With more than 70 islands, 16 inhabited, Orkney is the ultimate escape to the edge. Eday, possibly from old norse Eithey, is known as the isthmus island.
Formed from the red and yellow rocks of the Middle Old Red Sandstone, the quality of Eday stone has long been recognised. Much of the stone used to build St Magnus Cathedral and the Earl’s Palace in Kirkwall was quarried at Fersness in Eday. 
Perhaps one of Orkney's finest standing stones - the Stone of Setter - at 15 feet, towers over a landscape dotted with chambered cairns in the north of Eday. Tapering from the top to seven feet wide at the base, heavy erosion has turned it into a giant stone hand and assured it a place in local folklore.
Eday saw the capture of one of Orkney’s most notorious sons, John Gow the Pirate. In February 1725, Gow set out to raid Carrick House but his ship ran aground. Gow was held prisoner in Carrick House until he was transported to London for trial and hanged on 11 June 1725. Visiting Orkney in 1814, Sir Walter Scott collected tales about John Gow, which he incorporated into his 1821 novel, ‘The Pirate’.
North Ronaldsay is usually explained as "St Ninian's Isle" originally "Rinansay" based on the fact that "Ringan" was a name Ninian was often known by.
The wildlife on North Ronaldsay is rich and varied. Well-known by ornithologists as a resting place for migrating birds as, each year, rare species are spotted on the island. From the shore, you can easily watch the grey and common seals that live and breed around North Ronaldsay and, if you're lucky, you may even glimpse the odd porpoise.
Rousay is an unusually hilly island scarred by glacial terracing. With some of the richest and best preserved monuments in the North of Scotland, the 'Great Ship of Death', as Midhowe has been called, lies along a famous route of cairns and brochs.
Known locally as the ’Queen of the Isles’, Westray is a wildlife paradise where, as well as watching seals and birds, you can wander along clean sandy beaches and search for spoots or razor shells. Westray is also great for fishing - either in the lochs or from the sea. The exquisite workmanship and artistic talent of the ancient people is beautifully illustrated by the Westray Stone - a rock carving found in 1981 in a tomb at Pierowall - Westray's largest settlement.
From famous pirates to fantastic wildlife, there's something for everyone on Orkney's islands. Escape to the edge where the peace and tranquillity will draw you back time after time.
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