Orkney vs Shetland: Which Should You Visit?
LOrkney and Shetland sit on similar latitudes yet offer distinct landscapes, histories, and rhythms of life. Deciding which to visit is rarely about which is “better” and more about what kind of experience you hope to have. Understanding the character of each helps ensure that time in the northern isles is used well.
Whenever I am asked, my answer is usually the same: if time allows, experience both. Each reveals something different about Scotland’s northern world.
Landscape and scale
Orkney’s landscape is defined by fertile farmland, open horizons, and an extraordinary concentration of visible archaeology. Distances between major sites are relatively short, allowing a wide range of locations to be experienced within a limited timeframe. The openness of the landscape often surprises first-time visitors.
Shetland feels larger and more rugged, with dramatic cliffs, scattered settlements, and greater distances between places. Its scale rewards those with more time to explore slowly and absorb the changing coastline and light. Having spent time working there, I have always appreciated the strong sense of identity and the quiet similarities and differences between the islands.
History and heritage
Both island groups hold deep Norse heritage and strong maritime traditions. Orkney also contains one of the most concentrated prehistoric landscapes in Europe, where Neolithic, Norse, and later Scottish influences sit closely together within a relatively small area.
Shetland’s history is equally compelling, though often encountered through landscape, place names, and community rather than the same density of monumental prehistoric sites. Some locations there rank among my favourite anywhere in Scotland, and the sense of distance and atmosphere can be remarkable.
Pace of a visit
Orkney can be experienced meaningfully within a few days, with many key historic locations reachable within short distances. This makes it particularly suitable for travellers working within a defined itinerary or arriving by cruise, while still rewarding those who stay longer and explore further.
Shetland generally rewards a longer stay and a willingness to travel further between locations. Its character reveals itself gradually through distance, coastline, and changing weather patterns rather than through closely grouped sites.
Accessibility
Orkney is relatively straightforward to include within a wider Scotland itinerary, with regular flights and ferry connections linking the islands to the mainland. This accessibility allows many visitors to incorporate Orkney into a broader journey through Scotland without difficulty.
Shetland usually requires more dedicated travel time and often becomes a destination in its own right rather than a shorter addition to an existing route. Ferries from Aberdeen and regular flights provide reliable access, but planning tends to be more deliberate.
Choosing what suits you best
For travellers interested in concentrated archaeology, layered history, and a varied landscape within a compact area, Orkney often fits comfortably into a wider journey. Those seeking dramatic coastal scenery, longer distances, and a more extended island exploration may find Shetland particularly rewarding.
Many visitors choose to experience both over time rather than attempting to compare them directly within a single short trip. Approached this way, each island group can be appreciated at its own pace and on its own terms.
Both Orkney and Shetland offer distinctive and memorable experiences shaped by landscape, history, and island life. With thoughtful planning and the right pace, each reveals its character gradually to those willing to explore beyond the surface.
A final thought
Orkney tends to stay with people. Its depth reveals itself gradually through landscape, history, and the continuity of island life. With thoughtful planning and the right pace, even a short visit can become one of the most memorable parts of any journey through Scotland.
Most guests begin with a simple conversation to shape their time here properly. It allows the visit to be considered in advance rather than assembled on arrival, and it ensures that time in the islands is used well.
When you are ready, I am always happy to discuss what will work best for your visit.
Written by a born-and-raised Orcadian guide at Historic Orkney.
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