ORKNEY

Orkney is an archipelago of 70 islands lying off the north coast of mainland Scotland. With a population of about 20,000 spread across 19 islands, the area has a long and rich history and a diverse economy. Orkney lies 7 miles off Dunnet head, the most northerly part of the Scottish mainland and is separated by the Pentland firth, which is one of the fastest flow waters in the world. It can get up to 16 knots (30 kilometres) per hour. During Norse times it was known as Petlandsfjord, meaning the Fjord of Pictland due to the Pictish tribes who occupied Orkney then. Orkney gets its name from Orkneyjar, the name used by the Norse settlers who annexed the isles along with Shetland in 875AD and was ruled by Harald Fairhair (Harald Harfagre) who was the son of Halfdan the Black. Orkney was ruled by Norway until 1472, in 1468 Orkney was pleaded by Christian I of Denmark, in his role as acting king of Norway, as security against the payment of the dowry of his daughter Margaret to king James III of Scotland. The payment was never paid and Orkney was annexed by the Scottish crown in 1472, which to this day is still largely unforgotten in Orkney with most Orcadians not really counting themselves as ‘Scottish’.

Orkneys history is much larger than just to the day of Vikings. Orkney has been a focal hub for Britain and British history since the Neolithic (new stone age) though the folk here during the Mesolithic (middle stone age). Orkney was the heartland of Neolithic Britain with the oldest settlements and monuments that inspired others through the UK. With the start of the Bronze Age came massive changes within Britain and Orkney was left playing catch up. As the iron age rolled in, broch’s started to appear over the landscape within the north of Scotland, with 152 known in Orkney, these would of been used by the Picts who also reigned over the north east of the Scottish mainland and the northern isles of Scotland. After Orkney was annexed by Scotland there was a large influx of Scots into Orkney and the church of Scotland became a ruling power. The issue was, the Scottish spoke ‘Scots English’ which was a break off of Northumbrian old English, and folk in Orkney, in that days, spoke ‘Norn’ (a break off of old Norse.) This is thought to be the reason that folklore is still strong in Orkney to this day, Orcadian’s couldn’t understand the new settlers and the new settlers couldn’t understand Orcadian’s, so the stories of old were still an important part of the identify of Orcadian’s and survive to this day.

The islands of Orkney are steeped in history and it is very much a part of everyday life.  From the Stone Age, to the Viking era, through to Orkney’s part in both World Wars it would seem that every corner of Orkney can lay claim to a site of historical significance of some era.

Today, alongside agriculture and tourism, the islands are known for their thriving crafts, music, quality food and drink and as a global centre of expertise for the emerging marine renewable energy industry, being home to the European Marine Energy Centre.

Neolithic Orkney is a UNESCO World Heritage site and includes the perfectly preserved stone age village of Skara Brae, the chambered cairn of Maeshowe and the impressive Standing Stones of Stenness and Ring of Brodgar.  Excavations are currently underway on the Ness of Brodgar a massive Neolithic complex believed to be even older than Stonehenge.

Orkney’s crucial part during both World Wars have left many wartime wrecks lying in the sheltered waters of Scapa Flow which are now a world famous dive site and tourist attraction.

Stromness, where our boat is located is the second largest town in Orkney, lies 16 miles to the west of Kirkwall and has a population of around 2,000. This picturesque town is one of Orkney’s main seaports and lies around the sheltered harbour of Hamnavoe. Stromness has a unique character with waterfront houses and piers, narrow streets and lanes and many buildings of historical interest. The town has a thriving business community and is the producer of several of Orkney’s most popular exports – Orkney fudge,  Stockman’s oatcakes, Agros bakery and Orkney crab. Also in Stromness, there is a coop, local bakers, chemist and butchers from walking distance to the boat, for all necessities you might require during your stay. Pubs and an art gallery, showcasing some local artists are also in the town along with other wee shops you might like to have a browse in. Across from the boat, is a bus station if you wish to travel to Kirkwall or another destination on the island

Please see the link below to read more about Orkney and the historian we can have aboard