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Orkney
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Explore Orkney’s Neolithic monuments, island communities, sea cliffs, wildlife, historic harbours and distinctive northern Scottish food culture.

Orkney is an archipelago of more than 70 islands lying off the northern tip of mainland Scotland, where open sea, low green farmland, dramatic cliffs and archaeological monuments form a remarkably coherent landscape. Most visitors begin on Mainland, the largest island, but Orkney is best understood as a network of communities connected by ferries, causeways and short flights. Kirkwall, the administrative centre, combines a working harbour with a medieval cathedral, while Stromness stretches along a sheltered waterfront of stone houses, narrow lanes and maritime history.
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The islands possess one of Europe’s most important prehistoric landscapes. Around western Mainland, the Heart of Neolithic Orkney World Heritage Site brings together the village of Skara Brae, the chambered tomb of Maeshowe, the Ring of Brodgar and the Stones of Stenness. These monuments are not isolated curiosities: they occupy a broad pastoral setting whose lochs, fields and low horizons help explain how ancient communities organised ceremonial and domestic life. Elsewhere, Iron Age brochs, Norse churches and wartime remains reveal successive layers of occupation.
Orkney’s natural character is equally distinctive. Sea cliffs support breeding seabirds, tidal channels separate the islands, and beaches of pale sand appear beside working crofts and small harbours. Hoy is more rugged than much of Mainland, with steep hills, heathland and the recognisable sea stack known as the Old Man of Hoy. In the north, islands such as Westray, Papa Westray and North Ronaldsay offer quieter roads, strong community identities and excellent opportunities for wildlife watching, walking and observing traditional island economies.
Food reflects the surrounding waters and fertile grazing land. Local menus commonly feature crab, lobster, scallops, mussels, salmon, Orkney beef and lamb, while Orkney cheddar and the distinctive bere grain connect contemporary cooking with older agricultural practice. Orkney wine, craft beer and whisky provide further links to the islands’ modern food culture. The rhythm of a visit is shaped by tides, ferry crossings, weather and daylight, making advance planning important, particularly for journeys beyond Mainland.
Orkney’s appeal lies in the way its history remains part of everyday geography rather than being confined to museums. A walk beside a sea cliff may lead to a Neolithic chamber or wartime battery; a visit to Kirkwall can combine craft shops, food producers and one of Scotland’s great medieval buildings. Allow time for the distances between islands, respect fragile archaeological and coastal sites, and leave space for weather-dependent discoveries along the way.

When is the best time to visit Orkney?

Best: June–August · 15–17°C
Average daytime high and rainfall by month
MonthHigh (°C)Rainfall (mm)
January6100
February680
March770
April1060
May1260
June (best)1560
July (best)1770
August (best)1780
September1580
October1290
November8100
December7110

Getting to and around Orkney

How to get there

Most visitors reach Orkney by ferry from Scrabster on the Scottish mainland to Stromness, or from Gill’s Bay near John o’ Groats to St Margaret’s Hope; both mainland ports are outside Orkney. NorthLink Ferries also connects Aberdeen and Kirkwall, with journey patterns varying by season. Kirkwall Airport on Mainland has air links to Scottish cities, while smaller airports serve some outer islands. Check current ferry and flight arrangements before booking accommodation, particularly if travelling beyond Mainland.

Transportation

Mainland Orkney is manageable by car, and driving gives the greatest flexibility for archaeological sites, beaches and coastal viewpoints. Buses connect Kirkwall, Stromness and other settlements, but rural services are less frequent and may not suit tightly timed itineraries. Inter-island travel uses ferries and, for some islands, scheduled flights; connections can be limited outside peak periods. Cycling is rewarding on quieter roads, though strong winds, narrow lanes and long distances require preparation. Taxis are available but should be arranged ahead in remote areas.

