Things to see and do Orkney & Shetland

The Pier Arts Centre is the Orkney Museum of Contemporary Art. Located in Stromness, it houses a fine collection of works by British artists from the 20th century to the present day. Barbara Hepworth, Sylvia Wishart, Robert Adams and Callum Innes are just a few of the names. The collection has been recognized as being of national importance and its works travel regularly around the world. A varied programme of events is held throughout the year, with exhibitions and activities. A library is also accessible.

The second Orkney distillery, Scapa, was created in 1885 but went through a deep crisis in the 1990s and almost closed down... Fortunately, this never happened and facts proved that there was indeed room for two great whisky names in Kirkwall. The tour takes in the entire production site and its magnificent surroundings, before tasting a 14 year old dram, less peaty than most single island malts but radiantly fruity and spicy. Those under 18 have no access to guided tours.

Discovered in September 2010, this Neolithic tomb is still being excavated today. It is believed to be 5,000 years old and contained otter bones, in addition to the human remains that have been exhumed. Many are still present, clearly visible, and belonged to both adults and children. The visitor centre reveals the secrets that have already been uncovered and exhibits some of the discoveries. It is located a few minutes from the Tomb of Eagles: the two visits often go hand in hand and are recommended.

Some 5,000 years of history were unveiled here when Ronnie Simison, a local farmer, discovered two major prehistoric sites on the island by digging under horizontal stones that intrigued him. The first is a vast Bronze Age ruin, probably a dwelling or meeting place. The second is a very elaborate Stone Age tomb. Excavations have uncovered many artifacts and as many as 16,000 human bones, as well as a few eagles, which gave the attraction its name.

This information centre is dedicated to natural history and local geology, with many fossils dating back to the dawn of time. World Wars are also covered, with a retrospective on the construction of the Churchill Barriers, the network of dikes that were supposed to link the islands together to stop U-boats and now serve as a road. There is also a good café on site, with fresh food and gourmet pastries.

While on the island, be sure to visit the Unst Heritage Centre. This museographic space recounts all the local history and exhibits valuable old boats at Unst Boat Haven. Here you will learn that for centuries Unst has been one of the richest fishing spots in the world. You will learn how fish was caught, dried and shipped overseas. You'll see the different ships and their special features.

See also the site: www.fairisle.org.uk

The ornithological wealth of Fair Isle is exceptional: 350 species were observed on this ocean reduction. Like any rocky island in the North Atlantic, Fair Isle is home to many seabirds: over 20 000 puffin nest at the top of the cliffs, while the interior of the island is occupied by beautiful colonies of Arctic terns. It has a sub-species of caves found nowhere else, distinct from the endemic Shetland subspecies.

But Fair Isle is especially famous because it attracts a very large number of migrants, unusual or even lost from everywhere: North America, Siberia, etc. Bird traps, harmless, have been installed to identify rare species, which are observed especially during migration.

Even in summer, small passereaux can be captured, such as a crimson finches from Lapland, or a croisé of trees that live commonly in coniferous forests, particularly in the Alps. In summer, the breeding bird banding, young and adult of all species, is the main activity of a day at Fair Isle. The operation consists of capturing the bird, by means of a net, if it is an adult capable of flying and passing around a small ring of metal with the registration to identify it. Nearly 250 000 birds with more than 250 species were banded to Fair isle.

Fair Isle is also renowned for the traditional manufacture of wool sweaters among the most beautiful in the Shetland.

Dating from the 18th century, this former fisherman's shack is the birthplace of Arthur Anderson, the founder of P&O Ferries. It has been extensively refurbished and now houses the Shetland Textile Museum, which tells the story of this key industry in Shetland, with a collection of some 500 pieces and frequent demonstrations. You will see Fair Isle knitwear, Shetland lace, Shetland Taatit rugs and woven tweed, as well as tools. Papers and patterns are kept in the collection, with pieces dating back to 1870.

Located in Kirkwall, Scotland, the VisitScotland Kirkwall iCentre is a tourist office offering a wealth of information on the town and surrounding area.

This tour is particularly informative as it tells the maritime and natural history of the Orkney Islands, with a particular interest in the whaling industry, the Hudson Bay Company, and the German fleet sunk at Scapa Flow in 1919. In the summer, temporary exhibits are also programmed. The discovery of this museum allows a better understanding of the history and heritage of this part of Orkney. If you are passionate about archaeology, you should know that this museum gathers a large number of objects of international importance.

Founded in 1798, Highland Park is the northernmost distillery of Scotland, just overtaking Scapa! It has won the San Francisco World Spirit Competition several times, which brings together experts from all over the world. This is where it gets its slogan "Best spirit in the World", and we can't say that it has really usurped it... Its flagship single malt, the 12 year old, exudes notes of honey, heather, and spices, with a background of Orkney peat. The one-hour tour is very complete and ends with a tasting.

Muness Castle dates back to the late 1500s. It was built for Laurence Bruce of Cultmalindia, half-brother of Robert Stuart, first Earl of Orkney, who is a prominent figure in Shetland. Accused of oppression, it is also described as heroic in some legends. It is the northernmost castle in Britain. It is also a remarkably fine tower-house, a superb example of this type of architecture, with many remarkable details. One can see the life of the family and the servants

Greenbank Garden is an urban garden located near the southern suburbs of Glasgow, Scotland. It's a green oasis with woodland walks and beautiful plants all year round. The café, inner courtyard and woodland walks are also open to visitors. The café offers indoor and outdoor seating, and last orders are taken 30 minutes before closing time. Admission to the garden is £9 for adults, £6.50 for concessions, £21.50 for families, £14.50 for families with one adult and £1 for young Scots. Members of the National Trust for Scotland receive free admission.

It is one of the most beautiful tombs of this type in Europe, among those built about 5,000 years ago. The entrance passage to Maeshowe is aligned with the mid-winter sunset, so that light illuminates the interior of the tomb. Vikings broke into Maeshowe in the mid 12th century, long after it had fallen into disuse and oblivion. They too left their mark on the site: this time in the form of graffiti carved in runes on the walls of the main chamber.

This grouping brings back to life several excavated Viking sites. The Skidbladner is a life-size replica of the ship Gokstad, found in a Viking burial mound in Norway in 1880. The original ship would have reached Unst. This type of Viking ship was used for trade, war and travel. The Shetland Amenity Trust acquired the Skidbladner in 2006. It has quickly become a must-see attraction. The longhouse replicates a traditional ancient settlement.