View source for Orkney

{{short description|Archipelago, county and council area in northern Scotland}}
{{About|the Scottish islands}}
{{redirect|Orcadia}}
{{Use British English|date=July 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2021}}
{{Good article}}
{{Infobox Scottish island
|official_name = Orkney
|scots name= 
|celtic name = Arcaibh
|meaning of name = 
|image_flag = 2007 Flag of Orkney.svg
|flag_caption = [[Flag of Orkney|Flag]]
|image_coat = Coat of arms of Orkney.svg
|coat_caption = [[Coat of arms of Orkney|Coat of arms]]
|Map = Orkney Islands UK relief location map.jpg
|GridReference =
|coordinates = {{Coord|59|00|N|3|00|W|type:isle_region:GB-ORK_dim:500000|display=title,inline}}<br />[[ISO 3166-2:GB|ISO Code]]: GB-ORK
|norse name = Orkneyjar
|island group = [[Northern Isles]]
|area = {{convert|{{UK subdivision area|GSS=S12000023}}|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}}<ref name="popstats">{{UK subdivision statistics citation}}</ref>
|area rank =
|highest elevation =[[Ward Hill, Hoy|Ward Hill]] {{cvt|481|m}}
|Population = {{UK subdivision population|GSS=S12000023}} ({{UK subdivision statistics year}})<ref name="popstats" />
|population density = {{cvt|{{UK subdivision density|GSS=S12000023}}|/km2}}<ref name="popstats" />
|population rank =
|main settlement = [[Kirkwall]]
|local authority =[[Orkney Islands Council]]
|references =
}}
'''Orkney''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|ɔr|k|n|i}}), also known as the '''Orkney Islands''', is an [[archipelago]] off the north coast of mainland [[Scotland]]. The plural name '''the Orkneys''' is also sometimes used. Part of the [[Northern Isles]] along with [[Shetland]], Orkney is 10 miles (16&nbsp;km) north of [[Caithness]] and has about 70 islands, of which 20 are inhabited.<ref name=HS>Haswell-Smith (2004) pp. 336–403.</ref><ref>Wickham-Jones (2007) p. 1 states there are 67 islands.</ref><ref name=NRS>{{NRS1C}}</ref> The largest island, the [[Mainland, Orkney|Mainland]], has an area of {{convert|523|km2}}, making it the [[List of islands of Scotland|sixth-largest Scottish island]] and the [[List of islands of the British Isles|tenth-largest island in the British Isles]].<ref>Haswell-Smith (2004) pp. 334, 502.</ref> Orkney's largest settlement, and also its administrative centre, is [[Kirkwall]].<ref>Lamb, Raymond "Kirkwall" in Omand (2003) p. 184.</ref>

Orkney is one of the 32 [[Subdivisions of Scotland|council areas]] of Scotland, as well as a [[Orkney Islands (Scottish Parliament constituency)|constituency]] of the [[Scottish Parliament]], a [[Lieutenancy areas of Scotland|lieutenancy area]], and an [[counties of Scotland|historic county]]. The local council is [[Orkney Islands Council]].

The islands have been inhabited likely for at least 10,000 years, occupied by terminal [[Upper Palaeolithic]] and [[Mesolithic]] hunter-gatherers, and subsequently by [[Neolithic]] and [[Bronze Age]] farmers and later by [[Picts]] during the [[Iron Age]]. Orkney was colonised and later annexed by the [[Kingdom of Norway]] in 875 and settled by the [[Norsemen]]. In 1472, the [[Parliament of Scotland]] absorbed the [[Earldom of Orkney]] into the [[Kingdom of Scotland]], following failure to pay a [[dowry]] promised to [[James III of Scotland]] by the family of his bride, [[Margaret of Denmark, Queen of Scotland|Margaret of Denmark]].<ref>Thompson, W.P.L. (2008). ''The New History of Orkney''. Origin. p. 220.</ref>

In addition to the Mainland, most of the remaining islands are divided into two groups: the North Isles and the South Isles. The [[#Climate|local climate]] is relatively mild and the soils are extremely fertile; most of the land is farmed, and agriculture is the most important sector of the economy. The significant wind and marine energy resources are of growing importance; the amount of electricity that Orkney generates annually from renewable energy sources exceeds its demand. Temperatures average {{convert|4|C|F}} in winter and {{convert|12|C|F}} in summer.

The local people are known as Orcadians; they speak a distinctive [[Orcadian dialect|dialect]] of the [[Insular Scots|Scots language]] and have a rich body of folklore. Orkney contains some of the oldest and best-preserved Neolithic sites in Europe; the "[[Heart of Neolithic Orkney]]" is a designated [[UNESCO]] [[World Heritage Site]]. Orkney also has an abundance of marine and avian wildlife.

==Etymology==
[[Pytheas]] of [[Massalia]] visited Britain – probably sometime between 322 and 285&nbsp;BC – and described it as triangular in shape, with a northern tip called ''Orcas''.<ref name="Breeze">Breeze, David J. "The ancient geography of Scotland" in Smith and Banks (2002) pp. 11–13.</ref>
This may have referred to [[Dunnet Head]], from which Orkney is visible.<ref name="jarehro">[http://www.orkneyjar.com/history/earlyrefs.htm "Early Historical References to Orkney"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090615010122/http://www.orkneyjar.com/history/earlyrefs.htm |date=15 June 2009 }} Orkneyjar.com. Retrieved 27 June 2009.</ref> Writing in the 1st century&nbsp;AD, the Roman geographers [[Ptolemy]]<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Ptolemaeus |first1=Claudius |author-link1=Claudius Ptolemaeus |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vnRXAAAAcAAJ&dq=%E1%BD%88%CF%81%CE%BA%E1%BD%B1%CE%B4%CE%B5%CF%82&pg=PA74 |title=Claudii Ptolemaei Geographia: 1 |last2=Nobbe |first2=Karl Friedrich August |publisher=[[Tauchnitz]] |year=1843 |page=74 |language=grc}}</ref> and [[Pomponius Mela]] called the islands {{lang|la|Orcades}} (Ancient Greek: Όρκάδες), as did [[Tacitus]] in AD 98, claiming that his father-in-law [[Gnaeus Julius Agricola|Agricola]] had "discovered and subjugated the Orcades hitherto unknown"<ref name="jarehro"/><ref>{{cite book |author=Tacitus |author-link=Tacitus |orig-date=c. 98 |title=Agricola |at=Chapter 10 |quote={{lang|la|ac simul incognitas ad id tempus insulas, quas Orcadas vocant, invenit domuitque }} }}</ref> (although both Mela and [[Pliny the Elder|Pliny]] had previously referred to the islands<ref name="Breeze"/>). The [[Byzantine]] [[John Tzetzes]] in his work ''Chiliades'' called the islands Orcades.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theoi.com/Text/TzetzesChiliades8.html|title=TZETZES, CHILIADES BOOK 8 - Theoi Classical Texts Library|website=www.theoi.com}}</ref>

Etymologists usually interpret the element {{lang|xpi|orc-}} as a [[Picts|Pictish]] tribal name meaning "young pig" or "young [[wild boar|boar]]".{{#tag:ref|The proto-Celtic root {{lang|cel-x-proto|φorko-|italic=yes}}, can mean either pig or [[salmon]], thus giving an alternative of "island(s) of (the) salmon".<ref>[http://www.wales.ac.uk/Resources/Documents/Research/CelticLanguages/ProtoCelticEnglishWordlist.pdf "Proto-Celtic – English Word List"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101231141619/http://www.wales.ac.uk/Resources/Documents/Research/CelticLanguages/ProtoCelticEnglishWordlist.pdf |date=31 December 2010 }} (pdf) (12 June 2002) University of Wales. p. 101.</ref>|group="Notes"}}<ref name=Waugh>
Waugh, Doreen J. "Orkney Place-names" in Omand (2003) p. 116.</ref> Speakers of [[Old Irish]] referred to the islands as {{lang|sga|Insi Orc}} "islands of the young pigs".<ref>[[Julius Pokorny|Pokorny, Julius]] (1959) [http://www.indo-european.nl/%5Cindex2.html] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110514141357/http://www.indo-european.nl/index2.html|date=14 May 2011}} {{lang|de|[[Indogermanisches etymologisches Wörterbuch]]|italic=yes}}. Retrieved 3 July 2009.</ref><ref name="jaroo">[http://www.orkneyjar.com/placenames/orkney.htm "The Origin of Orkney"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090606003827/http://www.orkneyjar.com/placenames/orkney.htm |date=6 June 2009 }} Orkneyjar.com. Retrieved 27 June 2009.</ref> The [[archipelago]] is known as {{lang|cy|Ynysoedd Erch}} in modern [[Welsh language|Welsh]] and {{lang|gd|Arcaibh}} in modern [[Scottish Gaelic]], the {{lang|gd|-aibh}} representing a [[fossilization (linguistics)|fossilized]] [[prepositional case]] ending. Some earlier sources alternatively hypothesise that Orkney comes from the Latin {{wikt-lang|la|orca}}, whale.<ref>{{cite journal |title=Strictures on Mr. Laing's Dissertation on the Poems of Ossian |journal=The Scots Magazine |volume=64 |date=August 1802 |page=651 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=B1YLAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA222 |access-date=10 February 2019 |archive-date=18 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200818225112/https://books.google.com/books?id=B1YLAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA222 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Pope |first=Alexander |title=Ancient History of Orkney, Caithness, & the North |publisher=Peter Reid |location=Caithness |date=1866 |postscript=. (English translation, with translator's notes, of Torfaeus, Thormodus, 1697) |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=B1YLAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA222 |access-date=10 February 2019 |archive-date=18 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200818225112/https://books.google.com/books?id=B1YLAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA222 |url-status=live }}</ref> The Anglo-Saxon monk [[Bede]] refers to the islands as {{lang|la|Orcades insulae}} in ''[[Ecclesiastical History of the English People]]''.<ref>{{cite book |last=Plummer |first=Carolus |title=Venerabilis Baedae Historiam Ecclesiasticam |trans-title=Ecclesiastical History of Bede |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Jx-b2EpchX4C&pg=PA1 |year=2003 |publisher=Gorgias Press |isbn=978-1-59333-028-6 }}{{Dead link|date=June 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

[[Norwegians|Norwegian]] settlers arriving from the late ninth century reinterpreted ''orc'' as the [[Old Norse]] {{lang|non|orkn}} "[[pinniped|seal]]" and added {{wikt-lang|non|ey|eyjar}} "islands" to the end,<ref>Thompson (2008) p. 42.</ref> so the name became {{lang|non|Orkneyjar}} "Seal Islands". The plural suffix {{lang|non|-jar}} was later removed in English leaving the modern name ''Orkney''. According to the {{lang|la|[[Historia Norwegiæ]]|italic=yes}}, Orkney was named after an [[earl]] called Orkan.<ref>[http://www.vsnrweb-publications.org.uk/Text%20Series/Historia%26Passio.pdf "A History of Norway", vol. XIII] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160221232519/http://www.vsnrweb-publications.org.uk/Text%20Series/Historia%26Passio.pdf |date=21 February 2016 }} Translated by Devra Kunin pp. 7–8</ref>

