SPORT AND LEISURE AT ITS FINEST

Orkney is a true treasure trove of activity to fully immerse yourself in. The variety and breadth of pursuits on offer is truly astounding, and attracts many people to our shores every year, from walking through spectacular coastal backdrops to going under water and experiencing some of the best diving spots you are likely to find.

Orkney offers one of the most visually stunning settings for an exhilarating range of activities, and it is this diversity which means that, should you arrive here for the great outdoors, you may not always be met with the best weather — but you will always be treated to rugged beauty, spectacular land and seascapes, and majestic wildlife.

There are a huge variety of off-road and on-road challenges and routes, amid spectacular coastal backdrops, exceptional scenery and diverse wildlife — not to mention the opportunity to visit some of the inner and outer isles.

There are a multitude of rewarding walking routes and paths, taking you to some of the most stunning locations in the country, including the majestic sandstone sea stack, the Old Man of Hoy, and the exceptional Yesnaby Castle.

If you fancy trying your hand at a longer route, the St Magnus Way, a 58-mile pilgrimage route primarily through the Mainland of Orkney, offers a testing but hugely rewarding fitness kick.

Every year, Orkney attracts hundreds, if not thousands, of people on cycling holidays. The mainly flat, winding roads and undulating green hills make for a great way to see the islands.

Where else in the UK can you play golf over wartime gun emplacements, or try your hand at what is believed to be the longest hole in the UK? Golf is a hugely popular sport here, and the coastal scenery can make for some of the most spectacular on the golfing scene.

The Mainland of Orkney boasts two 18-hole courses, one in Stromness, with its panoramic views and wartime gun emplacements, and one in Kirkwall, at Orkney Golf Club.

There is an excellent nine-hole course (but with 18 tees) over the Churchill Barriers in South Ronaldsay, and there are courses in Orkney’s North Isles — including Westray, the home of what is believed to be the longest hole in the UK, a monstrous 738-yard par-six.

Orkney may be small, but don’t let size fool you when it comes to the richness and variety of the sporting scene here in the islands.

There are tremendous sport and leisure facilities at your fingertips, namely at The Pickaquoy Centre, and the wide network of council-run gyms, swimming pools and venues, right across the archipelago.

On any trip to the islands, you will find a myriad of sport and activities taking place here throughout the year, from football, rugby and athletics, to climbing, netball, hockey and badminton.

IN THE AIR

The area’s unique blend of predator-free farmland and rough moorland provides a perfect nesting ground for geese, and this is why shooters, from all over the UK and beyond, flock to the islands — some of the best shooting grounds in the country.

AT THE LOCHSIDE

Orkney is quite simply a trout-fishing paradise, boasting a myriad of mysterious, peaty fresh-water lochs, brimming with some of the finest brown trout in the country.

Loch fishing in the islands has a reputation that spreads far and wide, and the sheer number of lochs — all ranging in size and difficulty — ensures that anglers, from beginner to expert, can catch brown trout of unrivalled quality.

Orkney Trout Fishing Association’s website carries extensive information, including boat hire.

• Brown trout season runs from March 15 to October 6.

• Sea trout season runs from February 25 to October 31.

AT SEA

Orkney’s seafaring traditions date back centuries, and to this day, are still prominent in the islands.

In a cruising yacht? Anchor in a remote bay, enjoy the silence, and view spectacular sunrises and sunsets; or tie up at one of three marinas in Kirkwall, Stromness or Westray, to enjoy the local delights.

Orkney Sailing Club also has five mooring buoys situated in Orkney’s North Isles.

Beneath the sea, there is a whole new world waiting to be explored.

Orkney is a mecca for divers heading to Scapa Flow to experience the wrecks of the German High Seas Fleet, which were scuttled in 1919. Seven ships remain, lying at various depths, offering a distinct and unique diving experience.

With the diving season stretching from March to November, and various specialist dive operators in Orkney, exploring these sunken warships has never been easier. The ships hidden beneath the waves ensure Scapa Flow remains one of the best diving locations in northern Europe.

Snorkelling and shore diving are also popular, while other activities, such as rowing, kayaking, angling and surfing, feature prominently. The seas around Orkney may not be the warmest in the world, but there is a huge abundance of wildlife and colourful marine life, and hundreds of cliffs, caves, arches, tunnels and shipwrecks, that make exploring the coastlines of the islands a joy to behold. Be careful though, and aware of the challenging conditions and fast-flowing tides.

Sea angling for cod, skate, halibut, ling and mackerel is always exciting, and can provide fascinating sport.