Lying about 20 miles north of the Scottish mainland, the Orkney Islands are a group of more than 70 islands and islets.
Only about 20 of these are inhabited in Scotland making them the perfect getaway for you and your family.
No time to read now? No problem, save a pin to your Pinterest board for later!
Once the orcade of ancient classical literature, this place portrays the evidence of being enriched with history and offers a great deal for the tourists who visit here with high anticipations.
Amongst the visual proof, one can find the best of prehistoric occupations from various periods like underground houses, standing stones, and earth houses to name a few.
Things To Do Include In Orkney Islands Itinerary
Day 1: Unfold the historical chapter of Orkney
Day 2: Relish Locally Produced Food And Drinks
Day 3: Explore local talent and craftsmanship while walking down the Creative trail
Day 4: Revisit the Viking Era While Exploring St. Magnus Cathedral
Day 5: Come close to nature and experience Orkney’s rich fauna
Day 6: Enjoy Orkney’s Island Hopping
Day 1
Whilst drawing your Orkney Islands itinerary, pack a notebook and a pen too. Five thousand years of heritage are preserved here which will be unfolded during your visit to the following places:
Skara Brae
Start your first day with a bang and unleash one of Europe’s best-preserved prehistoric settlements.
Located near the picturesque white beach of the Bay of Skaill, the Neolithic village of Skara Brae holds an important key to the lock of history. Uncovered by a storm in 1850, this place provides astonishing confirmation of life in Orkney around 5,000 years ago.
One would come across certain evidence of the prehistoric settlement and witness ancient homes fitted with stone bed enclosures, dressers, and sitting areas.
For the convenience of the visitors, a replica construction is also present with the almost-possible interior of a prehistoric house.
Ring of Brodgar
One of the most photographed attractions in Orkney – particularly at sunset, The ring of Brodgar is a highly tourist-friendly destination.
The most talked Ring of Brodgar was built around 2500-2000BC and covers an area of almost 8,500 square meters.
Being the third largest stone circle in the British Isles, this location attracts a huge number of tourists from all over the world.
Standing Stones of Stenness
If we believe the locals, The Standing Stones of Stenness could be the oldest stone circle in the British Isles.
According to the legends, there were originally twelve stones, with some standing up to six meters, focused on a large hearth in the center. Although only four stones remain standing, it’s still possible to enjoy the historical essence of the place.
Maeshowe Chambered Tomb
Sitting on a platform encircled by a ditch, this monument is the heart and soul of the skill and beliefs of Orkney.
The tomb’s distinctive story came into light when it was broken into about 1,000 years ago by Norsemen. They left their mark in the amazingly awestruck runic graffiti, alongside the stunning ‘Maeshowe Lion’ carving.
DAY 2
While visiting the flavourful town, one might come across some of the best delicacies and beverages to relish on!
To ease it down for you, we provide you with a list of food and drinks you should include in your Orkney Island itinerary :
- Meat
- Cheese
- Whiskey
- Wine
- Seafood
- Bere Bannocks
- Desserts
MEAT
The Scottish food industry takes pride in its production of meat and here at Orkney, there is a special kind of meat that grabs the attention of globetrotters.
Located north of the Orkney Islands, North Ronaldsay, a flock of the rare and hardy North Ronaldsay sheep thrives. Their breeding basically deals in giving them the power of the sea by including seaweed in their diet.
This biodynamic, dark and intense flavored meat has a distinctive gamey taste.
Apart from their sheep meat, Orkney also has a high production low cholesterol buff meat. Available at Deerness, this local favorite is rich in nutrients and low in cholesterol in comparison to other meat.
WHISKEY
Famous for being the home to some exquisite hard liquors, Orkney sticks to the famous saying- ‘Orcadians are not given to bragging and neither is Scapa whisky ‘
Highland Park- a famous Orkney whiskey has called travelers from all over the world to come and have a taste of this wonder. But, this place offers more than just this one!
Scapa is the lighter and more accessible of the two. It is made with water from a famous spring to conduct a step in procuring the perfect taste of this beverage called ‘mashing’.
These drinks are perfect for keeping one warm on a stormy night in the Orkneys.
