Orkney Islands

1280px The Orkney Islands (Arcaibh) are an archipelago of over 70 islands some 10 miles (16 km) off the northern tip of Scotland. They've been settled since the Neolithic period, and a remarkable collection of standing stones, early settlements and burial cairns remain, with the area listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Orkney came under Norse rule from the 9th C, and only in 1472 did it become part of Scotland, so its culture was never Gaelic. Its soil, climate and scenery are also different: it lies on red sandstone, so it's mostly fertile, low-lying and green, with cows grazing and a shimmer of blue from the many lochs and sea inlets. It doesn't draw the clouds, rain and midges of Highland Scotland. The largest island Mainland, together with Hoy and the chain of small islands down to South Ronaldsay, enclose Scapa Flow, which in wartime was an important naval anchorage.

There is a Orkney Islands Tourism Board Centre at Kirkwall bus station.

Islands, towns and villages

Orkney map - 301px|Map of the Orkney Islands 59.059|-2.871

Mainland is Orkney's largest island, where 80% of the population resides. (To avoid ambiguity, on this and related pages the term Mainland, cap "M", refers to this island, while the landmass of Great Britain to the south is referred to as the Scottish mainland, small "m".) The chief settlements on Mainland are:

• Kirkwall GPS 58.981,-2.96 is the administrative capital of the Orkney Islands and largest town. The airport, and ferry port for Aberdeen and Shetland, are here; it has the most accommodation and is the obvious base for visitors. Its main attractions are Street Magnus cathedral and the Earl's and Bishop's Palaces, a couple of museums, and two distilleries.
• Stromness GPS 58.96,-3.3 is the second-largest town, and the most attractive, with its narrow flagged main street. The ferry from Scrabster on the Scottish mainland lands here.
• Stenness GPS 58.986,-3.208 is a small village on the primary street between Kirkwall and Stromness. Around it is an outstanding collection of prehistoric sites: Maeshowe burial cairn and the Stones of Stenness, and the Ring of Brodgar are all within walking distance. A few miles further north is the Neolithic settlement of Skara Brae.
• Birsay GPS 59.133333,-3.301667 is a small village on the north coast of Mainland. Its sights are the Earl's Palace, and Brough of Birsay which is a tidal island with prehistoric remains.
• Other small settlements include Finstown on the primary street between Kirkwall & Stromness. This is the turn-off for Tingwall (ferry for Rousay, Egilsay & Wyre), and eventually the road winds round the north coast to Birsay; Houton south of Stromness is the ferry terminal for Lyness in Hoy, and for Flotta; and Deerness the eastern promontory of Mainland is farmland riven by the sea-chasm of The Gloup.

The "Barrier" islands: during the Second World War and the "Churchill Barriers" were built between Mainland and four small islands just south, to prevent seaborne attacks on Scapa Flow. So these are now linked by a good road, and for all practical purposes are part of Mainland. Approaching from Kirkwall north to south these are:

• Lamb Holm, small and uninhabited, is the site of the Italian Chapel 58.88968, -2.89005 Italian Chapel }}. It was built 1943-45 by Italian prisoners of war who were constructing the Churchill Barriers. It was cobbled together from two Nissen huts and any bits and pieces the Italians could scrape up, and ornately decorated. Mass is still held here and the first Sunday of the month April to September. Open daily 09:00-18:30, free.

Italian Chapel (Orkney Islands) - Inside the Italian Chapel

• Glims Holm is also small and uninhabited, just a few sheep. On the causeway to the next island, note the remains of "blockships" - the first attempt to close the eastern channels into Scapa Flow. These sufficed for World War 1 but proved inadequate at the outset of World War 2, when HMS Royal Oak was sunk with the loss of 833 lives.
• |type=cityBurray GPS 58.851389 ,-2.935 has a small village. Its main visitor attraction is fossil-hunting along its red sandstone shoreline. Like Lamb Holm, it had a camp for Italian POWs and a chapel, but nothing of this remains.
• South Ronaldsay GPS 58.783333,-2.95 has the village of St Margaret's Hope (ferry from Gill's Bay), and Burwick harbour (ferry from John O'Groats). The Tomb of the Eagle is a neolithic burial cairn with human and bird bones.

