Citizendia

This article is about the Orkney Islands in Scotland. Scotland ( Gaelic: Alba) is a Country in northwest Europethat occupies the northern third of the island of Great Britain. For other uses, see Orkney No. 244, Saskatchewan. This article is about the rural municipality in Canada For other places with the same name see Orkney Orkney No
Orkney
Àrcaibh
Logo Coat of arms
Flag Coat of arms
Location
Image:ScotlandOrkneyIslands.png
Geography
Area Ranked 16th
 - Total 382 sq mi (990 km²)
 - % Water  ?
Admin HQ Kirkwall
ISO 3166-2 GB-ORK
ONS code 00RA
Demographics
Population Ranked 32nd
 - Total (2006

)

19,800
 - Density

20 /km² (52 /sq mi)
Politics
Orkney Islands Council
http://www.orkney.gov.uk/
Control Independent
MPs
MSPs

Orkney (Orkneys or Orkney Islands) is an archipelago in northern Scotland, situated 10 miles (16 km) north of the coast of Caithness. The new official Orkney Community Flag was the winner of a public flag consultation in February and March 2007. The coat of arms of Orkney was adopted on 3 March 1975 and is among the oldest of those of the Scottish Council Areas, as the Orkney Islands Geology and geomorphology See also Geology of Scotland The land area of Scotland is 78 772 km² (30414 square miles roughly 30% of the area of This is a list of Council areas of Scotland ordered by area. See also List of Scottish council areas by population (2004 The square mile is an imperial and US unit of Area equal the area of a square of one statute mile. To help compare different Orders of magnitude and geographical regions we list here areas between 100 km² and 1000 km² Square Kilometre ( US spelling square kilometer) symbol km2, is a decimal multiple of the SI unit of Kirkwall is the largest town and capital of the Orkney Islands, off the coast of northern mainland Scotland. ISO 3166-2GB is an ISO standard which defines Geocodes it is the subset of ISO 3166-2 which applies to the United Kingdom. The Office for National Statistics coding system is a hierarchical code used in the United Kingdom for tabulating Census and other statistical data Scotland covers an area of 78782 km² or 30341 mi², giving it a Population density of. This is a list of council areas of Scotland ordered by population. Population density (in agriculture standing stock and Standing crop) is a measurement of Population per unit area or unit volume In Politics, an independent is a Politician who is not Affiliated with any Political party. This is a list of Members of Parliament (MPs elected to the House of Commons by Scottish constituencies for the Fifty-Fourth Parliament of the United Kingdom Alistair Morrison Carmichael (born 15 July 1965 is a Liberal Democrat politician and Member of Parliament for the Scottish seat of Orkney and Composition of the Parliament Graphical representation This is a graphical comparison of party strengths in the 2nd session of the Scottish Parliament at the time Liam McArthur is a Scottish Liberal Democrat politician and Member of the Scottish Parliament for Orkney. An archipelago (ɑrkəˈpɛləgoʊ is a chain or cluster of Islands The word archipelago literally means "chief Sea " from Italian Scotland ( Gaelic: Alba) is a Country in northwest Europethat occupies the northern third of the island of Great Britain. Geography Caithness extends about 40 Miles (64 Kilometres) north-south and about 30 miles (50 km east-west 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 Mainland is the main Island of Orkney, Scotland. Both of Orkney's Burghs Kirkwall and Stromness, lie on the island The square mile is an imperial and US unit of Area equal the area of a square of one statute mile. Square Kilometre ( US spelling square kilometer) symbol km2, is a decimal multiple of the SI unit of This is a list of the Islands of Scotland, the mainland of which is part of the island of Great Britain. The British Isles (Irish variously Na hOileáin Bhriotanacha, Oileáin Iarthair Eorpa, Éire agus an Bhreatain Mhór; Ellanyn Goaldagh Eileanan The largest settlement and administrative centre is Kirkwall. Kirkwall is the largest town and capital of the Orkney Islands, off the coast of northern mainland Scotland.

Orkney is one of the 32 council areas of Scotland, a constituency of the Scottish Parliament, a lieutenancy area, and a former county. For local government purposes Scotland is divided into 32 areas designated as "council areas" which are all governed by unitary authorities designated as Orkney is a constituency of the Scottish Parliament ( Holyrood) The Scottish Parliament ( Scottish Gaelic: Pàrlamaid na h-Alba; Scots: Scottish Pairlament) is the devlolved national unicameral The Lieutenancy areas of Scotland are the areas used for the ceremonial lord-lieutenants, the monarch 's representatives in Scotland. The counties of Scotland were the principal divisions of Scotland until 1975 The local council is Orkney Islands Council, the only Council in Scotland in which all the elected members are independent. In Politics, an independent is a Politician who is not Affiliated with any Political party.

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. The Neolithic (from Greek νεολιθικός — neolithikos from νέος neos, "new" + λίθος lithos The Picts were a Confederation of tribes in what was later to become eastern and northern Scotland from Roman times until the 10th century Norway ( Norwegian: Norge ( Bokmål) or Noreg ( Nynorsk) officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Constitutional It was subsequently re-annexed to the Scottish Crown in 1472, following the failed payment of a dowry agreement. The monarch of Scotland was the Head of state of the Kingdom of Scotland. A dowry (also known as trousseau or tocher) is the money goods or estate that a woman brings to her soon to be husband in marriage

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. The Neolithic (from Greek νεολιθικός — neolithikos from νέος neos, "new" + λίθος lithos Heart of Neolithic Orkney refers to a group of Neolithic monuments found in the Scottish island of Orkney. United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization ( UNESCO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations established on November 16 A UNESCO World Heritage Site is a site (such as a Forest, Mountain, Lake, Desert, Monument, Building, complex

Contents

Origin of the name

The name of the islands is first recorded by the ancient geographer Claudius Ptolemaeus (born AD 90, died AD 168), who called them Orcades. Claudius Ptolemaeus ( Greek: Klaúdios Ptolemaîos; after 83 &ndash ca The old Gaelic name for the islands was Insi Orc which means the "Island of the Orcs". An orc is a young pig or boar. Pigs, also called hogs or' swine', are Ungulates which have been domesticated as sources of food leather and similar products since ancient times The boar or wild boar ( Sus scrofa) is an Omnivorous, gregarious Mammal of the biological family Suidae. When the Norwegian Vikings arrived on the islands they interpreted the word orc to be orkn which is Old Norse for pinnipeds or common seal. Pinnipeds ("fin-feet" lit "winged feet" or fin-footed mammals are a widely distributed and diverse group of semi-aquatic marine Mammals comprising The suffix ey means island. Thus the name became Orkneyjar which was shortened to Orkney in English.

History

Main article: History of the Orkney Islands
Ring of Brodgar
Ring of Brodgar

Prehistory and Iron Age

A charred hazelnut shell, recovered during the excavations at Longhowe in Tankerness in 2007, has been dated to 6820-6660 BC. Prehistoric Orkney See also Prehistoric Orkney As with Prehistoric Scotland generally the arrival of Hunter gatherers in Orkney had to [1] Apart from this, the earliest known settlement is at Knap of Howar, a Neolithic farmstead on the island of Papa Westray. At Knap of Howar on the Orkney island of Papa Westray, a Neolithic farmstead has been wonderfully well preserved and is claimed to be the oldest preserved Papa Westray also known as Papay, is one of the Orkney Islands in Scotland, with a population of 65 at the time of the 2001 Census now increased to It dates from 3500 BC. The village of Skara Brae, Europe's best-preserved Neolithic settlement, is believed to have been inhabited from around 3100 BC. ||-||-||-| Skara Brae (ˈskɑrə ˈbreɪ is a large stone-built Neolithic settlement located on the Bay of Skaill on the west coast of mainland Orkney The Neolithic (from Greek νεολιθικός — neolithikos from νέος neos, "new" + λίθος lithos Other remains from that era include the Standing Stones of Stenness, the Maeshowe passage grave, the Ring of Brodgar and other standing stones. The surviving Standing Stones of Stenness form an impressive Neolithic monument on the mainland of Orkney, Scotland. Maeshowe (or Maes Howe) is a Neolithic Chambered cairn and Passage grave situated on mainland Orkney, Scotland. passage grave (sometimes hyphenated or passage tomb is a tomb usually dating to the Neolithic, where the burial chamber is reached along a distinct passage The Ring of Brodgar (or Brogar) is a Neolithic Henge and Stone circle in Orkney, Scotland. Many of the Neolithic settlements were abandoned around 2500 BC due to changes in the climate.

