Orkney

This article is about the Scottish islands. For other uses, seeOrkney (disambiguation).

"Orcadia" redirects here. For other uses, seeOrcadia (disambiguation).

Orkney

Scottish Gaelicname	Arcaibh
Old Norsename	Orkneyjar
Flag Coat of arms
Location
Orkney Orkney shown within Scotland
Coordinates	59°00′N3°00′W ISO Code:GB-ORK
Physical geography
Island group	Northern Isles
Area	990 km2(380 sq mi)
Highest elevation	Ward Hill481 m (1,578 ft)
Administration
Council area	Orkney Islands Council
Country	Scotland
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Demographics
Population	22,540 (2021)
Population density	23/km2(59/sq mi)
Largest settlement	Kirkwall

Orkney(/ˈɔːrkni/), also known as theOrkney Islands,is anarchipelagooff the north coast ofScotland.The plural namethe Orkneysis also sometimes used, but is now considered incorrect. Part of theNorthern Islesalong withShetland,Orkney is 10 miles (16 km) north ofCaithnessand has about 70 islands, of which 20 are inhabited.The largest island, theMainland,has an area of 523 square kilometres (202 sq mi), making it thesixth-largest Scottish islandand thetenth-largest island in the British Isles.Orkney's largest settlement, and also its administrative centre, isKirkwall.

Orkney is one of the 32council areasof Scotland, as well as aconstituencyof theScottish Parliament,alieutenancy area,and anhistoric county.The local council isOrkney Islands Council.

The islands have been inhabited for at least 8,500 years, originally occupied byMesolithicandNeolithictribes and then by thePicts.Orkney was colonised and later annexed by theKingdom of Norwayin 875 and settled by theNorsemen.In 1472, theParliament of Scotlandabsorbed theEarldom of Orkneyinto theKingdom of Scotland,following failure to pay adowrypromised toJames III of Scotlandby the family of his bride,Margaret of Denmark.

In addition to the Mainland, most of the remaining islands are divided into two groups: the North Isles and the South Isles. Thelocal climateis relatively mild and the soils are extremely fertile; most of the land is farmed, and agriculture is the most important sector of the economy. The significant wind and marine energy resources are of growing importance; the amount of electricity that Orkney generates annually from renewable energy sources exceeds its demand. Temperatures average 4 °C (39 °F) in winter and 12 °C (54 °F) in summer.

The local people are known as Orcadians; they speak a distinctivedialectof theScots languageand have a rich body of folklore. Orkney contains some of the oldest and best-preserved Neolithic sites in Europe; the "Heart of Neolithic Orkney"is a designatedUNESCOWorld Heritage Site.Orkney also has an abundance of marine and avian wildlife.

Etymology

PytheasofMassaliavisited Britain – probably sometime between 322 and 285 BC – and described it as triangular in shape, with a northern tip calledOrcas. This may have referred toDunnet Head,from which Orkney is visible.Writing in the 1st century AD, the Roman geographersPtolemyandPomponius Melacalled the islandsOrcades(Ancient Greek: Όρκάδες), as didTacitusin AD 98, claiming that his father-in-lawAgricolahad "discovered and subjugated the Orcades hitherto unknown"(although both Mela andPlinyhad previously referred to the islands). TheByzantineJohn Tzetzesin his workChiliadescalled the islands Orcades.

Etymologists usually interpret the elementorc-as aPictishtribal name meaning "young pig" or "youngboar".Speakers ofOld Irishreferred to the islands asInsi Orc"islands of the young pigs".Thearchipelagois known asYnysoedd Erchin modernWelshandArcaibhin modernScottish Gaelic,the-aibhrepresenting afossilizedprepositional caseending. Some earlier sources alternatively hypothesise that Orkney comes from the Latinorca,whale.The Anglo-Saxon monkBederefers to the islands asOrcades insulaeinEcclesiastical History of the English People.

Norwegiansettlers arriving from the late ninth century reinterpretedorcas theOld Norseorkn"seal"and addedeyjar"islands" to the end,so the name becameOrkneyjar"Seal Islands". The plural suffix-jarwas later removed in English leaving the modern nameOrkney.According to theHistoria Norwegiæ,Orkney was named after anearlcalled Orkan.

The Norse knewMainland, OrkneyasMegenland"Mainland" or asHrossey"Horse Island".The island is sometimes referred to asPomona(orPomonia), a name that stems from a 16th-century mistranslation byGeorge Buchanan,which has rarely been used locally.

Usage of the plural "Orkneys" dates from the 18th century or earlier and was used by for exampleSir Walter Scott.From the mid-19th century onwards this plural form has fallen out of use in the local area although it is still often used, particularly by publications based outside Scotland.

History

Main article:History of Orkney

Prehistory

Main article:Prehistoric Orkney

Ring of Brodgar,on the island ofMainland, Orkney

A charredhazelnutshell, recovered in 2007 during excavations inTankernesson the Mainland, has been dated to 6820–6660 BC, indicating the presence of Mesolithic nomadic tribes.The earliest known permanent settlement is atKnap of Howar,a Neolithic farmstead on the island ofPapa Westray,which dates from 3500 BC. The village ofSkara Brae,Europe's best-preserved Neolithic settlement, is believed to have been inhabited from around 3100 BC.Other remains from that era include theStanding Stones of Stenness,theMaeshowepassage grave,theRing of Brodgarand other standing stones. Many of the Neolithic settlements were abandoned around 2500 BC, possibly due to changes in the climate.

In September 2021, archaeologists announced the discovery of two polished stone balls in a 5500-year-old Neolithic burial tomb inSanday.According to Dr Hugo Anderson, the second object was as the "size of a cricket ball, perfectly spherical and beautifully finished".

During theBronze Age,fewer large stone structures were built (although the great ceremonial circles continued in use) as metalworking was slowly introduced to Britain from Europe over a lengthy period.There are relatively few Orcadian sites dating from this era although there is the impressive Plumcake Mound near the Ring of Brodgar,and various island sites such as Tofts Ness onSandayand the remains of two houses onHolm of Faray.

Iron Age

Midhowe Brochon the west coast ofRousay

Excavations atQuanternesson the Mainland have revealed anAtlantic roundhousebuilt about 700 BC and similar finds have been made at Bu on the Mainland and Pierowall Quarry on Westray.The most impressiveIron Agestructures of Orkney are the ruins of later round towers called "brochs"and their associated settlements such as theBroch of BurroughstonandBroch of Gurness.The nature and origin of these buildings is a subject of debate. Other structures from this period includeunderground storehousesandaisled roundhouses,the latter usually in association with earlier broch sites.

During theRomaninvasion of Britain the "King of Orkney" was one of 11 British leaders who is said to have submitted to the EmperorClaudiusin AD 43 atCamulodunum(modern Colchester).After the Agricolan fleet had come and gone, possibly anchoring atShapinsay,direct Roman influence seems to have been limited to trade rather than conquest. Polemius Silviuswrote a list of Late Roman provinces, whichSeeckappended to his edition of theNotitia Dignitatum.The list names six provinces in Roman Britannia: the sixth is the dubious "Orcades provincia", the possible existence of which recent researches re-evaluate.