The other islands, linked by ferry, are:

• Shapinsay GPS 59.05,-2.883333 is the closest island to Kirkwall, a short ferry-ride north. Its main attraction Balfour Castle is closed, but there's a excellently maintained broch.
• Hoy GPS 58.85,-3.3 to the southwest is the second largest island. "Hoy" means high, and it feels more Hebridean than Orcadian: upland heath with poor soil, clouds and drizzle. Its main sight is the sea-stack "Old Man of Hoy", with a hike through the RSPB Nature Reserve to view it. The main village is Lyness. The island of South Walls (main settlement Longhope) is linked by a roadway to Hoy.
• Graemsay is a farmland island just north of Hoy: the Stromness-Hoy ferry calls here. There's no transport to the uninhabited little islands of Cava and Fara.
• Flotta GPS 58.833333 ,-3.116667 just east of Hoy is dominated by an oil terminal at its north end and the rest is farmland. The Houton-Hoy ferry calls here.
• Just north of Mainland, Rousay GPS 59.166667,-3.033333 has a large concentration of archaeological sites. The ferry runs here from Tingwall and also calls at Egilsay GPS 59.15 ,-2.916667 where Earl Magnus was martyred, and |type=city* Wyre GPS 59.116667, -2.966667 . There's no transport to Gairsay.
• The North Isles are quiet places for walks and bird watching. These are Stronsay GPS 59.116667,-2.6, Sanday GPS 59.25,-2.566667 aptly named for its fine sandy beaches, Eday GPS 59.183333,-2.783333, |type=city Westray GPS 59.3 ,-3, Papa Westray GPS 59.35,-2.9, home to the oldest site in Orkney, Knap of Howar; and finally the waves crash against North Ronaldsay GPS 59.37339,-2.42583 with its lighthouse.

The Orkneys do not include Fair Isle, which is considered part of Shetland. Nor do they include Stroma and Muckle Skerry and the two uninhabited islands seen to the south from South Ronaldsay. These are considered part of the Highland Region of the Scottish mainland and have no transport. The Orkneys do include uninhabited Swona, seen to the west from South Ronaldsay, but no and there's no transport there either.

Travel to Orkney Islands

Buy a Flight ticket to and from Orkney Islands

Loganair fly to Kirkwall Airport GPS 58.953 ,-2.903 (IATA | KOI) on Orkney Mainland from Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness, Aberdeen and from Sumburgh and Fair Isle in the Shetlands. Fares include a 20 kg checked-baggage allowance. In summer there are several Flights a day so daytrips either way are feasible. The aircraft are medium-sized twin-props, eg the Saab 340. In addition there are short-hop inter-island flights, see "Get around".

Kirkwall Airport is five miles south-east of town on the A960. There are separate check-in areas for Scottish mainland and for inter-island flights, and a cafe. There's a car-hire desk, booking is crucial as they have a limited fleet and will need to fetch your vehicle from town. Stagecoach bus #4 runs between the airport and Kirkwall bus station every 30 min Monday to Saturday, hourly Su, taking 10-15 min. It runs Sunday - Friday 06:15-19:15, Saturday till 16:15 when the last flight comes in. An occasional bus #3 from Kirkwall to Deerness also calls at the airport. Parking is free for pick-up & drop off but charges apply after 2 hours. Six taxi firms ply to the airport, listed in "Get around". There's often one waiting, otherwise phone from Arrivals.

