinations (like Eday, North Ronaldsay, Sanday, and Stronsay) is a 1.7-mile route that connects Westray to Papa Westray. At just under two minutes, it's officially the world's shortest flight .

Spend the night in Kirkwall.

The capital of Orkney, Kirkwall, is a city rich with culture and history. Records show it was an important trade center as early as the 11th century. Today, it's a bustling commercial hub, with restaurants, bars, theaters, and a nice mix of shops selling locally designed jewelry, crafts, and apparel. At St. Magnus Cathedral , a Viking-era sandstone cathedral dating back to 1137, visitors who sign up for a guided tour are permitted to climb the bell tower. Among Kirkwall's many lodging options are the family-run Ayre Hotel and the Victorian-themed Kirkwall Hotel , which both overlook the marina.

Beyond Kirkwall, it's also worth making the 20-minute drive to Stromness, the second most-populated town in Orkney. With its rows of tiny, centuries-old stone houses set against the water, it boasts one of the dreamiest harbor views in all of Europe.

Go camping in the summer.

With so much open space, it's unsurprising that many travelers want to sleep under the stars during the warmer months. Book a glamping pod or campsite at Wheems Organic Farm , an eco-lodge on a 200-year-old working farm. The property faces the sea on the island South Ronaldsay, offering unparalleled views of the surrounding cliffs and, depending on the time of year, the Northern Lights . While the property's winning feature is its remoteness, a causeway connects South Ronaldsay to Mainland, so you're never more than a half-hour drive back to Kirkwall.

Drink Scottish whiskey.

In true Scottish fashion, there are several whiskey distilleries on the Orkney Islands. Most famous of them is Highland Park , which until recently was the U.K.'s northernmost distillery. ( Kimbland Distillery , on the Orkney island of Sanday, is about 20 miles further north.) Highland Park's single malt has won numerous awards and accolades — and, because it's been making the stuff since 1798, no one is really questioning the distillery's expertise. During a tour of the facilities, visitors learn all about how the barley is steeped in water fresh from a nearby creek, then aged in Spanish oak casks seasoned with sherry. And yes, the tour ends with a tasting.

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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

ORKNEY TRAVEL (Kirkwall) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go

Orkney Travel

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Orkney West Mainland Tour

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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Orkney Travel - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

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There are many reasons to visit Orkney. Whether it be the wild, untamed beauty of the rugged coastline which inspires and influences the many jewellery makers and artists, the breath-taking and mesmerising World Heritage Neolithic, Viking and Bronze age sites scattered throughout the isles, tasting our amazing food, coveted by the world’s top chef’s, sampling the many award-winning whisky’s, gin’s and beers we have on offer or simply gazing at the panoramic views of the infamous Scapa Flow. Orkney will ‘blow’ you away!

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Will John Swinney change the SNP’s fortunes?

• Published 3 May 2024
• Updated 4 May 2024 09:25 BST

You would be brave to predict anything in Scottish politics with any certainty given the fortnight we have just had.

But one thing does looks all but nailed on – John Swinney will be the next SNP leader. And by extension, he’s almost certain to be the next first minister.

After days of turmoil – and months of challenging polls – SNP members will be hoping he is the man to steady the ship.

Are they right?

Let’s start with Humza Yousaf’s record.

There is no doubt that circumstances have been tricky for Mr Yousaf, not least because of the high-profile police investigation into his party.

But decisions like standing by the former health secretary Michael Matheson, despite the controversy over his iPad bill, were viewed as strategic, unforced blunders.

Humza Yousaf announced his intention to stand down as first minister on Monday

Mr Yousaf also angered his then parliamentary allies, the Greens, at the SNP conference last year with an announcement that he was freezing council tax.

That decision also went down badly with local authorities.

And in December he failed in a bid to legally challenge the blocking of Holyrood's gender reform bill.

That controversial piece of legislation was opposed by a number of his own MSPs, who were not happy his government kept the debate alive.

“Humza was the gift that kept on giving” as a senior Labour figure put it.

They acknowledge Labour’s bounce in the polls – sometimes closing in on the SNP – was as much about the unpopularity of Mr Yousaf’s SNP as anything else.

The senior Labour figure went as far as to suggest they thought the Conservatives had made a mistake forcing a confidence vote in the first minister, because he was so good for his opponents.

The key question now is simple: will John Swinney be different?

He brings experience to the job, as Scotland’s longest serving parliamentarian and someone who has served in government in a number of jobs.

The phrase "safe pair of hands" has been constantly used at Holyrood in recent days.

'Tougher leader'

One senior Scottish Labour figure conceded that he would be a more formidable opponent than his predecessor.

The fact a contest looks highly unlikely now means opposition hopes of a damaging internal row have dissipated (although do not expect party tensions to disappear completely).

A Scottish Conservative insider also predicted that that John Swinney would be a “tougher leader”, more likely to bring the SNP back together.

Another Scottish Tory figure echoed the feeling that John Swinney would bring more stability to his party.

And a senior Liberal Democrat admitted they were now more nervous the SNP had made themselves “more electable” by changing leader now.

But experience brings baggage.

John Swinney is Scotland’s longest serving parliamentarian

You can expect to hear opposition parties argue at length that Mr Swinney is a sign the SNP have run out of ideas.

A man who stood down from the government has been brought back because of a crisis.

Some Tories feel they dodged a potential bullet when Kate Forbes – the former finance secretary – ruled herself out of the SNP leadership yesterday.

One Tory said they would have been worried about her “fresh approach” and potential to “turn the page” on 17 years of SNP government.

