Braehead is situated a quarter of a mile from Stromness, where the ferry from Scotland arrives 3 times daily. Stromness has a population of 2000 people and the town is very quaint with cobbled streets, shops, pubs and nice places to eat. There is a good butcher, a Co-op and a chip shop. Orkney's capital city being Kirkwall, is 16 miles from Stromness and has a more comprehensive selection of shops and supermarkets.

Orkney is particularly good for bird watching, loch fishing, walking etc. Diving is also popular due to the ship wrecks in Scapa Flow. There are neolithic sites here that are older than the pyramids, standing stone circles and various very old Broch. There are very good museums in both Stromness and Kirkwall, with 2 very good farm museums that are well worth a visit. RSPB sites are plentiful with a hide.

There are regular ferries to the north and south isles, some just foot pasenger and others roll on roll off. There is also a good bus service, Car hire etc.

There are various festivals on throughout the year; folk festival, blues festival, beer festival and a good few sea angling competitions. Brochures for these events can be acquired from the tourist office in either Stromness or Kirkwall.

If you have never been to Orkney you will be surprised at how beautiful the coastline is with crystal clear sea water and lots of sandy bays and beaches. Some of the cliffs are spectacular with St Johns Head on Hoy, 1000ft high, being the tallest sheer cliff in Britain. The famous 'Old Man of Hoy' being a popular sea stack for climbers.

The islands are so different, some hilly and some flat, but all have a beauty of their own. North Ronaldsay for instance is the most northerly of the Orkney Islands and the whole of the perimiter of the island is surrounded by a stone wall, called a dyke, serving the purpose of keeping the sheep on the shoreline, thus retaining the grassland for the cattle to eat. The sheep are thus a unique breed. The meat has a flavour all of its own. Hoy is the most mountainous of the Orkney Isles, situated just across the water from Stromness, and it's only half an hour on the ferry.

Should you decide to visit Orkney in August you will be surprised at the wonderful county shows with livestock, rare breeds of poultry, local craft stalls, Celtic dancing, horse jumping and lots of attractions for the kids. There is of course a beer tent too!

Cycling is also very popular here with cycle hire if you don't bring your own. There is a lot less traffic up here making cycling a lot safer.

You will be made welcome wherever you venture in Orkney.