Time and SPACE
If you want wildlife, natural beauty and peace and quiet, Orkney has it all...
We could all use a bit more time and space these days. However, the demands of modern life don’t always leave many opportunities for recharging, detuning or that all important focus on personal wellness.
But what if you could escape to a place, not that far away, where the rhythms of life are softer, slower and naturally synced with landscape, light and ocean?
In Orkney, you’ll discover a low-pressure environment, one where you call the shots on how to spend your days, whether you seek adventure, escapism, an injection of culture, or just some headspace.
You’ll find a warm welcome here, of course, and plenty of advice and information on where to go and what to see. You might want to take in our incredible archaeology and history, sample our award-winning food and drink and learn more about our talented local artisans. There’s also a packed cultural calendar of festivals and special events to enjoy.
Exploring the islands
Fabulous walking routes abound in the islands, too, with options to suit all abilities. Or you might simply seek the solitude of a stroll along one of our pristine beaches, watching waves crash on the shoreline and keeping your eyes peeled for seals, whales and Otters.
Chances are you’ll already be familiar with Orkney’s reputation as a must-visit destination for birders. From gulls and guillemots, to Kittiwakes, waders and White-tailed Eagles, Orkney’s birdlife is remarkably varied, with the islands home to no fewer than 13 RSPB nature reserves.
Large numbers of migratory birds pass through Orkney, and we get all manner of rare breeds appearing here too, often after being blown off course.
During the summer months, Orkney’s cliffs are home to thousands of breeding seabirds, with Marwick Head and Mull Head on the mainland, and Noup Head in Westray, popular sites for observing activity.
For many people, catching a glimpse of a Puffin is one of the highlights of a visit to
Orkney – there are reputed to be 61,000 of these ‘Tammie Norries’ in the islands – but our lochs, moors and wetlands are also teeming with a huge variety of species, including Hen Harriers, owls, wildfowl and waders.
And getting to Orkney has never been easier, with flight connections from throughout the UK, including a new London-Dundee-Kirkwall service, and excellent ferry links from mainland Scotland.
So, what are you waiting for?