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INV → KOI
Which side of the plane to sit from Inverness Airport (Inverness) to Kirkwall Airport (Kirkwall)?
Left Side of the Plane
The left side offers spectacular views of the rugged Caithness coastline, the historic Scapa Flow, and the stunning transition from the Scottish Highlands to the Orkney archipelago.
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The Black Isle
Immediately after takeoff, see the fertile peninsula between the Moray and Cromarty Firths.
Dunrobin Castle
Look for this fairytale castle with its distinct conical spires on the Sutherland coast near Golspie.
Pentland Firth
The turbulent stretch of water separating the mainland from Orkney, known for its powerful tidal races.
Scapa Flow
The famous natural harbor and site of the scuttling of the German High Seas Fleet after WWI.
Churchill Barriers
The causeways built during WWII to protect the anchorage, visible as you cross between the southern isles.
Sit on the left for the best view of the Scottish coastline. For the best lighting, morning flights are ideal as the sun will be behind you. Keep an eye out for the Old Man of Hoy in the distance to the west as you cross the Pentland Firth. Since the flight is short and low-altitude, even small landmarks like Wick are easily visible.
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Moray Firth
An expansive view of the water where bottlenose dolphins are frequently spotted from the air.
Tarbat Ness Lighthouse
The tall, striped lighthouse at the tip of the Easter Ross peninsula is a clear marker mid-flight.
Copinsay Island
A small, uninhabited island to the east of Mainland Orkney, recognizable by its steep cliffs and lighthouse.
Kirkwall Bay
On final approach, view the bustling harbor and the capital of Orkney from the east.
While mostly open sea, the right side provides great views of the Moray Firth's scale. Choose this side if you want to see the sunrise over the North Sea on an early morning flight. During descent, look for the distinct shape of the St. Magnus Cathedral in the center of Kirkwall as the plane banks for landing.
Book Hotels in KirkwallDistance: 171 km (106 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 17 min
Departure: INV (57.54249954223633, -4.047500133514403)
Arrival: KOI (58.957801818847656, -2.9049999713897705)
Route Type: Domestic
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