Best attractions in Orkney

Orkney’s attractions range from internationally important prehistoric archaeology to working harbours, wartime remains and wildlife-rich coastlines. On Mainland, the Heart of Neolithic Orkney links Skara Brae, Maeshowe, the Ring of Brodgar and the Stones of Stenness in a landscape where lochs, pasture and stone monuments remain closely connected. Kirkwall offers St Magnus Cathedral and the Orkney Museum, while Stromness provides maritime history and access towards Hoy. The Italian Chapel on Lamb Holm recalls the ingenuity of Italian prisoners of war, and the Churchill Barriers combine engineering history with distinctive coastal scenery. Rousay is noted for dense archaeological remains, including Midhowe Broch and nearby cairns, while Hoy appeals to walkers with hills, cliffs and the Old Man of Hoy. Westray and Papa Westray are valued for seabirds, beaches and archaeological sites, and North Ronaldsay offers a distinctive island landscape shaped by its seaweed-eating sheep. Across the archipelago, attractions are often experienced outdoors, so tides, weather, ferry times and walking conditions are part of the practical planning.

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Best landmarks in Orkney

St Magnus Cathedral dominates Kirkwall’s historic centre with its distinct red and yellow sandstone, Norman and later Gothic features, and centuries-long association with Orkney’s religious and political history. In the west of Mainland, the Ring of Brodgar forms an imposing ceremonial circle within the Neolithic landscape, while the Stones of Stenness preserve another group of monumental stones on a narrow isthmus between lochs. Nearby Maeshowe is a carefully constructed chambered tomb whose passage admits winter sunlight, and Skara Brae’s stone-built houses offer an unusually intimate view of Neolithic domestic life. Stromness itself is a landmark maritime town, its long waterfront and stone lanes shaped by North Atlantic trade. On Hoy, the Old Man of Hoy rises as a striking sea stack from the cliffs, while the Italian Chapel on Lamb Holm stands as a deeply personal wartime memorial. These places differ in scale and age, but together express Orkney’s defining relationship with stone, sea routes and exposed northern landscapes.

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Best restaurants in Orkney

Orkney’s food culture is grounded in the surrounding sea, fertile grazing land and small-scale island production. Seafood is central, with crab, lobster, scallops, mussels, salmon and other catches appearing in cafés, restaurants and seasonal menus. Orkney beef and lamb are widely associated with the islands, while Orkney cheddar and other dairy products reflect the importance of pasture. Bere, an ancient barley variety, remains a distinctive local ingredient found in flour, bannocks, biscuits and craft drinks. Kirkwall and Stromness have the broadest choice of restaurants, cafés, bakeries and pubs, while rural inns and island cafés often provide simpler menus shaped by available produce and service days. Food shops and farm outlets are useful for picnics, particularly when exploring archaeological sites or waiting for ferries. Local whisky, beer and soft drinks complement the regional larder, but opening arrangements can be limited outside the principal towns, so advance planning is sensible for evening meals on smaller islands.

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Best bars in Orkney

Orkney’s evening life is centred on traditional pubs, hotel bars, restaurants and occasional live-music nights rather than a large nightclub scene. Kirkwall has the broadest selection, with places where residents, ferry travellers and visitors share a social setting, while Stromness offers a smaller harbour-town choice. Pubs across Mainland and the outer islands may serve local beer, whisky and food, but hours and availability vary considerably with the season and day of the week. Community halls sometimes host dances, concerts or cultural events, although these should be checked locally rather than assumed to run on a regular schedule. Evenings on smaller islands are generally quiet and shaped by conversation, dining, music and the weather. Visitors should arrange transport in advance, particularly outside Kirkwall and Stromness, as rural bus services and taxi availability can be limited after dark.

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Best nightclubs in Orkney

Orkney’s evening life is centred on traditional pubs, hotel bars, restaurants and occasional live-music nights rather than a large nightclub scene. Kirkwall has the broadest selection, with places where residents, ferry travellers and visitors share a social setting, while Stromness offers a smaller harbour-town choice. Pubs across Mainland and the outer islands may serve local beer, whisky and food, but hours and availability vary considerably with the season and day of the week. Community halls sometimes host dances, concerts or cultural events, although these should be checked locally rather than assumed to run on a regular schedule. Evenings on smaller islands are generally quiet and shaped by conversation, dining, music and the weather. Visitors should arrange transport in advance, particularly outside Kirkwall and Stromness, as rural bus services and taxi availability can be limited after dark.