The Norse knew [[Mainland, Orkney]] as {{lang|non|Megenland}} "Mainland" or as {{lang|non|Hrossey}} "Horse Island".<ref name="Haswell-Smith 2004 p. 354">Haswell-Smith (2004) p. 354.</ref> The island is sometimes referred to as ''Pomona'' (or ''Pomonia''), a name that stems from a 16th-century mistranslation by [[George Buchanan]], which has rarely been used locally.<ref>Buchanan, George (1582) [http://www.philological.bham.ac.uk/scothist/ ''Rerum Scoticarum Historia: The First Book''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110609004211/http://www.philological.bham.ac.uk/scothist/ |date=9 June 2011 }} The University of California, Irvine. Revised 8 March 2003. Retrieved 4 October 2007.</ref><ref>[http://www.orkneyjar.com/placenames/pomona.htm "Pomona or Mainland?"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200706190859/http://www.orkneyjar.com/placenames/pomona.htm |date=6 July 2020 }} Orkneyjar.com. Retrieved 4 October 2007.</ref>

Usage of the plural "Orkneys" dates from the 18th century or earlier and was used by for example Sir [[Walter Scott]]. From the mid-19th century onwards this plural form has fallen out of use in the local area although it is still often used, particularly by publications based outside Scotland.<ref name=Anderson>Anderson, Peter [http://www.orkneyjar.com/placenames/orkneys.htm "Is 'The Orkneys' Ever Right?"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090808043908/http://www.orkneyjar.com/placenames/orkneys.htm |date=8 August 2009 }} Orkneyjar. Retrieved 8 January 2024.</ref>{{#tag:ref|Anderson notes "'The Orkneys' is now, perhaps thankfully, out of fashion, but the fact is that it was once in fashion."<ref name=Anderson/> Many media organisations, including the [[BBC]] and [[The Guardian]], advise against using "the Orkneys" in their style guides,<ref>{{cite news |title=Guardian and Observer Style Guide |url=https://www.theguardian.com/guardian-observer-style-guide-o |website=The Guardian |date=23 December 2020 |access-date=6 October 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=News Style Guide |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsstyleguide/o |website=BBC |access-date=6 October 2024}}</ref> although both continue to use the term occasionally.<ref>Clark, Tom (17 April 2023) [https://www.theguardian.com/books/2023/apr/17/the-big-idea-why-we-need-a-triple-lock-against-poverty "The big idea: why the UK needs a triple lock against poverty"]. ''The Guardian''. Retrieved 8 January 2024.</ref><ref>[https://www.bbc.com/mediacentre/mediapacks/winterwatch-2024-everything-you-need-to-know "Winterwatch 2024 - Meet the presenters and find out more about this season's wildlife stories".] BBC "Winter Watch". Retrieved 8 January 2024.</ref>
|group="Notes"}}

==History==
{{Main|History of Orkney}}

===Prehistory===
{{Main|Prehistoric Orkney}}

[[File:RingofBrodgarJM.jpg|thumb|upright|alt=Four large standing stones sit in a field of grass and heather. They are illuminated by reddish sunlight and they cast long shadows to the left. A lake and low hills lie beyond.|[[Ring of Brodgar]], on the island of [[Mainland, Orkney]]]]

Late [[Upper Paleolithic|Upper Palaeolithic]] stone tools of the [[Ahrensburgian]] culture have been found in Stronsay and Brodgar on mainland Orkney, suggesting the islands have been inhabited around or prior to 8000 BC.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Hardy |first=Karen |last2=Barlow |first2=Natasha L.M. |last3=Taylor |first3=Edward |last4=Bradley |first4=Sarah L. |last5=McCarthy |first5=John |last6=Rush |first6=Graham |date=July 2025 |title=At the far end of everything: A likely Ahrensburgian presence in the far north of the Isle of Skye, Scotland |url=https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/jqs.3718 |journal=Journal of Quaternary Science |language=en |volume=40 |issue=5 |pages=847–861 |doi=10.1002/jqs.3718 |issn=0267-8179|doi-access=free }}</ref>

A charred [[hazelnut]] shell, recovered in 2007 during excavations in [[Tankerness]] on the Mainland, has been dated to 6820–6660 BC, indicating the presence of Mesolithic nomadic tribes.<ref>[http://www.stonepages.com/news/archives/002600.html "Hazelnut shell pushes back date of Orcadian site"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080316143444/http://www.stonepages.com/news/archives/002600.html |date=16 March 2008 }} (3 November 2007) Stone Pages Archaeo News. Retrieved 6 September 2009.</ref> The earliest known permanent settlement is at [[Knap of Howar]], a Neolithic farmstead on the island of [[Papa Westray]], which dates from 3500 BC. The village of [[Skara Brae]], Europe's best-preserved Neolithic settlement, is believed to have been inhabited from around 3100 BC.<ref>[http://www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/index/places/propertyresults/propertyabout.htm?PropID=PL_244&PropName=Skara%20Brae%20Prehistoric%20Village "Skara Brae Prehistoric Village" ] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160505130755/http://www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/index/places/propertyresults/propertyabout.htm?PropID=PL_244&PropName=Skara%20Brae%20Prehistoric%20Village |date=5 May 2016 }} Historic Scotland. Retrieved 3 February 2010.</ref> Other remains from that era include the [[Standing Stones of Stenness]], the [[Maeshowe]] [[passage grave]], the [[Ring of Brodgar]] and other standing stones. Many of the Neolithic settlements were abandoned around 2500 BC, possibly due to changes in the climate.<ref>Moffat (2005) p. 154.</ref><ref>[http://www.worldtimelines.org.uk/world/british_isles/scotland/2200-800BC "Scotland: 2200–800 BC Bronze Age"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101203063651/http://worldtimelines.org.uk/world/british_isles/scotland/2200-800BC |date=3 December 2010 }} worldtimelines.org.uk Retrieved 23 August 2008.</ref><ref>Ritchie, Graham "The Early Peoples" in Omand (2003) pp. 32, 34.</ref>

In September 2021, archaeologists announced the discovery of two polished stone balls in a 5500-year-old Neolithic burial tomb in [[Sanday, Orkney|Sanday]]. According to Dr Hugo Anderson, the second object was as the "size of a cricket ball, perfectly spherical and beautifully finished".<ref>{{Cite web|last=Gershon|first=Livia|title=Polished, 5,500-Year-Old Stone Balls Found in Neolithic Scottish Tomb|url=https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/polished-stone-balls-found-5500-year-old-scottish-tomb-180978615/|access-date=2021-09-12|website=Smithsonian Magazine|language=en|archive-date=12 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210912122233/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/polished-stone-balls-found-5500-year-old-scottish-tomb-180978615/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Two mysterious stone balls found buried in 5,500-year-old 'disappearing' tomb in Orkney|url=https://www.scotsman.com/heritage-and-retro/heritage/two-mysterious-stone-balls-found-buried-in-5500-year-old-disappearing-tomb-in-orkney-3368676|access-date=2021-09-12|website=www.scotsman.com|date=2 September 2021 |language=en|archive-date=12 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210912122234/https://www.scotsman.com/heritage-and-retro/heritage/two-mysterious-stone-balls-found-buried-in-5500-year-old-disappearing-tomb-in-orkney-3368676|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=Archaeologists discover rare stones in a 'disappearing' tomb in Scotland|url=https://www.jpost.com/archaeology/archaeologists-discover-rare-stones-in-a-disappearing-tomb-in-scotland-678989|access-date=2021-09-12|newspaper=The Jerusalem Post &#124; Jpost.com|language=en-US|archive-date=12 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210912122234/https://www.jpost.com/archaeology/archaeologists-discover-rare-stones-in-a-disappearing-tomb-in-scotland-678989|url-status=live}}</ref>

During the [[Bronze Age]], fewer large stone structures were built (although the great ceremonial circles continued in use<ref>Wickham-Jones (2007) p. 73.</ref>) as metalworking was slowly introduced to Britain from Europe over a lengthy period.<ref>Moffat (2005) pp. 154, 158, 161.</ref><ref>Whittington, Graeme and Edwards, Kevin J. (1994) [http://archaeologydataservice.ac.uk/archives/view/psas/volumes.cfm "Palynology as a predictive tool in archaeology"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130522025643/http://archaeologydataservice.ac.uk/archives/view/psas/volumes.cfm |date=22 May 2013 }} (pdf) ''Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland''. '''124''' pp. 55–65.</ref> There are relatively few Orcadian sites dating from this era although there is the impressive Plumcake Mound near the Ring of Brodgar,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.orkneyjar.com/history/brodgar/plumcakemound.htm|title=The Ring o' Brodgar – Plumcake Mound|website=www.orkneyjar.com|access-date=28 May 2019|archive-date=27 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190427200517/http://www.orkneyjar.com/history/brodgar/plumcakemound.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> and various island sites such as Tofts Ness on [[Sanday, Orkney|Sanday]] and the remains of two houses on [[Holm of Faray]].<ref>Wickham-Jones (2007) pp. 74–76.</ref><ref>Ritchie, Graham "The Early Peoples" in Omand (2003) p. 33.</ref>

===Iron Age===
[[File:Midhowe Broch.jpg|thumb|left|alt=A semi-circular stone wall at left hints at the existence of a large and ancient building and to the right are the ruins of various other stone structures. In the background a low cliff divides a body of water from grassy fields.|[[Midhowe Broch]] on the west coast of [[Rousay]]]]

Excavations at [[Quanterness chambered cairn|Quanterness]] on the Mainland have revealed an [[Atlantic roundhouse]] built about 700 BC and similar finds have been made at Bu on the Mainland and Pierowall Quarry on Westray.<ref>Wickham-Jones (2007) pp. 81–84.</ref> The most impressive [[Iron Age]] structures of Orkney are the ruins of later round towers called "[[broch]]s" and their associated settlements such as the [[Broch of Burroughston]]<ref>Hogan, C. Michael (2007) [http://www.megalithic.co.uk/article.php?sid=7891 ''Burroughston Broch''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110610071233/http://www.megalithic.co.uk/article.php?sid=7891 |date=10 June 2011 }}. The Megalithic Portal. Retrieved 4 October 2009.</ref> and [[Broch of Gurness]]. The nature and origin of these buildings is a subject of debate. Other structures from this period include [[Souterrain|underground storehouses]] and [[Wheelhouse (archaeology)|aisled roundhouses]], the latter usually in association with earlier broch sites.<ref>Ritchie, Graham "The Early Peoples" in Omand (2003) pp. 35–37.</ref><ref>Crawford, Iain "The wheelhouse" in Smith and Banks (2002) pp. 118–22.</ref>

