Churchill Barriers

Orkney

See 5,000 year old sites in the UNESCO Heart of Neolithic Orkney, stroll along idyllic beaches and dramatic sea cliffs, get up close to amazing wildlife and reconnect with nature in Orkney. Discover Orkney Islands and find information on Orkney holidays, how to travel to Orkney, Orkney map, and more. 

Map of Orkney

Explore Orkney

Get friendly and helpful advice for your trip at our iCentres.

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Travel to and around Orkney

Getting to Orkney

Ferry

There are three ferry routes, with several daily sailings. Pentland Ferries from Gill's Bay to St Margaret's Hope, Orkney (one hour) is the quickest sailing, and the most environmentally-friendly passenger ferry of its type in Scotland, thanks to the new purpose-built catamaran MV Alfred. 

You can also sail with NorthLink Ferries for 1.5 hours from Scrabster to Stromness in Orkney, or from Aberdeen to Kirkwall, Orkney for 7 hours and onto Lerwick in Shetland. 

During the summer, there is a fourth ferry route for foot passengers from John O’Groats to Burwick

Train

Flying

Getting around Orkney

Driving

Many people arrive in Orkney in their own car or hired vehicle. Orkney has quiet roads and an excellent inter-island ferry service. Electric vehicle drivers will find multiple public charging points across the islands. You can find petrol stations in Kirkwall, Stromness and Dounby as well as petrol pumps on some of the outer islands.

There are several car-hire firms and taxi services on Orkney if you don't have a vehicle. 

Cycling

Bus and coach

Ferry

Flying

A tip from your local expert

Skara brae, part of the heart of neolithic orkney world heritage site

Step back 5000 years with a visit to western Europe’s best preserved prehistoric village. Skara Brae is older than Stonehenge and gives you a true insight into the lives of people who are long gone. 

Josh

Assistant iCentre Manager, Kirkwall

Find out more

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