The Iron Age inhabitants were Picts, evidence of whose occupation still exists in "weems" or underground houses, and "brochs" or round towers, such as the Broch of Gurness. This article is about the archaeological period known as the Iron Age for the mythological Iron Age see Ages of Man. The Picts were a Confederation of tribes in what was later to become eastern and northern Scotland from Roman times until the 10th century A dugout or dug-out, also known as a pithouse Pit-house, earth-house, mud hut, is a shelter for humans or domestic animals based on a hole A Broch is an Iron Age Drystone hollow-walled structure of a type found only in Scotland. The Broch of Gurness is an Iron Age 'broch village' on the northwest coast of Mainland Orkney in Scotland overlooking Eynhallow Sound During the Roman invasion of Britain the "King of Orkney" was one of 11 British leaders who submitted to the Emperor Claudius in AD 43 at Colchester. Ancient Rome was a Civilization that grew out of a small agricultural community founded on the Italian Peninsula as early as the 10th century BC Tiberius Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus or Claudius I ( August 1, 10 BC &ndash October 13, AD 54 ( Tiberius Claudius Drusus from birth to Camulodunum is the Roman name for the ancient settlement which is today's Colchester, a town in Essex, England. [2] If, as seems likely, the Dalriadic Gaels established a footing in the islands towards the beginning of the 6th century, their success was short-lived, and the Picts regained power and kept it until dispossessed by the Norsemen in the 9th century. Dál Riata (also Dalriada or Dalriata) was a Gaelic overkingdom on the western seaboard of Scotland with some territory on the northern Norsemen is used to refer to the group of people as a whole who speak one of the North Germanic languages as their native language In the wake of the Scots, incursionists followed the Celtic missionaries about 565. Celtic Christianity, or Insular Christianity (sometimes called the Celtic Church or the British Church) broadly refers to the Early Medieval A missionary is a member of a Religion who works to convert those who do not share the missionary's faith someone who proselytizes. They were companions of Saint Columba and their efforts to convert the folk to Christianity seem to have impressed the popular imagination, for several islands bear the epithet "Papa" in commemoration of the preachers. Saint Columba may refer to Columba of Scotland Saint Columba (the Virgin, also known as Saint Columba of Cornwall

Norwegian rule

Harald Hårfagre took control over Orkney in 875
Harald Hårfagre took control over Orkney in 875

Orkney and Shetland saw a significant influx of Norwegian settlers towards the end of the 8th century and first half of the 9th century. Shetland (formerly spelled Zetland, from etland; Old Norse non Hjaltland; Sealtainn is an Archipelago off the northeast coast of This was due to the overpopulation of Norway in comparison to the resources and arable land available there at the time. History once held that the Norwegians largely replaced the original population on the islands, the Picts, though contemporary DNA studies refute this, suggesting instead a slight majority of aboriginal Pictish genes. The Picts were a Confederation of tribes in what was later to become eastern and northern Scotland from Roman times until the 10th century The nature of the shift in population is the subject of differing theories as little hard evidence remains. These theories range from complete genocide to intermarriage and cultural domination through a gradual majority dominance. According to Dr. Jim Wilson, an Edinburgh scientist with a company named EthnoAncestry, archaeogenetic evidence suggests that "Vikings, who colonised Orkney, did so by eradicating nearly every male member of its Pictish population" (Observer, Dec. 31, 2006).

Vikings having made the islands the headquarters of their buccaneering expeditions (carried out indifferently against their own Norway and the coasts and isles of Scotland), Harald Hårfagre ("Harald Fair Hair") subdued the rovers in 875 and annexed both Orkney and Shetland to Norway. A Viking is one of the Norse ( Scandinavian Explorers Warriors Merchants, and pirates who raided and colonized wide areas This article refers to the type of pirate For other uses see Buccaneer (disambiguation The buccaneers were Pirates who attacked Norway ( Norwegian: Norge ( Bokmål) or Noreg ( Nynorsk) officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Constitutional Harald Fairhair or Harald Finehair ( Old Norse: Haraldr hárfagri, Norwegian: Harald Hårfagre) (c Shetland (formerly spelled Zetland, from etland; Old Norse non Hjaltland; Sealtainn is an Archipelago off the northeast coast of Ragnvald, Earl of Møre received Orkney and Shetland as an earldom from the king as reparation for his son being killed in battle in Scotland. Rognvald "The Wise" Eysteinsson (son of Eystein Ivarsson) is the founder of the Earldom of Orkney in the Norse Sagas Three quite different accounts Ragnvald gave the earldom on to his brother Sigurd the Mighty. Earldom of Orkney The Earl of Orkney was originally a Norse jarl ruling Orkney, Shetland and parts of Caithness and Sutherland Eirik Bloodaxe followed his father on the throne, but when his half-brother Håkon the Good returned to Norway from England Eirik's support disappeared and he fled the country. Eirik Bloodaxe ( Old Norse: Eiríkr blóðøx, Norwegian: Eirik Blodøks) (c Haakon I ( Old Norse: Hákon Aðalsteinsfóstri, Norwegian: Håkon Adalsteinsfostre) (c He was given Nordimbraland (Northumberland) as a fief by King Athelstan of England and settled in Jorvik (York), but was expelled by Athelstan's brother Edmund in 941 because of his raids in Ireland and Brittany. Northumberland is a county in the North East of England. The non-metropolitan county of Northumberland borders Cumbria to the west York ( is an historic Walled city sited at the confluence of the rivers Ouse and Foss in North Yorkshire, England. Edmund I (or Eadmund) 922 &ndash May 26 946) called the Elder, the Deed-Doer, the Just or the Magnificent Eirik fled to Orkney and lived there until he was killed in the Battle of Stainmore in England in 954. The Battle of Stainmore was a battle likely between the Earldom of Bernicia led by Osulf, and the forces of the last Norse king of Jórvík ( His sons continued to live on Orkney and challenged Håkon the Good's rule of Norway several times under the leadership of Harald Greyhide. Harald II Greycloak ( Old Norse: Haraldr gráfeldr, Norwegian: Harald Gråfell, Danish: Harald Gråfeld) (died 976 The sons of Eirik eventually gained control of Norway.

Olav Tryggvason Christianized Orkney. Painting by Peter Nicolai Arbo
Olav Tryggvason Christianized Orkney. Painting by Peter Nicolai Arbo

The islands were Christianized by Olav Tryggvasson in 995 when he stopped in the islands on his way from Ireland to Norway. Peter Nicolai Arbo ( June 18 1831 &ndash October 14 1892) was a Norwegian painter who specialized in painting historical motifs and Olaf Tryggvason ( Old Norse: Óláfr Tryggvason, Norwegian: Olav Tryggvason) (960s &ndash September 9 ? 1000 was King of The King summoned Sigurd jarl (Earl Sigurd) and ordered him to let himself be baptised in the Christian faith. Sigurd was unwilling, but gave in when the King threatened to kill his son Hvelp. The islands received their own bishop in the early 1000s. From 1153 to 1472 the Kirkjuvåg bishopric was subordinate to the archbishop of Nidaros (today's Trondheim). Nidaros was the old name of Trondheim (Trond(hjem sometimes Drontheim a city of Norway, in the Middle Ages. (Trondhjem is a city and municipality in the county of Sør-Trøndelag, Norway.

