The Orkney Isles have some fascinating archaeological sites to discover from stone circles such as the Ring of Brodgar to prehistoric villages like Skara Brae.
From the mainland, a car ferry operates from Scrabster (near Thurso) and a passenger ferry operates from John O' Groats.
With so many habitats in a relatively small area you can experience a vast selection of flora and fauna. RSPB has over 8000 hectares of reserves in Orkney, ranging from sea cliffs to wetlands, maritime heaths to moorlands. Birds resident or recorded include hen harrier, red-throated diver, guillemot, razorbill, arctic tern, shag, puffin, corncrake, peregrine, merlin, whimbrel, sedge warbler, twites, reed bunting, kestrel, short eared owl, teal, widgeon, curlew but there are many, many more.