Holiday accommodation in Orkney – UNESCO heritage, islands and coastlines

Orkney takes you deep into prehistory while also opening up views across a vast island world. The monuments of Orkney date from 3000 to 2000 BC and are considered outstanding evidence of the cultural achievements of Neolithic peoples in Northern Europe. The UNESCO World Heritage Site Heart of Neolithic Orkney includes a remarkably well-preserved settlement, a large chambered tomb and two stone circles with their surrounding henges.

Culture and history

The Ring of Brodgar contains 36 surviving stones within its circular monument. The ceremonial circle lies amid hills and lochs in a spectacular landscape that resembles a natural amphitheatre. Few historic sites connect their archaeological form so directly with the surrounding landscape. The Stones of Stenness may be the earliest henge monument in the British Isles. At the same time, they are the surviving remains of a large stone circle at an ancient ceremonial site.

Maeshowe is a large stone chambered tomb. Its passage is oriented approximately towards the sunset at the winter solstice. In Kirkwall, the Orkney Museum tells the story of the islands from the Stone Age through the Picts and Vikings to the present day; its archaeological collection is of national importance. St Magnus Cathedral was founded in 1137, and its completion took around 300 years. It is the only completely preserved medieval cathedral in Scotland.

More recent history is also present in several places. The Scapa Flow Museum tells the story of Scapa Flow as the United Kingdom’s most important naval base during both world wars. It houses a significant collection of wartime artefacts, many of which are of national and international importance. Kirbuster Farm Museum preserves the last unrestored example of a traditional Firehoose in Northern Europe. This Firehoose has a central hearth and a peat fire.

The visitor centre explains Orkney’s prehistory from the Stone Age; visitors can also explore a walk-through replica house there. On Rousay, the Rousay Heritage Centre presents the island’s archaeology, natural heritage, wildlife habitats, geology and population.

Islands and trails

Orkney offers hundreds of miles of coastline and countless islands to explore. Orkney Ferries operates the inter-island ferry service between Orkney Mainland and 13 smaller islands. Ferry trips to Orkney’s North Isles pass historic landscapes and sea routes, uninhabited islands, and numerous seabirds and wild animals.

Orkney’s predominantly flat terrain enables walks through diverse habitats with varying views and soundscapes. There is also the partly collapsed sea cave of Gloup, which can be reached from a car park via a short footpath. The combination of coastline, open landscapes and short sections of trail creates different impressions of the islands, while the individual places retain their own character.

Nature

Seals can be seen in Orkney; whales, dolphins and orcas are regularly sighted. At the RSPB Cottascarth and Rendall Moss nature reserve, there is a viewing hide for observing hen harriers, short-eared owls and curlews. Wildlife therefore appears both in the open coastal environment and in protected habitats. Sea caves, wetlands and island passages stand side by side, giving the landscape different scales.

Activities

The water opens up further possibilities: in Orkney, visitors can go diving on wartime wrecks, snorkelling, sea kayaking and eFoiling. Those interested in crafts and local creativity can follow the Creative Orkney Trail, with 25 stops across six islands. The trail’s workshops and studios are open to visitors, who can observe the production of crafts at close quarters.

Local life

The Orkney Brewery is also part of the region’s culture. It offers tours by prior booking. The brewery also includes a café and a beer bar serving tasting paddles with Orkney ale. Historical sites, living craft traditions and the local brewing heritage can thus be found alongside one another in different parts of the destination.

Accommodation

Also check which services are included, the individual price components, and the applicable booking and cancellation conditions. You can also check specifically whether the stated occupancy suits your group. Depending on your own plans, these details may vary in importance; the details of the individual offer remain decisive.

In addition, the local pages lead to Orphir, Tingwall, Hackness, Kirkwall, Stromness, Burray Village, Finstown and Westray.

To the main travel overview: Orkney Islands.