Hi and welcome to Islandeering Islandeering is for people who want adventure in Britain’s wild blue spaces – our rivers, coast, lakes, canals and islands. You will find amazing walks, paddles and swims in the UK’s most special places, those recognised for outstanding natural beauty, incredible geology or special and abundant wildlife.

More About Us

We continuously find new islands, rivers, lochs, canals and coast to walk, SUP and swim in and meet plenty of great folks along the way. Join our community to get new routes and adventures, latest blogs and news by using the email box below. Tune in also to our Facebook and Instagram pages to see where we are going next.

Orkney Islands Guide

The Orkney Islands form one of Britain’s most distinctive island groups, lying off the north coast of mainland Scotland where the North Sea meets the Atlantic. Known for open landscapes, powerful tides and an extraordinary concentration of archaeological sites, Orkney combines deep time, living culture and expansive coastal travel.

From low-cliff coastal walking and tidal paddling routes to sheltered swimming bays and millennia-old stone monuments, Orkney offers island adventures shaped as much by history and weather as by land and sea.

This guide provides an overview of the Orkney Islands.

Mainland Orkney

The heart of the archipelago, Mainland Orkney holds many of the islands’ most famous archaeological sites alongside rolling farmland, long coastal paths and sheltered bays. Its central position makes it the natural base for exploring the wider group.

Expect: neolithic monuments, low cliffs, sea lochs, farmland, wide skies.

Mainland Orkney

A large, low-lying island rich in archaeology, coastal walking and sheltered waters.

→ Explore Mainland Orkney

The North Isles

Scattered across the northern edge of the archipelago, the North Isles are quieter, more remote and deeply shaped by maritime life. These islands reward slow travel, with strong community identities, wildlife-rich coasts and dramatic tidal sounds.

Expect: seabirds, tidal sounds, long beaches, maritime heritage.

North Ronaldsay

Known for its stone sheep dyke, rich birdlife and remote feel at the northern edge of Orkney.

→ Explore North Ronaldsay

Westray

Known for sandy beaches, birdlife and the shortest scheduled flight in the world.

→ Explore Westray

Papa Westray

Small and remote, with archaeological sites, quiet paths and wide sea views.

→ Explore Papa Westray

Rousay

Often called the “Egypt of the North” for its concentration of prehistoric sites.

→ Explore Rousay

Eynhallow

Known for its Norse heritage, tidal access and quiet shoreline, with strong associations with folklore and early Christian history.

→ Explore Eynhallow

Eday

An island of red sandstone, peat moorland and expansive coastal walking.

→ Explore Eday

Stronsay

Known for beaches, seabirds and strong Norse heritage.

→ Explore Stronsay

Sanday

Low-lying and expansive, with long beaches and rich wildlife habitats.

→ Explore Sanday

The South Isles

Closer to the Scottish mainland, the South Isles sit amid some of the UK’s strongest tidal currents. They combine dramatic coastal scenery with rich cultural histories and a strong sense of island resilience.

Expect: tidal races, sea stacks, cliffs, wildlife-rich waters.

Hoy

A rugged island of hills and cliffs, home to the Old Man of Hoy and remote walking routes.

→ Explore Hoy

South Ronaldsay

Connected to Mainland by the Churchill Barriers, with coastal paths and wartime history.

→ Explore South Ronaldsay

Flotta

A small island with strong community identity and oil-terminal heritage.

→ Explore Flotta

Graemsay

A quiet island between Hoy and Mainland, with low-level walking and rich birdlife.

→ Explore Graemsay

Nature, Culture & Island Identity

Wildlife

Orkney’s cliffs, seas and shorelines support seabirds, seals, otters and marine mammals, while intertidal zones reveal rich coastal ecology.

Archaeology & Culture

From the Heart of Neolithic Orkney UNESCO World Heritage Site to Norse place names and living island traditions, Orkney’s cultural landscape is globally significant.

Island Landscape

Low horizons, open moorland, flagstone shores and constant light shape a strong sense of place distinct from other Scottish island groups.

Island Adventures

Walking

Clifftop routes, coastal circuits and low-level paths across open landscapes.

Paddleboarding & Kayaking

Sheltered bays and sounds alongside advanced tidal environments for experienced paddlers.

Wild Swimming

Clear waters, sandy beaches and sheltered inlets, often influenced by tides and weather.

Cycling

Quiet roads and open views make many islands ideal for cycling.

Plan Your Visit

Best Seasons

Late spring to early autumn offers longer daylight, wildlife interest and more reliable travel conditions.

Getting There

Regular ferry and flight connections operate from mainland Scotland, with inter-island ferries linking the archipelago.

Paddleboarding in Orkney

We have shared some of our favourite routes in our Top paddles on Scottish Island blog but more can be found on our Route Map page

Islands of Orkney

Read more about the islands in our Islandeering book

Mainland Orkney

North Ronaldsay

Westray

Papa Westray

Rousay

Eynhallow

Eday

Stronsay

Sanday

Hoy

South Ronaldsay

Flotta

Graemsay