This post is part of a paid partnership with Destination Orkney as part of VisitScotland's Year of Stories It is hard to know where to start when it comes to peeling back the layers of stories embedded in the Orkney Islands. You could begin around 6 millennia ago, when Neolithic people first arrived, erecting the unwieldy standing stones and atmospheric tombs that Orkney has become so famous for. Or you could fast forward to the 8th century when the Vikings settled in Orkney, leaving a strong Norse legacy that can still be found in everything from place names to 21st century jewellery designs. Any Orkney story would also have to include the rusting blockships, concrete defences and ornate Italian Chapel that witnessed wartime activity in Scapa Flow, or head back even further to the geological landscape formed hundreds of millions of years ago. This is just a snapshot of the various people and events that have shaped the story of Orkney but the narrative of these islands doesn't end there. From renewables to artisans, and festivals to fishermen, Orkney's story is constantly evolving. If you are inspired to create your own island story, you will find lots of ideas and tips in this blog post. About OrkneyThe Orkney Islands are located off the north coast of Scotland and along with Shetland, form part of the Northern Isles. Often just shortened to Orkney (not the Orkneys!) ,the archipelago is made up of around 70 islands although most are uninhabited. The islands are home to over 22,000 people with the majority of the population residing in the island of Mainland (not to be confused with the Scottish mainland), which is home to the main towns of Kirkwall and Stromness. There are a number of other populated islands including Burray, Eday, Egilsay, Flotta, Graemsay, Hoy, North Ronaldsay, Papa Westray, Rousay, Sanday, Shapinsay, South Ronaldsay, Stronsay, Westray and Wyre. Island hopping is easy thanks to inter-island ferries and planes. You can even take the shortest scheduled flight in the world between the islands of Westray and Papa Westray which takes less than 2 minutes from take off to landing. I've done this myself and it is definitely a unique experience. How to get to OrkneyBY FERRY There are two main ferry companies that travel to Orkney - Pentland Ferries travels from Gill's Bay to St Margaret's Hope NorthLink Ferries travels from Scrabster to Stromness and from Aberdeen to Kirkwall In the summer there is also a foot passenger ferry from John O'Groats BY PLANE Loganair runs regular scheduled flights to Kirkwall Airport from Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Inverness. GETTING AROUND ORKNEY Public transport is quite limited so a car will open up more options. If you prefer not to drive, Stagecoach runs a limited bus service on Mainland and to some attractions. INTER-ISLAND TRAVEL Both Orkney Ferries and Loganair provide island-hopping options within Orkney by plane and ferry. Uncover thousands of years of stories - Things to do in OrkneyYou could easily spend weeks or even months touring around the Orkney Islands but no matter how long you have to spare, you are probably wondering where to even start when there is so much to see and do. I recently spent three days unravelling some of the stories that have made Orkney one of the most unique and interesting places to visit in Scotland and I've listed everything I got up to below to give you some inspiration. If you only have a few days to spare then you might want to follow in my footsteps. If you have longer to explore you can use my itinerary as a starting point and add in some of my other suggested things to do. From local food and drink to Neolithic treasures and outdoor adventures, I've tried to include something for everyone. Join a walking tour of KirkwallJoining a local guide on a walking tour is a great starting point when you want to get to know a place on a deeper level. I opted to do exactly that and met up with Brian Alexander from Kirkwall Walking Tours to learn some of the stories associated with Orkney's main town. Brian is an Orcadian with a wealth of knowledge, not just about the history of Orkney but also about present day life in the islands. We met up at Kirkwall harbour where he shared some maritime history and the workings of the current fishing fleet before setting off for a meander around the historic town centre. We stopped at various points of interest where Brian regaled me with tales of pirates, press gangs, saints, merchants, Vikings and even a famous tree. He also gave me a guided tour of the inside of St Magnus Cathedral, explaining its Norse origins and the background to some of the memorials within the building. This was a really informative start to my 3 day trip and I left with a whole new appreciation of the significant history of Kirkwall and the Orkney Islands. Sample some drams at Scapa DistilleryAfter a walk around town in the chilly winter wind, a whisky tasting session at Scapa Distillery seemed like the perfect way to warm up and as it was now officially afternoon, I felt it was a perfectly acceptable time to sample a few drams (or four to be precise!). All whisky has its own story to tell, from the local ingredients that provide the unique flavour to the local artisans who oversee every part of the process, these Orcadian elements are encapsulated in every bottle of Scapa whisky. Our host Maria put us to work nosing and tasting four very different bottlings, helping us to work out the tasting notes of each dram. With a bit of practice and guidance from Maria, picking up on the subtle notes became easier and of course the tasting part was pretty enjoyable! Don't worry if you are driving, you can still nose each glass and take the samples away to drink later. I do enjoy my whisky and the tasting session really made me think more about the complexities of every dram and how to enhance my whisky drinking experience. If this is an aspect of Orkney you would like to explore further, here is a list of other local distilleries and breweries that currently offer tours -
Discover local history at Orkney MuseumOrkney Museum in Kirkwall is one of those places you could visit multiple times and learn something new each visit as it is packed with artefacts and exhibits. I always recommend popping by the local museum when visiting a place as so many interesting stories are revealed that you would never discover otherwise. Orkney Museum is a Tardis of floors and rooms filled with objects and relics dating back 5000 years, including finds from many of the famous archaeological sites, to collections from modern social history. One of my personal favourite exhibits is the display of items recovered from a Viking boat burial. Discovered on the island of Sanday, the site was excavated in 1991 and the Viking burial that was revealed there has left many questions. Three bodies had been laid in a boat along with a number of significant and ornate artefacts which are on display in the museum, including a gilded brooch, a sword, gaming pieces and an eye-catching whalebone plaque that has been beautifully carved with dragon heads. Be sure to give yourself enough time to explore the numerous floors as the building is bigger than you might think, although it is free to visit so you can easily return again if you missed anything on your first visit. Learn more about Orkney's Norse history on this 1 day Viking themed itinerary Go tomb-raiding on RousayAbout Robert Burns
Robert Burns was born on the 25th January 1759 in a small cottage in Alloway, Ayrshire to farmer parents. His father ensured he received a good education despite his social status and being an enthusiastic and well-read student helped to elevate his own creative writing.