By the late Iron Age, Orkney was part of thePictishkingdom, and although thearchaeologicalremains from this period are less impressive, the fertile soils and rich seas of Orkney probably provided the Picts with a comfortable living.TheDalriadicGaelsbegan to influence the islands towards the close of the Pictish era, perhaps principally through the role ofCelticmissionaries,as evidenced by several islands bearing the epithet "Papa" in commemoration of these preachers.Before the Gaelic presence could establish itself the Picts were gradually dispossessed by theNorth Germanic peoplesfrom the late 8th century onwards. The nature of this transition is controversial, and theories range from peaceful integration toenslavementandgenocide.It has been suggested that an assault by forces fromFortriuin 681 in which Orkney was "annihilated" may have led to a weakening of the local power base and helped the Norse come to prominence.

Norwegian rule

Main article:Earldom of Orkney

According to theOrkneyinga Saga,Harald Fairhair(on the right, with fair hair) took control of Orkney in 875. He is shown here inheriting his kingdom from his fatherHalfdan the Black,in an illustration from theFlateyjarbók.

Both Orkney andShetlandsaw a significant influx of Norwegian settlers during the late 8th and early 9th centuries.Vikingsmade the islands the headquarters of theirpirateexpeditions carried out against Norway and the coasts of mainland Scotland. In response, Norwegian kingHarald Fairhair(Harald Hårfagre) annexed theNorthern Isles,comprising Orkney and Shetland, in 875 (it is clear that this story, which appears in theOrkneyinga Saga,is based on the later voyages ofMagnus Barelegsand some scholars believe it to be apocryphal).Rognvald Eysteinssonreceived Orkney and Shetland from Harald as an earldom as reparation for the death of his son in battle in Scotland, and then passed the earldom on to his brotherSigurd the Mighty.Sigurd went on to conquer northern parts of mainland Britain in the late 9th century, includingCaithnessandSutherland.

However, Sigurd's line barely survived him and it wasTorf-Einarr,Rognvald's son by a slave, who founded a dynasty that controlled the islands for centuries after his death.He was succeeded by his sonThorfinn Skull-splitterand during this time the deposed Norwegian KingEric Bloodaxeoften used Orkney as a raiding base before being killed in 954. Thorfinn's death and presumed burial at thebroch of Hoxa,onSouth Ronaldsay,led to a long period of dynastic strife.

Artist's conception ofKing Olaf Tryggvasonof Norway, who forcibly Christianised Orkney.Painting byPeter Nicolai Arbo.

Initially a pagan culture, detailed information about the turn to the Christian religion in the islands of Scotland during the Norse era is elusive.TheOrkneyinga Sagasuggests the islands were Christianised byOlaf Tryggvassonin 995 when he stopped atSouth Wallson his way from Ireland to Norway. The King summoned thejarlSigurd the Stoutand said, "I order you and all your subjects to be baptised. If you refuse, I'll have you killed on the spot and I swear I will ravage every island with fire and steel." Unsurprisingly, Sigurd agreed and the islands became Christian at a stroke,receiving their ownbishopin the early 11th century.

St Magnus Cathedralin Kirkwall

Thorfinn the Mightywas a son of Sigurd and a grandson ofKing Malcolm II of Scotland(Máel Coluim mac Cináeda). Along with Sigurd's other sons he ruled Orkney during the first half of the 11th century and extended his authority over a small maritime empire stretching fromDublintoShetland.Thorfinn died around 1065 and his sonsPaul and Erlendsucceeded him, fighting at theBattle of Stamford Bridgein 1066.Paul and Erlend quarrelled as adults and this dispute carried on to the next generation. ThemartyrdomofMagnus Erlendsson,who was killed in April 1116 by his cousinHaakon Paulsson,resulted in the building ofSt Magnus Cathedral,still today a dominating feature of Kirkwall.

TheScottish crownclaimed the overlordship of the Caithness and Sutherland area from Norway in 1098.The jarls thereafter owed allegiance to the Scottish crown for their territory on mainland Britain, which they held as theMormaer of Caithness,but owed allegiance to the Norwegian crown for Orkney and Shetland.In 1195, the jarls lost control of Shetland when it became a separate lordship.

In 1231 the line of Norse earls, unbroken since Rognvald, ended withJon Haraldsson's murder inThurso.TheEarldom of Caithnesswas granted toMagnus,second son of theEarl of Angus,whomHaakon IV of Norwayconfirmed as Earl of Orkney in 1236.Around the same time, the earldom lost the southern part of its territory on mainland Britain when it was made the separate earldom of Sutherland.

Lerwick Town Hallstained glass window depicting "Margaret, queen of Scotland and daughter of Norway"

In 1290, the death of the child princessMargaret, Maid of Norwayin Orkney, en route to mainland Scotland, created a disputed succession that led to theWars of Scottish Independence.In the 14th century the earls of Orkney also lost Caithness, after which the earldom just covered the islands of Orkney itself.In 1379 the earldom passed to theSinclairfamily, who were also barons ofRoslinnearEdinburgh.

Evidence of the Viking presence is widespread and includes the settlement at theBrough of Birsay,the vast majority ofplace names,and therunicinscriptions at Maeshowe.

Absorption by Scotland

James IIIandMargaret,whose betrothal led to Orkney passing from Norway to Scotland.

In 1468 Orkney waspledgedbyChristian I,in his capacity as King of Norway, as security against the payment of thedowryof his daughterMargaret,betrothed toJames III of Scotland.However, the money was never paid, and Orkney was absorbed by theKingdom of Scotlandin 1472.

The history of Orkney prior to this time is largely the history of the ruling aristocracy. From then on ordinary people emerge with greater clarity. An influx of Scottish entrepreneurs helped to create a diverse and independent community that included farmers, fishermen and merchants that called themselvescomunitas Orcadieand who proved themselves increasingly able to defend their rights against their feudal overlords.

From at least the 16th century, boats from mainland Scotland and the Netherlands dominated the localherringfishery. There is little evidence of an Orcadian fleet until the 19th century, but it grew rapidly, and 700 boats were involved by the 1840s with Stronsay and laterStromnessbecoming leading centres of development.White fishnever became as dominant as in other Scottish ports.

Blaeu's1654 map of Orkney and Shetland. Mapmakers at this time continued to use the original Latin nameOrcades.

Agricultural improvements beginning in the 17th century resulted in the enclosure of the commons and ultimately in the Victorian era the emergence of large and well-managed farms using a five-shift rotation system and producing high-quality beef cattle.

In the 17th century, Orcadians formed the overwhelming majority of employees of theHudson's Bay Companyin Canada. The harsh winter weather of Orkney and the Orcadian reputation for sobriety and their boat handling skills made them ideal candidates for the rigours of the Canadian north.During this period, burningkelpbriefly became a mainstay of the islands' economy. For example, on Shapinsay over 3,000long tons(3,048t) of burned seaweed were produced per annum to makesoda ash,bringing in £20,000 to the local economy.The industry collapsed suddenly in 1830 after the removal of tariffs on importedalkali.

During the 18th centuryJacobite risings,Orkney was largely Jacobite in its sympathies. At the end of the 1715 rebellion, a large number of Jacobites who had fled north from mainland Scotland sought refuge in Orkney and were helped on to safety in Sweden.In 1745, the Jacobite lairds on the islands ensured that Orkney remained pro-Jacobite in outlook and was a safe place to land supplies from Spain to aid their cause. Orkney was the last place in the British Isles that held out for the Jacobites and was not retaken by theBritish Governmentuntil 24 May 1746, over a month after the defeat of the main Jacobite army atCulloden.

20th century

TheItalian ChapelonLamb Holmwas built and decorated by Italian prisoners of war working on theChurchill Barriers.

