Lonely Planet guides are, quite simply, like no other'. New York Times

This eBook offering is an excerpt of Lonely Planet's latest Scotland's Highlands & Islands guide book and includes:

• Orkney Islands chapter

• Understand Scotland's Highlands & Islands and Survival Guide

• Orkney Islands maps

An archipelago of mostly flat, green-topped islands stripped bare of trees by Atlantic gales and ringed with red sandstone cliffs, the Orkney Islands is a place of Viking heritage, sublime sandy beaches and spectacular coastal scenery.

This guide is the result of research by dedicated authors and local experts who immersed themselves in the Orkney Islands, finding unique experiences, and sharing practical and honest advice, so you come away informed and amazed. This guide includes up-to-date reviews of the best places to stay, eat, sights, cultural information, maps, transport tips and a few best kept secrets – all the essentials to get to the heart of the Orkney Islands.

Coverage includes:

• Understand Scotland's Highlands & Islands: Scotland's Highlands & Islands Today, History, Highland Culture, Landscapes & Wildlife, the Scottish Larder, Survival Guide: Directory, Transport and Glossary

• Stromness, West Mainland, Heart of Neolithic Orkney, Birsay, Evie, South Coast, Kirkwall, East Mainland to South Ronaldsay, East Mainland, Lamb Holm, Burray, South Ronaldsay, South Isles, Hoy & South Walls, Graemsay, Flotta, The North Isles, Shapinsay, Rousay, Egilsay & Wyre, Stronsay, Eday, Sanday, Westray, Papa Westray and North Ronaldsay.

Lonely Planet's Scotland's Highlands & Islands guide is researched and written by Neil Wilson.