The martyrdom of Earl Magnus resulted in the building of St. Magnus Cathedral in Kirkwall. The term martyr ( Greek μάρτυς martys "witness" is most commonly used today to describe an individual who sacrifices their life (or personal freedom Saint Magnus, Earl Magnus Erlendsson of Orkney, was the first Earl of Orkney to bear that name and ruled from 1108 to about 1115 St Magnus Cathedral Kirkwall dominates the skyline of Kirkwall, the main town of Orkney, a group of islands off the north coast of mainland Scotland The islands remained under the rule of Norse earls until 1231, when the line of the jarls became extinct. Earl was the Anglo-Saxon form and jarl the Scandinavian form of a title meaning " Chieftain " and referring especially to chieftains In that year, the Earldom of Caithness was granted to Magnus, second son of the Earl of Angus, whom the king of Norway apparently confirmed in the title. The title Earl of Caithness has been created several times in the Peerage of Scotland, and has a very complex history The Mormaer or Earl of Angus was the ruler of the medieval Scottish province of Angus. Recent studies from the field of population genetics reveal a significant percentage of Norse ethnic heritage — up to one third of the Y chromosomes on the islands are derived from western Norwegian sources, whereas in Shetland over half the male lineage is Norse. Genetics (from Ancient Greek grc-Latn genetikos, “genitive” and that from grc-Latn genesis, “origin” a discipline of Biology, is The Y chromosome is the sex-determining Chromosome in most Mammals including Humans In mammals it contains the gene SRY, which triggers

St Magnus Cathedral in Kirkwall
St Magnus Cathedral in Kirkwall

The Norðr-eyjar

Likewise a Norse kingdom, the Kingdom of Mann and the Isles existed in the British Isles from 1079 till 1266. St Magnus Cathedral Kirkwall dominates the skyline of Kirkwall, the main town of Orkney, a group of islands off the north coast of mainland Scotland The Kingdom of Mann and the Isles was a Norse kingdom that existed in the British Isles between 1079 and 1266. In 1164 it was split into the Kingdom of the Hebrides (Sodor) and the Kingdom of Mann. See also Hebrides (disambiguation The Hebrides (ˈhɛbrɨˌdiːz "HEB-ri-deez" Gaelic: Innse Gall) comprise a widespread and diverse The Kingdom of Mann and the Isles was a Norse kingdom that existed in the British Isles between 1079 and 1266.

Sodor (Suðr-eyjar), or the South Isles, was given in contradistinction to Nordr (Norðr-eyjar), or the North Isles, i. e. the Orkneys and Shetlands, and it included the Hebrides, all the smaller Western Isles of Scotland, and Mann. Orkney (also known as the Orkney Islands or incorrectly the Orkneys) is an Archipelago in northern Scotland, situated 10 miles (16 km north Shetland (formerly spelled Zetland, from etland; Old Norse non Hjaltland; Sealtainn is an Archipelago off the northeast coast of See also Hebrides (disambiguation The Hebrides (ˈhɛbrɨˌdiːz "HEB-ri-deez" Gaelic: Innse Gall) comprise a widespread and diverse The Outer Hebrides, ( officially known for local government purposes by the Gaelic name Na h-Eileanan Siar) comprise an island Scotland ( Gaelic: Alba) is a Country in northwest Europethat occupies the northern third of the island of Great Britain. (ð is pronounced th as in father). (Ref. to Manxnotebook) Even today, the Bishop of the Isle of Man is the Bishop of Sodor and Mann

Scottish rule

James III and Margaret, their betrothal led to Orkney passing from Norway to Scotland
James III and Margaret, their betrothal led to Orkney passing from Norway to Scotland

In 1468, Orkney and Shetland were pledged by Christian I, in his capacity as king of Norway, as security against the payment of the dowry of his daughter Margaret, betrothed to James III of Scotland. The Isle of Man (Ellan Vannin ˈɛlʲən ˈvanɪn or Mann (Mannin) is a self-governing Crown dependency, located in the Irish Sea at the geographical Shetland (formerly spelled Zetland, from etland; Old Norse non Hjaltland; Sealtainn is an Archipelago off the northeast coast of Christian I (1426 &ndash 1481 Danish monarch and union king of Denmark (1448 &ndash 1481 Norway (1450 &ndash 1481 and Sweden (1457 &ndash A dowry (also known as trousseau or tocher) is the money goods or estate that a woman brings to her soon to be husband in marriage For the queen consort of Norway historically known as her namesake see Margaret I of Denmark. James III (c 1451/1452 &ndash 11 June 1488) was King of Scots from 1460 to 1488 [3] The cash dowry was never paid, so the islands were forfeited to the Crown of Scotland. The monarch of Scotland was the Head of state of the Kingdom of Scotland. In 1471, James bestowed the castle and lands of Ravenscraig, in Fife, on William, Earl of Orkney, in exchange for all his rights to the Earldom of Orkney, which, by an Act of the Parliament of Scotland, passed on February 20, 1472, was annexed to the Scottish Crown. Fife ( Gaelic: Fìobha) is a Council area of Scotland, situated between the Firth of Tay and the Firth of Forth, with inland William Sinclair (1410&ndash1484 1st Earl of Caithness (1455&ndash1476 3rd Earl of Orkney (1455&ndash1470 Baron of Roslin The Earldom of Orkney was a Norwegian dignity in Scotland which had its origins in the Viking period List of Acts of the Scottish Parliament to 1707 is a list of Acts of Parliament of the Parliament of Scotland. This article is about the pre-1707 parliament The article on the devolved legislative body established in 1999 is at Scottish Parliament. Events 1472 - Orkney and Shetland are left by Norway to Scotland, due to a Dowry payment Throughout the Commonwealth realms The Crown is an abstract metonymic concept which represents the legal authority for the existence of any government

Modern Orkney

Orkney was the site of a major Royal Navy base at Scapa Flow, which played a major role in both World War I and II. The Royal Navy of the United Kingdom is the oldest of the British armed services (and is therefore known as the Senior Service) Scapa Flow ( Old Norse: Skalpaflói) is a body of water in the Orkney Islands, Scotland, United Kingdom, sheltered by the islands World War I (abbreviated WWI; also known as the First World War, the Great War, and the War to End All World War II, or the Second World War, (often abbreviated WWII) was a global military conflict which involved a majority of the world's nations, including After the Armistice in 1918, the German High Seas Fleet was transferred in its entirety to Scapa Flow while a decision was to be made on its future; however, the German sailors opened their sea-cocks and scuttled all the ships. An armistice is a situation where the warring parties agree to stop fighting The High Seas Fleet (Hochseeflotte was the main battle fleet of the Kaiserliche Marine (Imperial German Navy during World War I. Most ships were salvaged, but the remaining wrecks are now a favoured haunt of recreational divers. One month into World War II, the Royal Navy battleship HMS Royal Oak was sunk by a German U-boat in Scapa Flow. World War II, or the Second World War, (often abbreviated WWII) was a global military conflict which involved a majority of the world's nations, including Construction The Revenge class to which Royal Oak belonged was ordered in the 1913&ndash14 Estimates U-boat is the anglicized version of the German word, itself an abbreviation of Unterseeboot ( undersea boat) and refers As a result barriers were built to close most of the access channels; these had the additional advantage of creating causeways whereby travellers can go from island to island by road instead of being obliged to rely on boats. The Churchill Barriers are a series of four Causeways in the Orkney Islands, Scotland, with a total length of 2 The causeways were constructed by Italian prisoners of war, who also constructed the ornate Italian Chapel. The Italian Chapel on Lamb Holm in Orkney, Scotland, was built by Italian prisoners of war captured in Africa during World War

Islands

The Mainland

Main article: Mainland, Orkney
Stromness, on Mainland, is the 2nd largest settlement on Orkney
Stromness, on Mainland, is the 2nd largest settlement on Orkney

The Mainland is the largest island of Orkney. The Mainland is the main Island of Orkney, Scotland. Both of Orkney's Burghs Kirkwall and Stromness, lie on the island Stromness /ˈstrɔmnəs/ is the second-largest town in the Orkney Islands, Scotland, and is located in the south-west of the mainland of Orkney Both of Orkney's burghs, Kirkwall and Stromness, are on this island, which is also the heart of Orkney's transportation system, with ferry and air connections to the other islands and to the outside world. A Burgh (ˈbʌʀə is an autonomous corporate entity in Scotland, usually a Town. Kirkwall is the largest town and capital of the Orkney Islands, off the coast of northern mainland Scotland. Stromness /ˈstrɔmnəs/ is the second-largest town in the Orkney Islands, Scotland, and is located in the south-west of the mainland of Orkney See also Merchant ship A ferry is a form of transport usually a Boat or Ship, used to carry (or ferry) passengers and The island is more densely populated (75% of Orkney's population) than the other islands and has much fertile farmland. In Geography, arable land (from Latin arare, to Plough) is an agricultural term meaning land that can be used for The name Mainland is a corruption of the Old Norse 'Meginland'.