Book a Halal Cruise or Boat Tour in Orkney Islands

• The Scrabster to Stromness vehicle ferry, operated by Northlink, makes the 90-minutes crossing daily. It sails three times a day in peak periods (mid-May to Aug, plus selected weekends), and twice daily the rest of the year. Scrabster on the Scottish mainland is a couple of miles north of Thurso and the most northerly train station in Britain. Stromness is a 20 min drive to Kirkwall, frequent buses.
• The Aberdeen to Shetland vehicle ferry, also operated by Northlink, sails every night year-round, calling at Kirkwall on several nights. Northbound it leaves Aberdeen at 17:00 (April-Oct Tuesday Thursday Saturday Su, November - March Thursday Saturday Sunday not Tu), reaching Kirkwall (Hatston Terminal) at 23:00 before sailing on to Lerwick for 07:30 next morning. Southbound the ferry leaves Lerwick at 17:30 (April-Oct Monday Wednesday to Friday, November - March West & Friday not M), similarly reaching Kirkwall at 23:00 before sailing on to Aberdeen for 07:00 next morning. On evenings when it's not calling at Kirkwall and the ferry leaves Aberdeen or Lerwick later. See Shetland and Kirkwall pages for practical info and advice on this ferry.
• The Gill's Bay to Street Margaret's Hope vehicle ferry, operated by Pentland Ferries, runs three times every day, and takes an hour. Gill's Bay is on the Scottish mainland on the A836 five miles west of John O'Groats. Street Margaret's Hope is a 30 min drive to Kirkwall, bus every hour or so.
• The John O'Groats to Burwick ferry, for foot passengers and cyclists only, is operated by Jogferry]. It takes only 40 mins and runs May-Sept, three times a day June July & Aug and twice daily in May and Sept; no winter service. On the Scottish mainland, June-Aug a connecting coach runs between Inverness and John O'Groats. (No dogs or bikes on this coach and they're welcome on the ferry.) On Orkney a connecting coach runs between Burwick and Kirkwall: the X1 bus to South Ronaldsay doesn't run as far south as Burwick.
• Cruise ships often visit the Orkneys. They either berth at Kirkwall Hatston Terminal, with a shuttle-bus to town, or anchor out in the bay with tenders bringing passengers ashore. The main tourist attractions get mobbed when they arrive.

How to get around in Orkney Islands

Buy a Flight ticket to and from Orkney Islands

Loganair operates short internal flights between Kirkwall and the six northerly islands of Eday, North Ronaldsay, Papa Westray, Sanday, Stronsay and Westray. Frequency varies, eg in summer to North Ronaldsay daily, to Westray and Stronsay most days, but to Eday only once a week. Schedules always allow for a day-trip in either direction because these flights are crucial for islanders going about their daily business: to get to town, or to a hospital appointment, or even to attend school. Residents therefore have priority, and you can only book by phoning +44 (0) 1856 872494 or 873457 (lines open Sunday - Friday to 19:00, to 18:00 Sa); you can't book online. The aircraft are rinky-dinky BNF Islanders, suitable for grass-strip landings, and baggage space is limited.

The service between Westray and Papa Westray (and vice versa) is the world's shortest commercial flight, at just under 2 miles and 2 minutes, shorter than the runways at Heathrow. Pilots have to complete their final landing checks before opening throttle to take off.

Book a Halal Cruise or Boat Tour in Orkney Islands

Inter-island ferries run from Kirkwall to Shapinsay, Stronsay, Eday, Sanday, Westray, Papa Westray and North Ronaldsay.

They run from Houton to Lyness on Hoy, and to Flotta. They also run from Stromness via Graemsay to Moaness on the north of Hoy.

They run from Tingwall to Rousay, Egilsay and Wyre.

Travel on a Bus in Orkney Islands

Most buses pass through Kirkwall, so see that page for details. The most useful service is the X1 bus, from Stromness past Stenness Stones to Kirkwall and then south past the Italian Chapel to Street Margaret's Hope ferry terminal.

A circular tour bus Stagecoach T11 is advertised but doesn't appear to be running in 2018.

OCTO are a coach-hire company, +44 1856 871536. They can provide wheelchair-accessible transport and their own guides for tours.

Best way to travel in Orkney Islands by a Taxi

Taxis are an excellent option for outlying areas off the bus routes, but you might have to wait for the taxi to reach you from Kirkwall. All the following are based on Mainland and serve the airport:

• Orkney Taxis - ☎ +44 1856 875511
• Craigie’s Taxis - ☎ +44 1856 878787
• Nod’s Taxis - ☎ +44 7926 629524 Opening Hours: weekends only
• Harbour Taxis - ☎ +44 1856 490185
• Island Travel - ☎ +44 1856 494737
• Scenic Orkney - ☎ +44 7510 179026 eHalal Reference:

What to see in Orkney Islands

Prehistoric Orkney: these islands have an amazing collection of excellently maintained prehistoric remains. The finest and most extensive are Neolithic or New Stone Age, dating to around 3000 BC. That makes them 5000 years old, older than the Pyramids of Giza, and among the oldest human structures known. They're recognised as World Heritage sites by UNESCO and the pick of them being the Heart of Neolithic Orkney collection around Stenness. There's less from the Iron Age and Pictish Age. Prehistory in this region shades into history sometime in the first millennium AD, when Viking sagas began to describe local places, rulers and battles.

