7 - Orkney Islands (Kirkwall), Scotland - Cruising Excursions

manager Fri, 04/05/2019 - 22:56
  1. Skara Brae This Neolithic village dates back 5,000 years and has such well-preserved features, including beds and dressers in the houses. This monument is part of Orkney's World Heritage site, the Heart of Neolithic Orkney.
  2. Italian Chapel A lovely chapel simply constructed with two nissen huts during World War II, is a symbol of peace and reconciliation. Built by Italian prisoners of war, among them, an artist and sculptor named Domenico Chiocchetti who stayed to finish it once the war ended.
  3. Scapa Flow This stretch of water links the North Sea to the Atlantic and is famous for its role in both World Wars as a natural harbor offering shelter for the British naval fleet.
  4. St. Magnus Cathedral Known as the "Light in the North," this cathedral was founded in 1137 by Viking Earl Rognvald in honor of his uncle St. Magnus.
  5. Ring of Brodgar Perhaps, once used to study the stars, this perfect circle of immense standing stones is an impressive vision and one of Orkney's most a popular attractions. This monument is part of Orkney's World Heritage site, the Heart of Neolithic Orkney.
  6. Maeshowe Dating back to prehistoric times, this chambered tomb hidden beneath a grassy mound is a marvel of ancient architecture. It also contains the largest concentration or runic writing (Viking "graffiti") outside of Scandinavia. This monument is part of Orkney's World Heritage site, the Heart of Neolithic Orkney.
  7. Distillery Highland Park is the most northerly Scotch whisky distillery in Scotland and produces arguably the most respected single malt in the world.
  8. Balfour Castle Britain's most northerly inhabited castle and its two-acre Victorian gardens form part of the private Balfour Estate on the Island of Shapinsay. Magnificent Balfour Castle has stood overlooking Kirkwall Bay for more than 160 years.