Orkney Islands Click on Map |
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An Interactive Click On Map for the Orkney Islands showing activities, towns and top attractions such as the Scapa Flow War Museum, Skaill House, Skara Brae, Ring of Brodgar, Italian Chapel and Old Man of Hoy. Click on the Islands or Towns for information on them, green dots for Attractions. |
The Islands are popular for 3,000 BC Houses & Burial Cairns, Diving on the Wrecks of Scapa Flow, and scenic Beaches and Cliffs. Use the Google Map on Satellite for good views of the Beaches and Cliffs. |
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Orkney has been inhabited for about 8,500 years, with many Stone Circles, Stone Houses built into the ground, and Stone Chambered Cairns for Burials. Skara Brae is the best known, a Village from 3,000 BC. The oldest Stone House still standing in Northern Europe is the Knap of Howar from 3500 BC. The Islands were taken over by the Vikings in the 800s, then taken over by the Scots in the 1400s. St Magnus Cathedral in Kirkwall is the top building from Viking times. Cliffs & Beaches are also Top Attractions. |
At the end of World War One in 1918, 74 of the German High Seas Fleet was transferred to Scapa Flow in Orkney awaiting a decision on their future. The German Sailors sunk all the Ships on 21 June 1919 to prevent them from being used by the British, French and Americans. Most of the Ships were salvaged, 7 remain sunk, now popular with many Divers from around the World. The 3 Konig Class Battleships that fought at the Battle of Jutland are by the small Island of Cava, the SMS Konig, SMS Kronprinz Wilhelm, and SMS Markgraf. These are claimed to be the most accessible Battleship Dives in the World. All 3 Vessels are huge, approx 26,000 tonnes, 576ft long, with 12inch guns. |