A stunning island roughly 10 miles off the north coast of Scotland has been named one of the world’s most beautiful places to visit in 2025.

The list was created by writers and editors of publishing company Rough Guides, who had done “deep dives” into destinations across the world this year.

Dubbing Orkney a “must visit”, experts noted that it boasts UNESCO World Heritage Neolithic sites and incredible island-hopping boat trips, while highlighting it is the perfect destination for families looking to escape the chaos of everyday life.

Orkney is best known for many things, from its coastal scenery and wildlife watching to the Brough of Birsay, and so on.

It’s no surprise that the island was mentioned on this list.

The Orkney Islands hold Scotland’s greatest concentration of archaeology, with an average of three archaeological sites per square mile.

Its most famous, Skara Brae village, was built in 3000BC, and due to wood being scarce at the time, buildings were made from stone.

In Orkney you can visit the Broch of Gurness, an Iron Age fort, a ring of 30 standing stones, and the newest find, the Ness of Brodgar, which is a bunch of massive buildings and fascinating discoveries.

Orkney is world famousm for its scenery, too. An open treeless landscape, rolling hills, swan and trout filled locks and green farmland, Orkney is beautiful.

The coastal scenery is breathtaking, and The Old Man of Hoy – a 137m high sea-stack, is a must see.

Further down along the cliffs there’s St John’s Head – The highest vertical cliff in Britain.

There is only one ferry that will take you to Orkney past the Old Man of Hoy and St John’s Head, and that’s the MV Hamnavoe.

The fresh air and green fields mean that Orkney milk, ice cream, cheese and reared beef are the best you’ll ever taste.

Meanwhile the seas are rich with fish, crab and lobster.

Orkney Brewery supplies not only the Island, but other places with delicious beer and a very special dram of whisky from the Highland Park Distillery.

When you take the ferry over, be sure to sample some food and drink before setting foot on the island.

In addition to producing top-notch food, Orkney boasts a thriving craft sector that produces exquisite knitwear, furniture, and jewellery.

Fish, seals, and occasionally orcas, dolphins, and porpoises can be found in the sea around the islands.

On a walk along the coast, you may spot seals swimming after you, and you may even spot cetaceans from the ferry.

To pique seals’ interest, whistle to them! At dusk, otters can be spotted, while Orkney Voles draw raptors like short-eared owls and hen harriers.

Red-throated divers, oyster catchers, puffins, and curlews all thrive in Orkney’s 13 RSPB reserves, which are made up of moorlands, wetlands, sea cliffs, and farming.

Orkney is a terrific area to visit in April and September, when you’re sure to see a rare guest, because the islands are frequently the first landfall for migratory birds!

Life in Orkney is a little more relaxed. Maybe it’s because people are accustomed to waiting longer than most for the mail, the newest movies, or newspapers.

Maybe it’s because Orcadians often don’t like a fuss and have a can-do mentality.

No matter the reason, you won’t feel hurried or anxious in Orkney because of the island’s healthy slower pace of life.