Orkney mainland loop

Take the Northlink ferry from Scrabster or the NorthLink from Aberdeen, then drive a loop out of Kirkwall and Stromness. The Heart of Neolithic Orkney sites are a UNESCO site, and the Churchill Barriers link several islands. Two days is enough for the highlights.

The stops

1. Start

   Kirkwall

2. Worth a look

   St Magnus Cathedral

   12th century cathedral in Kirkwall

3. Worth a look

   Ring of Brodgar

   Stone circle

4. Worth a look

   Skara Brae

   Neolithic village

5. Worth a look

   Maeshowe

   Chambered tomb, timed tickets

6. Town

   Stromness

   Harbour town

7. Worth a look

   Italian Chapel

   Built by Italian prisoners on Lamb Holm

8. Viewpoint

   Yesnaby cliffs

   Coastal cliff walks

9. Back to the start

   Kirkwall

Where to stay

• Night 1

  Stromness

  Point of Ness Caravan Park

When to go

May–Sep

On the road

Ferry crossing required; roads are good but narrow in places