Walking on Orkney takes you into beautiful open spaces and lets you lose yourself in nature. There are plenty of signposted routes, so you can choose an easy ramble or a long strenuous trek. And don’t forget your camera as the scenery is magnificent.

Cycling is also a pleasure with many quiet roads and dramatic views. Most islands are fairly flat, letting you get up some speed and cover the miles with ease. Or if you want to leave the tarmac behind, you’ll find miles of tracks to follow. Best of all, bikes go free on ferries so you can see somewhere new every day.

If your sport relies on the wind, Orkney is a fantastic destination providing a year-round playground for power kiting, wind surfing and kite surfing. Favourite locations include Scapa Beach near Kirkwall and the Bay of Skaill on the West Mainland. Big waves and good breaks make Skaill the serious surfers’ choice, and you can hire boards and wetsuits locally.

Keen sailors return year after year to tackle Orkney’s challenging winds and currents, and there are races throughout the summer months if you enjoy friendly competition.

Charter a boat and take advantage of the local knowledge of one of Orkney’s excellent, qualified Skippers, fishing for giant Conger eels in the depths of Scapa Flow, or don your wetsuit and explore the historical wrecks that lie on the seabed.

For a list of activities on Orkney click here