During the [[Ancient Rome|Roman]] invasion of Britain the "King of Orkney" was one of 11 British leaders who is said to have submitted to the Emperor [[Claudius]] in AD 43 at [[Camulodunum]] (modern Colchester).<ref>Moffat (2005) pp. 173–75.</ref>{{#tag:ref|Thompson (2008) suggests that there was an element of Roman "boasting" involved, given that it was known to them that the ''Orcades'' lay at the northern extremity of the British Isles.<ref>Thompson (2008) pp. 4–5</ref> Similarly, Ritchie describes Tacitus' claims that Rome "conquered" Orkney as "a political puff, for there is no evidence of Roman military presence".<ref>Ritchie, Graham "The Early Peoples" in Omand (2003) p. 36</ref>|group="Notes"}} After the Agricolan fleet had come and gone, possibly anchoring at [[Shapinsay]], direct Roman influence seems to have been limited to trade rather than conquest.<ref name=Thomson4>Thomson (2005) pp. 4–6.</ref>
[[Polemius Silvius]] wrote a list of Late Roman provinces, which [[Seeck]] appended to his edition of the [[Notitia Dignitatum]].<ref>{{cite web| url = https://archive.org/details/CalendarOfPhilocalusAndPolemiusSilviusFromIla| title = ''Laterculus Polemii Silvii''}}</ref> The list names six provinces in Roman Britannia: the sixth is the dubious "Orcades provincia", the possible existence of which recent researches re-evaluate.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.academia.edu/33336307 |title=Orcades/Orkney: the 6th roman province in Britannia |access-date=18 November 2019 |archive-date=21 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191021232408/https://www.academia.edu/33336307/Orkney_the_6th_province_of_Britannia_New_evidences_from_Mine_Howe |url-status=live |last1=Montesanti |first1=Antonio }}</ref>

By the late Iron Age, Orkney was part of the [[Picts|Pictish]] kingdom, and although the [[archaeological]] remains from this period are less impressive, the fertile soils and rich seas of Orkney probably provided the Picts with a comfortable living.<ref name=Thomson4/>{{#tag:ref|They were certainly politically organised. Ritchie notes the presence of an Orcadian ruler at the court of a Pictish high king at [[Inverness]] in 565 AD.<ref>Ritchie, Anna "The Picts" in Omand (2003) p. 39</ref>|group="Notes"}} The [[Dál Riata|Dalriadic]] [[Gaels]] began to influence the islands towards the close of the Pictish era, perhaps principally through the role of [[Celtic Christianity|Celtic]] [[Missionary|missionaries]], as evidenced by several islands bearing the epithet "Papa" in commemoration of these preachers.<ref>Ritchie, Anna "The Picts" in Omand (2003) pp. 42–46.</ref> Before the Gaelic presence could establish itself the Picts were gradually dispossessed by the [[North Germanic peoples]] from the late 8th century onwards. The nature of this transition is controversial, and theories range from peaceful integration to [[enslavement]] and [[genocide]].<ref>Thompson (2008) pp. 43–50.</ref> It has been suggested that an assault by forces from [[Fortriu]] in 681 in which Orkney was "annihilated" may have led to a weakening of the local power base and helped the Norse come to prominence.<ref>Fraser (2009) p. 345</ref>

===Norwegian rule===
{{Main|Earldom of Orkney}}

[[File:Flateyjarbok Haraldr Halfdan.jpg|thumb|alt=A page from an illuminated manuscript shows two male figures. On the left, a seated man wears a red crown and on the right, a standing man has long fair hair. Their right hands are clasped together.|According to the ''[[Orkneyinga saga|Orkneyinga Saga]]'', [[Harald I of Norway|Harald Fairhair]] (on the right, with fair hair) took control of Orkney in 875. He is shown here inheriting his kingdom from his father [[Halfdan the Black]], in an illustration from the ''[[Flateyjarbók]]''.]]
Both Orkney and [[Shetland]] saw a significant influx of Norwegian settlers during the late 8th and early 9th centuries. [[Viking]]s made the islands the headquarters of their [[pirate]] expeditions carried out against Norway and the coasts of mainland Scotland. In response, Norwegian king [[Harald I of Norway|Harald Fairhair]] (Harald Hårfagre) annexed the [[Northern Isles]], comprising Orkney and Shetland, in 875 (it is clear that this story, which appears in the ''[[Orkneyinga saga|Orkneyinga Saga]]'', is based on the later voyages of [[Magnus III of Norway|Magnus Barelegs]] and some scholars believe it to be [[apocryphal]]).<ref>Thompson (2008) pp. 24–27.</ref> [[Rognvald Eysteinsson]] received Orkney and Shetland from Harald as an earldom as reparation for the death of his son in battle in Scotland, and then passed the earldom on to his brother [[Sigurd Eysteinsson|Sigurd the Mighty]].<ref>Thompson (2008) p. 24.</ref> Sigurd went on to conquer northern parts of mainland Britain in the late 9th century, including [[Caithness]] and [[Sutherland]].<ref name=Grant>{{cite book |last1=Grant |first1=Alexander |editor1-last=Cowan |editor1-first=Edward J. |editor2-last=McDonald |editor2-first=R. Andrew |title=Alba: Celtic Scotland in the Middle Ages |date=2000 |publisher=Tuckwell Press |location=East Linton |isbn=1-86232-151-5 |pages=98–110 |chapter-url=https://archive.org/details/albacelticscotla0000unse/page/98/mode/2up |access-date=28 August 2024 |chapter=The Province of Ross and the Kingdom of Alba}}</ref>

However, Sigurd's line barely survived him and it was [[Torf-Einarr]], Rognvald's son by a slave, who founded a dynasty that controlled the islands for centuries after his death.<ref>Thompson (2008) p. 29.</ref>{{#tag:ref|Sigurd The Mighty's son Gurthorm ruled for a single winter after Sigurd's death and died childless. Rognvald's son Hallad inherited the title but, unable to constrain Danish raids in Orkney, he gave up the earldom and returned to Norway, which according to the ''[[Orkneyinga saga|Orkneyinga Saga]]'' "everyone thought was a huge joke."<ref>Thompson (2008) p. 30 quoting chapter 5.</ref>|group="Notes"}} He was succeeded by his son [[Thorfinn Turf-Einarsson, Earl of Orkney|Thorfinn Skull-splitter]] and during this time the deposed Norwegian King [[Eric Bloodaxe]] often used Orkney as a raiding base before being killed in 954. Thorfinn's death and presumed burial at the [[Hoxa, Orkney|broch of Hoxa]], on [[South Ronaldsay]], led to a long period of dynastic strife.<ref>Wenham, Sheena "The South Isles" in Omand (2003) p. 211.</ref><ref>Thompson (2008) pp. 56–58.</ref>
[[File:Peter nicolai arbo, olaf tryggvasson king.jpg|thumb|left|alt=A group of warriors in medieval garb surround two men whose postures suggest they are about to embrace. The man on the right is taller, has long fair hair and wears a bright red tunic. The man on the left his balding with short grey hair and a white beard. He wears a long brown cloak.| Artist's conception of [[Olaf I of Norway|King Olaf Tryggvason]] of Norway, who forcibly Christianised Orkney.<ref name=T69/> Painting by [[Peter Nicolai Arbo]].]]

Initially a pagan culture, detailed information about the turn to the Christian religion in the islands of Scotland during the Norse era is elusive.<ref>Abrams, Lesley "Conversion and the Church in the Hebrides in the Viking Age: "A Very Difficult Thing Indeed" in Ballin Smith ''et al.'' (2007) pp. 169–89</ref> The  ''Orkneyinga Saga'' suggests the islands were Christianised by [[Olaf I of Norway|Olaf Tryggvasson]] in 995 when he stopped at [[South Walls]] on his way from Ireland to Norway. The King summoned the ''[[earl|jarl]]'' [[Sigurd the Stout]]{{#tag:ref|Sigurd the Stout was Thorfinn Skull-splitter's grandson.|group="Notes"}} and said, "I order you and all your subjects to be baptised. If you refuse, I'll have you killed on the spot and I swear I will ravage every island with fire and steel." Unsurprisingly, Sigurd agreed and the islands became Christian at a stroke,<ref name=T69>Thompson (2008) p. 69. quoting the ''[[Orkneyinga Saga]]'' chapter 12.</ref> receiving their own [[Bishop of Orkney|bishop]] in the early 11th century.{{#tag:ref|The first recorded bishop was [[Henry of Lund]] (also known as "the Fat") who was appointed sometime prior to 1035.<ref>[[D. E. R. Watt|Watt, D.E.R.]], (ed.) (1969) ''Fasti Ecclesia Scoticanae Medii Aevii ad annum 1638''. Scottish Records Society. p. 247.</ref> The bishopric appears to have been under the authority of the Archbishops of [[Archbishop of York|York]] and of [[Archbishopric of Bremen|Hamburg-Bremen]] at different times during the early period and from the mid-twelfth century to 1472 was subordinate to the [[Archdiocese of Nidaros|Archbishop of Nidaros]] (today's [[Trondheim]]).<ref>[http://www.cushnieent.force9.co.uk/New%20Diocese/orkney/diocese_orkney.htm "The Diocese of Orkney"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080907182006/http://www.cushnieent.force9.co.uk/New%20Diocese/orkney/diocese_orkney.htm |date=7 September 2008 }} Firth's Celtic Scotland. Retrieved 9 September 2009.</ref>|group="Notes"}}{{#tag:ref|When the sagas were written down Orkney had been Christian for 200 years or more<ref name=Thomson66>Thompson (2008) pp.&nbsp;66–67</ref> and this conversion tale has been described as "blatantly unhistorical".<ref name=Beuer143>Beuermann (2011) pp.&nbsp;143–44</ref>|group="Notes"}}

[[File:Kirkwall cathedral.jpg|thumb|right|alt=A large church made from red and yellow stone with a square tower and a spire on the tower.|[[St Magnus Cathedral]] in Kirkwall]]

[[Thorfinn Sigurdsson|Thorfinn the Mighty]] was a son of Sigurd and a grandson of [[Malcolm II of Scotland|King Malcolm II of Scotland]] (''Máel Coluim mac Cináeda''). Along with Sigurd's other sons he ruled Orkney during the first half of the 11th century and extended his authority over a small maritime empire stretching from [[Dublin]] to [[Shetland]]. Thorfinn died around 1065 and his sons [[Paul and Erlend Thorfinnsson|Paul and Erlend]] succeeded him, fighting at the [[Battle of Stamford Bridge]] in 1066.<ref>Crawford, Barbara E. "Orkney in the Middle Ages" in Omand (2003) pp. 66–68.</ref> Paul and Erlend quarrelled as adults and this dispute carried on to the next generation. The [[martyr]]dom of [[Magnus Erlendsson, Earl of Orkney|Magnus Erlendsson]], who was killed in April 1116 by his cousin [[Haakon Paulsson]], resulted in the building of [[St Magnus Cathedral]], still today a dominating feature of Kirkwall.{{#tag:ref|The Scandinavian peoples, relatively recent converts to Christianity, tended to confer martyrdom and sainthood on leading figures of the day who met violent deaths. Magnus and Haakon Paulsson had been co-rulers of Orkney, and although he had a reputation for piety, there is no suggestion that Magnus died for his Christian faith.<ref>Crawford, Barbara E. "Orkney in the Middle Ages" in Omand (2003) p. 69.</ref>|group="Notes"}}{{#tag:ref|"St Magnus Cathedral still dominates the Kirkwall skyline – a familiar, and comforting sight, to Kirkwallians around the world."<ref>[http://www.orkneyjar.com/history/stmagnus/magcath.htm "St Magnus Cathedral, Kirkwall"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210130123631/http://www.orkneyjar.com/history/stmagnus/magcath.htm |date=30 January 2021 }} Orkneyar. Retrieved 10 September 2009.</ref>|group="Notes"}}

