Orkney Islands Adventure, Shetlands?

"Orkney captures the imagination and the eye, its balding turf reflective of constantly changing shades of light as clouds scurry across windswept skies. The archipelago contains a sliver of mankind's ancient existence that's found nowhere else." - Lonely Planet. Only 17 of Orkney's 70 dramatic islands are inhabited and lie just 6 miles off the north coast . Here as nowhere else can you visit prehistoric sites over 5,000 years old, immune to the near constant onslaught of gnarly weather. Perfect white sand beaches seem out of place, lying at the base of 300 meter cliffs made of some of the hardest rock on earth. The multitude of visual splendours is indeed mindboggling- imagine seeing them being pulled along by a kite?

This Adventure near the top of the world (ok not quite- sorry Norway!) is officially the end of the Best Odyssey Expedition. In many ways, we've saved the best for last. Wildlife abounds. Fresh seafood and cozy pubs. Long warm days and chilly nights. Fantastic hiking, great kiting, super-clear water and even some wild wreck diving! And...if we get a good weather window (which we should in August), we could venture even farther north to the Shetland Islands where even more remote adventure waits. Come end the expedition in style in one of the most incredible outposts on the planet.

RESOURCES: Internet Guide to Scotland, Traveline (getting around), Travel Scotland (info)

Getting there: Daily flights with British Airways/LoganAir from Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Inverness through London and others. Ferries from Aberdeen and Gills Bay. Ferries are very full in summer, book early.

Summary: + Stunning, rugged scenery + Solid winds + Clean water, no crowds + Incredible Skara Brae and Maes Howe + Fair weather + Friendly locals + REMOTE! - Cold water - Huge tides - Lots of Tourists in April (on land)

Aurora Borealis Photo Robert Postma Orkney Islands Photo Courtesy of TravelScotland.com

GUEST RIDER: Unannounced Air: 54.4 Water: 54.2º F Mean Wind Avg.: 10.7 W Miles: 60