Walking on the Orkney and Shetland Isles

Author: Graham Uney
Publisher: Cicerone Press Limited
ISBN: 1783623365
Category : Travel
Languages : en
Pages : 327

Book Description
A guidebook to 80 walking routes on Scotland's Northern Isles of Orkney and Shetland. Routes are described on the islands of Orkney (Orkney Mainland, Hoy, South Ronaldsay, Burray, Rousay, Eday, Westray, Papa Westray, North Ronaldsay) and the islands of Shetland (Shetland Mainland, West Burra, East Burra, Foula, Fair Isle, Isle of Noss, Bressay, Whalsay, Papa Stour, Muckle Roe, Out Skerries, Esha Ness, Yell, Fetlar and Unst). Routes vary in length from 1 mile to 16 miles, with something to suit all abilities. Offering a variety of landscapes together with a wealth of remarkable archaeological sites such as Skara Brae and Jarlshof, Orkney and Shetland are a walker's dream. Step-by-step route descriptions are accompanied by clear OS mapping and a time estimate for completing each route. The book includes plenty of information on the region's wildlife, archaeology and history, as well as practical tips such as when to go, what to take and getting to and around Orkney and Shetland. Quiet, remote and abounding in rare plants and wildlife, together with some of the world's most fascinating archaeological sites, Orkney and Shetland offer a treasure trove of natural and historic wonders, and makes an ideal walking holiday destination.

Orkney

Author: Mark Rowe
Publisher: Bradt Travel Guides
ISBN: 1804692514
Category : Travel
Languages : en
Pages : 409

Book Description
This thoroughly updated second edition of Bradt’s guidebook to the alluring Scottish archipelago of Orkney is written by experienced author and journalist Mark Rowe, who is something of a specialist on the more remote parts of Scotland. Bradt’s guidebook combines all the practical details a traveller could need (when to visit, suggested itineraries, local culture, accommodation, and where to eat and drink) together with insightful background that ranges from geography and geology to architecture and archaeology, plus significant coverage of wildlife. Comprising 70 islands, of which just 19 are inhabited, Orkney is extraordinary. The World Heritage Site of Neolithic Orkney harbours many archaeological treasures, including Skara Brae, the most important Stone-Age village in northern Europe, and Maeshowe chambered tomb, whose entrance is aligned with the setting sun on the winter solstice. Here you’ll also find the Old Man of Hoy, a spectacular 140m-high sea stack; Scapa Flow, scene of the dramatic scuttling of the German fleet in 1919; and dramatic nature reserves with cliffs upon which one in six UK seabirds nests. The deeper you delve – made easy with Bradt’s Orkney – the more you uncover. Foodies will be delighted by an astonishing number of local food outlets and family producers, some going back more than 100 years. Discover Scotland’s first carbon-neutral island (or that’s the plan!), the island whose past may have included sky burials, and the world’s shortest scheduled commercial flight (just 60 seconds!). Or why not attend one of the world’s leading science festivals or Scotland’s sole wine festival? New for this edition are additional mapped walks; greater detail on history; expanded coverage of archaeological developments, the outer isles, new or enhanced visitor attractions including croft tours – all in the UK’s top destination for cruise ships and an increasingly popular location for family staycations. With much to enchant archaeology enthusiasts, walkers, cyclists, wildlife watchers, beach lovers and genealogists, Bradt’s Orkney is the ideal guide for those who travel with curious minds to discover far-flung places of great cultural, historical and wildlife interest.

Orkney

Author: John Fergusson
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781907025525
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 96

Book Description
Sitting just off the north coast of Scotland, between the Atlantic and the North Sea, Orkney is probably the only place where, in the space of a single day, you can walk along a golden beach with seabirds and seals, clamber over wartime ruins, descend into ancient tombs or wander around a house that is older than the Pyramids. With rugged cliffs, rolling waves, prehistoric sites and stunning wildlife, Orkney is a wonderful place to go for a walk. This guide will help you make the most of it.

