The Orkney Islands are located where the North Sea and the Atlantic Ocean meet at the northern tip of Scotland. Despite the northerly latitude, the climate is temperate, warmed by the Gulf Stream. Orkney is an archipelago of 70 or so islands and currently 21 of them are inhabited. Of the total population of some 20,000 people approximately 7,600 live in the capital, Kirkwall, and 2,100 in the second largest town of Stromness. The main island is known as the "Mainland", with the south islands of Lamb Holm, Burray, Glimps Holm and South Ronaldsay being joined by the Churchill Barriers which were constructed during WW2. Each island has its own unique character.

The islands are generally low-lying, with gentle fertile slopes which produce superb beef, lamb, vegetables, cheese, beer, fudge and, of course, one of world's best whiskies. The surrounding seas support a small, modern fishery, concentrating on herring, white fish, lobsters, crabs and other shellfish, as well as locally farmed salmon. Not surprisingly, our local restaurants have some of the freshest, highest quality food you'll find. The long hours of warm daylight in the summer are a delight, whilst in the winter you can see the Aurora Borealis, or Northern Lights - a unique visual spectacular that is a very much rarer sight further south in the UK.