Although the archipelago of Orkney is located just about 16 kilometers north of the coast of Scotland, the natural features of the islands differ so much of the Scottish mainland that it’s hard to believe that you’re in the British Isles.


Orkney consists of just about 70 islands and currently, around 20 are populated. The biggest one is known as the “Mainland”, and at the moment represents the homeland of 75% of the total population. The Mainland is also the center of the transportation system, so you can easily get there by ferry or by plane.

But the people aren’t just charmed by the amazing atmosphere in the isles nowadays. The first testimonies of civilization rely in the so-called “Ring of Brodgar” (on a small isthmus between two islands), which has been dated sometime between 2500 BC and 2000 BC. This Neolithic monument originally comprised a ring of 60 stones, ditched up to 3 meters deep and 9 meters wide, but in our days just 27 remained standing. The circle measures 104 m in diameter. The biggest mystery though, remains the 100 meters long and 6 meters wide stone wall that was excavated nearby.

Another similar monument is the Standing Stones of Stenness, located 1.2 kilometers away to the south-east of the Ring of Brodgar. Consisting of blocks that are 300 mm thick and up to 5 meters high, the Standing Stones of Stenness were initially representing an elliptical circle of 12 stones. In this case as well, due to natural causes, just 4 of the stones are still intact.

But Orkney is not just about archeological sites and Neolithic mysteries. The unique landscape of each island and the cultural events organized in the two major cities of the islands (Kirkwall, the capital and Stromness) would make you regret if you’re planning to visit Orkney just for a couple of days. The dazzling sights of the shores and the landmarks would make the visit of these Scottish islands unforgettable.

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