Orkney's ancient monuments are must-see attraction particularly those in the UNESCO-recognised World Heritage Site in the West Mainland, such as Skara Brae, Maeshowe and the stone circles at Brodgar and Stenness. The Broch of Gurness in Evie is also well worth visiting, and the East Mainland can offer the intriguing underground structure of Minehowe in Tankerness, and the Grain Earth House in the improbable setting of Kirkwall's Hatston Industrial Estate. Much more information on this and all aspects of Orkney's heritage can be found on Sigurd Towrie's excellent Orkneyjar website.

The East Mainland is the gateway to the linked South Isles of Burray and South Ronaldsay, linked by the Churchill Barriers, causeways built during World War II to protect the naval anchorage of Scapa Flow. On Lambs Holm, between barrier no. 1 and barrier no. 2, you can find the Italian Chapel, another must-see, and heading south you can visit the Orkney Fossil and Vintage Centre in Burray, and the excellent Orkney Marine Life Aquarium in South Ronaldsay, excellent rainy day activities (but note our annual rainfall is below the Scottish average!). VisitOrkney will tell you about more places to visit as well.

Kirkwall itself has much to offer, with the St Magnus Cathedral, Orkney Museum, Earl's and Bishop's Palaces, and vibrant town centre shopping in a well preserved Norse street layout. The Orkney Library and Archive has a wealth of information to explore, and is also the home to the Orkney Family History Society, for those wishing to explore their roots.

In the west, Stromness is also well worth a visit, being home to the Pier Arts Centre and Stromness Museum, and also is a particularly attractive town with numerous intriguing lanes and alleys, and every house which could have one having a pier of its own.

Also we can't forget the beach. Orkney has beautiful beaches at all points of the compass, with Skaill facing the Atlantic, Newark in South Ronaldsay facing East, Aikerness in Evie facing North, Scapa (just down the road from Innisgarth) facing South, and many more- Waulkmill, Newark in Deerness, Dingieshowe, Inganess, Glimpsholm...