Orkney was the site of aRoyal Navybase atScapa Flow,which played a major role inWorld War IandWorld War II.After theArmisticein 1918, theGerman High Seas Fleetwas transferred in its entirety to Scapa Flow to await a decision on its future.The German sailors opened the seacocks and scuttled all the ships.Most ships were salvaged, but the remaining wrecks are now a favoured haunt of recreational divers. One month into World War II, a GermanU-boatsank the Royal Navy battleshipHMSRoyal Oakin Scapa Flow. As a result,barrierswere built to close most of the access channels; these had the additional advantage of creating causeways enabling travellers to go from island to island by road instead of being obliged to rely on ferries. The causeways were constructed by Italian prisoners of war, who also constructed the ornateItalian Chapel.

The navy base became run down after the war, eventually closing in 1957. The problem of a declining population was significant in the post-war years, though in the last decades of the 20th century, there was a recovery and life in Orkney focused on growing prosperity and the emergence of a relatively classless society.Orkney was rated as the best place to live in Scotland in both 2013 and 2014, and in 2019 the best place to live in the UK, according to the Halifax Quality of Life survey.

Overview of population trends

Historical population

Year	Pop.	±% p.a.
1801	24,445	—
1811	23,238	−0.51%
1821	26,979	+1.50%
1831	28,847	+0.67%
1841	30,507	+0.56%
1851	31,455	+0.31%
1861	32,395	+0.29%
1881	32,044	−0.05%
1911	25,897	−0.71%
1921	24,111	−0.71%
1931	22,077	−0.88%
1951	21,255	−0.19%
1961	18,747	−1.25%
1971	17,070	−0.93%
1981	18,194	+0.64%
1991	19,644	+0.77%
2001	19,245	−0.20%
2011	21,349	+1.04%
Source:

In the modern era, the population peaked in the mid-19th century at just over 32,000 and declined for a century thereafter to a low of fewer than 18,000 in the 1970s. Declines were particularly significant in the outlying islands, some of which remain vulnerable to ongoing losses. Although Orkney is in many ways very distinct from the other islands and archipelagos of Scotland these trends are very similar to those experienced elsewhere.The archipelago's population grew by 11% in the decade to 2011 as recorded by thecensus.During the same periodScottish islandpopulations as a whole grew by 4% to 103,702.

Geography

Map of Orkney showing main transport routes

Orkney is separated from the mainland of Scotland by thePentland Firth,a ten-kilometre-wide (6 mi) seaway between Brough Ness on the island ofSouth RonaldsayandDuncansby HeadinCaithness.Orkney lies between 58°41′ and 59°24′ north, and 2°22′ and 3°26′ west, measuring 80 kilometres (50 mi) from northeast to southwest and 47 kilometres (29 mi) from east to west, and covers 975 square kilometres (376 sq mi).

Orkney is separated from theShetland Islands,a group further out, by a body of water called theFair Isle Channel.

The islands are mainly low-lying except for some sharply rising sandstone hills on Mainland, Rousay and Hoy (where the tallest point in Orkney,Ward Hill,can be found) and rugged cliffs on some western coasts. Nearly all of the islands havelochs,but the watercourses are merely streams draining the high land. The coastlines are indented, and the islands themselves are divided from each other by straits generally called "sounds" or "firths".

Thetidal currents,or "roosts" as some of them are called locally,off many of the isles are swift, with frequent whirlpools.The islands are notable for the absence of trees, which is partly accounted for by the strong winds.

Settlements

Kirkwall

Stromness

Finstown

Balfour

Dounby

Houton

Longhope

Lyness

Pierowall

St Margaret's Hope

Whitehall

Shetland→

Highland

class=notpageimage|

The largest settlements in Orkney.

Only three settlements have a population of over 500; the towns ofKirkwallandStromnessand the village ofFinstown.

List of settlements in Orkney

Settlement	Population (2022)
Kirkwall	7,500
Stromness	1,790
Finstown	500

Other villages includeBalfour,Dounby,Houton,Longhope,Lyness,Pierowall,St Margaret's Hope,andWhitehall.

List of largest islands by population

Island	Population (2011)
Orkney Mainland	17,162
South Ronaldsay	909
Westray	588
Sanday	494
Hoy	419
Burray	409
Stronsay	349
Shapinsay	307
Rousay	216
Eday	160

Geology

Main article:Geology of Orkney

Geology of Orkney

The superficial rock of Orkney is almost entirelyOld Red Sandstone,mostly of MiddleDevonianage.As in the neighbouring mainland county ofCaithness,this sandstone rests upon themetamorphicand igneous rocks of theMoineseries, as may be seen on the Mainland, where a narrow strip is exposed between Stromness and Inganess, and again in the small island ofGraemsay;they are represented by greygneissandgranite.

The Middle Devonian is divided into three main groups. The lower part of the sequence, mostlyEifelianin age, is dominated by lacustrine beds of the lower and upper Stromness Flagstones that were deposited inLake Orcadie.The later Rousay flagstone formation is found throughout much of the North and South Isles and East Mainland.

TheOld Man of Hoy

The Old Man of Hoy is formed from sandstone of the uppermostEday Groupthat is up to 800 metres (870 yd) thick in places. It lies unconformably upon steeply inclined flagstones, the interpretation of which is a matter of continuing debate.

The Devonian and older rocks of Orkney are cut by a series of WSW–ENE to N–S trending faults, many of which were active during deposition of the Devonian sequences.A strongsynclinalfold traverses Eday and Shapinsay, the axis trending north-south.

Middle Devonianbasalticvolcanic rocksare found on western Hoy, on Deerness in eastern Mainland and on Shapinsay. Correlation between the Hoy volcanics and the other two exposures has been proposed, but differences in chemistry mean this remains uncertain.Lamprophyredykesof LatePermianage are found throughout Orkney.

Glacial striationand the presence ofchalkandflinterraticsthat originated from the bed of the North Sea demonstrate the influence of ice action on thegeomorphologyof the islands. Boulderclayis also abundant andmorainescover substantial areas.

Climate

Orkney has a cool temperate climate that is remarkably mild and steady for such a northerlylatitude,due to the influence of the warm waters of theNorwegian Current,a north-easterly extension of theNorth Atlantic Driftwhich is itself an extension of theGulf Stream.The average temperature for the year is 8 °C (46 °F); for winter 4 °C (39 °F) and for summer 12 °C (54 °F).

The average annual rainfall varies from 850 millimetres (33 in) to 940 millimetres (37 in).Winds are a key feature of the climate and even in summer there are almost constant breezes. In winter, there are frequent strong winds, with an average of 52 hours of gales being recorded annually.

To tourists, one of the fascinations of the islands is their "nightless" summers. On thelongest day,the sun rises at 04:00 and sets at 22:29BSTand complete darkness is unknown. This long twilight is known in the Northern Isles as the "simmer dim".Winter nights are long. On theshortest daythe sun rises at 09:05 and sets at 15:16.At this time of year theaurora borealiscan occasionally be seen on the northern horizon during moderate auroral activity.

The first averages table below is for the largest settlement Kirkwall's weather station, the second is for theLoch of Hundland,a rural location to the northwest of Mainland.

