​​​ Lost Paradises Travels - Europe  

United Kingdom - Scotland-

Orkney islands

​Orkney, also known as the Orkney Islands, is an archipelago in the Northern Isles of Scotland located 16 kilometres (10 mi) north of the coast of Caithness. It comprises approximately 70 islands, of which 20 are inhabited. The largest island is often referred to as "the Mainland" and its administrative centre is Kirkwall. The legacy of Orkney's ancestors can be seen across the islands. Its Neolithic origins, stretching back some 10,000 years, are evident in a breathtaking landscape of ceremonial stone circles, tombs, prehistoric villages and many other ancient monuments.

The "Heart of Neolithic Orkney" is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site.

In addition to the Mainland, most of the islands are in two groups, the North and South Isles, all of which have an underlying geological base of Old Red Sandstone. The climate is mild and the soils are extremely fertile, most of the land being farmed. Agriculture is the most important sector of the economy.