Kirkwall lies on a narrow strip of land between West Mainland (the major portion) and East Mainland. The island is mostly low-lying (especially East Mainland), but with coastal cliffs to the north and west and two sizeable lochs. In Geography and Geology, a cliff is a significant vertical or near vertical rock exposure A loch (usually Lough as a name element outside Scotland) is a body of Water which is either a Lake or Mainland contains the remnants of numerous Neolithic, Pictish and Viking constructions. The Neolithic (from Greek νεολιθικός — neolithikos from νέος neos, "new" + λίθος lithos The Picts were a Confederation of tribes in what was later to become eastern and northern Scotland from Roman times until the 10th century A Viking is one of the Norse ( Scandinavian Explorers Warriors Merchants, and pirates who raided and colonized wide areas The Neolithic constructions include two major stone circles; Standing Stones of Stenness and the Ring of Brodgar; several cairns, most notably Maeshowe; and a stone-built settlement Skara Brae. The surviving Standing Stones of Stenness form an impressive Neolithic monument on the mainland of Orkney, Scotland. The Ring of Brodgar (or Brogar) is a Neolithic Henge and Stone circle in Orkney, Scotland. Maeshowe (or Maes Howe) is a Neolithic Chambered cairn and Passage grave situated on mainland Orkney, Scotland. ||-||-||-| Skara Brae (ˈskɑrə ˈbreɪ is a large stone-built Neolithic settlement located on the Bay of Skaill on the west coast of mainland Orkney

With two exceptions, the other islands in the group are classified as north or south of the Mainland. The exceptions are the remote islets of Sule Skerry and Sule Stack, which lie 37 miles (60 km) west of the archipelago, but officially form part of Orkney. Sule Skerry is an extremely remote Skerry in the North Atlantic off the north coast of Scotland. Sule Stack or Stack Skerry is an extremely remote volcanic stack in the North Atlantic off the north coast of Scotland.

The North Isles

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. Most of the islands described as "holms" are very small.

Inhabited islands

Others

Calf 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 Holm, Sweyn Holm

The South Isles

The southern group of islands surrounds Scapa Flow. The Calf of Eday ( Old Norse: Kalfr Damsay is an island in the Orkney archipelago in Scotland. It is approximately 18 hectares (0 Eynhallow ( Old Norse: Eyinhelga) is a small uninhabited Island, part of the Orkney Islands, off the north coast of Scotland. Faray ( Old Norse: Færey) is a small Island in Orkney, Scotland, lying between Eday and Westray. Helliar Holm is an uninhabited island off the coast of Shapinsay in the Orkney Islands Scotland. The Holm of Faray is a small island in the Orkneys, near Faray and Westray, which it lies between The Holm of Huip is a small island in the Orkneys, in Spurness Sound to the north west of Stronsay. The Holm of Papa or Holm of Papay, known locally as the Papay Holm[http//www The Holm of Scockness is a small island in the Orkneys, between Rousay and Egilsay. Kili Holm is a Tidal island in the Orkneys, linked to Egilsay. There are many Scottish islands that include the name "Linga" Muckle Green Holm is an uninhabited island in the North Isles of the Orkney archipelago in Scotland. Rusk Holm is a small island in the Orkneys, near Faray to the west Note There is also a "Sweyn Holm" off St Ninian's Isle, Shetland Sweyn Holm is a small island in the Orkneys, next to Gairsay. Scapa Flow ( Old Norse: Skalpaflói) is a body of water in the Orkney Islands, Scotland, United Kingdom, sheltered by the islands Hoy is the highest of the Orkney Isles, while South Ronaldsay, Burray and Lamb Holm are linked to the Mainland by the Churchill Barriers. The Churchill Barriers are a series of four Causeways in the Orkney Islands, Scotland, with a total length of 2 The Pentland Skerries lie further south, close to the Scottish mainland. The Pentland Skerries ( Old Norse: Pettlandssker) are a group of four uninhabited Islands lying in the Pentland Firth, northeast of Duncansby

Inhabited islands

Hoy Lighthouse on Graemsay
Hoy Lighthouse on Graemsay

Others

Calf of Flotta, Cava, Copinsay, Corn Holm, Fara, Glims Holm, Hunda, Lamb Holm (home of the Italian Chapel), Rysa Little, Switha, Swona

Politics

Orkney is represented in the House of Commons as part of the Orkney and Shetland constituency, which elects one Member of Parliament (MP) by the first past the post system of election. The Calf of Flotta is a small island in Scapa Flow, Orkney. The Calf is next to Flotta, with "Calf" deriving from Old Norse / Norn See also Cava (disambiguation Cava is an uninhabited island in the Orkney archipelago in Scotland. Copinsay ( Old Norse: Kolbeinsey) is one of the Orkney Islands in Scotland, lying off the east coast of the Orkney Mainland. Corn Holm is a small tidal island in the Orkneys, near Copinsay to the west Fara ( Old Norse: Færey Glims Holm (OS Glimps Holm; Old Norse: Glums Holm) is a small uninhabited Islet in Orkney, Scotland. Hunda is an uninhabited island in the Orkney archipelago in Scotland. Lamb Holm is a small uninhabited Island in Orkney, Scotland. It is linked to the Orkney Mainland and to Glimps Holm, Burray The Italian Chapel on Lamb Holm in Orkney, Scotland, was built by Italian prisoners of war captured in Africa during World War Rysa Little is an uninhabited island in the Orkney archipelago in Scotland. Switha is a small Island in Orkney, Scotland, south of Flotta, used for grazing Sheep. Swona is an uninhabited island in the Pentland Firth off the north coast of Scotland. The House of Commons' is the Lower house of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, which also comprises the Sovereign and the House of Lords Orkney and Shetland is a constituency of the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. In the United Kingdom (UK, each of the electoral areas or divisions called constituencies elects one or more members to a parliament or assembly A Member of Parliament, or MP, is a representative elected by the voters to a Parliament. The plurality voting system is a Single-winner voting system often used to elect executive officers or to elect members of a legislative assembly which is based on single-member The current MP is Alistair Carmichael of the Liberal Democrats. Alistair Morrison Carmichael (born 15 July 1965 is a Liberal Democrat politician and Member of Parliament for the Scottish seat of Orkney and The Liberal Democrats, often shortened to Lib Dems, are a liberal Political party in the United Kingdom, formed in 1988 by merging the

In the Scottish Parliament the Orkney constituency elects one Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) by the first past the post system. The Scottish Parliament ( Scottish Gaelic: Pàrlamaid na h-Alba; Scots: Scottish Pairlament) is the devlolved national unicameral Orkney is a constituency of the Scottish Parliament ( Holyrood) Member of the Scottish Parliament ( MSP) ( Ball Pàrlamaid na h-Alba ( BPA) in Gaelic) is the title given to any one of the 129 individuals elected The current MSP is Liam McArthur of the Liberal Democrats. Liam McArthur is a Scottish Liberal Democrat politician and Member of the Scottish Parliament for Orkney. Before McArthur the MSP was Jim Wallace, who was previously Deputy First Minister. For other uses see James Wallace. James Robert Wallace Baron Wallace of Tankerness PC QC (born 25 August The Deputy First Minister of Scotland is the deputy to the First Minister of Scotland. Orkney is within the Highlands and Islands electoral region. Constituencies and council areas The constituencies were created in 1999 with the names and boundaries of Westminster constituencies as existing in at that time The Scottish Parliament ( Holyrood) has 73 constituencies, each electing one Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP by the Plurality ( First

Orkney Islands Council consists of 21 members, all of whom are independent, that is they are not members of a political party. Orkney (also known as the Orkney Islands or incorrectly the Orkneys) is an Archipelago in northern Scotland, situated 10 miles (16 km north In Politics, an independent is a Politician who is not Affiliated with any Political party.

