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Scotland,
The Orkney and Shetland Islands
The Orkney and Shetland Islands: -
These two island groups lie northeast of the Scottish mainland – see the Travel section for details of air and sea connections. The islands are of particular interest to birdwatchers, sea anglers and rock climbers. Birds are also the main attraction on National-Trust-owned Fair Isle, between Orkney and Shetland.
Orkney: (Tourist Board website: www.visitorkney.com.) The Pentland Firth separates Orkney from the mainland. The islands are fertile, although with very few trees, and enjoy a predominantly mild, variable climate. The main town, situated on Mainland, is Kirkwall, boasting a cathedral and many other places of interest. Orkney is rich in prehistoric sites, including the Stone Age village of Skara Brae, the Maes Howe burial mound, and the standing stones at the Ring of Brogar. On the other side of Scapa Flow is Hoy, whose sheer cliffs and windswept sandstone landscape make it one of the most dramatic of the Orkney group. Other islands include Westray and South Ronaldsay.
Shetland: (Tourist Board website: www.visitshetland.com.) This group of 100 (15 inhabited) rugged islands is the most northerly part of Britain. Their climate is surprisingly mild considering their northerly latitude (the same as southern Alaska). The chief town of Lerwick, on Mainland, the largest island, relied in former days almost solely on fishing but now benefits from North Sea oil. Places of interest include the Jarlshof Bronze Age settlement, the island of Foula, the nature reserve on Noss, Mousa Broch on uninhabited Mousa, and the world’s most northerly castle on Unst.
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