It is worth remembering she may well still end up in a senior position in the Scottish government, though.

The Scottish Greens are broadly happy with how things look to be turning out.

They have made no secret of their disapproval of some of Kate Forbes’ social and economic views.

With their support, John Swinney probably has a route to a workable parliamentary majority to pass legislation and budgets - though this is likely to be on an issue by issue basis, rather than any sort of formal deal.

It is important to stress that no opposition party seems to regard John Swinney’s election as any sort of massive gamechanger.

He may well bring some benefits. But some believe that after years of defying it, electoral gravity may be catching up with the SNP – and Mr Swinney might find it hard to keep flying.

Related Topics

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• John Swinney
• SNP (Scottish National Party)
• Humza Yousaf

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Orkney West Mainland Tour - Kirkwall Departure

West Mainland Tour

(1st May 2024 until 27th September 2024) Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday - 10.30am Start at Kirkwall Travel Centre The West Mainland Tour is a semi private tour that takes you to some of the most fabulous spots on the West Mainland of Orkney. The tour starts at Kirkwall Travel Centre in the centre of Kirkwall and takes a scenic drive looking at the magnificent Scapa Flow, which was the main British naval base during both World Wars. Your guide will tell you about some of the major events that happened in the waters of Scapa Flow. The first stop is Unstan Tomb, a 5,300 year old burial chamber situated on the edge of Stenness Loch. The next stop is a photo stop at the Cliffs of Yesnaby, some of the most stunning coastal scenery on the Orkney Islands. Next on the agenda is a guided tour of Skara Brae, discovered in 1850, it is considered the best-preserved Neolithic Village in Northern Europe. Your guide will tell you all about this magnificent 5000-year-old village. After the guided tour, you will get free time to have a look at the 400-year-old Skaill House or have a look around the Skara Brae visitor centre. The tour then goes on to the Ring of Brodgar. A spectacular henge monument dating back 4500 years. This stone circle has been part of the Orkney landscape for thousands of years. Finally, we will stop at the Standing Stones of Stenness, which is believed to be the oldest stone circle in the UK. All this for only £89 per person

Our Itinerary

• Scapa Flow - Stunning scenic views across this famous stretch of water used by the Royal Navy during both World Wars.
• Unstan Tomb - 5,300 year old burial chamber.
• Cliffs of Yesnaby - dramatic cliffs and stunning scenery.
• Skara Brae - 5000 year old stone-age village, discovered in 1850 when a great storm blew away a sand dune to reveal the village beneath. (optional visit of Skaill House, one of Orkney's finest manor houses)
• Ring of Brodgar - Stone circle and henge monument estimated to be around 4500 years old. Originally made up of 60 standing stones 27 remain standing today.
• Standing Stones of Stenness - The smaller of two stone circles we will visit today, a beautiful monument built around 3100BC.

Frequently Asked Questions

When does the west mainland tour run.

We run the West Mainland Tour on a Monday, Wednesday and Friday from the start of May until the end of September. If you are looking for a tour outwith of these times or out of season, this may be possible subject to availability. We normally require at least 2 people to run an extra tour outwith of normal time.

Where do you depart from?

We depart from and return to the Kirkwall Travel Centre (normally Stand 5). If you are docking with a cruise ship from Hatston Pier, there are free shuttle buses that run from Hatston Pier to Kirkwall Travel Centre. Here is a pin for google maps. https://maps.app.goo.gl/E3fw7vMsCB8HM3QB7

What time does the West Mainland Tour depart and how long does it take?

The West Mainland tour departs Kirkwall Travel Centre at 10.30am and lasts for approximately 4.5 hours. Please arrive 10 minutes early however so we can depart on time. We aim to return to Kirkwall Travel Centre at 3pm. If you are in Kirkwall on a cruise ship then the driver may be able to drop you off at the cruise port.

Are you able to pick up from the cruise port?

We are unable to offer pick ups from the cruise port.

Tour Information

Meeting Point: Kirkwall Travel Centre When: Monday, Wednesday, Friday Start Time: 10.30am Duration: 4.5 hours Please bring snacks as there is no lunch stop on this tour, there is a cafe at Skara Brae where you may be able to buy lunch.

Transportation

8 seat minibus

What's Included

• Driver Commentary
• Guided Tour of Skara Brae and Ring of Brodgar
• Admission Tickets
• Complimentary Water

We modified this tour to roughly 5 hours. So we saw the Stones, Skara Brae ruins, The Tomb, and Hilltop view of Kirkwall. Garry provided a history of Orkney, was very accommodating and was willing to spend as much time as we wanted on the tour. Garry has a thick…

JEFFREY DODGE

Garry provided a day long tour of Orkney to our party of four through a largely wet and blustery day. The tour was superb. Garry was an excellent host & guide adapting the tour to our interests and the circumstances. He is very knowledgable on the history of the Orkney…

MICHAEL JEFFERY

This tour was fabulous. Garry was a terrific tour guide. Very sincere and also very proud of the Orkney Islands. We enjoyed him very much.

ROBERT BARROWS

We had a wonderful 5 hour tour with Garry. He was organized, extremely knowledgeable, and very engaging. We learned a great deal and gained insight into the history, nature, and character of the Orkneys. We couldn't have discovered the amazing sights he showed us on our own. Our needs and…

Garry was a terrific tour guide and made my two daughters and I fell very comfortable.He was very flexible with our schedule, very knowledgeable about the area and just an all round superb tour guide . We would highly recommend him!

WILLIAM CONSTANTINE

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