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Best shops in Orkney

Kirkwall and Stromness provide Orkney’s main concentration of independent shops, galleries, bookshops, food retailers and craft outlets. Visitors can find locally produced knitwear, ceramics, jewellery, prints, textiles and artwork, often reflecting maritime scenery, prehistoric forms or island wildlife. Orkney food products make practical souvenirs: cheese, bere flour and baking, smoked seafood, preserves, confectionery, whisky and locally made beer are widely associated with the islands, although availability varies between settlements. Small community shops on outer islands are useful for provisions and locally made goods but have limited stock and more restricted opening patterns than urban retailers. Craft studios, galleries and farm shops are scattered across Mainland and some outer islands, making a car or carefully planned route helpful. Kirkwall’s town centre is the best general-purpose shopping base, while Stromness has a more compact harbour-town character; neither should be treated as a major department-store or luxury-shopping destination.

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Orkney essentials

Currency and Payment
Orkney uses pound sterling, GBP, as part of the United Kingdom. Cards and contactless payments are widely accepted in towns, accommodation, visitor attractions and many cafés, but carrying some cash is sensible for small purchases, honesty stalls, rural services and occasional payment-terminal or signal problems. Scottish banknotes circulate alongside Bank of England notes, although businesses elsewhere in the UK may be less familiar with particular Scottish designs. Check whether smaller islands or remote providers have reliable card connectivity.
Safety
Orkney is generally a calm destination, but its exposed environment demands care. Keep well back from cliff edges, especially in high winds, and do not rely on fences as protection. Sea conditions can change quickly around beaches, tidal channels and rocky shores. On rural roads, expect livestock, cyclists, blind bends and limited lighting; drive patiently and allow ferries plenty of time. Weatherproof clothing, offline maps and charged phones are useful for walks, while visitors exploring remote coastlines should tell someone their plans.
Emergency Situations
Call 999 or 112 anywhere in Orkney for police, fire or ambulance services. For a coastal emergency, ask for the Coastguard; mountain or remote-land incidents should also be reported through 999, with the appropriate rescue service alerted by the emergency operator. Mobile coverage varies across islands and coastal areas, so do not depend on a signal during isolated walks. Give the operator the island, nearest settlement, road, pier or landmark, and follow local advice during severe weather or transport disruption.
Do's and Don'ts
Do respect working harbours, crofts, livestock and private property, and close gates after using permitted paths. Keep dogs under control near sheep and nesting birds, follow marked routes around archaeological sites and take care not to touch or climb fragile remains. Do not remove stones, shells or archaeological material, and avoid blocking narrow roads while taking photographs. In churches and chapels, dress and behave respectfully. Tipping is discretionary rather than compulsory, while good manners, patience and advance arrangements are particularly valued in small island communities.
Local Tips
Combine the major Neolithic sites with time in the surrounding landscape rather than treating them as quick roadside stops. Stromness is a useful base for exploring western Mainland and ferry connections to Hoy, while Kirkwall is practical for eastern Mainland and Lamb Holm. Visit island shops and cafés during their stated service periods, as opening patterns can be seasonal. For birdwatching, bring binoculars and check local access guidance; for outer-island trips, confirm return connections before setting out because alternatives may be very limited.
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From Eve

Local phrases worth knowing

You don't need to get them perfect. A few words go a long way, and locals appreciate the effort.

