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.
©Justin Foulkes/Lonely Planet
Travel with confidence. Protect your trip and your wallet.
We don’t represent World Nomads, we receive a fee from quotes using this link. This is not a recommendation to buy travel insurance.
Planned by local experts and tailored to you, Lonely Planet Journeys handles the logistics so you can just enjoy the trip. Tell us what you want and we'll build your Scotland itinerary from scratch, or browse our bookable trips to get inspired.
Discover the best attractions in Orkney & Shetland from must-see sights to unexpected hidden gems.







Get a book. Get inspired. Get exploring.



in partnership with getyourguide
Lonely Planet may earn a commission from affiliate links on our site. All recommendations and reviews reflect our own independent opinions.