Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
HISTORY
These treeless, cliff-bound islands have a fascinating Viking heritage and unique prehis-
toric villages, tombs and stone circles. Predating the pyramids of Egypt, Skara Brae is
northern Europe's best-preserved prehistoric village; Maes Howe is one of Britain's finest
Neolithic tombs.
BIRDWATCHING
Shetland is a birdwatcher's paradise, its cliffs teeming in summer with gannets, fulmars,
kittiwakes, razorbills and puffins, and Europe's largest colony of Arctic terns. Several
nature reserves include Hermaness on Unst, Scotland's northernmost inhabited island.
MUSIC
The pubs of Kirkwall, Stromness and Lerwick are fertile ground for exploring the
traditional-music scene, with impromptu sessions of fiddle, bodhrán and guitar music.
Both Orkney and Shetland host annual festivals of folk music.