Climate data for Kirkwall, 26m asl, 1991–2020 normals, Extremes 1951–
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Record high °C (°F)	12.2 (54.0)	12.8 (55.0)	18.9 (66.0)	21.0 (69.8)	22.0 (71.6)	22.8 (73.0)	25.6 (78.1)	24.8 (76.6)	22.8 (73.0)	19.4 (66.9)	14.5 (58.1)	12.9 (55.2)	25.6 (78.1)
Mean maximum °C (°F)	9.9 (49.8)	10.4 (50.7)	12.3 (54.1)	14.5 (58.1)	17.4 (63.3)	19.1 (66.4)	20.6 (69.1)	20.1 (68.2)	18.7 (65.7)	15.1 (59.2)	12.4 (54.3)	11.0 (51.8)	21.5 (70.7)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F)	6.6 (43.9)	6.8 (44.2)	8.0 (46.4)	9.9 (49.8)	12.2 (54.0)	14.2 (57.6)	16.1 (61.0)	16.2 (61.2)	14.4 (57.9)	11.6 (52.9)	8.9 (48.0)	7.0 (44.6)	11.0 (51.8)
Daily mean °C (°F)	4.5 (40.1)	4.5 (40.1)	5.4 (41.7)	7.0 (44.6)	8.5 (47.3)	11.3 (52.3)	13.2 (55.8)	13.4 (56.1)	11.8 (53.2)	9.3 (48.7)	6.7 (44.1)	4.8 (40.6)	8.4 (47.1)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F)	2.3 (36.1)	2.1 (35.8)	2.7 (36.9)	4.1 (39.4)	5.8 (42.4)	8.4 (47.1)	10.3 (50.5)	10.5 (50.9)	9.2 (48.6)	7.0 (44.6)	4.5 (40.1)	2.6 (36.7)	5.8 (42.4)
Mean minimum °C (°F)	−1.6 (29.1)	−1.9 (28.6)	−1.7 (28.9)	−0.3 (31.5)	1.1 (34.0)	4.3 (39.7)	6.3 (43.3)	6.3 (43.3)	4.4 (39.9)	2.2 (36.0)	0.3 (32.5)	−1.7 (28.9)	−3.2 (26.2)
Record low °C (°F)	−7.8 (18.0)	−7 (19)	−6.8 (19.8)	−4.9 (23.2)	−2.1 (28.2)	1.0 (33.8)	0.0 (32.0)	3.7 (38.7)	0.5 (32.9)	−1.6 (29.1)	−5.5 (22.1)	−7.6 (18.3)	−7.8 (18.0)
Averageprecipitationmm (inches)	114.7 (4.52)	96.2 (3.79)	86.7 (3.41)	59.2 (2.33)	53.8 (2.12)	55.9 (2.20)	58.2 (2.29)	73.0 (2.87)	90.7 (3.57)	119.8 (4.72)	126.1 (4.96)	114.3 (4.50)	1,048.6 (41.28)
Average precipitation days(≥ 1.0 mm)	20.4	17.6	16.9	14.1	11.9	10.8	12.1	12.6	15.2	19.1	20.5	19.9	191.1
Mean monthlysunshine hours	34	64	102	144	193	145	139	135	108	76	44	26	1,210
Source 1:Met Office
Source 2: Royal Dutch Meteorological Institute/KMNIInfoclimat

Climate data for Orkney: Loch of Hundland, 28m asl, 1981–2010
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Mean daily maximum °C (°F)	6.4 (43.5)	6.4 (43.5)	7.6 (45.7)	9.9 (49.8)	12.5 (54.5)	14.3 (57.7)	16.5 (61.7)	16.2 (61.2)	14.1 (57.4)	11.4 (52.5)	8.6 (47.5)	6.9 (44.4)	10.9 (51.6)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F)	1.4 (34.5)	1.0 (33.8)	2.0 (35.6)	3.4 (38.1)	5.5 (41.9)	7.7 (45.9)	10.1 (50.2)	9.8 (49.6)	8.3 (46.9)	6.1 (43.0)	3.4 (38.1)	1.8 (35.2)	5.1 (41.2)
Average rainfall mm (inches)	118.5 (4.67)	90.5 (3.56)	92.8 (3.65)	59.0 (2.32)	43.4 (1.71)	49.5 (1.95)	56.3 (2.22)	64.6 (2.54)	100.2 (3.94)	124.4 (4.90)	119.0 (4.69)	106.1 (4.18)	1,024.2 (40.32)
Average rainy days(≥ 1.0 mm)	21.4	16.9	19.5	13.1	10.2	11.3	10.9	12.0	14.5	19.1	21.5	21.2	191.5
Mean monthlysunshine hours	25.9	62.1	95.4	150.4	205.6	154.1	135.7	136.4	99.2	73.6	37.0	22.3	1,197.7
Source: metoffice.gov.uk

Governance

Council Offices on School Place, Kirkwall

The local authority is theOrkney Islands Council,based at the Council Offices on School Place in Kirkwall.

Administrative history

On its absorption into Scotland in 1472, the landholdings and jurisdictions of the old earldom of Orkney passed to the Scottish crown. The separate lordship of Shetland was absorbed into Scotland at the same time.More typically Scottish forms of administration were gradually introduced to the Northern Isles. The position ofSheriff of Orkney and Shetlandwas created in 1541.Orkney and Shetland retained their own legal systems until 1612, when the general laws of Scotland were applied.

Commissioners of Supplywere established in 1667 for each shire across Scotland. Unusually, despite being oneshire,Orkney and Shetland were given separate bodies of commissioners.More local government functions were gradually given to the commissioners over time.At a court case in 1829, theCourt of Sessiondeclined to rule on whether Orkney and Shetland were one county or two. They operated as one county for the purposes of the administration of justice,lieutenancy,andparliamentary constituencies,but operated as two counties for local government functions.Elected county councils were created in 1890 under theLocal Government (Scotland) Act 1889,taking most of the functions of the commissioners (which were eventually abolished in 1930). The 1889 Act also directed that Orkney and Shetland were to be separate counties.

Kirkwall Sheriff Court,completed 1877: Orkney's main courthouse, also served as headquarters of Orkney County Council 1890–1975

Orkney County Council held its first meeting on 22 May 1890 atKirkwall Sheriff Court,also known as County Buildings, on Watergate in Kirkwall, which had been completed in 1877 and also served as the meeting place of the commissioners of supply.

Local government was reformed in 1975 under theLocal Government (Scotland) Act 1973,which replaced Scotland's counties,burghsandlandward districts.In most of Scotland a two-tier structure of upper-tier regions and lower-tier districts was used, but a single-tier structure ofisland areaswas used for Orkney, Shetland and theWestern Isles.Further local government reform in 1996 introduced single-tier council areas across all of Scotland. The councils of the three island areas created in 1975 continued to provide the same services after 1996, but their areas were re-designated as council areas.

Parishes and communities

Further information:List of civil parishes in Scotland

Parishes existed from medieval times. From 1845 to 1894 they had parish boards and from 1894 to 1930 they had parish councils. They have had no administrative functions since 1930, but continue to be used for the presentation of statistics.

Orkney's civil parishes are:

• BirsayandHarray
• Cross and Burness
• Eday
• EvieandRendall
• Firth
• Holm
• HoyandGraemsay
• KirkwallandSt Ola(included burgh of Kirkwall)
• Lady
• Orphir
• Papa Westray
• Rousay
• St AndrewsandDeerness
• Sandwick
• Shapinsay
• South Ronaldsay
• Stenness
• Stromness(included burgh of same name)
• Stronsay
• WallsandFlotta
• Westray

Evie and Rendall were formerly separate parishes, but were united in the 16th century.