6 phrase groups · English, local and pronunciation

Basics
EnglishLocalSay it
HelloHoo's it gaun?[Hoo's it gawn?]
GoodbyeSee ye later[See ye lay-ter]
YesAye[Aye]
NoNae[Nay]
Please/You're welcomePlease[Please]
Thank youCheers[Cheers]
Excuse me/SorryScuse me/Sorry[Skewz me/Sorry]
How are you?Hoo's it gaun?[Hoo's it gawn?]
Fine. And you?Aye, fine. An ye?[Aye, fine. An ye?]
Do you speak English?Dae ye speak English?[Day ye speak English?]
I don't understandI dinnae understand[I din-ne understand]
Eating & Drinking
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to see the menu, pleaseAh'd like tae see the menu, please[Ah'd like tay see the menu, please]
I don't eat meatAh dinnae eat meat[Ah din-ne eat meat]
Cheers!Cheers![Cheers!]
I would like to pay, pleaseAh'd like tae pay, please[Ah'd like tay pay, please]
Emergencies
EnglishLocalSay it
Help!Help![Help!]
Go away!Gae awa![Gae awa!]
Call the Police!Call the polis![Call the polis!]
Call a doctor!Call a doctor![Call a doctor!]
I'm lostAh'm lost[Ah'm lost]
I'm illAh'm ill[Ah'm ill]
Shopping
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to buy...Ah'd like tae buy...[Ah'd like tay buy...]
I'm just lookingAh'm just lookin'[Ah'm just look-in']
How much is it?Hoo much is it?[Hoo much is it?]
That's too expensiveThat's ower dear[That's ower deer]
Can you lower the price?Can ye lower the price?[Can ye lower the price?]
Time & Numbers
EnglishLocalSay it
What time is it?Whit time is it?[Whit time is it?]
It's one o'clockIt's one o'clock[It's one o'clock]
Half past (10)Half past ten[Half past ten]
MorningMornin'[Mornin']
AfternoonAftirnoon[Aftirnoon]
EveningEvenin'[Evenin']
YesterdayYestreen[Yestreen]
TodayTiday[Tiday]
TomorrowMorn[Morn]
1Ae[Ae]
2Twa[Twa]
3Tree[Tree]
4Fower[Fower]
5Five[Five]
6Six[Six]
7Seven[Seven]
8Eight[Eight]
9Nine[Nine]
10Ten[Ten]
Transport & Directions
EnglishLocalSay it
Where's a/the...?Whar's a/the...?[Whar's a/the...?]
What's the address?Whit’s the address?[Whit’s the address?]
Can you show me (on the map)?Can ye show me (on the map)?[Can ye show me (on the map)?]
When's the next (bus)?When's the next (bus)?[When's the next (bus)?]
A ticket (to ....)A ticket (ta ...)[A ticket (ta ...)]

History of Orkney

Neolithic Orkney, c. 3200–2200 BCE

Orkney contains one of northern Europe’s most important concentrations of Neolithic monuments. The extraordinary village at Skara Brae, the chambered tomb of Maeshowe and the ceremonial monuments around the Ring of Brodgar and Stones of Stenness demonstrate settled farming, skilled construction and complex beliefs. The monuments’ alignment within a broad landscape of lochs and cultivated land is as significant as the individual structures. Together they form the Heart of Neolithic Orkney World Heritage Site and provide evidence of communities that were connected to wider prehistoric networks across Britain and the North Atlantic.

Pictish and Iron Age Communities

After the Neolithic period, Orkney remained an important maritime region inhabited by communities whose archaeology includes brochs, wheelhouses, settlements and burial sites. The best-known surviving structures include the Broch of Gurness on Mainland and the exceptionally well-preserved Midhowe Broch on Rousay. These monumental stone buildings were not simply defensive towers: they formed part of wider settlements and reflect social organisation, regional power and adaptation to an island environment. Pictish-era carved stones and later archaeological discoveries add evidence for cultural change before the arrival of Norse rule.

Norse Orkney and the Earldom

From the late eighth and ninth centuries, Norse settlers and rulers reshaped Orkney’s language, landholding patterns and political connections. The islands became the centre of the Norse earldom of Orkney, which at times extended influence across parts of northern Scotland and the western seaways. Norse place names remain widespread, while the Orkneyinga Saga preserves a literary, though not wholly literal, account of the earls and their rivalries. In 1468, Orkney was pledged to the Scottish crown by the Norwegian king Christian I, and its subsequent integration into Scotland gradually altered its political orientation.

