Introduction
Orkney (pop 22,000) consists of an archipelago of seventy islands which sit on a latitude of 59 degrees north and lie about ten miles off the coast of the N.E. Scottish mainland.
The people and places of Orkney can point to a long exposure to Scandinavian language and culture as a function of Norse (Viking) occupancy. However, this came to end in 1472 when both Orkney and nearby Shetland were transferred from Norway to Scotland as part of a royal marriage settlement.
The residents of Orkney enjoy a very high quality of life.
Background and history
Orkney offers the visitor landscapes, wildlife and a thriving arts and crafts community. However, the islands are best known for an extensive range of prehistoric monuments and structures dating back to the Neolithic period of around 3000 BC. Due to the density and quality of the remains from prehistory it is evident that Orkney was an important, and possibly revered, location about 5000 years ago. At this time the climate was slightly warmer and drier than today resulting in farming practices supporting a large population.
Visitor sites on Orkney – Tranche 1
The key visitor sites discussed below can be covered over a period of two-three days in course of a motor tour.
This is the best preserved Neolithic village in Northern Europe.
An extensive henge (ditch) and stone circle.
Stones of Stennes
Remains of another henge and stone circle from the Neolithic period.
Maeshowe Chambered Cairn
This is an elaborate burial chamber dating from the Neolithic period together with inscriptions and graffiti from the Viking era.
Brough of Birsay
This is a former Viking settlement from the 8th-12th centuries AD. Includes a church and domestic buildings. Care required as the site is only accessible via a beach which is subject to tidal movements.
Broch of Gurness
Subject of a long period of Pictish and Viking occupation for about nine hundred years up to the 9th century AD.
Italian Chapel, Scapa
Constructed and decorated by Italian prisoners of war during WW2. Features very high quality workmanship from scavenged materials at a time of extreme shortages.
St. Magnus Cathedral, Kirkwall
Kirkwall is the principal town on Orkney. Here can be found this magnifican cathedral which was founded in 1137 by the Viking Earl Rognvald but not completed until the 15th century.
Visitor sites on Orkney – Tranche 2
The Bishop’s and Earl’s Palaces, Kirkwall
These buildings date from the 12th century AD to around 1600 and represent some of the most fascinating structures in Scotland from the medieval period.
Dounby Click Mill
Although relatively young, as dates from the 19th century, this is a horizontal water mill using technology from the Viking era.
St. Nicholas Church, Orphir and Viking Earls’ Hall
More structures from the Viking era.
Kirkwall (pop 9300)
This is the principal town with accommodation and other facilities for visitors. Refer also historic buildings discussed above
Stromness
This forms part of the main ferry crossing link with Scrabster on the mainland. Here is a museum, intriguing small harbour and quaint narrow streets to explore.
Visiting Orkney
There are regular surface ferries from Aberdeen ( N.E. Scotland), John o’Groats and Scrabster. Air services operate from Glasgow and Edinburgh.
More information
For more information on Orkney, other Scottish islands and touring Scotland please refer Visitors’ Guide to Scotland, ISBN 978-1-9161332-0-4. This publication is also available via Kindle.