And lots and lots of people naturally want to see them. The standing stones can absorb the crowds and if you just wait aside for 20 mins and the tour bus will depart and you can enjoy the lull before the next group. But in the underground chambers it doesn't take many to cause congestion, and at Maeshowe they've had to limit access; it can be booked out for days ahead. There's no need for this because there are so many other high-quality sites, more than a single trip to the Orkneys could encompass, and those off the "circuit" are seldom visited. So spread out and enjoy. Most of them are free to enter, any time of day or night; pre-view them on Historic Environment Scotland website. Most of them just have a signpost and a grassy path leading to a hole in the hillside; the lesser-known just have the hole. If it's been raining you'll get filthy, but you'll really feel like an explorer as you crawl inside - although Lord Carnarvon and Indiana Jones didn't have smartphones to use as flashlights.

The principal sites are:

• At Stenness is Maeshowe, Stones of Stenness and Ring of Brodgar, with Skara Brae a few miles north.
• Birsay has the Brough (plus later Palace and Skaill House).
• The island of Rousay has Midhowe Broch and Cairn, and Yarso.
• Less tourist sites near Kirkwall include the Cairns of Wideford Hill and Cuween Hill.
• South Ronaldsay has the Tomb of the Eagles.

Top Muslim Travel Tips for Orkney Islands

• Diving: In November 1918 when Germany surrendered at the end of World War I and the German Imperial Fleet was disarmed and brought to Scapa Flow. Peace negotiations dragged on and the captured crews became mutinous, and by the following June the Armistice was about to expire and Admiral Reuter became convinced the British would seize the ships for their own military use. He therefore had the entire fleet of 74 warships scuttled: the greatest mass sinking in history]. The British managed to rescue several ships and others were later salvaged, but most remain. Seven are routinely visited by divers: battleships König, Kronprinz Wilhelm and Markgraf, and cruisers Brummer, Cöln, Dresden and Carlsruhe. Being top-heavy with armour the ships sank upside down, and have been down there for 100 years and are now fragile - dive with care. They're beyond the range of novice divers, and far too deep for snorkelers, but there are plenty of shallower dive sites, eg the "blockships" along the Churchill Barriers. Some local diving companies:

• Scapa Scuba - Lifeboat House, Stromness KW16 3DA ☎ +44 1856 851218 - PADI centre, diving Scapa and elsewhere in Orkney.

• Scapa Flow Diving - John's Diving Charters - Polrudden House, Kirkwall KW15 1EH 0800 047 6002 - Run live-aboard and day trips to dive Scapa and elsewhere.

The centenary of the sinking is fast approaching: it's on 21 June 2019 and will be a big event and media circus, overlapping with Street Magnus Festival. You need to organise quickly if you want to participate. As of mid-March and there is still availability on ferries and accommodation, but all the boat trips are booked out. You need to bring your own boat if you want to get out into Scapa Flow, and register it asap with the Stromness Harbourmaster, who will have the thankless task of trying to co-ordinate all the marine traffic for the commemorations.

• Orkney Archaeology Tours - Holidays & day al-tours/ tours led by professional archaeologists & qualified guides. They have availability for 2020 and 2021, but 2019 is already booked out with a waiting list. You'll need to be reasonably mobile to hike across moors and wriggle into cairns.

• Wildabout Orkney - Daily al-tours/ tours of the main Orkney sites, including daytrips meeting the Scrabster ferry, and shore excursions for cruise ship passengers.

