Orkney Islands: Itineraries

A Top Day in Orkney Islands

Warm up with breakfast at the Reel in Kirkwall, a cafe that's devoted to food and folk. From here you can wander over to explore the distinctive beauty of St Magnus' Cathedral, one of the best preserved religious buildings in Scotland. Hop on the ferry across to Shapinsay to look at (and maybe even stay in) Balfour Castle. Head over to Stromness where Scapa Scuba will get you diving on the Scapa Flow, a ship's graveyard that includes several boats scuppered during WWII. Seeing as you're in town, you could check out the museum, though you shouldn't miss visiting Skara Brae, a prehistoric village unearthed in 1850 when a storm moved the dunes and revealed this incredibly well-preserved treasure. It's getting late, but long summer days mean you might be able to catch a ferry over to Hoy to snap the photogenic cliff scenery including the Old Man of Hoy, a 137m-high sea stack. By now you'll be feeling hungry so make for The Creel Inn & Restaurant to sample the island's best seafood and North Ronaldsay's seaweed-fed lamb. If you're quick you can get back to Stromness in time for an impromptu folk session at the Ferry Inn.

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