Unearth Orkney's unique history, wildlife, islands, activities and culture by taking time to browse our Orkney blogs.
On Christmas and New Year’s Day, the traditional Ba’ game is played in Kirkwall. James Linklater, who has played for many years, and won the Christmas Day Men’s Ba’ in 2011, tells us about the game.
When visiting Orkney there’s lots to see outdoors including standing stones, neolithic villages and birds. However, what do you do when it’s a rainy day in Orkney? We’ve compiled a list so that you can make the most of your time in Orkney without getting soggy!
NorthLink Ferries are very proud to sail past the Old Man of Hoy on the Scrabster to Stromness route. The sea stack stands 40m taller than Big Ben! In geological terms the sea stack is relatively juvenile, having stood for less than 400 years. Find out more here.
The Sanday Sealcam was brought to our screens initially thanks to the hard work of former Sanday Ranger, Roderick Thorne! Roderick told us about his work and about how to spot seals in Orkney.
The Dwarfie Stane lies in one of the most desolate and beautiful places in Orkney. It is a giant block of sandstone dropped by the glaciers that cut the valley in Hoy. Find out more about this amazing tomb that was carved out of rock using primitive tools!
A super coastal walk in Orkney is to the whalebone at Skiba Geo. This mysterious sculpture was created from a jaw and skull bones of a whale. It has downcurved ‘wings’ and looks like an owl in flight. We looked into who put it there, when they did it and why!
Orkney Voles are twice the size of field voles found on mainland Britain. They have a stocky body with a blunt, rounded snout and live in the rough grassland. We thought we’d try to catch an Orkney Vole. We succeeded, but in the most unexpected way!
Orkney has a fascinating wartime history. The vast natural harbour of Scapa Flow was used as the Naval Base for the British Fleet and many of the batteries, searchlights and gun emplacements remain scattered through the islands.
When people come to visit Orkney they usually go to the Ring of Brodgar, Skara Brae and the Italian Chapel. Here you’ll find a list of ten hidden gems in Orkney to visit – places that don’t make the front cover of the tourist brochure!
