Mainland is the name given to the biggest of the Orkney Islands, and the island features Orkney's capital, Kirkwall, as well as prominent towns such as Stromness, Orkney's second largest settlement. Almost 20,000 people live on Orkney's Mainland, and attractions here include the St. Magnus Cathedral in Kirkwall, built in 1137, and the picturesque views around Stromness, with its historical harbor.
A small island far to the north of the Orkneys, North Ronaldsay is known for its traditional farming, and farm animals such as sheep are a common sight on the island. Key features on North Ronaldsay include the 12-mile-long dyke that prevents the island's sheep from roaming too far from the shores, and the Old Beacon, a former lighthouse.
Sanday, among the Orkney islands, attracts visitors with its selection of beaches and opportunities to spot animals such as seals and many types of birds. Historical features on Sanday include the Quoyness Chambered Cairn, a stone building dating to 3,000 BC. Sanday is also known for its Viking relics, which include the remains of a Viking boat, while Kettletoft Village provides shops and restaurants for visitors.
The Shetlands' largest island is known as its Mainland, a popular destination for many cruise ships and ferries each year. Essential to any visit to the Shetland Mainland is a trip to the capital town of Lerwick. Here, visitors can sample the area's home-grown recipes, such as seawater oatcakes and black potatoes. People may also stroll by the quaint shops of the town's Commercial Street and explore Lerwick's past in the form of the Böd of Gremista, a fishing booth from the 18th century that has since been converted into a museum.
Yell is known for its gloomy moorland, but this Shetland isle with a traditional outlook is a suitable destination for anyone with an interest in animals. Yell is home to many otters, along with seabirds that settle on the cliffs of the isle. Yell has a population of roughly 1,000 people, who work primarily in the farming and oil industries.