Orkney & Shetland Islands Footprint Focus Guide

Author: Alan Murphy
Publisher: Footprint Travel Guides
ISBN: 1909268836
Category : Travel
Languages : en
Pages : 90

Book Description
When the rain stops falling and the mist clears there is no more beautiful place on Earth than Scotland’s northernmost archipelagos, the Orkney and Shetland Islands. Leave the Scottish mainland and set foot on a land of ancient relics, deserted beaches and stunning wildlife. Norse settlers occupied these islands for centuries, making for a unique cultural mix of Scandinavian and Scottish influences. Footprintfocus Orkney & Shetland Islands gives you the information you need to get the most out of your trip; covering beautiful coastlines, mysterious ancient monuments, evocative bays and glorious wilderness, along with the best places to stay and eat and where to enjoy a wee dram of your favourite malt whiskey. • Includes Essentials section with indispensable information on getting around. • Get off the beaten track and discover jaw-dropping scenery and experience real wilderness. • Accommodation listings aplenty, plus where to eat and drink. • Detailed street maps will help you find your way around. • Slim enough to fit in your pocket. Packed with practical and detailed advice on how to navigate these ancient archipelagos, this concise Footprintfocus guide helps you make the most out of your trip without weighing you down

Orkney Folk Tales

Author: Tom Muir
Publisher: The History Press
ISBN: 0750955333
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 226

Book Description
The Orkney Islands are a place of mystery and magic, where the past and the present meet, ancient standing stones walk and burial mounds are the home of the trows. Orkney Folk Tales walks the reader across invisible islands that are home to fin folk and mermaids, and seals that are often far more than they appear to be. Here Orkney witches raise storms and predict the outcome of battles, ghosts seek revenge and the Devil sits in the rafters of St Magnus Cathedral, taking notes! Using ancient tales told by the firesides of the Picts and Vikings, storyteller Tom Muir takes the reader on a magical journey where he reveals how the islands were created from the teeth of a monster, how a giant built lochs and hills in his greed for fertile land, and how the waves are controlled by the hand of a goddess.

The Outrun: A Memoir

Author: Amy Liptrot
Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company
ISBN: 0393609006
Category : Biography & Autobiography
Languages : en
Pages : 247

Book Description
“It’s wild writing: sexy, unguarded, raw, and ardent … highly recommended.”—The Millions After a decade of heavy partying and hard drinking in London, Amy Liptrot returns home to Orkney, a remote island off the north of Scotland. The Outrun maps Amy’s inspiring recovery as she walks along windy coasts, swims in icy Atlantic waters, tracks Orkney’s wildlife, and reconnects with her parents, revisiting and rediscovering the place that shaped her. A Guardian Best Nonfiction Book of 2016 Sunday Times Top Ten Bestseller New Statesman Book of the Year

100 Classic Coastal Walks in Scotland

Author: Andrew Dempster
Publisher: Random House
ISBN: 1780578431
Category : Sports & Recreation
Languages : en
Pages : 241

Book Description
If you are keen to explore the six thousand miles of coastline that Scotland has to offer, then this is the perfect guide for you. Complete with maps and illustrations and covering walks ranging from gentle strolls, family friendly outings and full-scale hikes, this is the perfect handbook for any Scottish adventure! 'An invaluable accessory to the boots and the backpack' -- Daily Record 'This selection of day trips, including maps and useful information, is a welcome sight' -- Scottish Field 'Superb book with some great walks in it - ideal for new and old hikers alike' -- ***** Reader review 'Excellent and very informative' -- ***** Reader review 'Brilliant - very impressed, nicely laid out and nice maps too' -- ***** Reader review ************************************************************************************** Scotland and its islands encompass more than 10,000 miles of breath-taking coastline. The 100 routes outlined by Andrew Dempster in this essential guide take in the quaint fishing ports, long sun-bleached strands and vast golf links of the east coast; the grand Gothic cliffs, natural arches and storm-tossed sea-stacks that comprise much of the fractured edge of the Atlantic; the kaleidoscopic wildflower carpet of the Western Isles machair; the romantic castles and Clearance settlements of Skye; and myriad idyllic secluded beaches and awe-inspiring clifftop vantage points. This unique guide covers the whole spectrum, from short hour-long beach strolls to serious full-day hikes that require mountain gear and total commitment. Compiled in a user-friendly format, containing maps and illustrations throughout, 100 Classic Coastal Walks in Scotland provides a wealth of walking possibilities for anyone with an interest in outdoor pursuits, with many of the walks also suitable for children. Book that staycation now!