The Orkney Movement, a political party that supported devolution for Orkney from the rest of Scotland contested the 1987 UK general election as the Orkney and Shetland Movement (a coalition of the Orkney movement and its equivalent for Shetland). Results |} All parties gaining over 500 votes listed Campaign and policies The Conservatives' campaign emphasized lower taxes a strong economy and defence The Orkney and Shetland Movement was an Electoral coalition formed for the 1987 UK general election. The Scottish National Party chose not to contest the seat to give the movement a "free run". The Scottish National Party (SNP (Pàrtaidh Nàiseanta na h-Alba Scottis Naitional Pairtie is a Centre-left political party which campaigns for Scottish Their candidate, John Goodlad, came 4th with 3,095 votes, 14. 5% of the those cast but the experiment has not been repeated. [5][6]

Geography

Orkney Aerial photomap
Orkney Aerial photomap

The Pentland Firth is a seaway which separates Orkney from the mainland of Scotland. The Pentland Firth ( Scottish Gaelic: An Caol Arcach, meaning the Orcadian Strait which is actually more of a Strait than a Firth, separates The firth is 6. 8 miles (11 km) wide between Brough Ness on the island of South Ronaldsay and Duncansby Head in Caithness. South Ronaldsay is one of the Orkney Islands off the north coast of Scotland. Duncansby Head ( grid reference) is one of the most northerly parts of the Scottish mainland and is near John o' Groats, Caithness, Highland Geography Caithness extends about 40 Miles (64 Kilometres) north-south and about 30 miles (50 km east-west

Orkney lies between 58° 41' and 59° 24' North, and 2° 22' and 3° 26' West, measuring 50 miles (80 km) from northeast to southwest and 29 miles (47 km) from east to west, and covers 375 square miles (971 km²). Except for some sharply rising sandstone hills and rugged cliffs on the west of the larger ones, the islands are mainly lowlying.

The hilliest island is Hoy; the highest point in Orkney, Ward Hill, is to be found there. Hoy (from Old Norse Háey meaning high island is one of the Orkney Islands in Scotland. Ward Hill, on the island of Hoy, is the highest Hill in the Orkney Islands. The only other islands containing heights of any importance are the Mainland, with (another) Ward Hill (879 ft/268 m) and Wideford Hill; and Rousay. A foot (plural feet or foot; symbol or abbreviation ft or sometimes &prime – the prime symbol) is a non-SI unit The metre or meter is a unit of Length. It is the basic unit of Length in the Metric system and in the International Nearly all of the islands have lochs (lakes): The Loch of Harray and the Loch of Stenness on the Mainland attain noteworthy proportions. The Loch of Stenness together with the Loch of Harray is one of the largest freshwater lochs of Mainland Orkney. The Loch of Stenness together with the Loch of Harray is one of the largest freshwater lochs of Mainland Orkney. The rivers are merely streams draining the high land. Excepting on the west fronts of the Mainland, Hoy and Rousay, the coastline of the islands is deeply indented, and the islands themselves are divided from each other by straits generally called "sounds" or "firths". However, off the northeast of Hoy the designation "Bring Deeps" is used. South of the Mainland is Scapa Flow and to the southwest of Eday is found the Fall of Warness. Scapa Flow ( Old Norse: Skalpaflói) is a body of water in the Orkney Islands, Scotland, United Kingdom, sheltered by the islands

The names of the islands indicate their nature: the terminal "a" or "ay" represents the Norse ey, meaning "island". The islets are usually styled "holms" and the isolated rocks "skerries".

The tidal currents, or races, or "roosts" (as some of them are called locally, from the Norn) off many of the isles run with high velocity, and whirlpools are of frequent occurrence, occasionally strong enough to prove a source of danger to small craft. Norn is an extinct North Germanic language that was spoken on Shetland and Orkney, off the north coast of mainland Scotland, and in

The islands are notable for the absence of trees, which is partly accounted for by the amount of wind. The formation of peat is evidence that this was not always the case, and deliberate deforestation is believed to have taken place at some stage prior to the Neolithic, the use of stone in settlements such as Skara Brae being evidence of the lack of availability of timber for building. Peat is an accumulation of partially Decayed Vegetation matter. The Neolithic (from Greek νεολιθικός — neolithikos from νέος neos, "new" + λίθος lithos ||-||-||-| Skara Brae (ˈskɑrə ˈbreɪ is a large stone-built Neolithic settlement located on the Bay of Skaill on the west coast of mainland Orkney

Most of the land is taken up by farms, and agriculture is by far the most important sector of the economy, with fishing also being a major occupation. Orkney exports beef, cheese, whisky, beer, fish and seafood. Beef is the Culinary name for Meat from Bovines especially domestic Cattle (cows Cheese is a Food made from Milk, usually the milk of cows, Buffalo, Goats or sheep, by coagulation. Whisky (uisge-beatha or whiskey (uisce beatha or fuisce) refers to a broad category of Alcoholic beverages that are distilled from fermented Beer is the world's oldest and most widely consumed Alcoholic beverage and the third most popular drink overall after water and tea Fish are aquatic Vertebrate animals that are typically ectothermic (previously Cold-blooded) covered with scales, and equipped with two Seafood is any Sea Animal or Seaweed that is served as Food, or is suitable for eating particularly saltwater animals such

Geology

The Old Man of Hoy
The Old Man of Hoy

The superficial rock is almost entirely Old Red Sandstone. Hoy (from Old Norse Háey meaning high island is one of the Orkney Islands in Scotland. The Old Red Sandstone is a Rock formation of considerable importance to early Paleontology. As in the neighbouring mainland county of Caithness, these rocks rest upon the metamorphic rocks of the eastern schists, as may be seen on Mainland, where a narrow strip is exposed between Stromness and Inganess, and again in the small island of Graemsay; they are represented by grey gneiss and granite. Geography Caithness extends about 40 Miles (64 Kilometres) north-south and about 30 miles (50 km east-west Metamorphic rock is the result of the transformation of an existing rock type the protolith, in a process called Metamorphism, which means "change The schists form a group of medium-grade Metamorphic rocks chiefly notable for the preponderance of lamellar Minerals such as Micas chlorite Graemsay is one of the Orkney Islands in Scotland. Graemsay lies in the western approaches to Scapa Flow, between Stromness ( Mainland Gneiss (ˈnaɪs is a common and widely distributed type of rock formed by high-grade regional metamorphic processes from preexisting formations that were originally Granite (ˈɡrænɪt is a common and widely occurring type of intrusive, Felsic, igneous rock.

The upper division of the Old Red Sandstone is found only on Hoy, where it forms the Old Man of Hoy and neighbouring cliffs on the northwest coast. The Old Man of Hoy presents a characteristic section, for it exhibits a thick pile of massive, current-bedded red sandstones resting upon a thin bed of amygdaloidal porphyrite near the foot of the pinnacle. The Old Man of Hoy is a 137  Metre (450  ft) sea stack of red sandstone perched on a Plinth of Igneous Basalt Sandstone is a Sedimentary rock composed mainly of Sand -size Mineral or rock grains. This, in its turn, lies unconformably upon steeply inclined flagstones. This bed of volcanic rock may be followed northward in the cliffs, and it may be noticed that it thickens considerably in that direction. Plate tectonics and hotspots Divergent plate boundaries At the In Geography and Geology, a cliff is a significant vertical or near vertical rock exposure

The Lower Old Red Sandstone is represented by well-bedded flagstones over most of the islands; in the south of the Mainland these are faulted against an overlying series of massive red sandstones, but a gradual passage from the flagstones to the sandstones may be followed from Westray southeastwards into Eday. Sandstone is a Sedimentary rock composed mainly of Sand -size Mineral or rock grains. Flagstone is a type of flat stone, usually used for paving slabs but also for making Fences or Roofing. Sandstone is a Sedimentary rock composed mainly of Sand -size Mineral or rock grains. A strong synclinal fold traverses Eday and Shapinsay, the axis being North and South. Near Haco's Ness in Shapinsay there is a small exposure of amygdaloidal diabase, which is older than that on Hoy. Diabase (ˈdaɪəbeɪs or Dolerite is a Mafic, Holocrystalline, Igneous rock equivalent to Volcanic Basalt or plutonic

Many indications of ice action are found on these islands; striated surfaces are to be seen on the cliffs in Eday and Westray, in Kirkwall Bay and on Stennie Hill in Eday; boulder clay, with marine shells, and with many boulders of rocks foreign to the islands (chalk, oolitic limestone, flint, etc), which must have been brought up from the region of Moray Firth, rests upon the old strata in many places. Kirkwall is the largest town and capital of the Orkney Islands, off the coast of northern mainland Scotland. Clay is a naturally occurring material composed primarily of fine-grained Minerals which show plasticity through a variable range of Water content, and Chalk (ʧɔːk is a soft white porous Sedimentary rock, a form of Limestone composed of the Mineral Calcite. Flint (or flintstone) is a hard sedimentary Cryptocrystalline form of the Mineral Quartz, categorized as a variety of Chert Local moraines are found in some of the valleys in Mainland and Hoy. Moraine refers to any glacially formed accumulation of unconsolidated glacial debris (soil and rock which can occur in currently glaciated and formerly glaciated regions such as those Hoy (from Old Norse Háey meaning high island is one of the Orkney Islands in Scotland.

