Orkney

The Orkney Islands are a group of approximately 70 islands off the north coast of Caithness, Scotland.  Of the 70 islands 20 are inhabited, Kirkwall is the largest settlement, located on the biggest island, known as the mainland.

Orkney was occupied by the Picts until it was annexed by Norway in 875, it became part of Scotland in 1472.  Orkney has some of the best examples of Neolithic sites in Europe.  Excavations have found evidence of people living there from 6660 BCE.  The village of Skara Brae is Europe's best preserved Neolithic settlement, it was inhabited from around 3100 BCE.  There are a huge number of standing stones & brochs to be seen as well.

Much of Orkney is farmland, agriculture being the most important sector of the economy, although renewable energy is of growing importance.

Orkney has a population of almost 20,000, an Orcadian is a native of Orkney.  A large range of birds including puffins live on the islands, whilst whales, dolphins, otters & seals can be seen around in the sea.  Orkney has some species of animal which aren't even found in Scotland.

Scapa distillery on the mainland of Orkney is one of two distilleries on the island, the other being Highland Park.  Scapa distillery was founded in 1885, it almost closed down in 2004 but is luckily still producing whisky today. Highland Park distillery is the most northerly whisky producing distillery in Scotland, founded in 1798.

There are regular ferry crossings from Scrabster & Aberdeen, as well as some seasonal ferry crossings from John o' Groats.  Flights are available to Kirkwall airport from Aberdeen, Inverness, Edinburgh & Glasgow.