Orkney Islands

With 5,000 years of history, it's no wonder that mainland Orkney has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage site. From the ancient stone tomb at Maes Howe to the Neolithic settlements of Skara Brae, Orkney is an archaeologist's dream. The standing stones and defensive broches of the Picts have been followed by Viking settlements. Visitors continue to shape the heritage of Orkney - an Italian Chapel was built by Prisoners of War in WWII, and the scuttled German fleet off the Orkney coast is a favourite with divers.

The St Magnus Festival, held in the cathedral of the same name, is a midsummer festival of art, music and literature.