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| The <b>Orkney Islands</b> are a group of a couple of hundred small islands about 10 miles north of ] in northern ]. The largest island in the group is known as |
The <b>Orkney Islands</b> are a group of a couple of hundred small islands about 10 miles north of ] in northern ]. The largest island in the group is known as "Mainland". | ||
| Orkney's administrative capital is ] on |
Orkney's administrative capital is ] on Mainland, a small city (due to the ]) with a large port. The only other sizeable town is ] at the western end of Mainland. | ||
Revision as of 18:12, 16 November 2001
The Orkney Islands are a group of a couple of hundred small islands about 10 miles north of Caithness in northern Scotland. The largest island in the group is known as "Mainland".
Orkney's administrative capital is Kirkwall on Mainland, a small city (due to the Saint Magnus Cathedral) with a large port. The only other sizeable town is Stromness at the western end of Mainland.
Frequent ferry services operate on the following routes:
- Aberdeen to Stromness
- Scrabster to Stromness
- John o' Groats to St Mary's
A locally-owned cargo service also takes passengers on its services from Kirkwall to Invergordon.
The most significant islands in the group are:
- Mainland, which is connected by causeway to:
- South Ronaldsay
- Burray
- Hoy (which is also the highest)
- Flotta (a large oil processing centre is located here)
- Eday
- Rousay
- Westray
- Stronsay
The famous Neolithic sites of Skara Brae and Maes Howe are located on the Mainland.