Unique things to do in Orkney

The Orkney Islands are nothing short of extraordinary. This wild and windswept seventy-island archipelago is scattered with ruins of ancient civilisations, and the unique traditions, food and drink, culture, and spectacular wildlife of these isles keep visitors coming back for more.

A great way to get the full experience of Orkney is to take a trip to one of its smaller isles. Every island has a distinctive feel, but perhaps none are as thrill-seeking as venturing across to an uninhabited island, such as Eynhallow or Copinsay.

Here is a list of 12 unique things that you can do in Orkney during your next visit!

1. Look for ‘groatie buckies’ on the beach

Along the rocky shores and beaches of the UK, you can find small shells called cowries which come from small sea snails. In the north of Scotland, in areas such as Caithness, Orkney and Shetland, cowries are known as ‘groatie buckies’ as they are more easily found near John o’Groats.

Groatie buckies are special due to their porcelain-like shells which have a small opening and intricate ridges. They are said to bring good luck and fortune to those who find them (and if you put one in your purse you will never go poor!) making them a must-find for keen shell collectors.

Due to their good fortune, many try to keep the places in Orkney where you can find groatie buckies a secret! However, they have been found along rocky shores such as at Marwick and the Brough of Birsay.

2. Take the world’s shortest flight from Westray to Papay

Nicknamed the ‘Queen o’ the Isles’, the island of Westray is certainly a special place to visit with its wild seabird cliffs, secluded beaches and fascinating history.

Once you’ve explored the sites that Westray has to offer – such as the Castle o’ Burrian, the Westray Wife and Noup Head – one of the unique things you can do here is take the world’s shortest scheduled flight! Flights between Westray and the smaller isle of Papa Westray, locally known as Papay, travel just 1½ miles and takes less than two minutes from take-off to landing.

3. Walk amongst the standing stones at midnight in midsummer

In June, Orkney experiences its longest days of the year with the sun setting at 21:30 and rising again shortly after at 03:00. The sun barely dips below the horizon meaning that it never really gets dark during midsummer.

For a truly unique experience, we recommend having a midnight excursion to the enchanting Ring of Brodgar – one of the largest stone circles in the UK that was built around 4,500 years ago. Today, just 27 of the original 60 stones stand in a massive circle, and archaeologists believe that this site at one point served as an important religious and ceremonial site.

This leads us onto another unique thing to do in Orkney – some couples choose to get married at the Ring of Brodgar or at the nearby Standing Stones of Stenness!

4. Spot hen harriers at Cottasgarth

Orkney’s wild and rugged scenery is perfect for attracting a wide diversity of seabirds. There are 13 RSPB nature reserves in Orkney which are great places for spotting many species of birds as well as other wildlife.

One of the best places for viewing hen harrier – rare birds of prey – is at the Eddie Balfour hide at the Cottasgarth Nature Reserve in Rendall. If you happen to visit Orkney during the springtime, you may be lucky enough to witness these incredible birds’ spectacular aerial courtship display, known as ‘skydancing’.

5. Visit an uninhabited island like Eynhallow or Copinsay

For people visiting Orkney for the first time, a great way to get a full experience of the islands is to take a trip to one of its smaller isles. Every island has a distinctive feel, but perhaps none are as intriguing or as thrill-seeking as venturing across to an uninhabited island.

Nestled between the isle of Rousay and the northern edge of the Mainland, Eynhallow is a peedie island that has been abandoned since 1851 when the four families who lived here fled after disease struck the island. To be sure that no one would return, the roofs of their homes were removed. The name Eynhallow is derived from the Old Norse word ‘Eyinhelga’ which means ‘Holy Island’. Archaeologists believe that there is evidence on this isle of a monastery that once served all of Orkney; and its remnants were accidentally discovered in the mid-19th century when the houses were being dismantled.

To visit Eynhallow, the Orkney Heritage Society host an annual trip to the island where visitors, accompanied by experts, guides and storytellers, spend an evening in July exploring and learning about the isle. For further information, please visit: https://orkneyheritagesociety.org.uk/annual-trip-to-eynhallow/.

Another intriguing uninhabited island is Copinsay, lying just off the east coast of the Orkney Mainland. In commemoration of naturalist James Fisher, the island was acquired by the RSPB in 1972 and it has since become a thriving nature reserve.

The last residents of Copinsay relocated to the Mainland in 1958. So, with no human disturbance, thousands of seabirds reclaimed this island as their own and now nest on its vertical cliffs which reach up to 250-feet-tall. In autumn, a colony of around 2,000 grey seals frequently come ashore here to pup.