The [[Kingdom of Scotland|Scottish crown]] claimed the overlordship of the Caithness and Sutherland area from Norway in 1098.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Crawford |first1=Barbara E. |editor1-last=Stringer |editor1-first=Keith J. |title=Essays on the Nobility of Medieval Scotland |date=2004 |publisher=John Donald |location=9781788853408 |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Y0tWEAAAQBAJ&pg=PT48 |access-date=6 October 2024 |chapter=The Earldom of Caithness and the Kingdom of Scotland, 1150–1266|isbn=978-1-78885-340-8 }}</ref> The jarls thereafter owed allegiance to the Scottish crown for their territory on mainland Britain, which they held as the [[Mormaer of Caithness]], but owed allegiance to the Norwegian crown for Orkney and Shetland.<ref name=Grant/><ref>Crawford, Barbara E. "Orkney in the Middle Ages" in Omand (2003) p. 64.</ref> In 1195, the jarls lost control of Shetland when it became a separate lordship.<ref name=Crawford>{{cite journal |last1=Crawford |first1=Barbara E. |title=The Earldom of Orkney and Lordship of Shetland: A reinterpretation of their pledging to Scotland in 1468–70 |journal=Saga Book |date=1966 |volume=17 |page=157 |jstor=48613121 }}</ref>

In 1231 the line of Norse earls, unbroken since Rognvald, ended with [[Jon Haraldsson]]'s murder in [[Thurso]].<ref>Crawford, Barbara E. "Orkney in the Middle Ages" in Omand (2003) pp. 72–73.</ref> The [[Earldom of Caithness]] was granted to [[Magnus II, Earl of Orkney|Magnus]], second son of the [[Earl of Angus]], whom [[Haakon IV of Norway]] confirmed as Earl of Orkney in 1236.<ref>Thompson (2008) pp. 134–37.</ref> Around the same time, the earldom lost the southern part of its territory on mainland Britain when it was made the separate earldom of Sutherland.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Fraser |first1=William |title=The Sutherland Book |date=1892 |location=Edinburgh |page=1 |url=https://archive.org/details/sutherlandbook01fras/page/102/mode/2up |access-date=23 September 2024}}</ref>
[[File:Margaret, Maid of Norway.jpg|thumb|right|alt=Margaret depicted in the [[Lerwick Town Hall]]|[[Lerwick Town Hall]] stained glass window depicting "Margaret, queen of Scotland and daughter of Norway"]]

In 1290, the death of the child princess [[Margaret, Maid of Norway]] in Orkney, en route to mainland Scotland, created a disputed succession that led to the [[Wars of Scottish Independence]].<ref name=T146>Thompson (2008) pp. 146–47.</ref>{{#tag:ref|It is often believed that the princess's death is associated with the village of [[St Margaret's Hope]] on South Ronaldsay but there is no evidence for this other than the coincidence of the name.<ref name=T146/>|group="Notes"}} In the 14th century the earls of Orkney also lost Caithness, after which the earldom just covered the islands of Orkney itself.<ref>{{cite book |editor1-last=Pulsiano |editor1-first=Phillip |title=Medieval Scandinavia: An Encyclopedia |date=1993 |publisher=Garland Publishing |location=New York and London |isbn=0-8240-4787-7 |pages=63–65 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=d-XiZO8V4qUC&pg=PA63 |access-date=23 September 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |editor1-last=Paul |editor1-first=James Balfour |title=The Scots Peerage: Volume 2 |date=1905 |publisher=David Douglas |location=Edinburgh |page=321 |url=https://archive.org/details/scotspeeragefoun02paul/page/320/mode/2up |access-date=30 September 2024}}</ref> In 1379 the earldom passed to the [[Clan Sinclair|Sinclair]] family, who were also barons of [[Roslin Castle|Roslin]] near [[Edinburgh]].<ref>Thompson (2008) p. 160.</ref>{{#tag:ref|The notion that [[Henry I Sinclair, Earl of Orkney|Henry]] the first Sinclair Earl, voyaged to North America many years before [[Christopher Columbus]] has gained some currency of late.<ref name="Haswell-Smith 2004 p. 354"/> The idea is however dismissed out of hand by many scholars. For example, Thompson (2008) states "Henry's fictitious trip to America continues to receive a good deal of unfortunate publicity, but it belongs to fantasy rather than real history".<ref>Thompson (2008) pp. 168–69.</ref><ref>[http://www.orkneyjar.com/history/historicalfigures/henrysinclair/princehenrytrip.htm "Earl Henry Sinclair: The Zeno Narrative"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090925013609/http://www.orkneyjar.com/history/historicalfigures/henrysinclair/princehenrytrip.htm |date=25 September 2009 }} Orkneyjar. Retrieved 4 October 2009.</ref>|group="Notes"}}

Evidence of the Viking presence is widespread and includes the settlement at the [[Brough of Birsay]],<ref>Armit (2006) pp. 173–76.</ref> the vast majority of [[Toponymy|place names]],<ref>Thompson (2008) p. 40.</ref> and the [[Runic alphabet|runic]] inscriptions at Maeshowe.{{#tag:ref|The Maeshowe inscriptions date from the 12th century.<ref>Armit (2006) pp. 178–79.</ref>|group="Notes"}}

===Absorption by Scotland, and later Great Britain and the United Kingdom===
[[File:James III and Margaret of Denmark.jpg|thumb|upright=0.9|left|alt=A picture on a page in an old book. A man at left wears tights and a tunic with a lion rampant design and holds a sword and sceptre. A woman at right wears a dress with an heraldic design bordered with ermine and carries a thistle in one hand and a sceptre in the other. They stand on a green surface over a legend in Scots that begins "James the Thrid of Nobil Memorie..." (sic) and notes that he "marrit the King of Denmark's dochter."|[[James III of Scotland|James III]] and [[Margaret of Denmark, Queen of Scotland|Margaret]], whose betrothal led to Orkney passing from Norway to Scotland.]]

In 1468 Orkney and [[Shetland]] was [[pledge (law)|pledged]] by [[Christian I of Denmark|Christian I]], in his capacity as King of Norway, as security against the payment of the [[dowry]] of his daughter [[Margaret of Denmark, Queen of Scotland|Margaret]], betrothed to [[James III of Scotland]]. However, the money was never paid, and Orkney was absorbed by the [[Kingdom of Scotland]] in 1472.{{sfn|Chisholm|1911|p=281}}{{#tag:ref|Margaret's dowry totalled 60,000 Rhenish [[guilder|florins]]. Norwegian kings gave an undertaking not to divest their [[fief|fiefs]], yet Christian pawned Orkney for 50,000 florins surely knowing how hard it would be to redeem the islands. Shortly before the marriage the following year he also pawned Shetland for 8,000 florins. The balance of 2,000 florins may have been paid in cash.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20010716183302/http://www.ub.uib.no/avdeling/spes/diplom/1509.htm "Diplom fra Shetland datert 24.november 1509"]  University Library, University in Bergen. (Norwegian). Retrieved 13 September 2009.</ref><ref>Thompson (2008) p. 200.</ref> The contract with Scotland did not stipulate the currency, place or time by which future kings of Norway might exercise a right to reclaim the islands for these fixed sums. Several attempts were made during the subsequent 200 years to redeem them, without success.<ref>[http://universitas.uio.no/Arkiv/1996/16okt96/norsk.htm "Norsken som døde"] Universitas, Norsken som døde (Norwegian) Retrieved 13 September 2009. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110724185409/http://universitas.uio.no/Arkiv/1996/16okt96/norsk.htm |date=24 July 2011}}</ref><ref>Thompson (2008) pp. 201, 240.</ref>|group="Notes"}}

The history of Orkney prior to this time is largely the history of the ruling aristocracy. From then on ordinary people emerge with greater clarity. An influx of Scottish entrepreneurs helped to create a diverse and independent community that included farmers, fishermen and merchants that called themselves ''comunitas Orcadie'' and who proved themselves increasingly able to defend their rights against their feudal overlords.<ref>Thompson (2008) p. 183.</ref><ref>Crawford, Barbara E. "Orkney in the Middle Ages" in Omand (2003) pp. 78–79.</ref>

From at least the 16th century boats from mainland Scotland and the Netherlands dominated the local [[herring]] fishery. There is little evidence of an Orcadian fleet until the 19th century, but it grew rapidly, and 700 boats were involved by the 1840s, with Stronsay and later [[Stromness]] becoming leading centres of development. [[Whitefish (fisheries term)|White fish]] never became as dominant as in other Scottish ports.<ref name=Coull/>

[[File:Blaeu - Atlas of Scotland 1654 - ORCADVM ET SCHETLANDIÆ - Orkney and Shetland.jpg|thumb|right|alt=An old map of two island groups with the {{lang|la|Orcades}} at left and {{lang|la|Schetlandia}} at right. A coat of arms at top left shows a red lion rampant on a yellow shield flanked by two white unicorns. A second heraldic device is shown at the bottom right below the {{lang|la|Oceanus Germanicus}}. This has two [[mermaid]]s surrounding a tabula containing very small writing, topped by a yellow and blue shield.|[[Willem Blaeu|Blaeu's]] 1654 map of Orkney and Shetland. Mapmakers at this time continued to use the original Latin name {{lang|la|Orcades}}.]]

Agricultural improvements beginning in the 17th century resulted in the enclosure of the commons and ultimately in the Victorian era the emergence of large and well-managed farms using a five-shift rotation system and producing high-quality beef cattle.<ref>Thomson, William P.L. "Agricultural Improvement" in Omand (2003) pp. 93, 99.</ref>

In the 17th century Orcadians formed the overwhelming majority of employees of the [[Hudson's Bay Company]] in Canada. The harsh winter weather of Orkney and the Orcadian reputation for sobriety and their boat-handling skills made them ideal candidates for the rigours of the Canadian north.<ref>Thompson (2008) pp. 371–72.</ref> During this period, burning [[kelp]] briefly became a mainstay of the islands' economy. For example, on Shapinsay over {{convert|3000|LT|tonnes|0|lk=on}} of burned seaweed were produced per annum to make [[soda ash]], bringing in £20,000 to the local economy.<ref>Haswell-Smith (2004) pp. 364–65.</ref> The industry collapsed suddenly in 1830 after the removal of tariffs on imported [[alkali]].<ref>Thomson, William P.L. "Agricultural Improvement" in Omand (2003) p. 98.</ref>

In 1707, as with the rest of Scotland, they became part of the [[Kingdom of Great Britain]].

During the 18th century [[Jacobite risings]] Orkney was largely Jacobite in its sympathies. At the end of the 1715 rebellion, a large number of Jacobites who had fled north from mainland Scotland sought refuge in Orkney and were helped on to safety in Sweden.<ref>Baynes (1970) p. 182</ref> In 1745, the Jacobite lairds on the islands ensured that Orkney remained pro-Jacobite in outlook and was a safe place to land supplies from Spain to aid their cause. Orkney was the last place in the British Isles that held out for the Jacobites and was not retaken by the [[Broad Bottom Ministry|British Government]] until 24 May 1746, over a month after the defeat of the main Jacobite army at [[Battle of Culloden|Culloden]].<ref>Duffy (2003) pp. 464–465, 528, 533–534, 550</ref>

In 1800, as with the rest of Scotland, the island became part of the [[United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland]].