Climate

The climate is remarkably temperate and steady for such a northerly latitude. 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 mm (33 in) to 940 mm (37 in). Fogs occur during summer and early autumn, and furious gales may be expected four or five times in the year.

To tourists, one of the fascinations of the islands is their nightless summers. On the longest day, the sun rises at 03:00 and sets at 21:29 GMT and darkness is unknown. It is possible to read at midnight and very few stars can be seen in the night sky. Winter, however, is long. On the shortest day the sun rises at 09:05 and sets at 15:16. The winter solstice occurs at the instant when the Sun 's position in the sky is at its greatest angular distance on the other side of the equatorial plane from the [7]

The soil generally is a sandy loam or a strong but friable clay, and very fertile. Loam is Soil composed of Sand, Silt, and Clay in relatively even concentration (about 40-40-20% concentration respectively considered Large quantities of seaweed as well as lime and marl are available for manure. Seaweed is a loose colloquial term encompassing macroscopic Multicellular, benthic marine Algae. Calcium oxide ( CaO) commonly known as burnt lime, lime or quicklime, is a widely used Chemical compound. Marl or Marlstone is a Calcium carbonate or lime -rich mud or Mudstone which contains variable amounts of Clays and Aragonite

Economy

The woollen trade once promised to reach considerable dimensions, but towards the end of the 18th century was superseded by the linen (for which flax came to be largely grown); and when this in turn collapsed before the products of the mills of Dundee, Dunfermline and Glasgow, straw-plaiting was taken up, though only to be killed in due time by the competition of the south. Wool is the fiber derived from the specialized skin cells called follicles of animals in the Caprinae family principally sheep, but the hair of certain species Linen is a Textile made from the Fibers of the Flax plant Linum usitatissimum. Flax (also known as common flax or linseed) (binomial name Linum usitatissimum) is a member of the genus Linum Dundee (Dùn Dèagh is the fourth-largest city in Scotland and fully named as Dundee City, one of Scotland's 32 local government council Dunfermline (Scottish Gaelic Dùn Phàrlain is a town and former Royal Burgh in Fife. Glasgow (ˈglæzgoʊ is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom Straw plaiting is a method of manufacturing Textiles by Braiding Straw and the industry that surrounds the craft of producing these straw manufactures The kelp industry was formerly of at least minor importance. Kelp are large Seaweeds ( Algae) belonging to the Brown algae and classified in the order Laminariales

For several centuries the Dutch practically monopolised the herring fishery, but when their supremacy was destroyed by the salt duty, the Orcadians failed to seize the opportunity thus presented, and George Barry (died 1805) recorded that in his day the fisheries were almost totally neglected. The Netherlands ( Dutch:, ˈnedərlɑnt is the European part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, which consists of the Netherlands the Netherlands Herring are small Oily fish of the genus Clupea found in the shallow temperate waters of the North Atlantic, the Baltic Sea, the North The industry, however, revived, concentrating on herring, cod and ling, but also catching lobsters and crabs. Cod is the common name for the Genus Gadus of Fish, belonging to the family Gadidae, and is also used in the common name of a variety Clawed lobsters compose a family ( Nephropidae, sometimes also Homaridae) of large marine Crustaceans Lobsters are economically important as Crabs are decapod Crustaceans of the infraorder Brachyura, which typically have a very short projecting "tail" (βραχύ / brachy

In the 17th century, Orcadians formed the overwhelming majority of employees of the Hudson's Bay Company in Canada. The harsh climate of the Orkneys and the Orcadian reputation for sobriety made them ideal candidates for the rigours of the Canadian north. Today, many of the Métis people of western Canada trace their history to the Orkneys. A Métis is a person born to parents who belong to different groups defined by visible physical differences regarded as racial or the descendant of such persons

In recent years, the Orkney economy has seen growth in areas other than the traditional agriculture, livestock farming, and fishing. These include tourism; food and beverage manufacture; jewellery, knitwear, and other crafts production; construction; and oil transportation through the Flotta oil terminal. Flotta is a small Island in Orkney, Scotland, lying in Scapa Flow. Public services also play a significant role.

Orkney has significant wind, and marine energy resources and renewable energy has recently come into prominence. The production of renewable energy in Scotland is an issue that has come to the fore in technical economic and political terms during the opening years of the 21st century The European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) is a Scottish Government-backed research facility that has installed a wave testing system at Billia Croo on the Orkney mainland and a tidal power testing station on the nearby island of Eday. The European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC is a Scottish Government-backed research facility based in Stromness, Orkney that has installed a Wave power The Scottish Government (SG ( Scottish Gaelic: Riaghaltas na h-Alba) is the executive arm of the government of Scotland. eDay is an annual New Zealand initiative started by Computer Access New Zealand aimed to raise awareness of the potential dangers associated with Electronic waste [8] 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. ". [9] Funding for the UK's first wave farm was announced by the Scottish Government in 2007. A wave farm or wave power farm is a collection of machines in the same location and used for the Generation of Wave power Electricity. The Scottish Government (SG ( Scottish Gaelic: Riaghaltas na h-Alba) is the executive arm of the government of Scotland. It will be the world's largest, with a capacity of 3 MW generated by four Pelamis machines at a cost of over £4 million. The Pelamis Wave Energy Converter is a technology that uses the motion of Ocean surface waves to create electricity [10] During 2007 Scottish and Southern Energy plc in conjunction with the University of Strathclyde began the implementation of a 'Regional Power Zone' in the Orkney archipelago. The University of Strathclyde (Oilthigh Srath Chluaidh is a university in Glasgow, Scotland. This ground-breaking scheme (that may be the first of its kind in the world) involves 'active network management' that will make better use of the existing infrastructure and allow a further 15MW of new 'non-firm generation' output from renewables onto the network. [11][12]

Transport

Air

The main airport in Orkney is Kirkwall Airport, operated by Highland and Islands Airports. Kirkwall Airport is the main Airport serving the Orkney Islands in Scotland. Highlands and Islands Airports Limited (HIAL is the company that owns and operates 10 Airports in the Scottish Highlands, the Northern Isles and the Loganair, a franchise of British Airways provides services to the Scottish Mainland (Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Inverness), as well as to Sumburgh Airport in Shetland. Loganair is an Airline based at Glasgow International Airport in Scotland. British Airways plc ( is the national Airline and Flag carrier of the United Kingdom and one of the largest in Europe Aberdeen Airport is the third largest Airport in Scotland, and one of the UK 's top 10 by number of flight movements. Edinburgh Airport is located in Edinburgh, Scotland, and was the busiest Airport in Scotland in 2007 handling 9047558 passengers Inverness Airport is an International airport situated at Dalcross 7 Nautical miles (13 km northeast of the city of Inverness in the Scottish Sumburgh Airport is the main Airport serving Shetland in Scotland.

