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Travel / Tours / Scotland / Orkney
The Orkney Islands (Scotland)
     
Sections:
Introduction
  Ferry journey to Orkney
  Kirkwall
  The Gloup and other mysteries
  Standing stones
  Orcadian jewellery
  Skara Brae
  Tomb of the Eagles
  Italian Chapel
  Going back
  Further information
  Links



INTRODUCTION

The pictures on this page were taken during a tour to Orkney.

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FERRY JOURNEY TO ORKNEY


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KIRKWALL

For details about the history of Saint Magnus Cathedral: http://www.orkneyjar.com/history/stmagnus/magcath.htm


Front view of Saint Magnus Cathedral

Cathedral entrance

Spire

Earls Palace: http://www.orkneyjar.com/history/earls.htm
Orkney Museum: http://www.orkney.org/museums/tankhouse.htm


Earls Palace

Puffins (display in the Orkney Museum)

Ice cream

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THE GLOUP & OTHER MYSTERIES


The coastline is rocky ...

... but what caused this shipwreck?

What is the Gloup?

The sheltered water surrounded by the southern Orkney islands is called the Scapa Flow. Because of its strategic location on the route into the Atlantic Ocean it was used as one of the main bases for the British navy during the two world wars. At the end of the First World War the German navy surrendered here, and their ships were deliberately sunk to create a defensive barrier. However, in October 1939 (only a few weeks after Britain entered the Second World War) a German submarine managed to get past the wrecks and to torpedo a British battleship called HMS Royal Oak. More than 800 men and boys lost their lives.

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STANDING STONES

Standing Stones of Stenness: http://www.orkneyjar.com/history/standingstones
Ring of Brogdar: http://www.orkneyjar.com/history/brodgar


Standing Stones of Stenness

Ring of Brodgar

Picnic time

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ORCADIAN JEWELLERY


Celtian Jewellery

Shiela Fleet Jewellery:
http://www.sheilafleet-jewellery.co.uk

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SKARA BRAE

See: http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/westmainland/skarabrae


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TOMB OF THE EAGLES

See: http://www.tomboftheeagles.co.uk


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ITALIAN CHAPEL

See: http://www.bbc.co.uk/legacies/heritage/scotland/highland


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GOING BACK


Walking home

The ferry back

"See you again!"

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FURTHER INFORMATION

Orkney Tourist Board: http://www.visitorkney.com
The Orcadian newspaper: http://www.orcadian.co.uk

Weather forecast for Kirkwall: http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/5day.shtml?id=2358

Lonely Planet verdict: Orkney Islands
"The magical Orkney archipelago incorporates 70 islands which together form an oasis in the surrounding wild seas. Although Atlantic gales virtually rob Orkney of trees, the fertile soil carpets the terrain with a lush, green covering ... Dramatic coastal scenery ranges from 300m cliffs to white, sandy beaches. The climate, warmed by the Gulf Stream, is surprisingly moderate, with April and May being the driest months ... Over 1000 identified prehistoric sites pepper the islands - Europe's greatest concentration ... More recent history is also well represented through fine medieval palaces and cathedrals, including the magnificent St Magnus"
(extracts from "Lonely Planet Great Britain - 2003 edition", used with permission)
Lonely Planet Great Britain
Publisher: Lonely Planet Publications
Date: May 2007
Lonely Planet Scotland's Highlands and Islands
Authors: Clay Lucas, Joseph Bindloss
Publisher: Lonely Planet Publications
Date: June 2002
Other Lonely Planet publications

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LINKS


Introduction to Scotland: Britain/Countries/Scotland
Tours in Scotland: Travel/Tours/Scotland
Tours in Wales: Travel/Tours/Wales

Home page: Home

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