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  1. Home
  2. Places to go
  3. Islands
  4. Orkney

Orkney

See 5,000 year old sites in the UNESCO Heart of Neolithic Orkney, stroll along idyllic beaches and dramatic sea cliffs, get up close to amazing wildlife and reconnect with nature in Orkney. Discover Orkney islands and find information on Orkney holidays, how to travel to Orkney, the Orkney map, and more. 

Get the latest updates on Scotland's ferries to plan your trip - spring and summer 2026 sailing information is now available and Scotland's islands are ready and open to visitors.

Great things to do in Orkney

Find amazing things to do in Orkney. Enjoy the outdoors, go on wildlife tours, visit world class attractions and enjoy some free time. 

Heart of Neolithic Orkney

Around 5,000 years ago, the prehistoric people of Orkney began building monuments and landmarks out of stone.

Landscapes & nature in Orkney

Reset your mind and body and reconnect with nature in beautiful island surroundings.

Leisure & sport in Orkney

Visitors of all ages can get active across Orkney all year round, whatever the weather.

Shopping in Orkney

Find a unique gift or keepsake in one of Orkney's independent shops.

Get to know Orkney after seeing The Outrun

Get inspired by The Outrun and explore Orkney's history, wildlife and geology which has shaped the island's beautiful landscapes.

Lorraine Kelly's Guide to Orkney

The popular tv presenter blogs about one of her favourite holiday destinations.

Top days out ideas

Feel inspired for your upcoming trip to Orkney with these fantastic suggestions. Explore the island's Viking history, visit the famous Italian Chapel or see the Northern Lights in all their glory.

Walking in Orkney

Embrace the fresh air and discover Orkney on foot where you'll be treated to stunning views across the island.

See the Northern Lights in Orkney

Experience the magic of the 'merry dancers' with Orkney's dark skies and clear nights.

The Italian Chapel

Situated in Lamb Holm in Orkney, visit one of the island's most beloved attractions, The Italian Chapel.

Orkney's lesser-known islands

Enjoy some of Scotland’s most remote landscapes with our list of some of the lesser-known islands.

History of Vikings in Scotland

Delve into the history of Vikings and Norse culture in Orkney and Shetland and find ways to get involved in places that exist today.

Find more attractions in Orkney

Inspiring routes, trails and itineraries

North Ronaldsay Lighthouse, Orkney

© Orkney.com

Follow a route

Make your way around Orkney on a dedicated tour or trail, from ancient pilgrimages to tasty foodie experiences. 

  • Hoy on Hoy Cycle Route
  • Taste of Orkney Food & Drink Trail
  • St Magnus Way
  • Ring of Brodgar Guided Walks

See what's on in Orkney

Stromness

Events

There are plenty of events and festivals taking place on the island. It's a great way to get to know the community and experience life as a local in Orkney.

  • Orkney Folk Festival
  • Orkney Farmers' Market
  • Powered by People – Stromness Museum
Explore all events in Orkney

Map of Orkney

Explore Orkney

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How to travel to and around Orkney

Getting to Orkney

Ferry

There are three ferry routes, with several daily sailings. Pentland Ferries from Gill's Bay to St Margaret's Hope, Orkney (one hour) is the quickest sailing, and the most environmentally-friendly passenger ferry of its type in Scotland, thanks to the new purpose-built catamaran MV Alfred. 

You can also sail with NorthLink Ferries for 1.5 hours from Scrabster to Stromness in Orkney, or from Aberdeen to Kirkwall, Orkney for 7 hours and onto Lerwick in Shetland. 

Train

You can take public transport up north to the Orkney islands – you can travel to Aberdeen and Thurso by Scotrail train. You can then catch the ferry over to the islands. 

Flying

Planes also fly direct to Kirkwall from Glasgow, Dundee, Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Inverness with Loganair, with flights lasting up to one hour. There are connections from Birmingham, Belfast City, Bristol, Exeter, Heathrow, Manchester, Newcastle, Norwich and Teesside. 

Getting around Orkney

Driving

Many people arrive in Orkney in their own car or hired vehicle. Orkney has quiet roads and an excellent inter-island ferry service. Electric vehicle drivers will find multiple public charging points across the islands. You can find petrol stations in Kirkwall, Stromness and Dounby as well as petrol pumps on some of the outer islands.

There are several car-hire firms and taxi services on Orkney if you don't have a vehicle. 

Cycling

Bike hire is widely available in Orkney. Bicycles can be hired in both Kirkwall and Stromness and outer islands such as North Ronaldsay and Stronsay.

Bus and coach

Prefer to travel by bus? Orkney's local bus services will help you reach most corners of the Orkney mainland. The network can be used to visit iconic sites such as the Ring of Brodgar and Italian Chapel. The outer islands often have local bus services too.

New for 2026, travel around Orkney by bus for just £2 for a single fare! This offer is open to locals and visitors alike, letting you discover more during your trip.

Find out more with Stagecoach

Ferry

Looking to hop around several islands? Check out services from Orkney Ferries which are accessible from four ports on the Orkney mainland.

Flying

For an exciting sightseeing adventure, you could even hop onboard an inter-island flight with Loganair. These flights reach six islands from Kirkwall Airport, including the shortest scheduled flight in the world, between Westray and Papa Westray.

Brough of Birsay

© Orkney.com

Places to stay in Orkney

Find the right accommodation in Orkney to suit your budget, from camping and lodges to friendly B&Bs and cosy self-catering options. 

  • Accommodation in Orkney

Birsay Tea Room

© VisitScotland / Paul Tomkins

Places to eat in Orkney

Orkney is full of exciting food & drink destinations. Why not sample a tipple or brew or take a look at our list of island restaurants to try?

  • Highland Park Distillery
  • The Orkney Brewery
  • Taste of Orkney
Browse food & drink options

Burwick coastline

© Orkney.com

Find information on accessible trips

Whether you're travelling with kids, need a mobility scooter or you're a wheelchair user, there are many parts of Orkney which are easily accessible.

  • Accessible attractions in Orkney
  • Wheelchair friendly days out in Orkney
  • Accessibility in Stromness

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