===20th century===
[[File:The King Pays 4-day Visit To the Home Fleet. 21 March 1943, Scapa Flow, Wearing the Uniform of An Admiral of the Fleet, the King Paid a 4-day Visit To the Home Fleet. A15259.jpg|thumb|King [[George VI]] visiting the [[Home Fleet]] based at Scapa Flow, March 1943]]
[[File:The altar art of the Italian chapel of Orkney - geograph.org.uk - 739607.jpg|thumb|right|The [[Italian Chapel]] on [[Lamb Holm]] was built and decorated by Italian prisoners of war working on the [[Churchill Barriers]].<ref name=Thom434/>]]

Orkney was the site of a [[Royal Navy]] base at [[Scapa Flow]], which played a major role in [[World War I]] and [[World War II]]. After the [[Armistice]] in 1918, the [[German High Seas Fleet]] was transferred in its entirety to Scapa Flow to await a decision on its future. [[Scuttling of the German fleet at Scapa Flow|The German sailors opened the seacocks and scuttled all the ships]]. Most ships were salvaged, but the remaining wrecks are now a favoured haunt of recreational divers. One month into World War II, a German [[U-boat]] sank the Royal Navy battleship {{HMS|Royal Oak|08|6}} in Scapa Flow. As a result, [[Churchill Barriers|barriers]] were built to close most of the access channels; these had the additional advantage of creating causeways enabling travellers to go from island to island by road instead of being obliged to rely on ferries. The causeways were constructed by Italian prisoners of war, who also constructed the ornate [[Italian Chapel]].<ref name=Thom434>Thompson (2008) pp. 434–36.</ref>

The navy base became run down after the war, eventually closing in 1957. The problem of a declining population was significant in the post-war years, though in the last decades of the 20th century, there was a recovery and life in Orkney focused on growing prosperity and the emergence of a relatively classless society.<ref>Thompson (2008) pp. 439–43.</ref> Orkney was rated as the best place to live in Scotland in both 2013 and 2014, and in 2019 the best place to live in the UK, according to the Halifax Quality of Life survey.<ref>{{cite web |last=Harrison |first=Jody |date=20 December 2014 |url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/home-news/orkney-best-for-quality-of-life.114929765 |title=Orkney best for quality of life |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211027204334/https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/13194276.orkney-best-quality-life/ |archive-date=27 October 2021 |location=Glasgow |work=The Herald |access-date=20 December 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://news.sky.com/story/orkney-crowned-best-place-to-live-in-the-uk-in-halifax-quality-of-life-survey-11618040 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190528110803/https://news.sky.com/story/orkney-crowned-best-place-to-live-in-the-uk-in-halifax-quality-of-life-survey-11618040 |title=Orkney crowned best place to live in the UK in Halifax quality of life survey |archive-date=28 May 2019 |work=Sky News |access-date=28 May 2019}}</ref>

===Overview of population trends===
{{Historical populations
| percentages = pagr
| source=<ref name=vis/><ref name=Census/>
|type=Scotland
| 1801| 24,445
| 1811| 23,238
| 1821| 26,979
| 1831| 28,847
| 1841| 30,507
| 1851| 31,455
| 1861| 32,395
| 1881| 32,044
| 1911| 25,897
| 1921| 24,111
| 1931| 22,077
| 1951| 21,255
| 1961| 18,747
| 1971| 17,070
| 1981| 18,194
| 1991| 19,644
| 2001| 19,245
| 2011| 21,349
| 2022| 21,958
}}
In the modern era, the population peaked in the mid-19th century at just over 32,000 and declined for a century thereafter to a low of fewer than 18,000 in the 1970s. Declines were particularly significant in the outlying islands, some of which remain vulnerable to ongoing losses. Although Orkney is in many ways very distinct from the other islands and archipelagos of Scotland these trends are very similar to those experienced elsewhere.<ref>Wenham, Sheena "Modern Times" in Omand (2003) p. 110.</ref><ref name=vis>[http://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/unit_page.jsp?u_id=10197247 "Orkney Islands"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121104155824/http://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/unit_page.jsp?u_id=10197247 |date=4 November 2012 }} Vision of Britain. Retrieved 21 September 2009.</ref> The archipelago's population grew by 11% in the decade to 2011 as recorded by the [[United Kingdom Census 2011|census]].<ref name=NRS/><ref name=GRO>{{GRO10}}</ref> During the same period [[List of Scottish islands|Scottish island]] populations as a whole grew by 4% to 103,702.<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-23711202 "Scotland's 2011 census: Island living on the rise"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160630183449/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-23711202 |date=30 June 2016 }}. BBC News. Retrieved 18 August 2013.</ref>

Genetic studies have shown that 25% of the gene pool of Orkney derives from Norwegian ancestors who occupied the islands in the 9th century.<ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/science/2015/mar/18/genetic-study-30-percent-white-british-dna-german-ancestry Genetic study reveals 30% of white British DNA has German ancestry] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180707091226/https://www.theguardian.com/science/2015/mar/18/genetic-study-30-percent-white-british-dna-german-ancestry |date=7 July 2018 }}. The Guardian.</ref>

==Current demographics==
In 2022 the census recorded a total population of 21,958 an increase of 2.85% since 2011<ref name=Census>[https://www.scotlandscensus.gov.uk/search-the-census#/location/CA2019?title=Local%20authority "Local Authority: Orkney Islands".] Scotland's Census. Scottish Government. Retrieved 31 May 2025.</ref> and of which 17,805 (81%) lived on the mainland.<ref>"Table MV202 Island Groups". Scotland's Census. Scottish Government. Retrieved 31 May 2025.</ref>

The most numerous non-British residents were from Ireland (125 persons) and Poland (98 persons). 352 individuals were recorded as belonging to non-white ethnic groups of whom just over half were of Asian origin.<ref>[https://www.scotlandscensus.gov.uk/search-the-census#/location/CA2019?title=Local%20authority "Local Authority: Orkney Islands - Council Area 2019 by Ethnic group".] Scotland's Census. Scottish Government. Retrieved 31 May 2025.</ref> 

36% of the population identified as Christian, with 27% adhering to the [[Church of Scotland]] and 2.7% being [[Catholic Church|Roman Catholic]]. Just under 2% professed to another religion of which the largest group was 197 individuals recorded as [[paganism|pagan]]. 62% of the population stated they had no religion or did not provide an answer to this question.<ref>[https://www.scotlandscensus.gov.uk/search-the-census#/location/CA2019?title=Local%20authority "Local Authority: Orkney Islands - Council Area 2019 by Religion - 12 groups by Individuals".] Scotland's Census. Scottish Government. Retrieved 31 May 2025.</ref> The main language of all but 238 individuals over the age of 3 was either English or [[Scots language|Scots]].
<ref>[https://www.scotlandscensus.gov.uk/search-the-census#/location/CA2019?title=Local%20authority "Local Authority: Orkney Islands - Council Area 2019 by Main language."] Scotland's Census. Scottish Government. Retrieved 31 May 2025.</ref>

==Geography==
[[File:Orkney Map.png|thumb|left|alt= A map of the Orkney archipelago showing main water transport routes. A small island with a high elevation is at the southwest. At centre is the largest island, which also has low hills. Ferry routes spread out from there to the smaller islands in the north.|Map of Orkney showing main transport routes]]

Orkney is separated from the mainland of Scotland by the [[Pentland Firth]], a {{convert|10|km|mi|0|adj = mid|-wide|spell=in}} seaway between Brough Ness on the island of [[South Ronaldsay]] and [[Duncansby Head]] in [[Caithness]].{{sfn|Chisholm|1911|p=279}} Orkney lies between 58°41′ and 59°24′ north, and 2°22′ and 3°26′ west, measuring {{convert|80|km|mi|0}} from northeast to southwest and {{convert|47|km|mi|0}} from east to west, and covers {{convert|975|km2|sqmi|0}}.<ref name=OS>[http://getamap.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/getamap/frames.htm "Get-a-Map"] [[Ordnance Survey]]. Retrieved 19 September 2009. {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131129143647/http://getamap.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/getamap/frames.htm |date=29 November 2013 }}</ref><ref>Whitakers (1990) pp. 611, 614.</ref>

Orkney is separated from the [[Shetland Islands]], a group further out, by a body of water called the [[Fair Isle Channel]].<ref name="TrevesPineschi1997">{{cite book|author1=Tullio Treves|author2=Laura Pineschi|title=The Law of the Sea: The European Union and Its Member States|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=x4uZat_RmpUC&pg=PA530|year=1997|publisher=Martinus Nijhoff Publishers|isbn=978-90-411-0326-0|page=530|access-date=27 September 2018|archive-date=20 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200820015819/https://books.google.com/books?id=x4uZat_RmpUC&pg=PA530|url-status=live}}</ref>

The islands are mainly low-lying except for some sharply rising sandstone hills on Mainland, Rousay and Hoy (where the tallest point in Orkney, [[Ward Hill, Hoy|Ward Hill]], can be found) and rugged cliffs on some western coasts. Nearly all of the islands have [[loch]]s, but the watercourses are merely streams draining the high land. The coastlines are indented, and the islands themselves are divided from each other by straits generally called "sounds" or "firths".{{sfn|Chisholm|1911|p=279}}<ref name=OS/><ref name="Brown 2003 p. 19">Brown, John Flett "Geology and Landscape" in Omand (2003) p. 19.</ref>

The [[Tide|tidal currents]], or "roosts" as some of them are called locally,<ref>[http://www.orkneyjar.com/folklore/finfolk/vanis.htm "The Sorcerous Finfolk"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100719052720/http://www.orkneyjar.com/folklore/finfolk/vanis.htm |date=19 July 2010 }} Orkneyjar. Retrieved 19 September 2009.</ref> off many of the isles are swift, with frequent whirlpools.{{sfn|Chisholm|1911|p=279}}{{#tag:ref|For example, at the Fall of Warness the tide can run at 4&nbsp;m/s (7.8 knots).<ref>[http://www.emec.org.uk/tidal_site.asp "Fall of Warness Test Site "] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081201165129/http://www.emec.org.uk/tidal_site.asp |date=1 December 2008 }} [[EMEC]]. Retrieved 19 September 2009.</ref>|group="Notes"}} The islands are notable for the absence of trees, which is partly accounted for by the strong winds.<ref>[http://www.forestry.gov.uk/forestry/INFD-6UFE3Y "The Big Tree, Orkney"]. [[Forestry Commission]]. Retrieved 19 September 2009. {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090727095046/http://www.forestry.gov.uk/forestry/INFD-6UFE3Y |date=27 July 2009 }}</ref>

