Mainland of Orkney
Island in Orkney Islands, Scotland
| Coordinates: | 59.018, -3.032 |
|---|---|
| OS grid ref: | HY 40 14 |
| Dialling code: | 01856 (Orkney) |
The Mainland is the largest island in the Orkney Islands, a low‑lying mosaic of fertile fields, rugged coastline and small lochs. Its two main towns, Kirkwall and Stromness, act as administrative and cultural hubs, while the sheltered waters of Scapa Flow recall its strategic naval role in both world wars.
The island is famed for an extraordinary concentration of Neolithic monuments - Skara Brae, the Ring of Brodgar and Maeshowe - which attract keen visitors and help sustain a lively tourism sector alongside agriculture, fishing and growing renewable energy projects. Strong Norse heritage shapes local festivals, music and place names, giving the community a distinctive Orcadian identity rooted in sea, land and history.
Postcode districts covering Mainland of Orkney
Neighbouring places
- Holm of Grimbister Island 2.1 miles
- Finstown Place 3 miles
- Kirkwall Place 3.5 miles
- Kirkwall West and Orphir Ward 4.5 miles
- Kirkwall East Ward 4.6 miles
- Gairsay Island 4.6 miles
- West Mainland Ward 5.6 miles
- Shapinsay Island 6.3 miles
- Wyre Island 7.4 miles
- Rousay Island 9.5 miles
- Egilsay Island 9.8 miles
Example postcodes in Mainland of Orkney
KW15 1FJ, KW15 1PQ, KW17 2UQ, KW16 3JG, KW15 1RE, KW15 1QS, KW17 2AW, KW15 1XR, KW16 3JB … See all
Hotels in Mainland of Orkney Ad
- The Kirkwall Hotel 4
- Albert Hotel 3
- Ferry Inn 3
- The Royal Hotel 3
- The Shore 3
- Orcades Hostel 4
- The Orkney Hotel 3
- The Stromness Hotel
Schools in Mainland of Orkney
- Dounby Community School Primary
- Evie Primary School Primary
- Firth Primary School Primary
- Glaitness School Primary
- Kirkwall Grammar School Secondary
- Orphir Community School Primary
- Papdale Primary School Primary
- St Andrew's Primary School Primary
- Stenness Community School Primary
- Stromness Academy Secondary
- Stromness Primary School Primary
Local points of interest
- Quanterness Archaeological site 1.7 miles
- Ring of Brogar Archaeological site 7.3 miles
- Stromness Harbour Harbour 10 miles