The Orkney Islands off the North Coast of Scotland, are a step back in time.  It is not only in the quiet, everyday, rural life, the friendliness of the locals, or the quaint cobbled streets and old cottages in the capital, Kirkwall, but also  the impressive Neolithic World Heritage Listed  Sites of The Ring of Brogdar and the Standing Stones of Stenness.  near Stromnesss.  Above the beautiful, sandy, Bay of Skail, is one of the best preserved ancient, Norse  villages – uncovered by a storm at Skara Brae.  The history of  Skapa Flow – with the German naval wreckage from the first world war and the Churchill Barriers and the beautiful Nissan hut church both built by Italian prisoners of war during their internment during the Second World War.  In summer the fields are brilliant green and the heather and wildflowers bloom prolifically in the fields of sheep.