===Settlements===
{{Location map+|Scotland Orkney
 |caption={{left|The largest settlements in Orkney.}}
 |float=right
 |width=500
 |places =
  {{Location map~|Scotland Orkney|coordinates = {{coord|58.981|-2.960|}}|position=right|label='''[[Kirkwall]]'''|label_size=}}
  {{Location map~|Scotland Orkney|coordinates = {{coord|58.96|-3.3 |}}|position=right|label='''[[Stromness]]'''|label_size=}}
  {{Location map~|Scotland Orkney|coordinates = {{coord|59.007|-3.116|}}|position=right|label='''[[Finstown]]'''|label_size=}}
  {{Location map~|Scotland Orkney|coordinates = {{coord|59.030|-2.907|}}|position=right|label='''[[Balfour, Orkney|Balfour]]'''|label_size=}}
  {{Location map~|Scotland Orkney|coordinates = {{coord|59.068|-3.231|}}|position=right|label='''[[Dounby]]'''|label_size=}}
  {{Location map~|Scotland Orkney|coordinates = {{coord|58.918|-3.186|}}|position=right|label='''[[Houton]]'''|label_size=}}
  {{Location map~|Scotland Orkney|coordinates = {{coord|58.799|-3.208|}}|position=right|label='''[[Longhope, Orkney|Longhope]]'''|label_size=}}
  {{Location map~|Scotland Orkney|coordinates = {{coord|58.829|-3.204|}}|position=right|label='''[[Lyness]]'''|label_size=}}
  {{Location map~|Scotland Orkney|coordinates = {{coord|59.31|-3.00|}}|position=right|label='''[[Pierowall]]'''|label_size=}}
  {{Location map~|Scotland Orkney|coordinates = {{coord|58.826|-2.961|}}|position=right|label='''[[St Margaret's Hope]]'''|label_size=}}
  {{Location map~|Scotland Orkney|coordinates = {{coord|59.140|-2.602|}}|position=right|label='''[[Whitehall, Orkney|Whitehall]]'''|label_size=}}

<!-- Bordering council areas -->
  {{Location map~|Scotland Orkney|coordinates = {{coord|58.848|-2.59|}}|position=right|label=''[[Shetland#Settlements|Shetland→]]''|marksize=0|label_size=120}}
  {{Location map~|Scotland Orkney|coordinates = {{coord|58.616|-3.128|}}|position=left|label=''[[Highland, Scotland#Settlements|Highland]]''|marksize=0|label_size=120}}

}}

Only three settlements have a population of over 500; the towns of [[Kirkwall]] and [[Stromness]] and the village of [[Finstown]].
{{table alignment}}
{| class="wikitable col2right"
|+List of settlements in Orkney
!Settlement
!Population ({{Scottish settlement population citation|year}})<ref name="auto">{{Scottish settlement population citation}}</ref>
|-
|[[Kirkwall]]
|{{Scottish locality population|name|POP=Kirkwall}}
|-
|[[Stromness]]
|{{Scottish locality population|name|POP=Stromness}}
|-
|[[Finstown]]
|{{Scottish locality population|name|POP=Finstown}}
|}
Other villages include [[Balfour, Orkney|Balfour]], [[Dounby]], [[Houton]], [[Longhope, Orkney|Longhope]], [[Lyness]], [[Pierowall]], [[St Margaret's Hope]], and [[Whitehall, Orkney|Whitehall]].

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+List of largest islands by population
!Island
!Population<br />(2011)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.scotlandscensus.gov.uk/media/oksbv0u5/rel1c2sb.pdf |title= 2011 Census: First Results on Population and Household Estimates for Scotland - Release 1C (Part Two)|access-date=22 July 2023}}</ref>
|-
|[[Mainland, Orkney|Orkney Mainland]]	
|align=right|17,162
|-
|[[South Ronaldsay]]
|align=right|909
|-
|[[Westray]]
|align=right|588
|-
|[[Sanday, Orkney|Sanday]]
|align=right|494
|-
|[[Hoy, Orkney|Hoy]]
|align=right|419
|-
|[[Burray]]
|align=right|409
|-
|[[Stronsay]]
|align=right|349
|-
|[[Shapinsay]]
|align=right|307
|-
|[[Rousay]]
|align=right|216
|-
|[[Eday]]
|align=right|160
|}

===Geology===
{{Main|Geology of Orkney}}

[[File:OrkneyGeologyMap.png|thumb|left|alt=A map of the geology of Orkney. Hoy to the southwest is predominantly formed from Hoy/Eday Sandstones. The Mainland at centre is largely Stromness flagstones with Rousay flagstones to the east. The North and South Isles are a mixture of Eday and Rousay sandstones.|Geology of Orkney]]

The superficial rock of Orkney is almost entirely [[Old Red Sandstone]], mostly of Middle [[Devonian]] age.<ref name="Millennium">Marshall, J.E.A., & Hewett, A.J. "Devonian" in Evans, D., Graham C., Armour, A., & Bathurst, P. (eds) (2003) ''The Millennium Atlas: petroleum geology of the central and northern North Sea''.</ref> As in the neighbouring mainland county of [[Caithness]], this sandstone rests upon the [[metamorphic rock|metamorphic]] and igneous rocks of the [[Moine Supergroup|Moine]] series, as may be seen on the Mainland, where a narrow strip is exposed between Stromness and Inganess, and again in the small island of [[Graemsay]]; they are represented by grey [[gneiss]] and [[granite]].{{sfn|Chisholm|1911|p=279}}<ref>Hall, Adrian and Brown, John (September 2005) [http://www.landforms.eu/orkney/Geology/Basement/basement.htm "Basement Geology"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303193431/http://www.landforms.eu/orkney/Geology/Basement/basement.htm |date=3 March 2016 }}. Retrieved 10 November 2008.</ref>

The Middle Devonian is divided into three main groups. The lower part of the sequence, mostly [[Eifelian]] in age, is dominated by lacustrine beds of the lower and upper Stromness Flagstones that were deposited in [[Orcadian Basin|Lake Orcadie]].<ref>Hall, Adrian and Brown, John (September 2005) [http://www.landforms.eu/orkney/Geology/Stratigraphy/Devonian%20Lower%20Middle.htm "Lower Middle Devonian"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120121054128/http://www.landforms.eu/orkney/Geology/Stratigraphy/Devonian%20Lower%20Middle.htm |date=21 January 2012 }}. Retrieved 10 November 2008.</ref> The later Rousay flagstone formation is found throughout much of the North and South Isles and East Mainland.<ref name=Brown>Brown, John Flett "Geology and Landscape" in Omand (2003) pp. 4–5.</ref>

[[File:OldManofHoycloseJM.jpg|thumb|right|upright|alt=A tall perpendicular stack of brown rock stands in the sunlight in front of a shore with high cliffs that lie in the shadows.|The [[Old Man of Hoy]]]]

The Old Man of Hoy is formed from sandstone of the uppermost [[Eday Group]] that is up to {{convert|800|m|ft}} thick in places. It lies [[Unconformity|unconformably]] upon steeply inclined flagstones, the interpretation of which is a matter of continuing debate.<ref name=Brown/><ref>Mykura, W. (with contributions by Flinn, D. & May, F.) (1976) ''British Regional Geology: Orkney and Shetland.'' Institute of Geological Sciences. Natural Environment Council.</ref>

The Devonian and older rocks of Orkney are cut by a series of WSW–ENE to N–S trending faults, many of which were active during deposition of the Devonian sequences.<ref>Land Use Consultants (1998) [http://www.snh.org.uk/publications/on-line/LCA/orkney.pdf "Orkney landscape character assessment"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303212540/http://www.snh.org.uk/publications/on-line/LCA/orkney.pdf |date=3 March 2016 }}. Scottish Natural Heritage Review No. 100.</ref> 

Middle Devonian [[basalt]]ic [[volcanic rock]]s are found on western Hoy, on Deerness in eastern Mainland and on Shapinsay. Correlation between the Hoy volcanics and the other two exposures has been proposed, but differences in chemistry mean this remains uncertain.<ref>Odling, N.W.A. (2000) [http://www.jncc.gov.uk/pdf/gcrdb/GCRsiteaccount2495.pdf "Point of Ayre"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091008010444/http://www.jncc.gov.uk/pdf/gcrdb/GCRsiteaccount2495.pdf |date=8 October 2009 }}. (pdf) "Caledonian Igneous Rocks of Great Britain: Late Silurian and Devonian volcanic rocks of Scotland". ''Geological Conservation Review'' '''17 ''': Chapter 9, p. 2731. JNCC. Retrieved 4 October 2009.</ref> [[Lamprophyre]] [[Dike (geology)|dykes]] of Late [[Permian]] age are found throughout Orkney.<ref>Hall, Adrian and Brown, John (September 2005) [http://www.landforms.eu/orkney/Geology/Dykes%20and%20Volcanics/permian%20dykes.htm "Orkney Landscapes: Permian dykes"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120121065449/http://www.landforms.eu/orkney/Geology/Dykes%20and%20Volcanics/permian%20dykes.htm |date=21 January 2012 }} Retrieved 4 October 2009.</ref>

[[Glacial striation]] and the presence of [[chalk]] and [[flint]] [[Glacial erratic|erratics]] that originated from the bed of the North Sea demonstrate the influence of ice action on the [[geomorphology]] of the islands. Boulder [[clay]] is also abundant and [[moraine]]s cover substantial areas.<ref>Brown, John Flett "Geology and Landscape" in Omand (2003) p. 10.</ref>

===Climate===
[[File:Aerial image of Sands of Evie, a beach near Stenso, Mainland, Orkney.jpg|thumb|Aerial image of [[Sands of Evie]], a beach near Stenso, Mainland]]
Orkney has a cool temperate climate that is remarkably mild and steady for such a northerly [[latitude]], due to the influence of the warm waters of the [[Norwegian Current]], a north-easterly extension of the [[North Atlantic Drift]] which is itself an extension of the [[Gulf Stream]].<ref>Chalmers, Jim "Agriculture in Orkney Today" in Omand (2003) p. 129.</ref> The average temperature for the year is {{convert|8|°C|°F|abbr=on}}; for winter {{convert|4|°C|°F|abbr=on}} and for summer {{convert|12|°C|°F|abbr=on}}.<ref name=met>[http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/climate/uk/averages/regmapavge.html "Regional mapped climate averages"] {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20120804165705/http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/climate/uk/averages/regmapavge.html |date=4 August 2012 }} [[Met Office]]. Retrieved 19 September 2009.</ref>

The average annual rainfall varies from {{convert|850|mm|in}} to {{convert|1060|mm|in}}.<ref name=met/> Winds are a key feature of the climate and even in summer there are almost constant breezes. In winter, there are frequent strong winds, with an average of 52 hours of gales being recorded annually.<ref>[http://www.orkneyjar.com/orkney/climate.htm "The Climate of Orkney"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090402052831/http://www.orkneyjar.com/orkney/climate.htm |date=2 April 2009 }} Orkneyjar. Retrieved 19 September 2009.</ref>

