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Discovering the Orkneys
18 - 25 May 2013
A brief introduction - full details will be available shortly...
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INTRODUCTION
Orkney really is a magical place and we plan to spend a week walking and exploring all that the Islands have to offer. The Islands of Orkney are a group of about 70 islands and skerries situated 10km (6.2 miles) from the north-east tip of the Scottish Mainland. The largest island, known as 'the mainland’, is home to most of the total 20,000 population but the main north islands of Shapinsay, Gairsay, Stronsay, Wyre, Rousay, Egilsay, Eday, Sanday, Westray, Papa Westray and North Ronaldsay and the south islands of Graemsay, Hoy, South Walls, Burray, Flotta and South Ronaldsay are also populated. We won't be able to cover them all in this trip, but we'll certainly pick out the highlights.
Being surrounded by the sea has a huge influence on Orkney’s weather and the relatively warm waters of the North Atlantic Drift (or Gulf Stream) which only varies by roughly 5 degrees throughout the year means our ‘mean air temperature’ fluctuates by less than 10 degrees from summer to winter. The climate is described as ‘temperate’ with relatively low rainfall and not a great deal of snow and ice in the winter months. We have planned our visit for May to take advantage of the best of the weather and to coincide with the blooming of the sea pinks, when the Islands are awash with colour.
Remote from the harassing turmoil of modern urban life, but easily accessible seven days a week – Orkney is nearer than you think. We can fly to Orkney with Flybe operated by Loganair, from Glasgow (1hr 20min), Aberdeen (50mins), Edinburgh (1hr 20mins), Inverness (45mins) and Sumburgh (35mins). All of these Scottish airports have excellent UK and overseas flight connections to choose from and by air we have wonderful aerial views of the islands to greet us. The flight in is to Kirkwall on the Island known as Mainland
Although Burray and South Ronaldsay are ‘islands’ they are connected to the Orkney mainland by causeways called the Churchill barriers, which were built in the 1940s. Likewise, South Walls is connected to Hoy via a causeway called The Ayre. This will help us with our Island hopping, but there are also excellent ferry services to help us to get around.
The islands of Orkney are mainly low lying—a gently rolling landscape of green fields, heather moorland heath and lochs. The underlying sandstone rock breaks-down easily to form good fertile soils and much of the landscape is farmed, growing mainly grass for animal feed. Most of the farmland is devoted to the production of beef cattle and Orkney beef is prized for its high quality. Sheep are also present in high numbers and the production of barley, potatoes (tatties) and turnips (neeps) is also common. The island of Hoy (meaning ‘high’ in Old Norse) is the exception with dramatic hills and valleys and spectacular cliffs. One of the musts that we will not miss is a visit to Hoy to do the walk to the Old Man of Hoy which is listed in the top 10 walks in the world.
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There are a great number of archaeological sites throughout the islands with the Knap of Howar on Papa Westray being the ‘oldest dwelling house in the UK’. On Mainland Orkney the sites of Maeshowe, Ring of Brodgar and Skara Brae were given World Heritage Status, and these are some of the most visited attractions in Orkney. There are many other sites to visit and explore from Neolithic tombs and dwellings to Pictish brochs and Viking settlements.
Orkney’s flora and fauna are also another great attraction for visitors with tens of thousands of seabirds nesting on the cliffs in the summer months. The extensive coastline and large tidal margins exposes extensive feeding grounds for seabirds and heathland and loch are another source of abundant food and habitat for birdlife. Orkney has internationally important populations of Arctic and Great Skuas (Bonxies) and Hen Harriers. More common migrant and nesting birds include Great Northern Diver, Greylag Goose, Goldeneye, Knot, Puffin, Swallow, Turnstone to name but a few.
The largest mammals in evidence are the Grey and Common Seals which can be seen all around the shores of Orkney as they haul out to bask on the skerries and shores. A walk along a beach will almost always attract an inquisitive eye from the local seals as they bob in the surf just off shore. Porpoises, whales and dolphins are also common around these shores, best spotted from a boat or ferry and if we are lucky we may spot a pod of Killer whales.
The main town and Capital of the islands is Kirkwall and with its narrow main street with many craft and gift shops, cafes, hotel restaurants and bars, it is a great central location from which to explore the islands. Kirkwall is dominated by the magnificent St Magnus Cathedral, founded by Earl Rognvald Kolson in 1137, with its red sandstone walls and large columns, ramparts and vaulted ceiling is another ‘must see’. We will start and finish our visit here, but we are busy working up an itinerary that will take in some of the more interesting of the other Islands too. More information will be available soon.
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E&OE
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