Campsites in Orkney

The Orkney Islands stand off the north coast of Caithness. Orkney comprises of about 70 islands of which 20 are inhabited. The largest island is known as Mainland and Kirkwall is the capital town. It is a port with a ferry service to Aberdeen and Lerwick. The town has two museums which contain items of local historic interest. One of the major annual events in the town in the Ba Game held each year on Christmas day. Ba Game is a version of Medieval football. The game moves through the town and can go up alleyways and streets. Shops and houses board up their windows to prevent damage. Stromness is the second largest town in Mainland. It is a long established sea port with a ferry link to the north coast of Scotland. Whaling fleets were regular visitors here and a large number of buildings are decorated with displays of whale bones outside them. The museum displays a collection of whaling relics and artefacts brought back as souvenirs by local men from Greenland. Balfour is a village on the island of Shapinsay. The village is dominated by the castle which dates from the 18th century. The Mill Dam wetland is a significant bird habitat and is owned and managed by RSPB. Balfour\'s former blacksmiths is now home to the heritage centre. The village has one shop and the only petrol pump on the island.