CHEESE
Despite being situated near the water, the Orkney Islands have a great and rather tastier production of mouth-watering cheese.
Believing the concept of ‘from farm to table’, the locals had mastered the art of traditionally preparing some flavourful cheese like Farmhouse until it was stopped by the legislation.
Apart from this, they also produce Island Smokery, Grimbister Farm Cheese, and Viera Russell’s highly prized farmhouse cheese.
All of these have a range from being soft and silky to crumbly textures. Paired with the local oatmeal bread, Veira Russell’s highly prized farmhouse cheese is quite the local favorite.
When visiting some local restaurants here, one might get welcomed with the fried version of Grimbister Farm Cheese along with some other fresh assortments making the rich-local taste of Orkney reach your mouth and leave you with some amazing memories to take home.
WINE
Produced in a rather healthy, safe, and naturally-processed manner, Orkney’s wine breweries are known amongst the world for their authentic taste.
Due to their unhurried process, the locals and hamsters are able to bring the authentic and rich taste of wine into their magic bottles as they deliver the best out in the world. The Orkney Wine Company makes a variety of sulfur-free, vegan fruit-based wines and liquors.
Their magic helps them get some of the best tourist attractions and also a place amongst the best competitors in the industry like the Orkney Wine Company which is considered as UK’s most northerly winery.
SEAFOOD
Taking absolute advantage of its location, Orkney Islands takes great pride in its amazingly huge production of seafood.
The islands are home to a variety of seafood ranging from sea-fresh crabs to hand-dived scallops. Apart from these, crab, lobster, and Partan toes (crab claws) are also local favorites.
The best part about this fact is that you can directly buy the freshest seafood from the fishermen or in fact get to enjoy the traditional taste there itself as they smoke fish in their own kiln.
BERE BANNOCKS
To experience the real taste of Orkney, one should get an try Bere Bannocks. Curated with the authentic barley grown and milled in Orkney, Bere Bannocks are a special kind of thick scone.
‘Bere” literally translates to barley which has been grown on the lands of Orkney for over thousand of years. Apart from being used in preparing scones, it is also used as an ingredient for brewing ale.
Whilst preparing your Orkney Islands itinerary, do include a visit to Barony Mills in Birsay where you can witness how the machinery works. Also, you can even buy a bag of beremeal and enjoy the taste of orkney at the privilege of your home!
DESSERTS
To end your food-week, our suggestion would be try the ice-creams. Prepared with centuries-old tradition, the Orkney Creamery has still managed to produce the authentic and natural taste.
The actual reason for its set up was to use up as a surplus when there was a rise in demand for semi-skimmed milk but gradually, with time, it has now gained its popularity all over the country.
Other than ice-cream, Orkney islands also are the base for Orkney fudge- a hand-made cheesecake. This popular dish is such a local favourite that one would find it at every other restaurant in Orkney.
But the show stealer is Stromness at the Argo’s bakery. They have managed to follow the same recipe for generations making them stand out in the crowd!
DAY 3
While exploring Orkney Islands, one might notice the local art being displayed at various stops. Well, one of the tings to include in your Irkney Islands itinerary is to consider talking a walk through the creative trails of this place. The following centers and stops would help you look inside-out of the location better:
- Zoe Davidson Jewellery
- Ginkgo Gallery
- Orkneyinga Silversmiths
- Andrea Holmes, Artist
- The Woolshed
- Alison Moore Designs
- Castaway Crafts
- Harray Potter
- Aries Gallery
- Michael Sinclair RPT Woodturner
Some of these are operational selected time of the year whereas some all around the year.
So, while planning your Orkney Island itinerary, do include these places and explore the local talent as well as buy some souvenir to enjoy the real feels of Orkney Islands.
DAY 4
The sea, the nature and the cobbled streets, all play a great role in attracting tourists but one place that grabs them is a stunning Romanesque cathedral- St Magnus Cathedral.
St Magnus Cathedral literally translate to ‘the light in the north’ and is true to its name. This eye-soothing monument is built with striking red and yellow sandstone and has been the tourist spot for decades now.
