Islands of Scotland - The Orkney Islands (1/3)

2) The Orkney Isles

Orkney (also known as the Orkney Islands or, incorrectly, the Orkneys) is an archipelago in northern Scotland, situated 10 miles (16 km) north of the coast of Caithness. Orkney comprises over 70 islands; around 20 are inhabited. The largest island, known as "Mainland," has an area of 202 sq mi (523 km²), making it the sixth-largest Scottish island and the tenth-largest island in the British Isles. The largest settlement and administrative centre is Kirkwall.

Orkney has been inhabited for at least 5,500 years. Originally inhabited by neolithic tribes and then by the Picts, Orkney was invaded and finally annexed by Norway in 875 and settled by the Norse. It was subsequently re-annexed to the Scottish Crown in 1472, following the failed payment of a dowry for James III's bride, Margaret of Denmark.

Orkney contains some of the oldest and best-preserved Neolithic sites in Europe, and the "Heart of Neolithic Orkney" is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• Islands
• of
• Scotland
• The
• Orkney
• Isles
• Mainland
• Kirkwall

[Nortrix87]

But then every scott i speak to who does not come from the iland, says orcadians and shetlanders are yust as scotts and feel scottish and proud scotts.

Me personaly have always seen the northern ilands as brothers in blood.

Would be great with some local knowledge on the matter.

[bobarty]

Thanks I was lucky enough to visit on a recent holiday to the far north of Scotland ,caught the ferry from John O Groats and enjoyed a coach tour around the Islands.

[2011littlejohn1]

55 years ago I lived in Stromness. My father was a lighthouse keeper on Copinsay he also played guitar in a dance band for a guy called Jim Robertson whose family I believe now make a sweet called Robertson's Orkney fudge. We were called Freeman and my father was English. Does anyone remember us. In retrospect the time reminded me in feel of the US tv series Northern Exposure as all local facilities were amalgamated like town hall/cinema/theatre and local talent was exposed.

[xCursesx]

Orkney :) where my family are from! <3

[anniemur1]

It is not "The Orkney Islands"

[Marius26879]

Scot and Viking blood is not a bad cocktail

[JeremyMoar]

my ancestors were from orkney and the shetlands

[Theclaidheamhmor]

@LanaInnit I will someday for sure.

[LanaInnit]

@Theclaidheamhmor A few small ''forests'' but nothing big. Binscarth is like the biggest forest we have I think. Should come up and see for yourself.