Don' be put off by Mad Jock. After 30 odd years of living in both Orkney and Shetland I can assure you that the weather is not as dreadful as it is often painted. IMO the biggest problem is haar (sea fog) it can sock in for days and it can be difficult to forecast when it will clear. Wind is a problem but you can, usually, get a better forecast. It used to be that haar was most prevalent late spring early summer but climate change seems to be changing that. In any event Scotland and the Islands both West and North are well worth the effort to visit. I would heartily recommend checking out Lamb Holm, small strip just south of Kirkwall. No fuel but the owner is a genuine enthusiast and I am sure he would give the benefit of his lifetime's experience of flying in Orkney.