Orkney Islands
The archipelago of Orkney Islands has the status of Scottish council area. In fact, it is the least populous administrative division of the country with approximately 20,000 inhabitants. The group, which consists of 70 islands, has been known since ancient times as home of neolithic tribes. There are several remaining sites from this epoch, which are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List under the name of 'Heart of Neolithic Orkney'. The rugged nature of the islands' topography makes for perfect hiking routes. The main town of the archipelago, Kirkwall, is home to almost half of the population of the Orkneys. Despite its modest size, the town is full of cultural heritage sites, above all the magnificent Town Hall and the St Magnus Cathedral. Plenty of places to sleep on the islands cater for visitors of all tastes and budget, from youth hostels to exclusive five-star hotels.