To tourists, one of the fascinations of the islands is their "nightless" summers. On the [[Midsummer|longest day]], the sun rises at 04:00 and sets at 22:29 [[British Summer Time|BST]] and complete darkness is unknown. This long twilight is known in the Northern Isles as the "simmer dim".<ref>[http://www.orkneyjar.com/orkney/solstice.htm "About the Orkney Islands"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090808020249/http://www.orkneyjar.com/orkney/solstice.htm |date=8 August 2009 }}. Orkneyjar. Retrieved 19 September 2009.</ref> Winter nights are long. On the [[shortest day]] the sun rises at 09:05 and sets at 15:16.<ref>[http://uk.weather.com/climate/sunRiseSunSet-Orkney-UKXX0871?month=12 "Climatology: Sunrise/Sunset for Orkney, United Kingdom "] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141021051848/http://uk.weather.com/climate/sunRiseSunSet-Orkney-UKXX0871?month=12 |date=21 October 2014 }} The Weather Channel. Retrieved 12 May 2012.</ref> At this time of year the [[aurora borealis]] can occasionally be seen on the northern horizon during moderate auroral activity.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.orcadian.co.uk/skynotes/aurora.htm| title=Sky Notes: Aurora Borealis Gallery| date=21 December 2006| author=John Vetterlein| access-date=9 September 2009| archive-date=5 December 2008| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081205051250/http://www.orcadian.co.uk/skynotes/aurora.htm}}</ref>

The first averages table below is for the largest settlement Kirkwall's weather station, the second is for the [[Loch of Hundland]], a rural location to the northwest of Mainland.
{{Weather box
|location = Kirkwall, 26m asl, 1991–2020 normals, Extremes 1951–
|metric first = Yes
|single line = Yes
|Jan record high C = 12.2
|Feb record high C = 12.8
|Mar record high C = 18.9
|Apr record high C = 21.0
|May record high C = 22.0
|Jun record high C = 22.8
|Jul record high C = 25.6
|Aug record high C = 24.8
|Sep record high C = 22.8
|Oct record high C = 19.4
|Nov record high C = 14.5
|Dec record high C = 12.9
|year record high C = 25.6
|Jan avg record high C = 9.9
|Feb avg record high C = 10.4
|Mar avg record high C = 12.3
|Apr avg record high C = 14.5
|May avg record high C = 17.4
|Jun avg record high C = 19.1
|Jul avg record high C = 20.6
|Aug avg record high C = 20.1
|Sep avg record high C = 18.7
|Oct avg record high C = 15.1
|Nov avg record high C = 12.4
|Dec avg record high C = 11.0
|year avg record high C = 21.5
|Jan high C = 6.6
|Feb high C = 6.8
|Mar high C = 8.0
|Apr high C = 9.9
|May high C = 12.2
|Jun high C = 14.2
|Jul high C = 16.1
|Aug high C = 16.2
|Sep high C = 14.4
|Oct high C = 11.6
|Nov high C = 8.9
|Dec high C = 7.0
|year high C = 
|Jan mean C = 4.5
|Feb mean C = 4.5
|Mar mean C = 5.4
|Apr mean C = 7.0
|May mean C = 8.5
|Jun mean C = 11.3
|Jul mean C = 13.2
|Aug mean C = 13.4
|Sep mean C = 11.8
|Oct mean C = 9.3
|Nov mean C = 6.7
|Dec mean C = 4.8
|year mean C = 
|Jan low C = 2.3
|Feb low C = 2.1
|Mar low C = 2.7
|Apr low C = 4.1
|May low C = 5.8
|Jun low C = 8.4
|Jul low C = 10.3
|Aug low C = 10.5
|Sep low C = 9.2
|Oct low C = 7.0
|Nov low C = 4.5
|Dec low C = 2.6
|year low C = 
|Jan avg record low C = -1.6
|Feb avg record low C = -1.9
|Mar avg record low C = -1.7
|Apr avg record low C = -0.3
|May avg record low C = 1.1
|Jun avg record low C = 4.3
|Jul avg record low C = 6.3
|Aug avg record low C = 6.3
|Sep avg record low C = 4.4
|Oct avg record low C = 2.2
|Nov avg record low C = 0.3
|Dec avg record low C = -1.7
|year avg record low C = -3.2
|Jan record low C = −7.8
|Feb record low C = −7.0
|Mar record low C = −6.8
|Apr record low C = −4.9
|May record low C = −2.1
|Jun record low C = 1.0
|Jul record low C = 0.0
|Aug record low C = 3.7
|Sep record low C = 0.5
|Oct record low C = -1.6
|Nov record low C = −5.5
|Dec record low C = −7.6
|year record low C = −7.8
|precipitation colour = green
| Jan precipitation mm = 114.7
| Feb precipitation mm = 96.2
| Mar precipitation mm = 86.7
| Apr precipitation mm = 59.2
| May precipitation mm = 53.8
| Jun precipitation mm = 55.9
| Jul precipitation mm = 58.2
| Aug precipitation mm = 73.0
| Sep precipitation mm = 90.7
| Oct precipitation mm = 119.8
| Nov precipitation mm = 126.1
| Dec precipitation mm = 114.3
| year precipitation mm = 
|unit precipitation days= 1.0 mm
|Jan precipitation days = 20.4
|Feb precipitation days = 17.6
|Mar precipitation days = 16.9
|Apr precipitation days = 14.1
|May precipitation days = 11.9
|Jun precipitation days = 10.8
|Jul precipitation days = 12.1
|Aug precipitation days = 12.6
|Sep precipitation days = 15.2
|Oct precipitation days = 19.1
|Nov precipitation days = 20.5
|Dec precipitation days = 19.9
|year precipitation days = 
|Jan sun = 34
|Feb sun = 64
|Mar sun = 102
|Apr sun = 144
|May sun = 193
|Jun sun = 145
|Jul sun = 139
|Aug sun = 135
|Sep sun = 108
|Oct sun = 76
|Nov sun = 44
|Dec sun = 26
|year sun = 
|source 1 = [[Met Office]]<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/research/climate/maps-and-data/uk-climate-averages/gfmzqh0rc| title = Kirkwall Airport (Orkney Islands) averages | publisher = [[Met Office]] | access-date = 29 September 2023 }}</ref>
|source 2 = Royal Dutch Meteorological Institute/KMNI<ref>{{cite web | url = http://eca.knmi.nl/utils/mapserver/anomaly.php?indexcat=**&indexid=TXx&year=2005&seasonid=18&create_image=true&minx=-617738.09523815&miny=-3936547.6190476&maxx=248928.57142858&maxy=-3286547.6190476&MapSize=560%2C420&imagewidth=560&imageheight=420&mainmap.x=285&mainmap.y=165&CMD=QUERY_POINT&CMD=QUERY_POINT#bottom | title = Kirkwall Extremes | publisher = KNMI | access-date = 3 November 2011 | archive-url = https://archive.today/20130222190033/http://eca.knmi.nl/utils/mapserver/anomaly.php?indexcat=**&indexid=TXx&year=2005&seasonid=18&create_image=true&minx=-617738.09523815&miny=-3936547.6190476&maxx=248928.57142858&maxy=-3286547.6190476&MapSize=560,420&imagewidth=560&imageheight=420&mainmap.x=285&mainmap.y=165&CMD=QUERY_POINT&CMD=QUERY_POINT%23bottom | archive-date = 22 February 2013 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ogimet.com/cgi-bin/gsynres?lang=en&ind=03017&ano=2018&mes=7&day=1&hora=22&min=0&ndays=30|title=Synop report summary|first=G. Ballester|last=Valor|website=www.ogimet.com|access-date=1 July 2018|archive-date=13 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191213171534/https://www.ogimet.com/cgi-bin/gsynres?lang=en&ind=03017&ano=2018&mes=7&day=1&hora=22&min=0&ndays=30|url-status=live}}</ref> Infoclimat <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.infoclimat.fr/climatologie/annee/1991/kirkwall-airport/valeurs/03017.html|title=Climatologie de l'année à Kirkwall Airport|publisher=Infoclimat|language=fr|access-date=29 September 2023}}</ref>
}}

{{Weather box
|location = Orkney: Loch of Hundland, 28m asl, 1991–2020
|collapsed = 
|metric first = y
|single line = y
|Jan high C = 6.6
|Feb high C = 6.8
|Mar high C = 8.0
|Apr high C = 10.2
|May high C = 12.8
|Jun high C = 14.6
|Jul high C = 16.6
|Aug high C = 16.5
|Sep high C = 14.5
|Oct high C = 11.6
|Nov high C = 8.9
|Dec high C = 7.0
|year high C = 
|Jan low C = 1.8
|Feb low C = 1.5
|Mar low C = 2.3
|Apr low C = 3.7
|May low C = 5.5
|Jun low C = 8.0
|Jul low C = 10.1
|Aug low C = 10.1
|Sep low C = 8.8
|Oct low C = 6.3
|Nov low C = 3.9
|Dec low C = 2.0
|year low C =
| rain colour = green
|Jan rain mm = 121.6
|Feb rain mm = 91.8
|Mar rain mm = 85.4
|Apr rain mm = 61.4
|May rain mm = 54.2
|Jun rain mm = 53.0
|Jul rain mm = 59.5
|Aug rain mm = 70.6
|Sep rain mm = 92.2
|Oct rain mm = 122.5
|Nov rain mm = 127.6
|Dec rain mm = 116.2
|year rain mm = 
|unit rain days= 1.0 mm
|Jan rain days = 20.5
|Feb rain days = 17.8
|Mar rain days = 17.4
|Apr rain days = 13.7
|May rain days = 11.8
|Jun rain days = 11.2
|Jul rain days = 11.8
|Aug rain days = 12.9
|Sep rain days = 15.0
|Oct rain days = 19.5
|Nov rain days = 21.7
|Dec rain days = 21.6
|year rain days = 
| Jan sun  = 27.4
| Feb sun  = 58.4
| Mar sun  = 97.4
| Apr sun  = 147.8
| May sun  = 199.7
| Jun sun  = 146.9
| Jul sun  = 137.9
| Aug sun  = 135.6
| Sep sun  = 97.2
| Oct sun  = 71.5
| Nov sun  = 37.5
| Dec sun  = 21.3
| year sun = 
|source 1 = metoffice.gov.uk<ref>{{cite web
  | url=https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/research/climate/maps-and-data/uk-climate-averages/gft8q91es
  | title=Climate Normals 1991–2020
  | publisher=Met Office
  | access-date=24 July 2025
  }}</ref>
  | date=24 July 2025
}}

==Governance==
[[File:Council Offices on School Place, Kirkwall (geograph 5877147).jpg|thumb|Council Offices on School Place, Kirkwall]]
The local authority is the [[Orkney Islands Council]], based at the Council Offices on School Place in Kirkwall.<ref>{{cite web |title=Orkney Islands Council |url=https://www.orkney.gov.uk/ |access-date=8 October 2024}}</ref>

===Administrative history===
On its absorption into Scotland in 1472, the landholdings and jurisdictions of the old earldom of Orkney passed to the Scottish crown. The separate lordship of Shetland was absorbed into Scotland at the same time.<ref name=Crawford/> More typically Scottish forms of administration were gradually introduced to the Northern Isles. The position of [[Sheriff of Orkney and Shetland]] was created in 1541.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Anderson |first1=Peter |title=Earl William to Earl Patrick: A Survey of the History of Orkney and Shetland from 1468 to 1615 |url=https://www.ssns.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/13_Anderson_ShetlandNL_1996_pp_174-185.pdf |website=Scottish Society for Northern Studies |page=178 |date=1996}}</ref> Orkney and Shetland retained their own legal systems until 1612, when the general laws of Scotland were applied.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Moodie Heddle |first1=J. G. F. |last2=Mainland |first2=T. |title=Orkney and Shetland |date=1920 |publisher=Cambridge University Press |location=Cambridge |page=2 |isbn=978-1-107-64616-2 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YSF2_tCOkyIC&dq=shetland&pg=PA2 |access-date=8 October 2024}}</ref>

