Children's Treasures
Orkney has plenty to keep your family entertained all year round. Take
time to explore the islands whether it’s discovering our countless
beaches, finding hidden trails which lead to Viking treasures or catching
your own dinner on one of our lochs!
Here are just a few ideas for having a brilliant time with your family.
Get close up to wildlife
Orkney has lots of interesting wildlife, some that are just passing
through and some that are here all year round. During the summer months
it is the best time to see inquisitive dolphins and whales that pass
through our coastal waters. Take a boat trip to get close to these beautiful
creatures and enjoy the beautiful scenery at the same time. If you would
like to explore the coast by speedboat go to www.explorercharters.co.uk for details and recent sightings.
Top of the World
You can travel to island of North Ronaldsay and climb to the top of North Ronaldsay Lighthouse which is the tallest land-based light in the British Isles. You can also visit the Old Beacon Lighthouse which featured on the BBC programme ‘Restoration Village’. Also look out for the special sheep that live on the island and survive on a diet of seaweed! For more details about North Ronaldsay go to www.northronaldsay.com
World’s shortest scheduled flight!
If you fly from Westray to the neighboring island Papa Westray you will enjoy the world's shortest scheduled flight - in less than two minutes! You even get a certificate to take home, so you can prove it to your friends and family! For details on Westray and Papa Westray go to www.westraypapawestray.com
Discover secret passages in Castles and Palaces
You can visit Castles and Palaces in Orkney, some of which have secret passage ways and hidden treasures. Here are a few that you can visit or go on an arranged tour: Balfour Castle, Shapinsay (www.balfourcastle.co.uk); Bishop’s & Earl’s Palaces, Kirkwall; The Earl’s Palace, Birsay (www.historic-scotland.gov.uk); Noltland Castle, Westray (www.westraypapawestray.com); Cubbie Roo’s Castle, Wyre (www.visitrousay.co.uk).
Head to the beach on a windy day
Orkney has great beaches and on a windy day it’s a great place to fly your kite. Here are a few of our favourite spots – Scapa Beach, Kirkwall; Dingieshowe Beach, Deerness; Sands O Wright, South Ronaldsay; Waulkmill Beach, Orphir; Sands of Evie; and Skaill Beach.
Explore rockpools
Find minnows, crabs, anemones and much more in rock pools. Look out for organised trips by RSPB where you can be accompanied by a Field teacher.
Cross a causeway
Venture across the causeway at low tide to explore the Brough of Birsay to discover the remains of a Norse settlement. The Brough of Birsay is also a great spot to view puffins but be careful as there are steep cliffs.
Catch a fish!
Catch a trout on one of our lochs or fish for sillocks from a pier, or try for a mackerel from a Churchill Barrier.
Fun indoors
If it’s a rainy day or you just feel like having some fun indoors, you might be surprise with what we’ve got to offer! You can go for a swim at one of our swimming pools see www.orkney.gov.uk for details or if you would like use our indoor sport centre, or go to the cinema to see the latest films you can go to The Pickaquoy Centre (www.pickaquoy.com).
Send us your holiday memories
If you have a story, poem, photo or drawing from your holiday to Orkney
please email them to childresntreasures@visitorkney.com or post them to
VisitOrkney, Childrens Treasures, The Travel Centre, West Castle Street, Kirkwall, Orkney, KW15 1GU and we will add them to our Childrens Art Gallery below.
Please click on an entry below to view.
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