Unearth Orkney's unique history, wildlife, islands, activities and culture by taking time to browse our Orkney blogs.
We recently spent an afternoon at Ness Battery, a wartime coastal defence station, which sits on the shore of Stromness looking out to Hoy Sound. We enjoyed a guided tour of the gun emplacements as MV Hamnavoe sailed past.
Photographers with Instagram accounts will love the wild and wonderful scenery of Orkney. We recommend jumping in a car and setting off on an adventure wherever the wind takes you – read our favourite spots to visit.
Assipattle and the Stoorworm is an exciting traditional tale once told around the fire in the Orkney Islands. It describes how Orkney and Shetland were formed, and the smouldering volcanoes of Iceland!
The historic town of Kirkwall is home to some of the most magnificent buildings in the islands. It has around 9,000 residents and is the centre for local services. We’ve compiled a list of 12 great places to see around Kirkwall, the busy heart of Orkney!
A few hundred years ago, folk tales like the Mermaid Bride were told around the peat fire in Orkney. We hope you enjoy this traditional tale, retold in celebration of Scotland’s Year of Stories.
In traditional tales, even the wildlife in the seas around Orkney are magical. The Selkie Wife is a story that was told in days gone by to family and friends around the hearth.
Gardening in Orkney can be tricky. The constant wind can make it difficult to establish a garden. However many gardeners persevere with great results. Caroline Critchlow, the resident gardening guru on BBC Radio Orkney, offers advice for gardening in Orkney.
If you’re staying in Orkney for a few extra days, or if this is your second visit, then we’ve compiled a new list of 10 hidden gems in Orkney to see. We also hope Islanders might use this list on a weekend to see some brilliant places, perhaps for the first time!
Eday is in the centre of Orkney’s North Isles. It’s a tranquil island, with dark moorland, red-throated divers, birds of prey, ancient burial tombs and a massive standing stone. Amongst Eday’s fascinating stories is the capture of the pirate, John Gow.
