The Isle of Iona, west coast.Yes, Scotland has fine white beaches and crystal seas too!
Scotland Islands
Portree village, Isle of Skye, a large island on Scotland's west coast.
The Ring of Brodgar, Orkney Islands, one of four UNESCO Neolithic sites on the islands. More stone-cold information below.
Skara Brae, Orkney, a well-preserved Neolithic village from 3100-2400 BC. More ageing factoids below.
Lerwick town, Shetland Islands. More tourist information below.
Puffins, Shetland Islands, Unst. More wildlife facts below.
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Orkney Islands: Skara Brae is considered by many to be one of the world's best Neolithic sites as it was superbly preserved by a sudden, massive sandstorm, forcing its inhabitants to flee and leave many possessions behind. It remained buried until exposed by a storm in 1850. It was excavated in 1932. The group of four Neolithic sites known as 'Heart of Neolithic Orkney' compose a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The four places are:
Ring of Brodgar, a circle of standing stones 104m in diameter set amidst other stones and prehistoric tombs.
Skara Brae was a village settlement about 5,000 years ago, with mostly ground-sunk houses probably roofed with driftwood and turf, with a few stone walls. The dwellings were quite sophisticated including drainage, toilets, cupboards, beds and seats.
Maeshowe is a well-constructed tomb complex of huge stones and turf.
Standing Stones of Stenness are the remnants of another stone circle less than a mile from Ring of Brodgar and Maeshowe. Four of the stones are up to 5m [16ft] high.
Orkney, sometimes known incorrectly as the Orkneys, is a collection of 70 islands about 10 miles [16 kms] north of the Scottish mainland. Orkney.
Shetland is home to varied ancient Viking relics and a couple of excellent Neolithic settlements. Jarlshof is very similar to Orkney's Skara Brae.
However wildlife, particularly birds, is perhaps Shetlands biggest attraction, with various colonies that are easily accessible, permitting viewing of tens of thousands of Gannets, Guillemots, Puffins, Razorbills, Kittiwakes, Fulmars and Great Skuas, as well as many other species that are just passing by.
Shetland also offers good cycling and mountain biking [kit rentable in Lerwick], as well as hiking, sea kayaking, sea or loch fishing [especially trout], three interesting golf courses and many dive sites onto wrecks, caves, natural arches and subterranean passages [summer water temperature around 13C]. Shetland.
Note that north Scotland has very long daylight hours in the summer, even more so in Shetland as light reaches 19 hours per day in midsummer.
Isle of Skye is a large and popular tourist island just off Scotland's west coast with all the usual outdoor activities - hiking, biking, kayaking, sailing, diving and also horse riding. Skye.
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