Scotland Question
 

Anyone visited the Orkney Islands in Scotland? DH and I are in the middle of planning a trip for 2017 and thinking of the WW II sites there and trying to decide if we want to add that to our trip. We have 3 weeks allocated for Scotland.

Feedback?

>>Anyone visited the Orkney Islands in Scotland? <<

I really enjoy Orkney -- have been a couple of times. It is very easy to wrap a few days on the islands into a wider Scotland itinerary, but it mostly depends on what else you want to fit in.

>>We have 3 weeks allocated for Scotland.<<

That may seem like a long time but it isn't that long. Say you want 3 or 4 days in Edinburgh and maybe a day or two in Glasgow -- that leaves just over 2 weeks for everything else. So as long as you are selective and don't try to see/do <i>everything</i> -- absolutely visit Orkney.

Thanks janisj - I have a general idea for an itinerary and any input is welcome:

Edinburgh 4 nights (a day trip to St. Andrews as DH just wants to say he's been);

Train to Inverness where we plan on catching the Scottish Highlander barge which is a 7 day trip;

http://www.canalbargecruises.com/the...ish-highlander

Returns to Inverness where we would rent a car;

Travel up to Orkney area and then back down the coast to perhaps do 2 nights on Isle of Skye;

Drive to Oban and then on in to Glascow

I don't know if that's too ambitious or not. And if we could squeeze it in, maybe see a couple of castles in the Highlands or

the Stirling area

I was in Orkney in June 2007. It was very beautiful. But I had no interest in WW II sites.

I took a bus called the Orkney Express from Inverness and then a ferry from John O'Groats. I stayed in Kirkwall for two days.

I took a daytrip with "Wildabout Orkney" (no idea if they still exist) on my last day. We saw Unstan Tomb, Maeshowe, the stones at Stenness, more stones at Brogar, Skara Brae and Broch of Gurness. Lots of old stones and old ruins, but that was what I wanted to see.

I loved it. But it's been nine years, so a lot may have changed since then.

You got me curious: what are the WWII site to be seen on the Orkneys?

The Italian chapel for one . . .

I just Googled that. Neat.

Lots of others -- http://orkneyuncovered.co.uk/wartime-orkney-explorer/

Bookmarked.

We also have an interest in the WW II sites since both of our fathers served in that war.

Thanks for the link to the website!

I have been to Orkney and am returning this summer. I found the Italian Chapel to be an unexpectedly emotional experience - but I am not sure what else you would see - the Churchill Barriers are sort of...barrier like. You're not going to Normandy. Much else to love about Orkney - Skara Brae is a must, Maes Howe, and we like the St. Magnus cathedral in Kirkwall. You can have a tour of Highland Park distillery, which is somewhat different than other single malts. Weather unpredictable, rained for 5 days straight our first trip and the ferry can be rough, but I'd go for sure if you find yourselves that far north.