Wondering if you should go all the way north to Orkney?

Shoot, we won't be able to make it on our trip this year. But thanks for the info; I'll keep it in mind for next time! You're always such a helpful source on the Scotland board. :)

Pam we love Orkney! We went to please our friend who loves Highland Park whisky and it was one of the best parts of our trip! The archeological sites were fascinating and the landscape so beautiful.

Incidentally our whisky enthusiast friend is also an archaeologist by education so this trip really was a dream come true for her.

I love Orkney for all the points Pamela has made. One I like is near the Tomb of the Eagles, may be more interesting if you are British, is standing and looking south, towards the most northern part of the island of Great Britain.

Pam-thanks for the extra information, in addition to all your past contributions which have been so helpful. We're really excited about our trip in 3 weeks. We did find accommodation in Kirkwall, but it took some effort, as the Orkney Agricultural Show (which doesn't seem to be mentioned in any guidebooks) will be going on, and it attracts a lot of exhibitors and onlookers and fills up all the rooms. Anyone going in mid-August should book early!

MC, my family has a farm, the Bu at Longhope. Sadly, the old house sank into the bog, but there is new house. When my sister and I visited Orkney and then the Bu, we were made extraordinarily welcome by our relatives. They fed us every hour with some different marvelous food. They showed us pictures, that demonstrated that our brother had a "Tait" nose. They showed us the very bed in which our grandparents had honeymooned. And lastly, they took us up the hill behind the house and said, "Wave to the Queen Mum! She's just over the Pentland Firth!"

On a sadder note, we were there in the late 70's which was not long after the truly tragic lifeboat disaster. Hearts were still bleeding over the tragedy. Here's a link to the Royal National Lifeboat Institution.

The castle is Charles and Camilla's now.

The RNLI is probably one of the most respected charities in the UK and Ireland. Overwhelmingly volunteers so that when there are tragedies, local communities get hit hard. If people have a few coins and see an RNLI collection tin, go on, drop them in. They cover the UK and Ireland, and it is that respect that leaves the 'Royal' in the organisaton's name in the Republic.

I admit to knowing very little about Orkney until we booked a British Isles cruise. Since booking, I have studied and learned so much! What a fascinating place. We will stop in Kirkwall next month on our cruise. We have booked a tour to see all the sights. Can't wait. And I've already read the Nat Geo article online, but plan to pick up a copy of the magazine. What a great cheerleader you are for your grandfather's homeland!