Orkney is a group of islands situated a few miles off the north-east tip of mainland Scotland. With its green fields and hills, stone pinnacles rising out of the sea, rugged cliffs and sandy beaches, it is the ideal place for getting away from it all. Fishing in the lochs is free in Orkney. Bird watching is another popular activity, as is diving around the wrecks. Orkney was an important strategic site for the British navy during both World Wars and the Germans scuttled their fleet here in 1919. The main attraction for visitors to Orkney (some 250,000 each year) is its ancient history. From the Stone Age to the Picts and Vikings, the islands have so many sites of archaeological interest that it is impossible to list them all here. There tourists can see prehistoric villages, ancient tombs, ruined palaces and standing stones. It is hoped that Orkney will become a UNESCO-recognised World Heritage Site which would help to preserve its unique history. The people of Orkney, with their unique accent, do not see themselves as Scottish so much as Orcadian. For a long time the islands were owned by Norway, so they have a very mixed culture.