Community councils

Community councilswere created in 1975 as part of the wider reforms that year. They have no statutory powers, but serve as a representative body for their communities. Orkney Islands Council designates community council areas, but a community council is only formed if there is sufficient interest from the residents. Since a review in 2022, Orkney has comprised the following communities, all of which have community councils operating as at 2024:

• Birsay
• Eday
• Evie and Rendall
• Firth and Stenness
• Flotta
• Graemsay, Hoy and Walls
• Harray and Sandwick
• Holm
• Kirkwall and St Ola
• North Ronaldsay
• Orphir
• Papa Westray
• Rousay, Egilsay, Wyre and Gairsay
• St Andrews and Deerness
• Sanday
• Shapinsay
• South Ronaldsay and Burray
• Stromness
• Stronsay
• Westray

Ecclesiastical parishes

In 2024 theChurch of Scotlandunited all the ecclesiastical parishes in Orkney to form a singleOrkney Islands Church of Scotland,retaining most church buildings and staffed by a team ministry.

Demographics

Genetic studies have shown that 25% of the gene pool of Orkney derives from Norwegian ancestors who occupied the islands in the 9th century.

Islands

Main article:List of Orkney islands

The Mainland

Main article:Mainland, Orkney

Stromnesson the Mainland is the second-largest settlement in Orkney.

The Mainland is the largest island of Orkney. Both of Orkney'sburghs,KirkwallandStromness,are on this island, which is also the heart of Orkney's transport system, withferryand air connections to the other islands and to the outside world. The island is more heavily populated (75% of Orkney's population) than the other islands and has much fertilefarmland.The Mainland is split into areas called East and West Mainland. These areas are determined by whether they lie east or west of Kirkwall. The bulk of the mainland lies west of Kirkwall, with comparatively little land east of Kirkwall. West Mainland parishes are: Stromness,Sandwick, Birsay, Harray, Stenness, Orphir, Evie, Rendall and Firth. East Mainland Parishes are: St Ola, Tankerness, St Andrews, Holm and Deerness.

The island is mostly low-lying (especially East Mainland) but with coastal cliffs to the north and west and two sizeable lochs: theLoch of Harrayand theLoch of Stenness.The Mainland contains the remnants of numerousNeolithic,PictishandVikingconstructions. Four of the main Neolithic sites are included in theHeart of Neolithic OrkneyWorld Heritage Site,inscribed in 1999.

The other islands in the group are classified as north or south of the Mainland. Exceptions are the remote islets ofSule SkerryandSule Stack,which lie 60 kilometres (37 mi) west of the archipelago, but form part of Orkney for local government purposes. In island names, thesuffix"a" or "ay" represents the Norseey,meaning "island". Those described as "holms"are very small.

The North Isles

North Ronaldsay sheepare asemi-feralbreed that has evolved to eat seaweed.Their unique genetic inheritance makes them of interest to conservationists.

The northern group of islands is the most extensive and consists of a large number of moderately sized islands, linked to the Mainland by ferries and by air services. Farming, fishing and tourism are the main sources of income for most of the islands.

The most northerly isNorth Ronaldsay,which lies 4 kilometres (2 mi) beyond its nearest neighbour,Sanday.To the west isWestray,which has a population of 550. It is connected by ferry and air toPapa Westray,also known as "Papay".Edayis at the centre of the North Isles. The centre of the island ismoorlandand the island's main industries have been peat extraction andlimestonequarrying.

Rousay,EgilsayandGairsaylie north of the west Mainland across theEynhallow Sound.Rousay is well known for its ancient monuments, including the Quoynesschambered cairnand Egilsay has the ruins of the only round-towered church in Orkney.Wyreto the south-east contains the site of Cubbie Roo's castle.StronsayandPapa Stronsaylie much further to the east across the Stronsay Firth.Auskerryis south of Stronsay and has a population of only five.Shapinsayand itsBalfour Castleare a short distance north of Kirkwall.

Other small uninhabited islands in the North Isles group includeCalf of Eday,Damsay,Eynhallow,Faray,Helliar Holm,Holm of Faray,Holm of Huip,Holm of Papa,Holm of Scockness,Kili Holm,Linga Holm,Muckle Green Holm,Rusk HolmandSweyn Holm.

Hoy High LighthouseonGraemsay

The South Isles

The southern group of islands surroundsScapa Flow.Hoy,to the west, is the second largest of the Orkney Isles andWard Hillat its northern end is the highest elevation in the archipelago. TheOld Man of Hoyis a well-knownseastack.GraemsayandFlottaare both linked by ferry to the Mainland and Hoy, and the latter is known for its large oil terminal.South Wallshas a 19th-centuryMartello towerand is connected to Hoy by the Ayre. Burraylies to the east of Scapa Flow and is linked by causeway to South Ronaldsay, which hosts cultural events such as the Festival of the Horse and the Boys'Ploughing Matchon the third Saturday in August.It is also the location of the NeolithicTomb of the Eagles.South Ronaldsay, Burray,Glimps Holm,andLamb Holmare connected by road to the Mainland by theChurchill Barriers.

Uninhabited South Islands includeCalf of Flotta,Cava,Copinsay,Corn Holm,Fara,Glimps Holm,Hunda,Lamb Holm,Rysa Little,SwithaandSwona.ThePentland Skerrieslie further south, closer to the Scottish mainland.

Politics

Orkney is represented in theHouse of Commonsas part of theOrkney and Shetlandconstituency,which elects oneMember of Parliament(MP), the current incumbent beingAlistair Carmichael.This seat has been held by theLiberal Democratsor the formerLiberal Partysince 1950, longer than any other they represent in Great Britain.

In theScottish ParliamenttheOrkneyconstituency elects oneMember of the Scottish Parliament(MSP) by thefirst past the postsystem. The current MSP isLiam McArthurof the Liberal Democrats.Before McArthur the MSP wasJim Wallace,who was previouslyDeputy First Minister.Orkney is within theHighlands and Islandselectoral region.

The Orkney Movement, a political party that supported devolution for Orkney from the rest of Scotland, contested the1987 general electionas theOrkney and Shetland Movement(a coalition of the Orkney movement and its equivalent for Shetland). TheScottish National Partychose not to contest the seat to give the movement a "free run". Their candidate, John Goodlad, came 4th with 3,095 votes, 14.5% of those cast, but the experiment has not been repeated.

In the2014 Scottish independence referendum67.2% of voters in Orkney voted no to the question "Should Scotland be an independent country?" This was the highest no vote by percentage in any council area in Scotland.Turnout for the referendum was at 83.7% in Orkney with 10,004 votes cast in the area against independence by comparison to 4,883 votes for independence.

In the2016 United Kingdom European Union membership referendum63.2% of voters in Orkney voted Remain.

In 2022, as part of theLevelling Up White Paper,an "Island Forum" was proposed, which would allow local policymakers and residents in Orkney to work alongside their counterparts inShetland,theWestern Isles,Angleseyand theIsle of Wighton common issues, such as broadband connectivity, and provide a platform for them to communicate directly with the government on the challenges island communities face in terms of levelling up.

In July 2023, Orkney Council were investigating proposals to change its status, looking at options that included becoming aBritish Crown Dependency,aself-governing territorywithin the Kingdom of Norway or just staying in the United Kingdom.

Economy

The soil of Orkney is generally very fertile and most of the land is taken up by farms, agriculture being by far the most important sector of the economy and providing employment for a quarter of the workforce according to a 2008 report.More than 90% of agricultural land is used for grazing for sheep and cattle, with cereal production utilising about 4% (4,200 hectares (10,000 acres)) and woodland occupying only 134 hectares (330 acres).