Short Walks to Curious Places

Author: Roly Smith
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
ISBN: 1844866408
Category : Travel
Languages : en
Pages : 305

Book Description
HIGHLY COMMENDED: THE OWPG GUIDEBOOK AWARDS 2024 Embark on an extraordinary journey through the British countryside, leading to mysterious sites, ancient wonders and legendary landscapes to uncover 50 of the most intriguing walks in Britain. Discover the Green Chapel of Arthurian legend deep in the Staffordshire moorlands. Take a magical stroll through the fairytale forest of Wistman's Woods on Dartmoor. Marvel at the surreal rock formations of Brimham Rocks in Yorkshire, or spot the Hogwarts Express crossing the Glenfinnan Viaduct in the Scottish Highlands. With each walk ranging from two to eight miles in length and featuring beautiful photography, helpful directions and useful information, this book guarantees captivating experiences for walkers of all abilities, whether you're a casual stroller or seasoned hiker. Short Walks to Curious Places is your key to unlocking the secrets of the British countryside. With every step, you'll uncover the stories that shaped these extraordinary landscapes. Get ready to explore, discover and be enchanted by the wonders that lie just beyond the beaten path.

Walking Awake: The Faces in Nature

Author: Denise Crawn
Publisher: Full Court Press
ISBN: 9781938812095
Category : Photography
Languages : en
Pages : 52

Book Description
Denise Crawn's eye opens up profound connections with the natural world around us. As W.H. Auden once said of E. M. Forster, she "trips us up like an unnoticed stone" as we stumble through the unaware routines of our lives. "Look " she says, coaxing us to see more deeply and rewardingly into the comradeship of the woods-and she does so in a manner more than merely visual: Her insight operates on a spiritual plane, hinting at richer meanings in these connections. And she offers compelling remarks from other men and women, as diverse as Vincent van Gogh and Albert Einstein, who have understood the wisdom of nature to further deepen the emotional impact of her compelling photographs-now yours to enjoy.

Scottish Island Bagging

Author: Helen Webster
Publisher: Vertebrate Publishing
ISBN: 1912560313
Category : Travel
Languages : en
Pages : 472

Book Description
Scottish Island Bagging by Helen and Paul Webster, founders of Walkhighlands, is a guide to the magical islands of Scotland. Focusing on the ninety-nine islands that have regular trips or means of access for visitors, plus fifty-five other islands which have no regular transport but are still of significant size or interest, the authors have described the best ways to experience each one. Of the islands featured, many are household names – Skye, Lewis, Bute – while some, such as the isolated St Kilda archipelago and the remote Sula Sgeir, will be unknown to all but a hardcore few. When it comes to things to see and do, the islands of Scotland have it all. Wildlife enthusiasts can watch out for otters, orcas and basking sharks, while birdwatchers in particular are spoilt: look out for the rare corncrake on Islay, sea eagles on Mull, or sight puffins, gannets, storm petrels and many other seabirds on any number of islands – although beware the divebombing bonxies. Foodies can sample Arran or Westray cheese, the many islands' world-renowned seafood or learn about the whisky making process and sample a wee dram on a distillery tour. While the human history may not stretch back in time as far as the geology of these ancient lands, it is rich and varied: visit the 5,000-year-old Neolithic village of Skara Brae on Orkney, or Mackinnon's Cave on Mull, following in the footsteps of Samuel Johnson and James Boswell. You can even stay in the house on Jura where George Orwell wrote Nineteen Eighty-Four. Hillwalkers can bag a Munro, walk the wild clifftops or take in the sights, or you could just escape from it all on one of the dozens of beautiful and deserted beaches – before joining the locals for a ceilidh into the wee hours. Well served by ferries and other transport links, getting around is easy. You could even take the world's shortest scheduled flight. In Scottish Island Bagging, let Helen and Paul Webster be your guides to these enchanting isles.