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Orkney Islands Road Trip Online Travel Guide

• Explore the Orkney Islands’ rich heritage and dramatic coastline
• Includes 25 key stops from Neolithic sites to Norse landmarks
• Organised by location: Mainland West, East, and linked islands

COMING SOON

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The Orkney Islands are well connected by road and ferry, making them ideal for a self-drive trip focused on archaeology, coastal scenery, and local culture. This itinerary begins on Mainland Orkney, where key sites like Skara Brae, Maeshowe, and the Ring of Brodgar form part of a UNESCO World Heritage landscape. The route also includes the Churchill Barriers, the Italian Chapel, and views over Scapa Flow.

From the mainland, travellers can take short ferry journeys to nearby islands such as Hoy, Westray, and Sanday, each offering distinct landscapes and heritage highlights — from sea cliffs and birdlife to wartime history and remote beaches. Burray and South Ronaldsay are accessible by car via causeways and include further walking routes, archaeological sites, and small harbours.

With a network of surfaced roads, reliable inter-island ferries, and a compact geography, Orkney offers an efficient and rewarding road trip for those interested in history, wildlife, and the character of island life.

Orkney Islands Road Trip:

A Journey Through Ancient History, Rugged Coasts, and Norse Heritage

Explore Mainland Orkney – Skara Brae, Maeshowe, Ring of Brodgar, and the Italian Chapel
Ferry to Hoy – walk to the Old Man of Hoy and visit the Scapa Flow Museum
Visit Westray & Papa Westray – seabird cliffs and the world’s shortest scheduled flight
Discover Sanday – quiet beaches, Start Point lighthouse, and seal spotting
Drive to Burray & South Ronaldsay – see Churchill Barriers and the Tomb of the Eagles
UNESCO sites – Heart of Neolithic Orkney’s four major monuments
Norse history – Viking graffiti, artefacts, and St Magnus Cathedral
See wildlife – puffins, seabirds, seals, and occasional orcas
Good roads & services – surfaced routes, fuel stops, and EV chargers
Accessible by ferry – from Scrabster or Gills Bay, car bookings essential in summer

Mobile screen showing a travel tour for the North Coast of Scotland, featuring a map with stops including Inverness and John O'Groats, from Uncover Britain website.

Screenshot of a mobile app page for North Coast of Scotland travel tips, featuring sections for overnight stays and a shortlist & highlights.

Weather forecast for Inverness with scattered clouds and 23°C, and a map of the route around the Isle of Skye showing various towns and landmarks, including Orkney Islands, Wark, John O'Groats, and Lytor.

Weekly weather forecast for Mey with scattered clouds, temperatures ranging from 10°C to 18°C. A map showing a route through Mey, Dunnet, Thurso, Scrabster, Bettyhill, Tongue, Durness, and back to Mey. Estimated driving time is 2 hours 30 minutes to 3 hours 30 minutes, covering approximately 92 miles (148 km). Options for live navigation via Google Maps and links to destination guides are provided.

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A screenshot of a travel itinerary planner webpage for a road trip beginning June 16, 2025, in Inverness, Scotland. It includes options for selecting visit places like Inverness Castle and Inverness Botanic Gardens and has an overnight stay section.

A lighthouse on a rocky shoreline with a small building nearby, set against a cloudy sky, near Dunnet Bay.

Must-see highlights included in this Orkney Islands Travel Guide

Skara Brae

Skara Brae is one of the most remarkable archaeological sites in the world, located on the western coast of Mainland Orkney, Scotland. This ancient village offers a unique window into prehistoric life and is considered one of the best-preserved Neolithic settlements in Europe. Skara Brae is a stone-built Neolithic village that was inhabited around 3,100 to 2,500 BCE, making it older than both Stonehenge and the Great Pyramids of Giza. Image: Copyright: Historic Environment Scotland
Ring of Brodgar

The Ring of Brodgar is one of the most iconic and significant Neolithic monuments in Scotland, located on Mainland Orkney. This ancient stone circle, shrouded in mystery, is a part of the "Heart of Neolithic Orkney," a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which includes several other prehistoric landmarks. It’s the third-largest stone circle in the British Isles, with a diameter of 104 meters (341 feet), making it an impressive feat of ancient engineering.
Italian Chapel

The Italian Chapel on the Orkney Islands is a beautiful and unique symbol of hope, creativity, and resilience. Built during World War II by Italian prisoners of war, it is now one of Orkney’s most cherished and unexpected landmarks. The Italian Chapel is a small Roman Catholic chapel, intricately decorated and made from two Nissen huts—a type of prefabricated steel structure used during the war. Despite the simple materials, the interior is a masterpiece of artistry, showcasing the prisoners' ingenuity and determination.
Yesnaby Cliffs

Yesnaby Cliffs, located on the west coast of Mainland Orkney, are among the most stunning and dramatic coastal landscapes in Scotland. Yesnaby is famous for its rugged, high cliffs that drop steeply into the churning North Atlantic Ocean. The cliffs are sculpted by the constant waves and winds, forming deep caves, arches, and sea stacks. One of the most famous features is the Yesnaby Castle, a distinctive two-legged sea stack that looks like a natural fortress standing defiantly against the waves.