Fishing has declined in importance, but still employed 345 individuals in 2001, about 3.5% of the islands' economically active population,the modern industry concentrating onherring,white fish,lobsters,crabsand other shellfish, andsalmonfish farming.

A 2009 report indicated the traditional sectors of the economy exportbeef,cheese,whisky,beer,fishand otherseafood.In recent years there has been growth in other areas including tourism, food and beverage manufacture, jewellery, knitwear, and other crafts production, construction and oil transportation through theFlottaoil terminal.Retailing accounts for 17.5% of total employment,and public services also play a significant role, employing a third of the islands' workforce.There are twoScotch whiskydistilleriesin Orkney (Scapa distilleryand theHighland Park distillery).With the Deerness Distillery, a third whisky distillery is to be added in the summer of 2023.

In 2007, of the 1,420VATregistered enterprises 55% were in agriculture, forestry and fishing, 12% in manufacturing and construction, 12% in wholesale, retail and repairs, and 5% in hotels and restaurants. A further 5% were public service related.55% of these businesses employ between 5 and 49 people.

A new report, published in September 2020, provided updates about several significant aspects of the economy:

there are around 1,500 businesses on the island. More than 90% have fewer than 10 employees. [Estimates indicate] 11,000 jobs, of which around 5,000 are part-time... There's not much manufacturing, beyond food and drink processing (think cheese and whisky), and apart from the Flotta oil terminal, it lacks big private employers... Fisheries off Orkney are only half as important to employment as in Shetland, and farming is roughly twice as important.

The report expressed concern about the loss of business caused by the worldwideCOVID-19 pandemic:"blighting business activity, travel and tourism". On 1 February 2021, a new plan (subsequent to previous funding schemes) from the Scottish government was announced. The Island Equivalent Payment Fund was designed to "provide the equivalent of Level 4 support to eligible businesses in Orkney and other island areas".

Tourism

Excavations byUHI Archaeology Instituteat the Ness of Brodgar have contributed to Orkney'sheritage tourism.

A report published in February 2020 stated that spending by visitors increased from £49.5 million in 2017 to £67.1 million in 2019, making this a significant sector of the economy.The primary attractions that encourage tourism include the "Heart of Neolithic Orkney" on the main island, defined as "a group of 5,000-year-old sites that include the preserved village of Skara Brae and the Ring of Brodgar stone circle". The Hoy area's landscape is also attractive to visitors, "with its scattered woodland, steep valleys, high cliffs and the famous Old Man, a withered red sandstone sea stack".In 2017, 62% of tourists to Orkney visited for its heritage. TheUHI Archaeology Institutehave led excavations at the Ness of Brodgar, contributing to tourism to the area and driving interest in archaeology.

During most years, the islands are the home of several international festivals, including theOrkney International Science Festivalin September, a folk festival in May, and theSt Magnus International Arts Festivalin June.

The volume of visitors arriving on ferries declined substantially in 2020, by 71%, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.A news report added that cruise ships also did not arrive and there were "no day trippers and no holiday lets" as of 25 April 2020. Several major events were cancelled: St Magnus Festival, Orkney Folk Festival, Stromness Shopping Week and the Agricultural Shows.

Power

Pelamison-site atEMEC'swave testing site off Billia Croo

Orkney has significant wind and marine energy resources, andrenewable energyhas recently come into prominence. Although Orkney is connected to the mainland, it generates over100% of its net power from renewablesaccording to a 2015 report.This comes mainly from wind turbines situated across Orkney.

TheEuropean Marine Energy Centre(EMEC) is a research facility operating a grid-connected wave test site at Billia Croo, off the west coast of the Orkney Mainland, and a tidal power test site in theFall of Warness,off the northern island of Eday.At the official opening of the Eday project the site was described as "the first of its kind in the world set up to provide developers of wave and tidal energy devices with a purpose-built performance testing facility."

During 2007Scottish and Southern Energyplc in conjunction with theUniversity of Strathclydebegan the implementation of a Regional Power Zone in the Orkney archipelago, involving "active network management" that will make better use of existing infrastructure and allow a further 15 MW of new "non-firm generation" output from renewables onto the network.1.5 MW ofpolymer electrolyte membrane electrolysisform a partialhydrogen economyforhydrogen vehiclesanddistrict heating,and grid batteries and electric vehicles also use local energy.

Orkney has one of the highest uptakes of electric vehicles in the UK with more than 2% of the vehicles on the road being electric, as of 2019.

Hydrogen manufacturing

A March 2019 report by theBBCstated that "Orkney creates more clean electricity than its inhabitants need. Even after exporting to the UK national grid, the islands' winds, waves and tides generate about 130% of the electricity its population needs – all of it from clean sources".A report about sustainable energy in the islands listed two options. A new cable could be laid for exporting of energy to the mainland but another proposal has progressed rapidly since that time: making "excess renewable power into another fuel – such as hydrogen – and then [storing] it".

In May 2020,CNNpublished more specific information about the hydrogen plan:

Orkney's success in creating hydrogen using clean energy demonstrates that it can be done at scale. The islands are already using hydrogen to power vehicles, and it will soon be used to heat a local primary school. Now, Orkney is hoping to use hydrogen fuel cells to power a seagoing vessel able to transport both goods and passengers.

Additional specific information about the status of the hydrogen scheme was published in late November 2020 by Orkney Islands Council.A few weeks earlier, another report indicated that the world's first hydrogen-fueled ferry was to be tested on the Orkney Islands, using "a hydrogen/diesel dual fuel conversion system", developed by a consortium known as the HyDIME project. Initially hydrogen was to power only the auxiliary engine but the plan calls for later using this fuel for the primary engine. The report suggested that "if all goes well, hydrogen ferries could be sailing between Orkney's islands within six months".

Kirkwall Airport in Orkney was scheduled "to have its heat and power decarbonised throughgreen hydrogenas part of a new project "starting in 2021.A hydrogen combustion engine system was to be connected to the airport's heating system. The scheme planned to reduce the significant emissions that were created with older technology that heated buildings and water. This was part of the plan formulated by the Scottish government for the Highlands and Islands "to become the world's first net zero aviation region by 2040".

Hydrogen manufacturing is also planned forShetlandand will spread to other areas of Scotland that have access to clean electricity. To achieve that goal, the government announced an investment of £100 million in the hydrogen sector "for the £180 million Emerging Energy Technologies Fund".

Transport

Air

Highland and Islands Airportsoperates the main airport in Orkney,Kirkwall Airport.Loganairprovides services to the Scottish mainland (Aberdeen,Edinburgh,GlasgowandInverness), as well as toSumburgh Airportin Shetland.

Within Orkney, the council operates airports on most of the larger islands includingStronsay,Eday,North Ronaldsay,Westray,Papa Westray,Sanday,andFlotta.Theshortest scheduled air service in the world,between the islands of Westray and Papa Westray, is scheduled at two minutes' durationbut can take less than one minute if the wind is in the right direction.

Ferry

MVEarl Thorfinnarrives atWestray.Orkney Ferriesoperate a fleet of inter-island ferries.