Within Orkney, the council operates airfields on most of the larger islands including Stronsay, Eday, North Ronaldsay, Westray, Papa Westray, and Sanday. Eday Airport is located on Eday, Orkney Islands, Scotland. Due to its location close to the Bay of London it is known locally as London North Ronaldsay Airport is located 28 Nautical miles (519 km northeast by north of Kirkwall, Orkney Islands, Scotland. Westray Airport is an airport located at Aikerness, on Westray in the Orkney Islands, Scotland. Papa Westray Airport is located 22 Nautical miles (407 km north of Kirkwall Airport on Papa Westray, Orkney Islands, Scotland. Sanday Airport is located 20 Nautical miles (370 km north northeast of Kirkwall Airport on Sanday, Orkney Islands, Scotland. The shortest scheduled air service in the world, between the islands of Westray and Papa Westray, is scheduled at two minutes duration but can take less than one minute if the wind is in the right direction.

Ferry

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:

Inter-island ferry services connect all the inhabited islands to Orkney Mainland, and are operated by Orkney Ferries, a company owned by Orkney Islands Council. For the aircraft see Saro Lerwick Lerwick is the only Burgh and main port of the Shetland Islands Kirkwall is the largest town and capital of the Orkney Islands, off the coast of northern mainland Scotland. NorthLink Ferries operates daily ferry services between mainland Scotland and the northern archipelagos of Orkney and Shetland. Aberdeen ( pronounced; Aiberdeen Obar Dheathain is Scotland 's third most populous city and one of Scotland's 32 local government council Kirkwall is the largest town and capital of the Orkney Islands, off the coast of northern mainland Scotland. Scrabster Harbour is an important port of the Scottish fishing industry Stromness /ˈstrɔmnəs/ is the second-largest town in the Orkney Islands, Scotland, and is located in the south-west of the mainland of Orkney The Pentland Firth ( Scottish Gaelic: An Caol Arcach, meaning the Orcadian Strait which is actually more of a Strait than a Firth, separates St Margaret's Hope, known locally as The Hope (pronounced "Hup" is a village in the Orkney Islands, situated off the north-east coast of Scotland Pentland Ferries operate a daily ferry service between Gills Bay in Caithness, Scotland about 3 miles West of John o' Groats, and St Margaret's John o' Groats ( Taigh Iain Ghròt in Scottish Gaelic) ( is a village in the Highland council area of Scotland Burwick South Ronaldsay is one of the Orkney Islands off the north coast of Scotland. Orkney Ferries operates the inter-island Ferry services that link together the various islands of the Orkney Islands, to the north of the Scottish mainland Orkney (also known as the Orkney Islands or incorrectly the Orkneys) is an Archipelago in northern Scotland, situated 10 miles (16 km north

Road

There are ideas being discussed to build an undersea tunnel between Orkney and the Scottish Mainland, at a length of about 9-10 miles (15-16 km) or (more likely) one connecting Orkney Mainland to Shapinsay. [13][14]

Media

Orkney is served by two weekly local newspapers, The Orcadian and Orkney Today,[15] both published every Thursday. The Orcadian is the oldest newspaper in Orkney, United Kingdom, first published in 1854

A local BBC radio station, BBC Radio Orkney, the local opt-out of BBC Radio Scotland, broadcasts twice daily, with local news and entertainment. Orkney also has a community radio station, The Superstation Orkney. Community radio is a type of Radio service that caters to the interests of a certain area broadcasting material that is popular to a local audience but is overlooked by more The Superstation Orkney (or just The Superstation) is a local Commercial radio station which broadcasts to Orkney.

The Bauer Radio owned stations, Moray Firth Radio, Northsound 1 and Northsound 2 can also be heard on parts of the islands, with poor reception. Bauer Radio (formerly EMAP Radio is a UK-based division of Bauer Verlagsgruppe. Station Info Moray Firth Radio or MFR is an Northsound 1 is a commerical radio station serving Aberdeen and the north east of Scotland. Northsound 2 is a commercial local radio station serving Aberdeen and the north east of Scotland on 1035kHz on the Medium wave band although it can

Heritage

Skara Brae
Skara Brae

Located in West Mainland is the 'Heart of Neolithic Orkney', a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. ||-||-||-| Skara Brae (ˈskɑrə ˈbreɪ is a large stone-built Neolithic settlement located on the Bay of Skaill on the west coast of mainland Orkney United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization ( UNESCO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations established on November 16 A UNESCO World Heritage Site is a site (such as a Forest, Mountain, Lake, Desert, Monument, Building, complex This comprises a group of Neolithic monuments which consist of a large chambered tomb (Maes Howe), two ceremonial stone circles (the Standing Stones of Stenness and the Ring of Brodgar) and a settlement (Skara Brae), together with a number of unexcavated burial, ceremonial and settlement sites. Maeshowe (or Maes Howe) is a Neolithic Chambered cairn and Passage grave situated on mainland Orkney, Scotland. The surviving Standing Stones of Stenness form an impressive Neolithic monument on the mainland of Orkney, Scotland. The Ring of Brodgar (or Brogar) is a Neolithic Henge and Stone circle in Orkney, Scotland. ||-||-||-| Skara Brae (ˈskɑrə ˈbreɪ is a large stone-built Neolithic settlement located on the Bay of Skaill on the west coast of mainland Orkney The group constitutes a major prehistoric cultural landscape which gives a graphic depiction of life in this remote archipelago in the far north of Scotland some 5,000 years ago.

Viking settlers comprehensively occupied Orkney, and the islands became a possession of Norway until being given to Scotland during the 15th century as part of a dowry settlement. A Viking is one of the Norse ( Scandinavian Explorers Warriors Merchants, and pirates who raided and colonized wide areas Norway ( Norwegian: Norge ( Bokmål) or Noreg ( Nynorsk) officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Constitutional Scotland ( Gaelic: Alba) is a Country in northwest Europethat occupies the northern third of the island of Great Britain. Evidence of the Viking presence is widespread, and includes the settlement at the Brough of Birsay, the vast majority of place names, and runic inscriptions at Maeshowe and other ancient sites. The Brough of Birsay is a small (21 hectare uninhabited tidal Island off the north west coast of The Mainland of Orkney, Scotland Toponymy refers to the scientific study of place-names ( toponyms) their origins meanings use and Typology.

Language

At the beginning of recorded history the islands were inhabited by the Picts, whose language is unknown. The Picts were a Confederation of tribes in what was later to become eastern and northern Scotland from Roman times until the 10th century Opinions on the nature of Pictish vary from its having been a Celtic language, to its not having been Indo-European at all. Pictish is a term used for the Extinct language or languages thought to have been spoken by the Picts, the people of northern and central Scotland The Celtic languages are descended from Proto-Celtic, or "Common Celtic" a branch of the greater Indo-European Language family. Katherine Forsyth claims that the Ogham script on the Buckquoy spindle-whorl is evidence for the pre-Norse existence of Old Irish in Orkney. The Buckquoy spindle-whorl is a famous spindle-whorl dating from the Early Middle Ages, probably the 8th century excavated in 1970 in Buckquoy Birsay Old Irish is the name given to the oldest form of the Irish language, or rather the Goidelic languages, for which extensive written texts are possessed [16]

After the Norse occupation the toponymy of Orkney became almost wholly West Norse. Toponymy refers to the scientific study of place-names ( toponyms) their origins meanings use and Typology. Old Norse is the North Germanic language that was spoken by inhabitants of Scandinavia and inhabitants of their overseas settlements during the Viking Age [17] The Norse language evolved into the local Norn, which lingered until the end of the 18th century, when it finally died out. Norn is an extinct North Germanic language that was spoken on Shetland and Orkney, off the north coast of mainland Scotland, and in Norn was replaced by the Orcadian dialect of Insular Scots. Insular Scots comprises varieties of Lowland Scots generally subdivided into Shetlandic Orcadian It should This dialect is at a low ebb due to the constant influences of television, education and the large number of incomers. However attempts are being made to revitalise its use by some writers and radio presenters. [1]

However, the distinctive sing-song accent and many dialect words of Norse origin continue to be used. In Linguistics, an accent is a manner of Pronunciation of a language The Orcadian dialect lingers in the remoter parts of the archipelago. Orcadian dialect is a Dialect of Insular Scots, itself a dialect of the Scots language. Studies made by Gregor Lamb and others demonstrate the Norse influence on the grammar of Orcadian. Grammar is the field of Linguistics that covers the Rules governing the use of any given natural language. The Orcadian word most frequently encountered by visitors is "peedie" (peerie in Shetland), meaning small, which may be derived from the French "petit"[18]. Shetland (formerly spelled Zetland, from etland; Old Norse non Hjaltland; Sealtainn is an Archipelago off the northeast coast of French ( français,) is a Romance language spoken around the world by 118 million people as a native language and by about 180 to 260 million people

