DESTINATIONS ORKNEY UK & IRELAND ABOVE: St Magnus Cathedral, Kirkwall


from Edinburgh (one hour), Glasgow (one hour), Aberdeen (50 minutes) and Inverness (45 minutes). Loganair fares start at £77 each way from Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow or Inverness, and all these airports are well connected to the rest of the UK. The other option is to arrive in Orkney by ferry. There’s a six- hour service from Aberdeen to Kirkwall with NorthLink Ferries (from £21 for adults and £10 for children) and a 90-minute crossing between Scrabster, near Thurso on the mainland, and Stromness (£17/£8). In addition, Pentland Ferries has a 60-minute service from Gill’s Bay, near John O’Groats, to South Ronaldsay (£16/£8). From May to September, meanwhile, John O’Groats Ferries operates a foot- passenger-only boat between John O’Groats and South Ronaldsay for £20 each way.


So what kind of traveller is


Orkney suited to? The prehistoric sites, Viking heritage and wartime history are a big part of the appeal, but they’re far from being the only draw. The seafood and lamb are excellent, the walking is fantastic and the birdlife extraordinary. Although tourism levels are healthy, the archipelago rarely feels crowded. It’s a place for staycation lovers looking for somewhere out of the ordinary – a close-at-hand destination with a tangible sense of adventure. The quality of the beaches, particularly on the outlying islands, make it a great bet for a family holiday with a difference, and there’s also a strong calendar of festivals and events. Two stand-outs? May’s Orkney Folk Festival has been covered on BBC Radio 2, while June’s arts- focused St Magnus International Festival draws performers from around the world.


60 travelweekly.co.uk 18 October 2018


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