fun things to do with kids in orkney and shetland islands scotland    
  Travel for Kids
Scotland
   
     
    Orkney and Shetland Islands
Orkney Islands
The windswept Orkney and Shetland Islands are truly in the middle of nowhere, but they've been inhabited for thousands of years – prehistoric settlements were followed in later centuries by the Vikings, and villages thrive today. Traveling with kids to the Outer Hebrides is an adventure.
  Orkney Islands
Skara Brae
    In the Orkney Islands, visit the Skara Brae Prehistoric Village, the 5000 year old Stone Age village, often called "The Pompeii of the North." Buried in sand, the settlement was rediscovered in the 19th century. The streets of the town are narrow stone passageways, leading to stone-walled houses, elegantly furnished in stone.
    Also, explore Maes Howe Chambered Cairn. From the outside, it looks like a just huge dirt mound, but inside it's a stunning Neolithic tomb. Later Vikings left runes scratched in the stone.
    Shetland Islands –
Shetland ponies
    Ride Shetland ponies – You'll want to explore Shetland's beaches or hills riding on one of those adorable Shetland ponies. You can arrange for ponies at Brootham Ponies near Sumburgh.
    Shetland has plenty of sandy beaches where kids can can look for puffins, otters, hundreds of common and gray seals, porpoises, dolphins, even humpback whales.
      Take the boat to the island of Mousa to see the Mousa Broch, an Iron Age stone tower built near the sea for protection. This broch has been largely untouched for 2000 years (other brochs throughout Scotland have been dismantled for their stones).
      Jarlshof Prehistoric and Norse Settlement – Wander around the ruins of a Bronze Age village with stone huts, an Iron Age broch, a Viking village, a medieval farmhouse and a 16th century "manor" house. 3000 years of settlement on this one site.
      Shetland is famous for its "Fair Isle" sweaters and shawls, and there are numerous shops where you can purchase the genuine article.
kids books scotland
     
Stone Age Farmers Beside the Sea  
Stone Age Farmers Beside the Sea
Caroline Arnold, Arthur P. Arnold

Fascinating introduction to Skara Brae, the prehistoric village in the Okney Islands – who lived there, how the settlement was built, daily life 5,000 years ago. "As you peer over the village walls today, it's not hard to imagine families sitting around the hearths long ago, talking and eating while their children played." Excellent color photos. (Chapter book, illustrations)

 

     
Summer of the Sea Serpent (Magic Tree House)
Mary Pope Osborne

On a windswept seacoast, Jack and Annie swim with the selkies, seals who can take human form. They find the Sword of Light buried deep under the ocean, but fall into the clutches of a giant green sea serpent. (Easy reader)

 

 
Summer of the Sea Serpent
     
Wave Traveller  
Wave Traveller
P.R. Morrison

Archie defeated the giant wind and broke the Stringweed family curse (Wind Tamer), but there’s unusual occurrences once again on his remote Scottish island – the Jellats are gathering in the ocean, a mysterious green pebble drops from the sky, and curses are reappearing. An adventure fantasy set admist these islands. (Chapter book)

 

(More children's books on other Scotland pages)
travel for kids | scotland | orkney and shetland islands