Orcadians

An Orcadian pipe band at Finstown Gala
An Orcadian pipe band at Finstown Gala
Sanday Tartan
Sanday Tartan

An Orcadian is a native of Orkney, a term that reflects a strongly held identity with a tradition of understatement. A pipe band is a musical ensemble consisting of pipers and Drummers The term used by military pipe bands Pipes and Drums, is also common Finstown in the parish of Firth on Mainland, Orkney is the third largest settlement on the island [19]

Although the annexation of the earldom by Scotland in 1472 took place over five centuries ago, most Orcadians regard themselves as Orcadians first and Scots second. The Scots people ( Scots Gaelic: Albannaich) are a Nation and an Ethnic group indigenous to Scotland. [20] (Readers of Scott's The Pirate will remember the frank contempt which Magnus Troil expressed for the Scots). Sir Walter Scott 1st Baronet (15 August 1771 &ndash 21 September 1832 was a prolific Scottish Historical novelist and Poet popular throughout The Pirate is also the title of novels by Harold Robbins and Frederick Marryat The Pirate is an 1821 novel by

When an Orcadian speaks of "Scotland", they are talking about the land to the immediate south of the Pentland Firth. The Pentland Firth ( Scottish Gaelic: An Caol Arcach, meaning the Orcadian Strait which is actually more of a Strait than a Firth, separates When an Orcadian speaks of "the mainland", they mean Mainland, Orkney. The Mainland is the main Island of Orkney, Scotland. Both of Orkney's Burghs Kirkwall and Stromness, lie on the island [21] They are emphatic that tartan, clans, bagpipes and the like are traditions from the Scottish Highlands and are not a part of the islands' indigenous culture [22]. Tartan is a pattern consisting of criss-crossed horizontal and vertical bands in multiple colours A clan is a group of People united by Kinship and descent, which is defined by perceived descent from a common ancestor Bagpipes are a class of Musical instrument, Aerophones using enclosed reeds fed from a constant reservoir of air in the form of a bag The Scottish Highlands ( Scottish Gaelic: A' Ghàidhealtachd, Scots: Hielans) include the rugged and Mountainous However, at least two tartans with Orkney connexions have been registered [23] [24], and there are pipe bands in Orkney [25][26]. A district tartan has been designed for Sanday by one of the island's residents, although it has not yet been officially adopted by the island authorities. Sanday is the name of more than one Scottish island Sanday Inner Hebrides ( Sandaigh) in the Small Isles Sanday Orkney It represents the sea, the distinctive sandy beaches and green meadows of the island, and the vertical stripes of Start Point lighthouse. [27]

Native Orcadians refer to the non-native residents of the islands as "Ferry Loupers", a term that has been in use for nearly two centuries at least. [28] This designation is celebrated in the Orkney Trout Fishing Association's "Ferryloupers Trophy", demonstrating that it was originally a non-derogatory appellation although it can be used in a derogatory manner.

Well-known Orcadians

In family name alphabetical order:

People associated with Orkney

References

  1. ^ Stone Pages Archaeo News: Hazelnut shell pushes back date of Orcadian site
  2. ^ Moffat, Alistair (2005) Before Scotland: The Story of Scotland Before History. London. Thames & Hudson. Pages 173-5.
  3. ^ Acquisition of Orkney and Shetland 1468-9
  4. ^ C. Michael Hogan, Burroughston Broch, The Megalithic Portal, ed. Andy Burnham (2007)
  5. ^ "Orkney and Shetland Movement" BookRags. Retrieved 11 January 2008
  6. ^ "Candidates and Constituency Assessments: Orkney (Highland Region)" alba. Events 1055 - Theodora is crowned Empress of the Byzantine Empire. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common org. uk. Retrieved 11 January 2008
  7. ^ "Sunrise and Sunsets" The Orcadian. Events 1055 - Theodora is crowned Empress of the Byzantine Empire. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Shows times for 2006. Retrieved 8 March 2008. Events 1618 - Johannes Kepler discovers the third law of planetary motion. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common
  8. ^ European Marine Energy Centre. Retrieved on 2007-02-03. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 1112 - Ramon Berenguer III of Barcelona and Douce I of Provence marry uniting the fortunes of those two states
  9. ^ Highlands and Islands Enterprise (2007-09-28). Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 48 BC - Pompey the Great is assassinated on orders of King Ptolemy of Egypt after landing in Egypt. "First Minister Opens New Tidal Energy Facility at EMEC". Press release. A news release, media release, press release or press statement is a written or recorded Communication directed at members of the News Retrieved on 2007-10-01. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 331 BC - Alexander the Great defeats Darius III of Persia in the Battle of Gaugamela.  “The centre offers developers the opportunity to test prototype devices in unrivalled wave and tidal conditions. Wave and tidal energy converters are connected to the National Grid via seabed cables running from open-water test berths. Testing takes place in a wide range of sea and weather conditions, with comprehensive round-the-clock monitoring. ”
  10. ^ "Orkney to get 'biggest' wave farm" BBC News. Retrieved 25 February 2007. Events 138 - The Emperor Hadrian adopts Antoninus Pius, effectively making him his successor Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century.
  11. ^ Registered Power Zone Annual Report for period 1 April 2006 to 31 March 2007 (pdf) Scottish Hydro Electric Power Distribution and Southern Electric Power Distribution. Retrieved 18 October 2007. Events 1009 - The Church of the Holy Sepulchre, a Christian church in Jerusalem, is completely destroyed by the Fatimid Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century.
  12. ^ FACILITATE GENERATION CONNECTIONS ON ORKNEY BY AUTOMATIC DISTRIBUTION NETWORK MANAGEMENT DTI. Retrieved 18 October 2007. Events 1009 - The Church of the Holy Sepulchre, a Christian church in Jerusalem, is completely destroyed by the Fatimid Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century.
  13. ^ David Lister. "Islanders see a brighter future with tunnel vision", The Times, September 5, 2005. Retrieved on 2007-07-12. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 1191 - Saladin 's garrison surrenders ending the two-year Siege of Acre.  
  14. ^ John Ross. "£100m tunnel to Orkney 'feasible'", The Scotsman, 10 March 2005. Retrieved on 2007-07-13. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 1174 - William I of Scotland, a key rebel in the Revolt of 1173-1174, is captured at Alnwick by forces loyal to  
  15. ^ Orkney Today Retrieved 16 February 2008. Events 1249 - Andrew of Longjumeau is dispatched by Louis IX of France as his ambassador to meet with the Khan of the Mongols 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common
  16. ^ Forsyth, Katherine (1995). "The ogham-inscribed spindle-whorl from Buckquoy: evidence for the Irish language in pre-Viking Orkney?". The Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland 125: 677-96. ARCHway.  
  17. ^ Gregor Lamb, Testimony of the Orkneyingar: Place Names of Orkney, 1995, Byrgisey, ISBN 0-9513443-4-X
  18. ^ Dr. Stephen Clackson, The Orcadian, 25 November 2004
  19. ^ Orkneyjar - The people of Orkney
  20. ^ The Heart of Neolithic Orkney in its Contemporary Contexts: A case study in heritage management and community values. The Orcadian is the oldest newspaper in Orkney, United Kingdom, first published in 1854 Historic Scotland Research Paper
  21. ^ Orkneyjar - Where is Orkney?
  22. ^ Orkneyjar FAQ
  23. ^ Orkney tartan
  24. ^ Clackson tartan
  25. ^ Kirkwall City Pipe Band
  26. ^ Stromness RBL Pipe Band
  27. ^ Scotsheraldry.com re Sanday Tartan Retrieved 2 June 2007. Historic Scotland is an Executive agency of the Scottish Government, responsible for historic monuments in Scotland.
  28. ^ See: David Vedder, Orcadian Sketches, Edinburgh, William Tait, 1832

See also

External links

Dictionary

Orkney

-proper noun

  1. The Orkney Islands.
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