Situated approximately 10 mi (16 km) north of mainland Scotland and 116 mi (186.56 km) south of the Shetland Islands, the Orkney Islands archipelago consists of 70 islands, many of which are home to some of the world's oldest civilizations and biodiversity.
Access to Orkney Islands is available by Ferry from both Aberdeen (6 hrs) and Scrabster (Thurso) (1 hr) most days, as well as to & from Shetland islands. Daily flights from Edinburgh are also available.