Stromness, Orkney, Scotland, United Kingdom

With seemingly unending miles of coastline and beautiful natural backdrops to explore, the Orkney Islands archipelago lies on the rugged northern tip of Scotland. Ideal for yachting, walking, hiking, and cycling, many of the islands along these shorelines are uninhabited. Stromness enjoys a rich maritime history, notably as a safe haven for ships during the Viking era and a popular fishing port for whaling and herring. Visit St. Magnus Cathedral, founded in 1137 by the Viking Earl Rogvald, and the Highland Park Distillery, one of the oldest working whisky distilleries in Scotland. Stromness is your gateway to Skara Brae, a remarkable site of stone houses built into earthen mounds up to 5,000 years old, and the Ring of Brodgar, a UNESCO World Heritage site of 27 standing stones that form a circle in the Orkney mainland’s rolling hills and lochs.