Local Life - Wigan - July 2019

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Orkney Islands
The Orkney Islands offer a time-worn, almost
mystical charm where visitors will be greeted by
storm-battered cliffs, ancient stone circles and
delightful scenery.
Mainland, the largest of the
Orkney Islands, is a designated
UNESCO World Heritage Site
and is packed with prehistoric
treasures: start off with the
Ring of Brodgar – a stone circle
built around 2,500 BC, which
predates both Stonehenge and
the Egyptian pyramids! Nearby
Skara Brae is Europe’s bestpreserved
Stone Age settlement;
you can even make out walls
and furnishings that were laid
out by ancient humans!
On Mainland you’ll find Kirkwall, the vibrant capital
of the Orkneys. The skyline is dominated by the
12th century Norse cathedral of St Magnus. Other
fascinating sights include the Bishop’s and Earl’s
palaces and Orkney Museum. It boasts a wide
choice of restaurants and cafes where you can
enjoy Orkney’s excellent food and drink including
its famed local beef, lamb, salmon and shellfish,
as well as a multitude of other locally produced
delights.
Getting there
Can’t decide which islands to visit? Why not book
a holiday with a stay on both? The best way to
experience Shetland and the Orkney Islands is with
an independent tour incorporating stays in both
Lerwick and Kirkwall.
Flying to the islands is incredibly straightforward,
with options to fly direct from Scottish airports
including Inverness, Aberdeen, Edinburgh and
Glasgow. You can also choose to fly from other
major UK airports including direct flights from
Manchester to Kirkwall (Orkney) and Manchester
via Inverness to Sumburgh (Shetland)
Many of the neighbouring islands can be visited by
boat as day trips for the ultimate island hopping
holiday!
Both Lerwick and Kirkwall offer a range of hotels
which offer a warm welcome, such as the Kirkwall
Hotel - perfectly situated on the picturesque
harbour and offering stunning views to the north.
The Lerwick Hotel, meanwhile, has unrivalled views
of Brewick Bay and the island of Bressay.