Local events in Orkney Islands

• Orkney Folk Festival is held annually in May; the next is 23-26 May 2019. Mostly held in Stromness but various other venues.
• St Magnus Festival includes music and theatre and literature. It's held for a week in midsummer, next event 21-26 June 2019 (overlapping the Scapa Flow centenary). Mostly held in Kirkwall but various venues around the Orkneys.
• Orkney Science Festival: the next event is 5-11 Sept 2019. Mostly held in Kirkwall. - Highland Park and Scapa distilleries in Kirkwall. Tours, including a free sample of the product and a gift shop are available.

• Orkney Wine - On the way to the Italian Chapel. They offer free samples of most of their products.

• Orkney Brewery - Tours can be booked, but tasting flights are also available in the cafe.

eHalal Group Launches Halal Guide to Orkney Islands

Orkney Islands - eHalal Travel Group, a leading provider of innovative Halal travel solutions for Muslim travelers to Orkney Islands, is thrilled to announce the official launch of its comprehensive Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Orkney Islands. This groundbreaking initiative aims to cater to the diverse needs of Muslim travelers, offering them a seamless and enriching travel experience in Orkney Islands and its surrounding regions.

With the steady growth of Muslim tourism worldwide, eHalal Travel Group recognizes the importance of providing Muslim travelers with accessible, accurate, and up-to-date information to support their travel aspirations to Orkney Islands. The Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide is designed to be a one-stop resource, offering an array of invaluable information on various travel aspects, all carefully curated to align with Islamic principles and values.

The Travel Guide encompasses a wide range of features that will undoubtedly enhance the travel experience for Muslim visitors to Orkney Islands. Key components include:

Halal-Friendly Accommodations inOrkney Islands: A carefully selected list of hotels, lodges, and vacation rentals that cater to halal requirements, ensuring a comfortable and welcoming stay for Muslim travelers in Orkney Islands.

Halal Food, Restaurants and Dining in Orkney Islands: A comprehensive directory of restaurants, eateries, and food outlets offering halal-certified or halal-friendly options in Orkney Islands, allowing Muslim travelers to savor local cuisines without compromising their dietary preferences in Orkney Islands.

Prayer Facilities: Information on masjids, prayer rooms, and suitable locations for daily prayers in Orkney Islands, ensuring ease and convenience for Muslim visitors in fulfilling their religious obligations.

Local Attractions: An engaging compilation of Muslim-friendly attractions, cultural sites such as Museums, and points of interest in Orkney Islands, enabling travelers to explore the city's rich heritage while adhering to their values.

Transport and Logistics: Practical guidance on transportation options that accommodate Muslim travel needs, ensuring seamless movement within Orkney Islands and beyond.

Speaking about the launch, Irwan Shah, Chief Technology Officer of eHalal Travel Group in Orkney Islands, stated, "We are thrilled to introduce our Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide in Orkney Islands, a Muslim friendly destination known for its cultural richness and historical significance. Our goal is to empower Muslim travelers with accurate information and resources, enabling them to experience the wonders of Orkney Islands without any concerns about their faith-based requirements. This initiative reaffirms our commitment to creating inclusive and memorable travel experiences for all our clients."

The eHalal Travel Group's Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Orkney Islands is now accessible on this page. The guide will be regularly updated to ensure that Muslim travelers have access to the latest information, thus reinforcing its status as a reliable companion for Muslim travelers exploring Orkney Islands.

About eHalal Travel Group:

eHalal Travel Group Orkney Islands is a prominent name in the global Muslim travel industry, dedicated to providing innovative and all-inclusive travel solutions tailored to the needs of Muslim travelers worldwide. With a commitment to excellence and inclusivity, eHalal Travel Group aims to foster a seamless travel experience for its clients while respecting their religious and cultural values.

For Halal business inquiries in Orkney Islands, please contact:

eHalal Travel Group Orkney Islands Media: info@ehalal.io

Muslim Friendly Hotels

All the accommodation on Orkney is independent & family-run, with no hotel chains. Lots of camping, hostels, B&Bs and small hotels dotted across the islands - see individual town listings - with the main concentration being around Kirkwall. There's no stand-out "Luxury" hotel, but prices can be steep in mid-summer peak periods.

Travel Next

Either continue north to Shetland, or return south to the Scottish mainland.

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