A guide to island hopping around Orkney

Orkney is a place where history, nature and culture collide. Known for its world-famous Neolithic sites, rugged landscapes and fascinating wildlife, this group of over 70 islands – only 20 of which are inhabited – offers endless opportunities to explore. And what better way to experience Orkney than from hopping island to island and discovering the unique charm of each?

Whether you are into archaeology, beachcombing, hillwalking, wildlife spotting or cycling, there is something for everyone to enjoy in Orkney.

For those planning an island-hopping adventure, we’ve put together this helpful guide, providing an overview of various islands in Orkney and highlighting some of their must-see places to visit!

Travelling to and around Orkney

NorthLink Ferries operate two routes that sail to the Orkney Islands. The MV Hamnavoe sails up to three times daily between Scrabster in the north of Scotland and Stromness on the Orkney Mainland. Also, the MV Hjaltland and MV Hrossey – which sail between Aberdeen and Lerwick in Shetland – stop off in Orkney a few days a week, calling into Hatston which is just outside of Kirkwall.

Once you’ve arrived on Mainland Orkney, moving around the islands couldn’t be easier! Orkney Ferries operate daily inter-island sailings to 13 island communities from four ports – Kirkwall, Stromness, Tingwall and Houton. Alternatively, some of Orkney’s islands are accessible via inter-island flights which are operated by Loganair.

Mainland Orkney

Mainland Orkney is the largest island and the cultural hub of the archipelago, boasting vibrant towns, awe-inspiring archaeological sites, and dramatic landscapes.

Top Attractions on Mainland Orkney:

1. The Heart of Neolithic Orkney – Some of the world’s best-preserved Neolithic monuments are all located within a short distance from each other, visit Skara Brae, the Ring of Brodgar, the Standing Stones of Stenness and Maeshowe.
2. St Magnus Cathedral – A striking red-sandstone cathedral built almost 1,000 years ago in honour of Magnus Erlendsson, the Earl of Orkney, which today dominates the skyline of Kirkwall.
3. The Italian Chapel – Two Nissen huts were transformed into this stunning chapel built by Domenico Chiocchetti and other Italian prisoners of war during the Second World War.

Hoy

Hoy is an island steeped in history. Named from the Old Norse meaning ‘high island’, Hoy is great for hiking and hillwalking with dramatic summits and some of the tallest cliffs in the UK. The island is also home to lovely Rackwick beach.

Top Attractions on Hoy:

1. The Old Man of Hoy – One of the tallest sea stacks in the UK at 450 feet, this is an iconic landmark for climbers and photographers.
2. Scapa Flow Museum – Housed in a former oil pumping station, this museum tells the story of Scapa Flow and Orkney’s role during both World Wars.
3. Dwarfie Stane – Lying in a beautiful yet remote location overlooking Ward Hill, the Dwarfie Stane is a mysterious Neolithic rock-cut tomb – the only one of its kind in the UK!

Flotta

This small but significant island played a key role in both world wars due to its strategic position in Scapa Flow. Today, it’s a peaceful retreat with fascinating war ruins and stunning views.

Top Attractions on Flotta:

1. Flotta Heritage Centre – An excellent introduction to Flotta from the early days of its oil terminal and the island’s wartime history.
2. Buchanan Battery – Built in 1940 to protect Hoxa Sound and boom, Buchanan Battery is one of the best-preserved coastal batteries in Orkney.
3. The Cletts – A pair of two relatively small but interestingly-shaped sea stacks found next to Stanger Head.

Graemsay

Known locally as ‘the green isle’, Graemsay is a tranquil island with just a handful of residents, known for its peaceful vibe and charming lighthouses. It’s ideal for beachcombing and walking.

Top Attractions on Graemsay:

1. Hoy High and Hoy Low Lighthouses – Built in 1851 to guide ships through the Hoy Sound, the Hoy High Lighthouse stands 108 feet tall with Hoy Low much smaller at just 39 feet.
2. Graemsay Battery – An impressive coastal battery constructed in 1943, one of five built to defend the western entrance to Scapa Flow
3. Sandside Bay – A white sandy beach that is a popular spot for birdwatching and where you can often see seals bobbing around in the water.

Shapinsay

Just a short ferry ride from Kirkwall, the small and low-lying isle of Shapinsay offers beautiful landscapes, historic sites, and a warm welcome from its community.

Top Attractions on Shapinsay:

1. Burroughston Broch – Located in a beautiful spot by the sea, this Iron Age broch is lesser-known yet well-preserved broch that you can often explore all by yourself.
2. RSPB Mill Dam Nature Reserve – One of Orkney’s most important wetlands, this is a great place for birdwatching all year round.
3. Mor Stein – A striking lichen covered Neolithic standing stone that has been in place for almost 5,000 years

Stronsay

Known as the ‘island of bays’, the low-lying isle of Stronsay features beautiful sandy beaches and dramatic cliffs providing excellent opportunities for wildlife spotting.

