Unearth Orkney's unique history, wildlife, islands, activities and culture by taking time to browse our Orkney blogs.
Patricia Long, a tour guide from About Orkney, takes an insightful look at St Magnus Cathedral in Kirkwall, the faces around the tower and the medieval gravestones. Founded in 1137, St Magnus Cathedral is one of the oldest cathedrals in Scotland.
Bread and butter puddings are a traditional British dessert, and MV Hamnavoe chef George O’Neill has made a delicious Orkney-inspired version which uses a dash of Highland Park whisky!
The Loch of Harray is Orkney’s largest loch and is filled with Brown Trout, while the Loch of Stenness is partly salty as it is connected to the sea. Around these lochs are some impressive archaeological sites!
For an easy sweet treat made from ingredients found in most cupboards we’d recommend this recipe for Porridge oat biscuits from the 1979 Birsay SWRI Recipe Book. These biscuits spread out to cookie size and become lovely and chewy when cool!
Iron Age brochs are massive round buildings from around 300 BC. The most well-known of these is the Broch of Gurness. However, there are over 100 other brochs in Orkney, many times hidden in plain view in the landscape. This list of some of them may surprise you!
Orkney offers an ideal habitat for many breeds of birds. The seas and cliffs support thousands of seabirds. The hills, moors and fields are teaming with small birds and raptors. Find out more about Orkney’s wetlands and the birds you’ll find there!
Fattie Cutties are a delicious traditional treat from Orkney that could be described as being halfway between a biscuit and a fruit bun. They are both sweet and salty and very moreish. Try our easy Fatty Cuttie recipe today!
The Stromness Yule Log pull is a ‘tug of war’ competition, pitting those living in the North end (Northenders) against those from the South End (Soothenders) in a battle of strength as a large log is dragged through the streets of the town to opposing goals.
This Ovaltine Loaf from the Deerness SWRI recipe book is easy to make and is an ideal treat with a cup of tea or coffee. It has a lovely malt taste, and is both moist and salty, and peppered with juicy raisins.