However, despite his growing fame as a talented wordsmith, he continued farming for much of his life, leading to him being named the Ploughman Poet. Often described as a complex character, he frequently voiced radical views and was notorious for drinking and womanising. Despite his flaws, it is hard to deny his talent as a poet and songwriter. Although he was only 37 years old when he died, he produced a huge amount of highly regarded written work during his short lifetime and every year on the date of his birth, his life and legacy are celebrated during Burns Night. Considered Scotland's national bard, Robert Burns died on 21st July 1796 but he lives on through his words and the many places connected to him. Places connected to Robert Burns in Dumfries
If you want to find out more about the life of Robert Burns or are a fan of Scotland's national bard, there are two areas of Scotland you will want to visit. The region of Ayrshire where he was born and grew up, and the neighbouring region of Dumfriesshire where he spent the latter part of his life and died at the young age of 37.
This blog post concentrates on the places connected to Burns in and around Dumfries. If you only have one day to spare, you can visit many of the places mentioned that lie within the town of Dumfries, but I recommend setting aside two days or more if you plan to visit all the stops I've listed. Robert Burns House
When Robert Burns first moved to the town of Dumfries he lived in a small flat in Bank Street, or what was then known as the Wee or Stinking Vennel - sounds delightful! In May 1793, Burns and his family moved up the property ladder to a pretty sandstone house in Mill Street, now renamed Burns Street. Their new home was classed as a good standard for the time, with two bedrooms, a parlour, a kitchen and a small study - they even employed a maid servant.
This is where Burns lived until his death on 21st July 1796 and his wife Jean Armour continued living in the house until her death in 1834. Today it is cared for by the local council and open to the public. The interior has been designed to give an idea of how the Burns family lived and the small study still contains the poet's desk and chair. There is Burns memorabilia throughout the house and a guide is on hand to answer any questions you might have. There isn't a huge amount to see, however visiting the home where the poet spent the latter years of his life has unsurprisingly become a vital part of the Burns pilgrimage trail. It is free to visit (although donations are appreciated) and still makes for an interesting stop even if you only have a passing interest in Scotland's national bard. Robert Burns Centre
Another free attraction, this is the best place to find out more about the poet's time in Dumfries. A small exhibition with information boards and artefacts connected to Burns, document his move from Ayrshire to Ellisland Farm in Dumfriesshire, his subsequent move to the town of Dumfries, his final years, and his funeral.
There is information on his occupation as a local exciseman, his character, and his beliefs, which build a picture of a complex personality and respected local figure. By the end of your visit to the Robert Burns Centre, you will undoubtedly feel like you know Rabbie a bit better than when you arrived. For me, a highlight was a model of what Dumfries would have looked like during Burns time as I could digitally navigate some of the historic buildings and find out a bit more about their background before looking out for them on my afternoon wanders around the town. Burns MausoleumThis post is part of a paid partnership with Be Our Guest Scotland to showcase the diverse range of bed and breakfast and guest house options around Scotland. A short break in Caithness, ScotlandI've just returned from a brilliant short stay in Caithness and spent three days exploring not just Caithness but also the neighbouring region of Sutherland. For those that don't know, Caithness is the region that covers the most north-easterly part of the Scottish mainland and takes in the towns of Wick, Thurso and the iconic John O'Groats, it also forms part of the NC500 driving route and is the departure point for ferries travelling to Orkney. You could easily spend a week or more taking in the sights, but what if you don't have that long to spare? In this blog post I have suggested three one day road trip itineraries that cover some of the highlights of the area and take in some scenic Sutherland too. WHERE TO STAY |
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