Ferries serve both to link Orkney to the rest of Scotland, and also to link together the various islands of the Orkney archipelago. Ferry services operate between Orkney and the Scottish mainland and Shetland on the following routes:

• Gills Bay toSt Margaret's Hope(operated byPentland Ferries)
• John o' Groats toBurwickon South Ronaldsay (seasonal passenger only service, operated by John o' Groats Ferries)
• Lerwickto Kirkwall (operated byNorthLink Ferries)
• Aberdeen to Kirkwall (operated by NorthLink Ferries)
• Scrabster Harbour,ThursotoStromness(operated by NorthLink Ferries)

Inter-island ferry services connect all the inhabited islands to Orkney Mainland and are operated byOrkney Ferries,a company owned by Orkney Islands Council. The isles ofWestray,Papa Westray(or Papay),North Ronaldsay,Sanday,Eday,Stronsay,andShapinsayare served from Kirkwall harbour, while the northern end ofHoyandGraemsayare served from Stromness harbour, theLynessend of Hoy, as well asLonghopeonSouth Walls,andFlottaare served fromHoutonon the south of the mainland, andRousay,EgilsayandWyreare served fromTingwall,in theRendallarea of the Orkney mainland. As well as this, theMVGolden Marianaconnects the village ofPierowallon Westray with Papa Westray - this provides a vital local service for schoolchildren on Papay as well as supplementing existing through sailings from Kirkwall.

Bus

Local buses around the Orkney Mainland, as well as across theChurchill BarrierstoBurrayandSouth Ronaldsay,are operated byStagecoach Highlands.The main route is the X1, connectingStromness,StennessforMaeshowe,Finstown,Kirkwall,St Mary's,Burray,andSt Margaret's Hope.There are also buses from Kirkwall viaOrphir(2), and from Stromness (5) to the ferry terminal atHouton(from which inter-island ferries operate toHoyandFlotta,from Kirkwall toKirkwall Airport(3 & 4),TankernessandDeerness(3), from Kirkwall and Finstown to Tingwall (from which there are ferries toRousay,EgilsayandWyre),EvieandBirsay,from Stromness to Kirkwall viaSkara Brae,Dounby,Harrayand Finstown (7), the 8 (which does a circular route to and from Kirkwall and Finstown via Stromness and the West Mainland villages, such asMarwick,Quoyloo, Dounby and Stenness), and the X10, which connects the late-night call of theNorthLinkferry to and from Aberdeen and Lerwick, at Hatston Ferry Terminal, to Kirkwall, Finstown and Stromness.

In 2021, the island's three-vehicle minibus service for disabled people was a target for hackers seeking a £1,000 ransom in cryptocurrency.

Media

Orkney is served by a weekly local newspaper,The Orcadian,published on Thursdays. It is first published in 1854 and part of the Orkney Media Group, formed out of a partnership with a competing newspaper,Orkney Today,in 2007.

A local BBC radio station,BBC Radio Orkney,the local opt-out ofBBC Radio Scotland,broadcasts twice daily, with local news and entertainment.Orkney also had acommercial radiostation,The Superstation Orkney,which broadcast to Kirkwall and parts of the mainland and also to most ofCaithnessuntil its closure in November 2014.MFRbroadcasts throughout Orkney on an FM transmitter just outside Thurso. Thecommunity radiostation Caithness FM also broadcasts to Orkney.

Orkney is home to theOrkney Library and Archive,based in Kirkwall. The library service provides access to over 145,000 items.They have a wide range of fiction and non-fiction titles available for loan as well as audiobooks, maps, eBooks, music CDs, and DVDs.Orkney Library and Archive operates a Mobile Library Service that serves the rural parishes and islands of Orkney. The Mobile Library carries a wide range of books and audiobooks suitable for all ages and is completely free to use.

Language, literature, and folklore

The Odin Stone

At the beginning of recorded history, the islands were inhabited by thePicts,whose language was Brythonic.TheOghamscript on theBuckquoy spindle-whorlis cited as evidence for the pre-Norse existence ofOld Irishin Orkney.

After the Norse occupation, thetoponymyof Orkney became almost whollyWest Norse.The Norse language changed into the localNorn,which lingered until the end of the 18th century, when it eventually died out.Norn was replaced by theOrcadian dialectofInsular Scots.This dialect is at a low ebb due to the pervasive influences of television, education, and the large number of incomers. However, attempts are being made by some writers and radio presenters to revitalise its useand the distinctive sing-songaccentand many dialect words of Norse origin remain in use.The Orcadian word most frequently encountered by visitors ispeedie,meaning 'small', which may be derived from the Frenchpetit.

Orkney has a rich folklore, and many of the former tales concerntrows,an Orcadian form oftrollthat draws on the islands' Scandinavian connections.Local customs in the past included marriage ceremonies at the Odin Stone that formed part of the Stones of Stenness.

King Lotin certain versions of theArthurian legend(e.g.,Malory) is ruler of Orkney. His sonsGawaine,Agravaine,Gareth,andGaherisare major characters in theMatter of Britain.In earlier versions of Arthuriana such asGeoffrey of Monmouth'sHistory of the Kings of Britainthe King of Orkney is named Gunfasius.

The best known literary figures from modern Orkney are the poetEdwin Muir,the poet and novelistGeorge Mackay Brown,and the novelistEric Linklater.

Orcadians

Main article:Orcadians

The Bridge of Brodgar, Stenness, 1875 by Walter Hugh Patton (1828–1895)

AnOrcadianis a native of Orkney, a term that reflects a strongly held identity with a tradition of understatement.Although the annexation of the earldom by Scotland took place over five centuries ago in 1472, some Orcadians regard themselves as Orcadians first andScotssecond.However in response to the national identity question in the2011 Scotland Census,self-reported levels ofScottish identityin Orkney were in line with the national average.

The Scottish mainland is often referred to as "Scotland" in Orkney, with "the mainland" referring toMainland, Orkney.The archipelago also has a distinct culture, with traditions of theScottish Highlandssuch astartan,clans,bagpipesnot indigenous to the culture of the islands.However, at least two tartans with Orkney connections have been registered and a tartan has been designed for Sanday by one of the island's residents,and there are pipe bands in Orkney.

Native Orcadians refer to the non-native residents of the islands as "ferry loupers" ( "loup" meaning "jump" in theScots language),a term that has been in use for nearly two centuries at least.

Natural history

Seals hauled out at Lyrie Geo onHoy

Orkney has an abundance of wildlife, especially ofgreyandcommon sealsand seabirds such aspuffins,kittiwakes,black guillemots(tysties),ravens,andgreat skuas(bonxies). Whales, dolphins, andottersare also seen around the coasts. Inland theOrkney vole,a distinct subspecies of thecommon voleintroduced byNeolithichumans, is anendemic.There are five distinct varieties, found on the islands of Sanday, Westray, Rousay, South Ronaldsay, and the Mainland, all the more remarkable as the species is absent on mainland Britain.

The coastline is well known for its colourful flowers includingsea aster,sea squill,sea thrift,common sea-lavender,bellandcommon heather.TheScottish primroseis found only on the coasts of Orkney and nearby Caithness andSutherland.Although stands of trees are generally rare, a small forest namedHappy Valleywith 700 trees and lush gardens was created from a boggy hillside near Stenness during the second half of the 20th century.

TheNorth Ronaldsay sheepis an unusual breed of domesticated animal, subsisting largely on a diet ofseaweed,since they are confined to the foreshore for most of the year to conserve the limited grazing inland.The island was also a habitat for the Atlanticwalrusuntil the mid-16th century.

The Orkney char (Salvelinus inframundus) used to live in Heldale Water on Hoy. It has been consideredlocally extinctsince 1908.