6. Explore the upper levels of the St Magnus Cathedral

The St Magnus Cathedral, which overlooks Kirkwall, is a well-known sight in Orkney and is understandably ranked near the top of most visitor’s ‘must-see’ list. The cathedral was built in 1137 in memory of St Magnus – a Viking earl of Orkney during the Norse rule of the islands.

Entering the cathedral and exploring its ground level is free for visitors. However, for a more unique experience, you can book a guided group tour of the upper levels of the cathedral where you can better appreciate the intricacies and scale of the architecture. Enjoy a bird’s-eye view of the impressive red sandstone building and see exclusive artefacts that are not available to the general public.

Please note that tours must be booked in advance by contacting the Custodian. For more information, please visit: https://www.stmagnus.org/visiting-the-cathedral/visiting-the-cathedral-and-st-magnus-centre/.

7. See inside a 5,000-year-old house

During a storm in the winter of 1850, powerful waves and strong gales unearthed a perfectly preserved Stone Age Village, now known as Skara Brae. This accidental discovery revealed the most complete example of a Neolithic village in all of Europe, and it predates both Stonehenge and the construction of the pyramids.

The ten clustered buildings that were discovered here were inhabited for around six hundred years, from roughly 3180BC to 2500BC, making this site over 5,000 years old. Skara Brae is a remarkable place to wander around as you try to imagine what life would have been like all those years ago.

8. Find fossils of the first plant life on earth

One of the best parts about Orkney is the incredible and awe-inspiring coastal scenery found here. Yesnaby is one of many beautiful locations to stroll along the cliffs as it is a stretch of the Mainland’s west coast that is well-known for its series of sea stacks, arches, geos and headlands.

When you arrive at Yesnaby, head north to explore the distinctive and intricate rock formations that are the fossilised remnants of Stromatolites. Around 400 million years ago, when Orkney was submerged under a lake, the red sandstone cliffs of Yesnaby were once a part of the seabed. Stromatolites are the name of the algae that used to grow in the water.

9. Try a pattie supper (or other delicious Orkney foods!)

There are many delicious locally produced foods in Orkney, such as cheese, oatcakes, fudge and ice cream – and don’t forget the beer, whisky, gin and rum to wash it down!

After a busy day of exploring, we suggest trying a Pattie Supper, a beloved Orcadian treat, from a local chip shop. A Pattie supper is mixture of mince, tatties, onion, pepper and spices which are combined, battered and deep-fried.

If you aren’t visiting Orkney soon, why not try your hand at making them yourself by following our recipe for perfect Orkney Patties.

10. Visit a jewellery workshop

There are many fine jewellery makers in Orkney that create delicate and beautiful pieces inspired by the landscapes, culture and heritage of the islands.

One of Scotland’s best designers of gold, silver and platinum jewellery is Sheila Fleet. Although she is based in Orkney – with her workshop and gallery located in Tankerness and another shop in Kirkwall – they also have stores in Edinburgh, Glasgow and St Andrews. Nestled inside a refurbished old parish church, the Kirk Gallery and Café is a lovely spot to grab some lunch after browsing their latest collections.

Ortak is another renowned jewellery maker based in Orkney, beautifully crafting unique designs in silver and enamel. We highly recommend popping into their store in Kirkwall to see all their intricate designs up close!

11. See Maeshowe in midwinter

Today, Maeshowe appears as a grassy mound on a flat landscape. However, underneath lies a significant Neolithic building – among the finest in all of north-west Europe. Built some 5,000 years ago, Maeshowe is the largest chambered burial tomb on Orkney’s mainland, reaching 7.5-metres-tall inside.

Crouching along the 9-metre passageway to get inside, seeing Maeshowe is an exceptional experience whatever time of the year you visit. However, this is especially true when visiting during the winter solstice (the two weeks before and after December 21st). During this time, the setting sun aligns with the entrance tunnel and illuminates the rear wall of the central cairn – making for a truly unique way to experience this site.

12. Watch a ‘Ba game

For many, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day are a day for being with loved ones, relaxing and celebrating the festivities. But it is a different story in Orkney! The men of Orkney play a traditional game called the Ba’ which starts outside of the St Magnus Cathedral. There are two teams (the Uppies and the Doonies) and to win the game, one team must get the Ba’ to their designated goal.

For spectators, the Ba’ can be an exciting and at times dramatic game to watch as breakaways occur and strategies are implemented. Over the years, the shortest game was just 4 minutes whereas the longest game lasted 7 hours!

To find out more about this local tradition, you can read our Beginner’s Guide to the Ba’ here.

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