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 miles3.4 km
- Finstown Place 3 miles4.9 km
- Kirkwall Place 3.5 miles5.6 km
- Kirkwall West and Orphir Ward 4.5 miles7.2 km
- Kirkwall East Ward 4.6 miles7.4 km
- Gairsay Island 4.6 miles7.4 km
- West Mainland Ward 5.6 miles9 km
- Shapinsay Island 6.3 miles10.1 km
- Wyre Island 7.4 miles12 km
- Rousay Island 9.5 miles15.3 km
- Egilsay Island 9.8 miles15.7 km
Example postcodes in Mainland of Orkney
KW16 3DY, KW17 2UE, KW16 3EP, KW15 1DD, KW15 1XY, KW15 1FQ, KW16 3DG, KW16 3AY, KW15 1HT … See all
Hotels in Mainland of Orkney Ad
- Merkister Hotel 3
- Albert Hotel 3
- The Kirkwall Hotel 3
- The Royal Hotel Stromness 3
- The Ayre Hotel 3
- Ferry Inn 3
- The Shore 3
- 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 miles2.7 km
- Ring of Brogar Archaeological site 7.3 miles11.7 km
- Stromness Harbour Harbour 10 miles16 km