Orkney & Shetland

Scotland

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Old Man of Hoy rock formation on west coast.

Justin Foulkes

Why visit Orkney & Shetland

Up here at Britain's top end it can feel more Scandinavian than Scottish, and no wonder. For the Vikings, the jaunt across the North Sea from Norway was as easy as a stroll down to the local mead hall and they soon controlled these windswept, treeless archipelagos, laying down longhouses alongside the stony remains of ancient prehistoric settlements.

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Scottish Heritage and Highlands Highlights in 7 Days

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  1. 1 Scouring for mythological monsters and impeccable views at the notorious Loch Ness
  2. 2 Walking in the footsteps of Mary, Queen of Scots, at the opulent and well-preserved Holyrood Palace
  3. 3 Venturing into the sweeping Highlands, where lush hills, craggy cliffs, and remote mountains await
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