With the changing times, St Magnus Cathedral, apart from being the worship place, is also the top spot for concerts, art exhibitions, acts of national remembrance, and talks, making it one of the most visited spots of Orkney.
The history dates back to 1137 and adding to the fun fact, it took around 300 years to complete. Build out of love for family, this cathedral was dedicated to Magnus Erlendsson, Earl of Orkney by his nephew, Rognvald, after the former martyred on the island of Egilsay.
Another astonishing fact this cathedral holds is that It is the only complete Medieval cathedral in Scotland, and the only church in the country known to hold the bones of its original saint.
DAY 5
While enjoying the serene sea and coldness in the air, you might come across the pristine wildlife working as your company on your trip.
Orkney Islands are the haven for every nature lover and someone who enjoys the flora and fauna. The islands showcase high towering cliffs which are home to various kind of wildlife like , guillemots, gulls, gannets and kittiwakes to name a few. Curlew, red-throated divers, hen harriers and other birds of prey find solace in the dense marshlands and sweeping moorlands.
While searching for tranquility, you might find the various wildlife in the sea as well as on the dry lands. They tend to range from mammals to aquatic animals and nothing falls short in memsmerising you!
The islands’ vast geographical distributions helps you to locate different types of wildlife at different locations like Hoy is home to white-tailed or golden eagle and migratory birds whereas seals, whales, dolphins and orcas give their glimpses all over Orkney. Rock pools showcase diverse lifeforms from limpets and sea urchins, to hermit crabs and starfish, to delight young wildlife enthusiasts.
Imagine you are enjoying blissful sea view and suddenly notice something in the water staring back at you. A half-head pops up and the staring competitons begins between a human and a cute little seal!
DAY 6
Orkney Islands can be described as a group of seventy islands wherein each one of them have their own specialty and also be the perfect location for island hopping.
Some of the major tourist traditions include a walk to the Old Man of Hoy sea stack in Hoy, the ancient tombs of the island of Rousay (known as the Egypt of the North), the white sandy beaches of Sanday, and the seaweed-eating sheep of Orkney’s most northerly island, North Ronaldsay.
To add on this fun-filled adventure, the islands have a special ninety seconds jaunt between the islands of Westray and Papa Westray making it the shortest flight ever!
Another thing to do while hopping islands is to enjoy the wartime stories the place tells. If heard carefully, you might uncover the rich wartime heritage and get to know all about the salient role Orkney played during the two WorldWars!
Before You Leave for Orkney
Before you head off on your trip around the Orkney, there are certain things you will need to get organised to ensure a smooth trip. These include how to get around, being aware of single-track roads, etc., what to pack for Scotland, where to stay on the island and what travel insurance to book.
How Do I Get Around the Orkney?
Given the remote location of the Orkney and the majority of the sights around the island, the best way to get around Orkney is by driving. There are of course other methods that are still popular, such as cycling and hiking, however, if you have a short amount of time on the island, neither of these are very suitable.
As for public transport, the use around the Orkney is understandably difficult due to how remote each location is, however, with the increasing problem of congestion along the route, this is a good option to research if you have time.
If you are looking to rent a cosy, reliable, and luxurious campervan for your trip to Orkney, we highly recommend hiring through Spaceship Rentals.
Browse the full range of vehicles on offer at Spaceship Rentals over here.
What Should I Pack for the Orkney?
When it comes to packing for a trip along the Orkney there is one item of clothing that you are going to need all year round: a waterproof. It rains in Scotland on average 250 days a year, meaning that during your Orkney road trip you will probably experience at least a drizzle of rain. Due to this, the number one item on any Scotland packing list is a good waterproof jacket.
As for the rest of the year, the temperature in Scotland and the central heartlands is reasonably mild for most of the year. During the winter months, you will most likely experience snow, however, temperatures usually sit around freezing, so it is not too cold. For your reference, the average temperatures in Scotland are listed below during each season.
