Unearth Orkney's unique history, wildlife, islands, activities and culture by taking time to browse our Orkney blogs.
We are often asked which month is best to visit Orkney. The answer is all of them – for many different reasons. Our Orkney calendar covers what weather to expect, wildlife to see and Orkney events to attend.
The most popular pudding on our ships – easy to make but hard to keep around for very long! You’ll find a delicious recipe to make your own Orkney Fudge Cheesecake here!
Orkney has had links to Canada and the Arctic since the 17th century. Stromness was often the last port of call for Hudson’s Bay Company ships, Arctic Whalers and explorers before they set sail across the Atlantic. Find out how the Nor’Wast left its mark on Orkney.
George O’Neill, Sous Chef on MV Hamnavoe provided us with his delicious savoury Orkney Cheddar and chive scones recipe. These are easy to make and taste and smell heavenly! The recipe makes 15 scones which are yummy hot or cold with butter or margarine.
Sarah Kennedy Norquoy moved from Cambridge to Orkney in 2008. When she’s not doing her day job, you will probably find her swimming in the sea around the islands. We spoke to Sarah about her wild swimming experiences and her book ‘Salt on my Skin’.
A recipe for delicious mince (with a thick gravy sauce) and clapshot (an Orcadian dish of mixed mashed tatties and neeps), with a bit of advice from Orcadian poet George Mackay Brown.
George Mackay Brown was one of Scotland’s best poets, who lived in the waterfront town of Stromness, Orkney for nearly all of his 74 years. 2021 marks what would have been his 100th birthday. Read our introduction to George Mackay Brown and his work.
Orphir is a dramatic dark parish in the southwest corner of the Orkney mainland. It has impressive views of Scapa Flow, wild heather hills, beautiful beaches, and fascinating stories to hear from Norse times and the two World Wars.
A very fine walk in Orkney is from the Yesnaby cliffs to the Bay of Skaill, hiking along the cliffs of the West Mainland. Head to Yesnaby and walk north to see an Iron Age broch, amazing fossils and much more!
