Orkney Islands
The Orkney Islands is an archipelago off the north coast of Scotland. It consists of approximately 70 islands, with only 20 islands inhabited. Hoy is the second largest island and the only one with uneven topography; its cliffs show heathlands, bright green turf hills and bare vertical cliffs sloping down to sandy coastlines and turquoise bays. “Old Man Hoy” is a 137-meter-high cliff, and climbers from all over the world come here. The first successful ascent was made in 1966 by Chris Bonnigton’s team.
General Information
The remoteness of the Orkney Islands, their distinctive landscape, the diversity of flora and fauna make these places a true paradise. For the last twenty years, the northern part of the island of Hoy has been declared a bird sanctuary by the Royal Society. At different times of the year tourists can see colonies of seals, turtles and even, if you are lucky, otters. Birds are always plentiful here, there are millions of them, including deadbirds that nest on cliffs and rocks. Botanical enthusiasts will find rare wildflowers here, fishing is free and the brown trout here is undoubtedly the best in Britain.
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The main island is Mainland and the capital is Kirkwall. Eight centuries have polished the sandstone of the majestic St. Magnus Cathedral. The castle (1600-1607) is decorated with turrets.
.On the western side of the island is the small port of Stromness, and every year in May a folklore festival is held here. There are four ancient monuments in these parts: the Maes Howe burial chamber, the Stenes Stones, the Ring of Brodgar and the Stone Age settlement of Skara Brae.
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From Mainland, the A961 road runs south between Lamb Hill, Berry and South Ronaldsay along a causeway built by Italian prisoners of war.
.On Shapinsay stands the beautiful Balfour Castle. Rousey Island, the Great Death Ship, contains Stone Age burials: in 1932 24 skeletons were found here in a sitting position.On the island of Egilsee is the church of St. Magnus, with a round tower, and on Wair is the twelfth-century Kabby-Ruz Castle, belonging to the Norwegian commander Kolbein Hrug.
.On the island of Stronsøy are the cells of early Christian hermits, on Sanday in the Kuojnes area is a large mound with 5000-year-old burial chambers. On Ouestrei there are ancient churches and a Jacobite cave, and on the small island of Papa Ouestrei there are prehistoric farmsteads..The northernmost island of North Ronaldsay has beautiful deserted beaches.
.What to see
Stunning views and interesting flora and fauna.
>What else to do
Take a walk along the shore and admire the vast array of seabirds and seal colonies.
.If you’re not afraid
Try climbing the “Old Man Hoy” cliff.
.How to get there
If you’re going to the Orkney Islands, contact R & O Ferries (tel 01856-850655) or John O’Groats Ferries (tel 01955-611353) or use Loganair flights (tel 0870-850 9850) from any major Scottish city.
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