orkney · scotland

50 Photos To Make You Want To Visit Orkney

Clazz - An Orcadian Abroad

Oh, Orkney.

While visitors to these remote islands in Scotland are rapidly increasing year on year, in the online travel circles and particularly the blogging world, my home island of Orkney remains seriously overlooked.

And yet I don’t understand why. Is it because we don’t have Instagrammable mountains? Is it because our beaches aren’t quite as Caribbean-esque (although not far off) as some other Scottish islands? Is it because we don’t have a crazy fire festival to draw a wee bit of attention to us?

Because Orkney has plenty. We have a hell of a lot of history. We have stunning coastlines. We have some of the most spectacular sunsets I’ve ever seen. We have jaw-dropping wildlife. And we have drool-worthy and world-renowned food and drink.

We also have creepy neolithic tombs you can climb inside, the oldest preserved discovery in Europe, and the highest vertical cliffs in the UK. We have puffins. We have — alright, you know what? It’s one thing for me to list everything that’s great about Orkney. Here’s a bunch of my favourite photos to show you what we have.

Ring Of Brodgar, Orkney, Scotland

Windwick Bay, South Ronaldsay, Orkney, Scotland

skara brae, neolithic history, orkney

Italian Chapel, ww2 history, Orkney

Italian Chapel, ww2 history, Orkney

Seal, South Ronaldsay, Orkney

St Magnus Cathedral, Kirkwall, Orkney

Sunset over the Hoy Hills, Orkney, Scotland

windwick bay, cliffs, orkney islands, scotland

sunset, wideford hill, kirkwall, orkney, scotland

waulkmill bay beach, orkney

Sunset over Hoy, Orkney, Scotland

brough of birsay, orkney, scotland, island, cliffs, bird

waves at brough of birsay, orkney

brough of birsay lighthouse, orkney, scotland

marwick head, kitcheners memorial, orkney

yesnaby, orkney, scotland, scottish island, coast, coastal walk, sea stack

kirkwall ba, orkney, game, scotland, football, rugby

Twatt Church, Orkney, Scotland

Broch Of Gurness, Orkney, Scotland

Windwick bay, South Ronaldsay, Orkney

Ring Of Brodgar sunset, Orkney, Scotland

Herston, Orkney, Scotland

Abandoned hiker's hostel, Herston, Orkney

Abandoned hiker's hostel, Herston, Orkney
Abandoned hiker's hostel, Herston, Orkney
Abandoned hiker's hostel, Herston, Orkney

Stones Of Stenness, Orkney, Scotland

View of Hoy, Orkney, Scotland

Whalebone, Birsay, Orkney, Scotland

Brough Of Deerness, Orkney, Scotland

Brough Of Deerness coastline, Orkney, Scotland

Broch Of Borwick, Yesnaby, Orkney, Scotland

Hoy from Stromness, Orkney, Scotland

Broch Of Borwick, Yesnaby, Orkney, Scotland

Old Man Of Hoy, Orkney, Scotland

Rackwick Glen, Hoy, Orkney, Scotland

Rackwick Glen, Hoy, Orkney, Scotland

Rackwick Glen, Hoy, Orkney, Scotland

St John's Head, highest cliffs in the UK, Hoy, Orkney, Scotland

Ring Of Brodgar on a winter's night, Orkney, Scotland

Ring Of Brodgar sunset, Orkney, Scotland

Waulkmill Bay, Orkney, Scotland

Happy Valley cottage, Orkney, Scotland

Skara Brae, Orkney, Scotland

Skaill beach, Orkney, Scotland

Earl's Palace, Birsay, Orkney, Scotland

Stromness, Orkney, Scotland

Shipwreck, blockship, Churchill barriers, Orkney, Scotland

Sunset at Marwick Bay, Orkney, Scotland

What do you think? Is this somewhere you’d like to visit?!

Read more:

Why You Should Visit Orkney

7 Incredible Coastal Walks In Orkney You Have To Take

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50 Photos That Will Make You Want To Visit Orkney, Scotland - A Local's Guide

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35 thoughts on “50 Photos To Make You Want To Visit Orkney”

    1. Oh you would love it!! Growing up here I definitely took it for granted, but I’ve never found anything older than some of our sites which is pretty amazing. Plus we have 3 main “eras” of history here – neolithic, Viking and war time relics! (As well as iron age & bronze age etc) So there’s really something for everyone when it comes to that. 😉 (Fun fact: 5 of the 20 oldest buildings in the world are in Orkney!!! I only just found that one out!)

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  7. This makes me want to jump on a plane right now! I’ve always wanted to visit the Scottish islands. I went to the highlands when I studied abroad there but didn’t make it to any other island than Skye. Orkney is definitely on my list!

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    1. Thanks so much! Aww it’s so hard to see everything sometimes, and especially I think a lot of people don’t realise how remote it is in the north of Scotland! They are actually bringing in lower ferry fares too, so that should be in place by the time you make it here. 😉

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  17. Hey, happy to have discovered your blog! Many moons ago a friend and I jumped on a ferry over to Orkney and hiked from Stromness to Kirkwall. I’d love to go back one day and see a bit more. If only for the photo opportunity of Twatt Church.

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  21. I have so many questions. Why is the Lynnfield Hotel asking about someone doing a poo? What year did this happen? IMPORTANTLY, which exit was the offending poo found nearest? Why do we think it was Clarissa? Why are you asking if it was her – did you have a specific question about the poo? I want to know who did it. They should make a Netflix series about this.

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