Although Orkney isn’t the easiest place to get to, requiring a long drive (with an overnight stop) up to Scrabster to catch the ferry across the Pentland Firth, it’s well worth the effort!
This group of islands has so many different things to offer visitors and the capital, Kirkwall, is one of the top destinations for Cruise ships – even the “Queen Elizabeth” with nearly 3000 passengers was in port when we were in Kirkwall in May 2015.
One of the main attractions for many people, us included, is the wealth of archaeology, ranging from the Neolithic, Bronze and Iron Ages, but also Pictish and Viking. I don’t think there is anywhere else in the UK where an archaeologist would refer to s recent find as “bog standard Neolithic” as did one of the archaeologists when we visited the Ness of Brodgar excavations soon after they were first opened to the public. Other sites we’ve visited over the years include Mine Howe, Skara Brae, Tomb of the Eagles, Maeshowe, Ring of Brodgar, Stones of Stenness, Gurness Broch and the Brough of Birsay as well as several tombs and earth houses, one of which is in the middle of an industrial estate in Kirkwall. Also, while in Kirkwall we always enjoy visiting the Earl’s Palace, St Magnus Cathedral and the Orkney Museum in Tankerness House.
Kirkwall is the main port for the ferry services to Shapinsay and the Northern Isles and the Hatston Ferry terminal serves the larger ferry from Shetland as well as many cruise ships, The town of Stromness which serves the ferry from Scrabster is another fascinating place with its flagged main street and many squares, courtyards and passages.
Mainland Orkney is also home to 2 whisky distilleries, Scapa and Highland Park and also 2 breweries. Swannay Brewery near Birsay and Orkney Brewery at Quoyloo. There are also a number of famous jewellers in Orkney like Sheila Fleet and Ola Gorie, as well as many producers of a wide range of high quality crafts in various mediums. Visit the Orkney Crafts Association website for more information.
We’ve managed to see the annual Riding of the Marches on two occasions but haven’t be on Orkney at the time of the Festival of the Horse in St Margaret Hope and the Boys’ Ploughing Match on the Sands o’ Wright. Another event we’ve only seen on video (for obvious reasons) is the famous Kirkwall Ba’ game between the Uppies and the Doonies which takes place at Christmas and New Year.
Most of the larger islands have their own agricultural show in Summer as well as each area of Mainland Orkney. The season culminates in the County Show when the ferries from the other islands are heaving with exhibitors and show visitors. Other important events throughout the summer are the various sailing regattas held throughout the islands.
Of course, Orkney has a lot more to offer than the sites, places and events I’ve mentioned. For more information about Orkney, have a look at the Visit Orkney website.