Orkneys - 8 places to stay
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Surely the most accessible remote place in Europe, the Orkney Isles lie just
6 miles to the north of the Scottish Mainland. This fascinating and
flourishing archipelago of 70 islands has a vibrant culture, abundant
wildlife, and spectacular scenery enhanced by the beauty of the changing
light. With Neolithic, Pictish and Viking heritage to be seen, Orkney has
over 1000 recorded archaeological sites, including some with World Heritage
Site status, some older than Egypt¹s pyramids, dating back more than 5,500
years. It¹s a place of mystery, with many as yet untold tales.
17 of the islands are inhabited. Stay in comfortable 3 or 4* accommodation,
tour on peaceful roads, with time to stop and breathe the fragrance of the
wildflowers in the verges gaze at the panoramic vistas round every corner,
find bays where you may be completely undisturbed except by seals or
porpoises; explore ancient sites where the hands of distant ancestors
fashioned the landscape. With frequent (several times daily throughout the
year), fast, ferry services from Aberdeen and Caithness, it has never been
so easy to enjoy Orkney¹s unique attractions.
Much of Orkney¹s unique archaeology has World Heritage Site status, in
common with Stonehenge and The Great Wall of China, and is situated in
landscape of spectacular beauty, beside lochs equally famous for their
excellent trout fishing. Historic Scotland¹s Skara Brae Visitor Centre has
VisitScotland five-star status, as has the Highland Park Distillery Visitor
Centre in Kirkwall. Sea angling is also popular, as is diving on Orkney¹s
famous Scapa Flow wrecks. Welcoming restaurants and hotels serve up Orkney¹s
delicious produce beef, cheeses, and seafood, oatcakes and ice cream,
which make succulent ingredients for finely presented cuisine.
There's so much to see and do throughout the year that, if anything,
visitors are spoilt for choice. A busy round of festivals and events starts
in April and continues until October. The season includes celebrations of
traditional dance, classical and contemporary music, theatre, the visual
arts, community spirit, scientific innovation, sustainable development, and
gourmet dining.
Out and about, Orkney¹s internationally renowned jewellers and silversmiths
create stunning designs, and many craftspeople and fine artists in the
islands open their studios and workshops to visitors. Visitors can see many
different kinds of craft carried out including traditional Orkney
chair-making, hand-spun and knitted designer knitwear, textiles and tapestry
weaving, stained glass, and jewellery.
Courtesy of www.visitorkney.com
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Destinations
Hotels bookable online See Map
- Sands Hotel Burray *book online*
Licensed, Parking, Historic, Restaurant - Merkister Hotel Stromness *book online*
Licensed, Parking, Historic, Restaurant
Bed and Breakfast See Map
- Houton Bay Lodge Kirkwall *featured*
TV in rooms, No Smoking, Historic, Parking, Disabled - Lav rockha Guest House Kirkwall *featured*
TV in rooms, No Smoking, Historic, Parking, Disabled - West End Guest House St Margarets Hope *featured*
TV in rooms, Historic, Parking
Self-Catering See Map
- Broad Street Gardens Apartments & Townhouse Kirkwall *featured*
Pub Nearby, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - Mackays Holiday Cottages & Lodges Kirkwall *book online*
Pub Nearby, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards
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