Spring (March, April, May) – 5-10 degrees C
Summer (June, July, August) – 15 degrees C
Autumn (September, October, November) – 5-10 degrees C
Winter (December, January, February) – 0-5 degrees C
As you can see, the weather never really gets above the teens, with anything over 25 degrees C considered a heatwave. The best way to pack for your trip to the highlands is with layers that can be added and removed as you need them. You will definitely need a hat and gloves during the colder months and will most likely need sunscreen to protect you on the long days in the open.
Given the beautiful sights and scenery that you are no doubt going to see around Scotland, we highly recommend packing a good camera for your trip. If you want to read more about the cameras we use and why we love them, check out the link below.
Photography Equipment
Main Photography Camera – Sony A7v Mirrorless Camera and Sony A7iii Mirrorless Camera
Microphone – Sony Mic ECM-B1M
Main Lens – Tamron 17-28mm f/2.8
Zoom Lens – Tamron 70-180mm f/2.8
Camera Tripod – ZOMEI Z669C Camera Tripod
Gorilla Pod – JOBY JB01507-BWW GorillaPod
Action Camera – GoPro Hero 11 and Insta 360 One RS
Drone Camera – DJI Mavic Pro 3
Camera Bag – Wandrd PRVKE 41L and The Nest by Tropicfeel
Phone Tripod – Manfrotto MKPIXICLAMP-BK, Mini Tripod with Universal Smartphone Clamp
Sturdy Phone Tripod & Selfie Stick – ATUMTEK 61″ Selfie Stick Tripod, Sturdy Phone Tripod Stand with Wireless Remote
Hard Drives – LaCie Rugged Mini, 5TB, 2.5″, Portable External Hard Drive
SSD – SanDisk Extreme Pro 1TB Portable NVMe SSD
Travel Adapter –Worldwide Travel Adapter Universal Travel Plug with 4 USB Ports+Universal AC Socke
Where Should I Stay on the Orkney?
The remoteness in the highlands of Scotland will leave you with little choice of accommodation in Orkney, however, there are still enough options to choose from to ensure a comfortable trip. These are mostly in the shape of B&Bs, Airbnbs, converted cottages and some lovely hotels.
Luxury –
Mid-range –
Budget –
Depending on how adventurous you are, there may be more accommodation choices than just the above, often with an even better view. Caravan and camping sites are popular in Orkney, drawing camping enthusiasts from all over the world. For some of the most spectacular bedside scenery in Orkney, we recommend packing a tent and getting in touch with nature for the week.
Wild camping is a fantastic way to enjoy the beauty of the highlands, however, it must be done respectfully. Read our full guide to Wild Camping if you wish to give it a go so you know everything you need to for a comfortable and sustainable trip.
What is the Best Travel Insurance?
I know travel insurance is the least enjoyable thing to purchase and look at when you’re planning a trip, however, you wouldn’t want to be without it in the event that something happened. Accidents can happen anywhere and the extortionate medical bills will ruin your trip if you are not covered.
To ensure you have a stress-free trip with no worries about potential medical bills, make sure you cover yourself when you travel. We can recommend using SafetyWing, a backpacker-friendly and cheap insurance company that provides good coverage and support. It is also nomad-friendly, unlike most other insurance companies, meaning you do not need to worry about being out of your home country for too long.
Get a quote for your travel insurance right here and get covered!
Pack up your bags and head towards the amazingly serene Orkney Islands. The adventure awaits you!
If you have visited the Orkney Islands recently, let us know what you thought of the sights listed above, or if you have any suggestions let us know in the comments below.
As always, sharing is caring so make sure to share this photo guide with your family and friends and inspire them to head off on their own Orkney Islands adventure. If you are planning the trip for yourself, make sure you have a look at the rest of our Scotland content for more inspiration to our beautiful home country.
When you set off on your own adventure, be sure to tag us in your photos on Instagram and we will share them with the rest of our community. In the meantime, why not follow us over there to see what we are currently up to and keep up with us on our Instagram Stories.
Now Read:
- Instagram Guide to the North Coast 500 – Most Photogenic Spots
- North Coast 500 Packing Guide – What You Will Need for the NC500
- 7-day North Coast 500 Itinerary – FREE, Detailed and Unforgettable!
This article may contain affiliate links that provide us with a small income. For more information read our Affiliate page.
Pin it for later
