Flotta

Flotta is a small, low-lying island in the Orkney Islands of Scotland, tucked into the sheltered waters of Scapa Flow just south of the Mainland. It’s characterised by windswept farmland, rocky shorelines and a tiny, close-knit community served by a ferry link to Houton on the Mainland, making it a quietly scenic place for walking and birdwatching.

Despite its modest size, Flotta has punched above its weight economically and historically: an oil terminal built in the 1970s to handle North Sea crude altered the island’s role and employment patterns, while the surrounding Scapa Flow has a notable naval history and many wartime wrecks. Today the island mixes energy and farming with a small amount of tourism, and visitors often appreciate its peaceful atmosphere and plentiful seabirds and seals.