Top Attractions on Stronsay:

1. Vat of Kirbister – A gentle stroll along the cliffs will lead you to the Vat of Kirbister – a spectacular natural rock arch leading to a collapsed sea cave.
2. Beaches – Stronsay has many fantastic beaches like Mill Bay or St Catherine’s Bay which have beautiful long stretches of unspoiled white sand.
3. Whitehall village – Stronsay’s main village which boasts some grand houses posing as a reminder of its past as a thriving fishing port during the herring boom.

Sanday

Sanday is aptly named and famous for its beautiful beaches; think long stretches of white sand, clear blue seas, and a peaceful atmosphere.

Top Attractions on Sanday:

1. Start Point Lighthouse – Built in 1806, this lighthouse has been painted with black and white vertical stripes – the only Scottish lighthouse with this feature.
2. Quoyness Chambered Cairn – First excavated in the 1860s, this Maeshowe-like cairn dates back around 5,000 years and still stands to its original 4m in height.
3. Tresness Beach and Cata Sand – A spectacular thin peninsula of massive sand dunes split a sheltered bay from the North Sea to the east, offering endless views.

Westray

Hailed as the ‘Queen o’ the Isles’, Westray has lovely beaches, a thriving community and is teaming with wildlife with over 100,000 seabirds nesting here on its towering cliffs.

Top Attractions on Westray:

1. Noltland Castle – A 16th century castle with a turbulent history. This is a fascinating ruin to explore and features a hall, a large kitchen and a four-storey tower.
2. Castle O’Burrian – A low grassy sea stack riddled with puffin burrows making it renowned as one of the best places in Orkney to spot puffins!
3. Noup Head Lighthouse – Standing nearly 80-metres above sea level, Noup Head Lighthouse was constructed in 1898 and is truly an atmospheric place to be.

Papa Westray

What it lacks in size, Papa Westray – known locally as ‘Papay’ – makes up for with its rich history and breathtaking landscapes. It’s also home to the shortest flight in the world which travels between Papay and Westray!

Top Attractions on Papa Westray:

1. The Knap of Howar – A remarkably well-preserved pair of ‘houses’ occupied by Neolithic farmers more than 5,000 years ago.
2. RSPB North Hill Reserve – With rare wildflowers and diverse bird colonies including Arctic Terns and Puffins, North Hill is excellent for birdwatching.
3. St Boniface Kirk – One of the oldest Christian sites in northern Scotland, this tiny church features a Norse hog-back gravestone and two Pictish symbol stones.

North Ronaldsay

North Ronaldsay, the northernmost island in Orkney, is famous for its unique seaweed-eating sheep and unspoiled beauty. It’s a must-visit for wildlife enthusiasts.

Top Attractions on North Ronaldsay:

1. The Sheep Dyke – A drystone wall, built in the 1800s, that encircles the entire island to protect and preserve the island’s rare seaweed-eating sheep.
2. North Ronaldsay Bird Observatory – North Ronaldsay is famous for the diverse array of migrant birds that turn up on the island and the NRBO is a place to observe and study these species.
3. Dennis Head Lighthouse – Reaching a height of 139-feet, this red and white striped tower is the tallest land-based lighthouse in the UK.

Eday

Eday showcases the best of Orkney with its lush greenery, peaceful beaches, sweeping moorlands and many fascinating archaeological sites.

Top Attractions on Eday:

1. The Red Head – Found on the northern tip of Eday, the Red Head is a dramatic, red sandstone cliff that boasts spectacular views across to the neighbouring isles.
2. Vinquoy Chambered Cairn – Built from red sandstone, this Neolithic cairn was constructed into the slope of Vinquoy hill and offers panoramic sea views.
3. The Stone of Setter – Reaching 4.5-metres-tall, the Stone of Setter is Orkney’s tallest single standing stone and resembles a hand reaching from the ground.

Egilsay

Egilsay is a small island in the heart of the archipelago tied to one of the most well-known stories in Orkney’s history, the martyrdom of St Magnus.

Top Attractions on Egilsay:

1. St Magnus Church – One of the finest surviving Norse churches in Scotland, this small roofless ruin was built around 1137 in honour of Earl Magnus.
2. The Cenotaph – Constructed in 1937, the Cenotaph is a large 12-foot-tall stone marker built in the exact spot where St Magnus was killed.
3. Onziebust Nature Reserve – Covering around half of the entire island, this nature reserve is home to a range of birds including Curlews, Redshanks and Corncrakes.

Rousay

Known as the ‘Egypt of the North’ for its more than 160 archaeological treasures, Rousay is a must-visit island for those interested in history.

Top Attractions on Rousay:

1. Midhowe Broch and Cairn – Located right next to each other, this spectacular site is home to one of Orkney’s best-preserved brochs and its largest burial tomb.
2. Taversoe Tuick – An unusually-designed two-storey Neolithic chambered cairn. The design of this 4,500-year-old tomb can only be seen at one other site in Orkney.
3. Knowe of Yarso – A 5,000-year-old chambered cairn perched on a hillside 100m above sea level providing breathtaking views over Eynhallow Sound.

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