The Orkney Islands lie off the northern coast of Scotland and are easily reached either by air or by ferry. There are over 70 islands making up Orkney, and around 20 of those are inhabited. The islands have been inhabited since early times, and today it is said that Orkney has more ancient sites than anywhere else in Europe. The landscape of these islands is littered with prehistoric monuments, stone circles, and tombs. “The Heart of Neolithic Orkney” is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and includes the Ring of Brodgar standing stones, the Maeshowe chambered tomb which is 5000 years old and the famous prehistoric village of Skara Brae.
Orkney also has a proud Viking heritage. Annexed by Norway in 875, the islands remained an earldom of the Norse kings for several hundred years. Eventually the islands were pledged by the King of Norway as security against the payment of the dowry of his daughter Margaret, who was to marry the Scottish king James III. However, the dowry was never paid, so Orkney was returned to Scottish control in 1472. The Norse influence today can be found in many island place names as well as being celebrated by local artists and crafters.
The islands are mainly low-lying and fertile, and agriculture is the main industry here. There are also cliffs and sea stacks, making Orkney a paradise for birdwatchers, with 21 breeding species. Grey and common seals and puffins are also regular visitors to these shores. Thanks to the Gulf Stream, average temperatures are mild, but the islands are windswept, with few trees as a result.
There is a thriving arts scene, with lots of independent galleries and craft shops, as well as a proud musical tradition, with folk music frequently to be heard in the pubs and bars. And while you’re here you have to sample the local tipples – Highland Park or Scapa whisky, or perhaps some Orkney ales or gin.
It is possible to do a day trip to Orkney from the Scottish mainland however we highly recommend spending a few nights here to make the most of what these islands have to offer.
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*If you’re travelling in the Highlands just now please be advised to avoid the Glenmore / Loch Morlich area due to wildfire 🥲**UPDATE - 14:15 on 16 July
Emergency services and partners continue to tackle a large-scale fire near Ryvoan Bothy. The emergency response is being coordinated at a national level involving the Scottish Government, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, Police Scotland, RSPB Scotland, Forestry and Land Scotland, the Park Authority and multiple other partners.
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service have shared that the fire is currently affecting an area of approximately six squared kilometres. We are asking the public to follow the following guidance:
- Please do not travel to the area or attempt to access Glenmore Forest Park, Loch Morlich or the surrounding area while firefighting operations are ongoing. A strict cordon remains in place and road closures continue to support the emergency response.
- Those impacted by evacuations will have been contacted and we would ask everyone to cooperate fully with Police Scotland and other relevant authorities for their safety.
- Residents in Aviemore and surrounding areas are asked to close windows and doors to prevent smoke entering.
-Anyone with known respiratory conditions nearby is encouraged to contact 111 if they experience any difficulties. Contact 999 in an emergency.
Thermal drone footage captured by Park Authority staff last night has helped inform fire fighting efforts and highlight the scale of the fire, but the extent of the damage and the cause is not yet known.
Overnight emergency services, gamekeepers, NGO and estate staff were on the scene working tirelessly to control the fire. We are deeply grateful for their efforts, and those of the businesses and local community providing support to those affected.
We will provide further updates when we have them.
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Happy 250th birthday to the USA! 🇺🇸🏴
Did you know Edinburgh Castle is home to one of the earliest depictions of the Star Spangled Banner outside of North America?
Deep inside the vaults of the castle, back in about 1780, Americans captured during the Revolutionary War were incarcerated in the castle prisons. One prisoner scratched out a faint image of a ship flying the Stars and Stripes on his wooden cell door. A quiet act of defiance by a sailor far from home, you can still see this if you visit the vaults today!
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