Kirkwall and Medieval Christianity

The construction of St Magnus Cathedral in Kirkwall began in the early twelfth century under the Norse earls and created a major ecclesiastical centre in the North Atlantic. Built from local red and yellow sandstone, the cathedral embodies Orkney’s Scandinavian connections as well as its later relationship with Scotland. Kirkwall developed around the cathedral and its associated religious institutions, while smaller churches and chapels served island communities. The Reformation in the sixteenth century transformed religious life, but medieval ecclesiastical buildings and place names continue to shape Orkney’s towns and landscapes.

Maritime Trade and the Hudson’s Bay Company

From the seventeenth century, Orkney’s position between Scotland, Norway and the wider North Atlantic supported seafaring, fishing and trade. Stromness became an important harbour for ships heading towards the Arctic and North America, and Orcadian sailors were recruited in considerable numbers by the Hudson’s Bay Company. The town’s long waterfront, warehouses and narrow streets preserve the character of a port shaped by transoceanic commerce. Maritime work remained central to island life even as agriculture, kelp production and local fishing continued to sustain communities across the archipelago.

The First World War and Scapa Flow

Scapa Flow, the sheltered waters between Orkney’s islands, became a major British naval base during the First World War and again during the Second. Defensive batteries, barriers, piers and other military remains still mark the coastline, particularly around the eastern approaches to the anchorage. In 1919, the interned German High Seas Fleet was scuttled in Scapa Flow, a dramatic episode whose surviving wrecks later became a major attraction for experienced divers. Wartime infrastructure altered island life and left a lasting imprint on Orkney’s maritime landscape.

Italian Prisoners of War and the Italian Chapel

During the Second World War, Italian prisoners of war held on Lamb Holm built a chapel from corrugated iron, concrete and salvaged materials between 1943 and 1945. The interior was decorated with remarkable care by the prisoners, creating a place of worship that has survived as a moving symbol of creativity and faith under difficult conditions. The chapel also reflects the scale of wartime activity in Orkney, when the islands hosted naval personnel, defences and infrastructure associated with the protection of Scapa Flow.

Modern Island Communities and Sustainable Heritage

Twentieth- and twenty-first-century Orkney has combined farming, fishing, public services, tourism and renewable-energy development while maintaining strong community identities across the islands. Improved roads, causeways, ferries and air links have changed access, although remoteness and weather still influence daily life. Heritage conservation, marine archaeology and wildlife protection are now important parts of the regional economy. Contemporary Orkney remains shaped by debates familiar to island communities worldwide: how to support local populations, manage visitors and protect landscapes without reducing living places to museum pieces.

Orkney in Photos

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Evendo - Your Ultimate Travel Guide to Orkney

Discover the best of Orkney with Evendo, a 100% free app-based travel guide covering attractions, landmarks, restaurants, and more. Your perfect travel companion!

  • Detailed information on attractions, landmarks, shops, bars, nightclubs, restaurants, hotels, tours, experiences, and activities
  • Rich set of information including images, descriptions, local tips, maps, and contact details
  • Easy booking for hotels, tours, tickets, and experiences
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Explore Orkney like never before with Evendo, the ultimate free travel guide app. Discover attractions, book experiences, and get curated local tips all in one place.

  • Historical insights and travel essentials for Orkney
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Planning a trip to Orkney? Look no further than Evendo, your comprehensive and free travel guide app. Whether you're a history buff, nature lover, or food enthusiast, Evendo has something for everyone. Visit the iconic Skara Brae, explore the majestic Ring of Brodgar, or take a stroll through the charming streets of Kirkwall. Our app provides detailed information on all the best attractions, landmarks, shops, bars, nightclubs, restaurants, hotels, tours, experiences, and activities.

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Evendo also offers rich historical insights and essential travel tips to make your visit unforgettable. And the best part? It's 100% free with no in-app purchases. Plus, Evendo covers over 7,000 other destinations worldwide, so your next adventure is just a tap away.

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