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Orkney is an archipelago of 70 or so islands
and skerries, of which 17 are currently inhabited. Orkney
can be found off the northern tip of Scotland, lying on
latitude 59° North, where the North Sea and the Atlantic
Ocean meet.
The Islands cover an area of 974 square kilometres, of
which more than half is taken up by the Mainland, which
is the group’s largest island. The islands are about
85 km from north to south and 37 km from east to west.
Approximately 20,000 people live in Orkney, the majority
of which live in the main towns of Kirkwall and Stromness.
The islands are low-lying, gently sloping and richly fertile
with the exception of the island of Hoy, which is high
and rugged. The climate is temperate, warmed by the Gulf
Stream; with the driest months being April, May and June.
In the spring and summer months, the days are long and
the skies are enormous, which literally lengthens your
day. Come autumn, though the evenings draw in, the aurora
borealis; or northern lights offer a spectacular light
show well worth seeing.
Orkney’s famous archaeology, superb wildlife, landscape,
and traditional island welcome are well known - at least
to lovers of the good life. Many of our visitors return
again and again to drink at the wellspring of ancient culture
and modern hospitality.
What is it that brings them back? Perhaps it’s the
pure air, or the heady scent of wildflowers, or the mysteries
of the magnificent standing stones and the sense of kinship
with our ancestors.
Or maybe it’s the deliciously slow pace of life,
and the warmth of the people. Orkney is a feast for the
senses, and an opportunity to get back in touch with the
real you.
Whatever your pleasure, if you have visited Orkney before,
we hope you’ll be back with us again soon, and if
not - read on. We are sure you will like what you find.
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