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

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

[sarahlflett]

Woooo go Orkney!! :D

[DunneBroProductions]

Orkney Is a great place been there 2 time and well worth a visit more peaceful then other places i whojuld rate orkney 20/10

[goldensassenach]

Home of the Orc's :)

[ThomasRowsell]

@acerb45666555

and the anglo saxons and normans came from scandinavia - the whole of northern europe could be seen as one people- shame it has always been divided

[acerb45666555]

2:19............these towns are Pictish-Gaelic- Norse because everyone has Norse blood from all the intermarriages and alliances of the past. even the MacDonalds are Norwegian in origin! Stewarts and Camerons as well originate from Norse roots! this applies to Ireland too. Limerick, Dublin, Waterford, etc. all Norse created towns!... technically, ethnically, culturally, Ireland and Scotland can be seen as part of Scandinavia!

[fubaronline]

I'm from Scotland and was thinking of going in summer,vids proved very informative,thanks

[blankslate3]

One day i hope to visit, orkney is a goldmine of archeological history and absolutely beautiful aswell

[Rapunzel1963]

Great video, broken down into three clips for You Tube. Well worth starting with the first and seeing all three. Gives a good overall introduction to the Isles, beautiful scenery, must have been lucky with the weather during filming (it can be a bit chancy depending on the time of year). Visit, it's worthwhile!