Head to head: Orkney versus Shetland

Orkney VERSUS Shetland

Both offer remote island hopping, rich history and wildlife. But which archipelago is best for you?

These northern archipelagos offer remote island hopping and a rich mix of prehistory, Viking heritage, abundant wildlife and their own independent spirits. But are you swayed by ancient Orkney or rugged Shetland?

Northern exposure (clockwise from top left) Boulders fizz at Rackwick Bay; the Ring of Brodgar is UNESCO listed; Lerwick ignites for the annual Up Helly Aa festival; it’s said Earl Patrick Stewart used the hair and blood of his tenants in the construction of Scalloway Castle, completed in AD1600