Stoat problem and solution

Stoat

The introduction of non-nativestoatssince 2010, a natural predator of thecommon voleand thus of theOrkney vole,was also harming native bird populations.NatureScot,Scotland's nature agency, provided these additional specifics:

The introduction of a ground predator like the stoat to islands such as Orkney, where there are no native ground predators, is very bad news for Orkney's native species. Stoats are accomplished predators and pose a very serious threat to Orkney's wildlife, including: the native Orkney vole,hen harrier,short-eared owland many ground nesting birds.

In 2018, a stoat eradication project was presented by NatureScot to be applied "across Orkney Mainland, South Ronaldsay, Burray, Glimps Holm, Lamb Holm and Hunda, and the biosecurity activities delivered on the non-linked islands of the archipelago". The Orkney Native Wildlife Project planned to use "humane DOC150 and DOC200 traps".The partners in the five-year project includeRSPB Scotland,Scottish Natural Heritageand Orkney Islands Council.A report issued in October 2020 stated that over 5,000 traps had been deployed. Specifics were provided as to the locations.

Not all was going well as of 15 January 2021, according toThe Times,which stated that the project "has been hit by alleged sabotage after the destruction and theft of traps that have also killed and injured household pets and other animals" but added that the £6 million programme was supported by most islanders.Another news item stated that some of the traps had "caught and killed family pets as well as hundreds of other animals".A subsequent report confirmed that "Police Scotland is investigating a number of incidents involving damage to and the theft of stoat traps in Orkney".

Protected areas

There are 13Special Protection Areasand 6Special Areas of Conservationin Orkney.One of Scotland's 40national scenic areas,theHoy and West Mainland National Scenic Area,is also located in the islands.The seas to the northwest of Orkney are important forsand eelsthat provides a food source for many species of fish, seabirds, seals, whales and dolphins, and are now protected asNature Conservation Marine Protected Area(NCMPA) that covers 4,365 km²(1,685 sq mi).

Flag

Main article:Flag of Orkney

A new flag for Orkney was adopted in 2007 following a public competition. It comprises aNordic crossof blue and yellow on a red background. Previously the traditional flag of St Magnus (a red cross on a yellow background) had sometimes been used, but in 2001 it was ruled too similar to other flags to allow it to be formally registered as the area's flag.

Freedom of the Island

Orkney as a whole, since 1887, has been associated specifically with and as a recruiting area of the following military units that have received theFreedom of the Islandof Orkney:

• The Seaforth Highlanders, Queens Own Highlanders, The Highlanders Regiment and 4th Battalion Royal Regiment of Scotland.
• The Northern Diving GroupRoyal Navy:9 July 2021.

See also

• Timeline of prehistoric Scotland
• Prehistoric Scotland
• Battle of Florvåg
• List of places in Orkney
• Orkney Club
• Orkney College
• Rögnvald Kali Kolsson
• Udal Law
• Orkney Islands Church of Scotland
• Parishes of Orkney
• Constitutional status of Orkney, Shetland and the Western Isles
• Solar eclipse of 1 May 1185
• Baha'i Faith in Orkney

References

General references

• Armit, Ian (2006)Scotland's Hidden History.Stroud. Tempus.ISBN0-7524-3764-X
• Beuermann, Ian "Jarla Sǫgur Orkneyja. Status and power of the earls of Orkney according to their sagas" in Steinsland, Gro; Sigurðsson, Jón Viðar; Rekda, Jan Erik and Beuermann, Ian (eds) (2011)Ideology and power in the Viking and Middle Ages: Scandinavia, Iceland, Ireland, Orkney and the Faeroes.The Northern World: North Europe and the Baltic c. 400–1700 A.D. Peoples, Economics and Cultures.52.Leiden.Brill.ISBN978-90-04-20506-2
• Baynes, John (1970)The Jacobite Rising of 1715.London. Cassell.ISBN0-304-93565-4
• Benvie, Neil (2004)Scotland's Wildlife.London. Aurum Press.ISBN1-85410-978-2
• Ballin Smith, B. and Banks, I. (eds) (2002)In the Shadow of the Brochs, the Iron Age in Scotland.Stroud. Tempus.ISBN0-7524-2517-X
• Ballin Smith, Beverley; Taylor, Simon; and Williams, Gareth (eds) (2007)West Over Sea: Studies in Scandinavian Sea-borne Expansion and Settlement Before 1300.Brill.ISBN90-04-15893-6
• Clarkson, Tim (2008)The Picts: A History.Stroud. The History Press.ISBN978-0-7524-4392-8
• Duffy, Christopher (2003)The 45: Bonnie Prince Charlie and the Untold Story of the Jacobite Rising.London. Weidenfeld & Nicolson.ISBN0-304-35525-9
• Fraser, James E. (2009)From Caledonia to Pictland: Scotland to 795.Edinburgh University Press.ISBN978-0-7486-1232-1
• Haswell-Smith, Hamish (2004).The Scottish Islands.Edinburgh: Canongate.ISBN978-1-84195-454-7.
• Moffat, Alistair (2005)Before Scotland: The Story of Scotland Before History.London. Thames & Hudson.ISBN978-0500051337
• Omand, Donald (ed.) (2003)The Orkney Book.Edinburgh. Birlinn.ISBN1-84158-254-9
• Thompson, William P.L. (2008)The New History of Orkney.Edinburgh. Birlinn.ISBN978-1-84158-696-0
• Whitaker's Almanack 1991(1990). London. J. Whitaker & Sons.ISBN0-85021-205-7
• Wickham-Jones, Caroline (2007)Orkney: A Historical Guide.Edinburgh. Birlinn.ISBN1-84158-596-3
• This article incorporates text from a publication now in thepublic domain:Chisholm, Hugh,ed. (1911). "Orkney Islands".Encyclopædia Britannica.Vol. 20 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. pp. 279–281.

Further reading

• Batey, C.E.et al(eds.) (1995)The Viking Age in Caithness, Orkney and the North Atlantic.Edinburgh University Press.ISBN978-0-7486-0632-0
• Fresson, Captain E.E.Air Road to the Isles.(2008) Kea Publishing.ISBN978-0-9518958-9-4
• Hutton, Guthrie (2009)Old Orkney.Catrine: Stenlake PublishingISBN9781840334678
• Livesey, Margot,The Flight of Gemma Hardy(a novel). HarperCollins, 2012.ISBN978-0-06-206422-6
• Lo Bao, Phil and Hutchison, Iain (2002)BEAline to the Islands.Kea Publishing.ISBN978-0-9518958-4-9
• Nicol, Christopher (2012) Eric Linklater's Private Angelo and The Dark of Summer Glasgow: ASLSISBN978-1906841119
• Rendall, Jocelyn (2009)Steering the Stone Ships: The Story of Orkney Kirks and PeopleSaint Andrew Press, Edinburgh.
• Tait, Charles (2012)The Orkney Guide Book,Charles Tait, St. Ola, Orkney.ISBN978-0-9517859-8-0
• Warner, Guy (2005)Orkney by Air.Kea Publishing.ISBN978-0-9518958-7-0
• Dance, Gaia (2013) "The Sea Before Breakfast." Amazon.ISBN978-1-3015054-8-7

External links

• Orkney Islands Council,the local authority website
• Vision of Britain – Groome Gazetteer entry for Orkney
• Orkney LandscapesArchived3 April 2019 at theWayback Machine
• Map of the community council areas
• Map of civil parishes
• A Checklist of the Flora of Orkney, 2013