Things to see and do Orkney & Shetland

St Magnus is the northernmost cathedral in Britain. Its construction began in 1137 and lasted 300 years. Its Romanesque architecture is one of the most interesting in Scotland. St Magnus, to whom it is dedicated, had a reputation for great kindness. During a raid from Norway against Anglesey, Wales, he refused to take part in the fighting and remained on the ship reciting psalms. King Eystein II granted him part of Orkney, which was then under the authority of his cousin, Hakon, and they ruled together from 1105 to 1114.

The Neolithic dwellings in Barnhouse Village were probably occupied by those who built Maeshowe and the foundations give a good impression of what the houses looked like at the time. 1.5 km further on you will find the very romantic Ring of Brodgar. Its monoliths are said to be between 3,500 and 4,000 years old. Sitting enthroned in the heather, 27 of the original 60 are still visible. Between the two sites, you will pass the Ness of Bodgar, still under excavation.

On the tiny island of Lamb Holm, between St Margaret's Hope and Kirkwall, lies this small chapel with a fascinating history. It was built by Italian prisoners of war during the Second World War. They began to build a real place of worship with everything they had at hand: military barracks, tin, concrete and wood. In spite of these makeshift raw materials, they managed to recreate a small architectural gem with a bell tower, columns, wall paintings and even an altar.

The Orkney Museum is particularly well developed and is full of information and objects of great interest. Set up in a former Kirkwall house opposite the cathedral, its exhibition is a bit like a labyrinth, with rooms that follow one another in all directions. The contents are nonetheless very interesting and instructive, telling the history of the archipelago, from its origins to the present day, from the Stone Age, the Picts and the Vikings. It is an excellent introduction to discovering the region.

Built in 1665 to defend the bay of Bressay, the fort was rebuilt in 1781 and then modified during the Victorian era. Unfortunately, only the ramparts remain today. In good weather, take a walk along the small cliffs of the Knab, at the southern tip of the town, or to the loch of Clickimin, just west of the town. On a small island in this small lake, connected to the shore by a dyke, is a perfectly preserved circular brooch dating back to the Iron Age. The lake is frequented in particular by tufted ducks.

These two impressive ruins were the residences of the Bishops of Orkney from the 12th and 17th centuries respectively. The medieval Bishop's Palace is a sturdy building with beautiful views of St Magnus Cathedral and Earl's Palace was a model of refinement in its time. Its Renaissance architecture, its turrets and vast rooms make one imagine the splendour of its former days. Today, they provide a beautiful glimpse of their past grandeur.

This is the place to go to get a full understanding of Shetland's history, northern heritage, uniqueness and rich heritage. The visit brings to life the place names, landscapes and buildings you come across as you cross the islands. It is very instructive and retraces the whole of the archipelago's past, without omitting any of its highlights, whether they concern the first Picts, the Vikings, the arrival of the telephone or the ferries...

Here we visit a mid-19th century farmhouse, which was occupied until the 1960s. The main resources came from the sea and the man was generally a fisherman, while women and children worked the land. The whole family lived in this space - grandparents, parents and children - divided into two parts: the Ben end or bedroom and the But end or kitchen. The site offers a striking experience and an interesting perspective of life at that time, devoid of superfluous and keeping to the bare essentials of life.

The Standing Stones of Stenness would have been erected 5,000 years ago. They belong to a series of domestic and ritual monuments. There were twelve standing stones on this site, but only four remain today. Their forms and stature are absolutely stunning and the highest is 6 m high. A path perpendicular to the road and parallel to the field where they are located leads in a short time to Barnhouse Village, another site to visit if you are interested in Prehistory.

This protected lake and surrounded by pastures cover 115 hectares. In addition to the breeding birds, such as the large cormorant and the hidden goose, there are few rare species. In autumn, the lake serves as a step to more than 300 singers from Iceland and Lapland. For several years, one of them has ceased to migrate and has been established there. This large bird, with completely white plumage, is noticed at its long right neck, with its black black beak.

The small museum in the market town of Scalloway, former capital of Shetland, tells the story of its people, nature and past, from prehistory to the present day, including the two wars. An entire section is dedicated to the clandestine war operation known as the Shetland Bus, which united Norway and Shetland in a resistance fight against Nazi Germany. You can also borrow the keys to the nearby Scalloway Castle, built around 1607 by Patrick Stuart, when he ruled the archipelago.

Quendale Mill is a 19th century watermill, beautifully restored to house an exhibition on its past activity and the way people worked here at the time, with many objects and tools on display. The estate goes back further back in time to the 16th century, but the mill first appeared in 1867. It used to grind the farmers' grain over a very wide surrounding area and, as such, was a very important place in the social life of the past. The site also has a shop selling local crafts and a café on site.

This small local museum aims to tell the story of the Hoswick area's past, with period photographs and exhibits on local crafts and the whaling industry, as well as a collection of early twentieth-century radios, both civilian and military. You will also learn about the history of the Hoswick Whale case. The museum also houses a very friendly café where it is pleasant to take a gourmet break, for both sweet and savoury snacks, with its homemade pastries and lunches prepared on demand, using fresh local products.

You will have to check the tides before going to this small island, whose access depends entirely on them. There are interesting Pictish and Viking remains, although much more recent than all the neighbouring attractions. The area was densely populated between the 7th and 13th centuries and witnesses to the past include a large Celtic stone (a replica, the original is on display in Edinburgh), ruins of Scandinavian dwellings and a Romanesque church. The info point contains information and objects found during excavations.

Built between 500 and 200 BC, this Iron Age site is admirably well preserved and complete for its great age. A brooch is a construction unique to Scotland of this period and formed a defensive tower to protect the villagers from frequent raids. There are about 500 brochs left in the whole country and this one is one of the most impressive and remarkable in the country. Surrounded by dwellings, the whole site is spread over 45m and surrounded by a moat. The small museum displays everything that has been found on the site.

Situated on the coast south of Stromness, this battery is a precious witness to Orkney's military history. It was in service during both World Wars and was part of the Scapa Flow defences, as the main base of the Royal Navy fleet. The command post, mess, gun room, murals, and the lives of the soldiers are all told during 75-minute tours, which take place several times a week at varying times of the year, depending on the season.

If you've ever been to a few pubs in Orkney or even the rest of Scotland, this is a brewery you've heard of. Its beers are among the best in the country and are all produced here, before landing in the pints of real ales lovers. Tours last 40 minutes and depart regularly, but reservations can be made to ensure a schedule. A tasting concludes the experience (beer for adults, fruit juice for children) and there is also a café renowned for its food on site.