[[Commissioners of Supply]] were established in 1667 for each shire across Scotland. Unusually, despite being one [[Shires of Scotland|shire]], Orkney and Shetland were given separate bodies of commissioners.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Brown |first1=Keith |title=Act of the convention of estates of the kingdom of Scotland etc. for a new and voluntary offer to his majesty of £72,000 monthly for the space of twelve months, 23 January 1667 |url=http://www.rps.ac.uk/trans/1667/1/10 |website=Records of the Parliament of Scotland |publisher=University of St Andrews |access-date=25 February 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |title=Journals of the House of Commons |date=1809 |publisher=His Majesty's Stationery Office |location=London |pages=49–50 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=aRlDAAAAcAAJ&dq=%22orkney%20and%20zetland%22%20%22commissioners%20of%20supply%22&pg=PA50 |access-date=8 October 2024}}</ref> More local government functions were gradually given to the commissioners over time.<ref>{{cite web |title=Scottish Counties and Parishes: their history and boundaries on maps |url=https://maps.nls.uk/geo/boundaries/history.html |website=National Library of Scotland |access-date=2 September 2024 |archive-date=7 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190407164236/https://maps.nls.uk/geo/boundaries/history.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> At a court case in 1829, the [[Court of Session]] declined to rule on whether Orkney and Shetland were one county or two. They operated as one county for the purposes of the administration of justice, [[Lord Lieutenant of Orkney and Shetland|lieutenancy]], and [[Orkney and Shetland (Parliament of Scotland constituency)|parliamentary constituencies]], but operated as two counties for local government functions.<ref>{{cite book |title=Cases decided in the Court of Session: Volume 7 |date=1829 |publisher=Bell and Bradfute |page=867 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=76kDAAAAQAAJ&pg=PA867 |access-date=8 October 2024}}</ref> Elected county councils were created in 1890 under the [[Local Government (Scotland) Act 1889]], taking most of the functions of the commissioners (which were eventually abolished in 1930). The 1889 Act also directed that Orkney and Shetland were to be separate counties.<ref>{{cite web |title=Local government legislation - County and Parishes viewer - National Library of Scotland |url=https://maps.nls.uk/geo/boundaries/legislation.html |website=maps.nls.uk |access-date=7 July 2024 |archive-date=7 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240707032620/https://maps.nls.uk/geo/boundaries/legislation.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>

[[File:The Court House, Kirkwall - geograph.org.uk - 953071.jpg|thumb|[[Kirkwall Sheriff Court]], completed 1877: Orkney's main courthouse, also served as headquarters of Orkney County Council 1890–1975]]
Orkney County Council held its first meeting on 22 May 1890 at [[Kirkwall Sheriff Court]], also known as County Buildings, on Watergate in Kirkwall, which had been completed in 1877 and also served as the meeting place of the commissioners of supply.<ref>{{Historic Environment Scotland|num= LB46010|desc= Kirkwall Sheriff Court and Justice of the Peace Court and former Prison/Police Station, including boundary walls, gatepiers and railings, and excluding flat-roofed garage addition to south, Watergate, Kirkwall |access-date=11 December 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=County Council |url=https://www.findmypast.co.uk/search-newspapers |access-date=8 October 2024 |work=Orkney Herald |date=28 May 1890 |location=Kirkwall |pages=7–8}}</ref>

Local government was reformed in 1975 under the [[Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973]], which replaced Scotland's counties, [[burgh]]s and [[landward district]]s. In most of Scotland a two-tier structure of upper-tier regions and lower-tier districts was used, but a single-tier structure of [[Islands council areas of Scotland|island areas]] was used for Orkney, Shetland and the [[Western Isles]].<ref name=1973act>{{cite legislation UK|type=act|act=Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973|year=1973|chapter=65|accessdate=17 April 2023}}</ref> Further local government reform in 1996 introduced single-tier council areas across all of Scotland. The councils of the three island areas created in 1975 continued to provide the same services after 1996, but their areas were re-designated as council areas.<ref>{{cite legislation UK|type=act|act=Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994|year=1994|chapter=39|accessdate=17 April 2023}}</ref>

==Parishes and communities==
{{further|List of civil parishes in Scotland}}
Parishes existed from medieval times. From 1845 to 1894 they had parish boards and from 1894 to 1930 they had parish councils. They have had no administrative functions since 1930, but continue to be used for the presentation of statistics.<ref>{{cite web |title=Civil Parishes |url=https://spatialdata.gov.scot/geonetwork/srv/api/records/d93dbde9-6936-4245-9938-0ef41a5cc0e4 |website=National Records of Scotland |access-date=15 September 2024}}</ref>

Orkney's civil parishes are:<ref name=NLS>{{cite web |title=Quarter-inch Administrative Areas Maps: Scotland Sheet 1, 1969 |url=https://maps.nls.uk/view/222075437 |website=National Library of Scotland |publisher=Ordnance Survey |access-date=8 October 2024 |archive-date=8 October 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241008120012/https://maps.nls.uk/view/222075437 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=GENUKI|title=Genuki: Orkney Parishes and Islands, Orkney|url=https://www.genuki.org.uk/big/sct/OKI/indexpars|access-date=2021-01-30|website=www.genuki.org.uk|language=en|archive-date=3 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210303023451/https://www.genuki.org.uk/big/sct/OKI/indexpars|url-status=live}}</ref>
{{div col|colwidth=15em}}
*[[Birsay]] and [[Harray]]
*Cross and Burness
*[[Eday]]
*[[Evie, Orkney|Evie]] and [[Rendall]]
*[[Firth, Orkney|Firth]]
*[[Holm, Orkney|Holm]]
*[[Hoy, Orkney|Hoy]] and [[Graemsay]]
*[[Kirkwall]] and [[St Ola]] (included burgh of Kirkwall)
*Lady
*[[Orphir]]
*[[Papa Westray]]
*[[Rousay]]
*[[St Andrews, Orkney|St Andrews]] and [[Deerness]]
*[[Sandwick, Orkney|Sandwick]]
*[[Shapinsay]]
*[[South Ronaldsay]]
*[[Stenness]]
*[[Stromness]] (included burgh of same name)
*[[Stronsay]]
*[[South Walls|Walls]] and [[Flotta]]
*[[Westray]]
{{div col end}}

Evie and Rendall were formerly separate parishes, but were united in the 16th century.<ref>{{Cite web|last=GENUKI|title=Genuki: Evie and Rendall, Orkney|url=https://www.genuki.org.uk/big/sct/OKI/Evie|access-date=2021-01-30|website=www.genuki.org.uk|language=en|archive-date=3 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210203224305/https://www.genuki.org.uk/big/sct/OKI/Evie|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Community councils===
[[List of community council areas in Scotland|Community councils]] were created in 1975 as part of the wider reforms that year. They have no statutory powers, but serve as a representative body for their communities. Orkney Islands Council designates community council areas, but a community council is only formed if there is sufficient interest from the residents. Since a review in 2022, Orkney has comprised the following communities, all of which have community councils operating as at 2024:<ref>{{cite web |title=Community Councils |url=https://www.orkney.gov.uk/your-council/community-councils/ |website=Orkney Islands Council |access-date=8 October 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Clerks to Community Councils |url=https://www.orkney.gov.uk/your-council/community-councils/clerks-to-community-councils/ |website=Orkney Islands Council |access-date=8 October 2024}}</ref>
{{div col|colwidth=15em}}
*Birsay
*Eday
*Evie and Rendall
*Firth and Stenness
*Flotta
*Graemsay, Hoy and Walls
*Harray and Sandwick
*Holm
*Kirkwall and St Ola
*North Ronaldsay
*Orphir
*Papa Westray
*Rousay, Egilsay, Wyre and Gairsay
*St Andrews and Deerness
*Sanday
*Shapinsay
*South Ronaldsay and Burray
*Stromness
*Stronsay
*Westray
{{div col end}}

==Islands==
{{Main|List of Orkney islands}}

===The Mainland===
{{Main|Mainland, Orkney}}

[[File:Stromness 2.jpg|thumb|alt=Stone houses crowd around a shore, the gable ends facing the water, with green hills beyond.|[[Stromness]] on the Mainland is the second-largest settlement in Orkney.]]

The Mainland is the largest island of Orkney. Both of Orkney's [[burgh]]s, [[Kirkwall]] and [[Stromness]], are on this island, which is also the heart of Orkney's transport system, with [[ferry]] and air connections to the other islands and to the outside world. The island is more heavily populated (75% of Orkney's population) than the other islands and has much fertile [[Farmland (farming)|farmland]]. The Mainland is split into areas called East and West Mainland. These areas are determined by whether they lie east or west of Kirkwall. The bulk of the mainland lies west of Kirkwall, with comparatively little land east of Kirkwall.<ref>Haswell-Smith (2004) pp. 354–363.</ref><ref name=OS/>
West Mainland parishes are:
[[Stromness (parish)|Stromness]], Sandwick, Birsay, Harray, Stenness, Orphir, Evie, Rendall and Firth.
East Mainland Parishes are:
St Ola, Tankerness, St Andrews, Holm and Deerness.<ref name=NLS/>

The island is mostly low-lying (especially East Mainland) but with coastal cliffs to the north and west and two sizeable lochs: the [[Loch of Harray]] and the [[Loch of Stenness]]. The Mainland contains the remnants of numerous [[Neolithic]], [[Picts|Pictish]] and [[Viking]] constructions.<ref name=OS/> Four of the main Neolithic sites are included in the [[Heart of Neolithic Orkney]] [[World Heritage Site]], inscribed in 1999.<ref>[https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/514bis "Heart of Neolithic Orkney".] UNESCO. Retrieved 18 May 2025.</ref>

The other islands in the group are classified as north or south of the Mainland. Exceptions are the remote islets of [[Sule Skerry]] and [[Sule Stack]], which lie {{convert|60|km|mi|0}} west of the archipelago, but form part of Orkney for local government purposes.<ref name=OS/> In island names, the [[suffix]] "a" or "ay" represents the Norse ''ey'', meaning "island". Those described as "[[Holm (island)|holms]]" are very small.<ref>Gammeltoft, Peder (2010) "[http://www.medievalists.net/2011/01/18/shetland-and-orkney-island-names-%E2%80%93-a-dynamic-group/ Shetland and Orkney Island-Names – A Dynamic Group]". ''Northern Lights, Northern Words''. Selected Papers from the FRLSU Conference, Kirkwall 2009, edited by Robert McColl Millar.</ref>

===The North Isles===
[[File:NR sheep.jpg|thumb|right|[[North Ronaldsay sheep]] are a [[feral|semi-feral]] breed that has evolved to eat seaweed.<ref name=SheepCentre>{{cite web|url=http://www.sheepcentre.co.uk/sheep_breeds.htm|publisher=Seven Sisters Sheep Centre|work=Sheep Breeds|title=Sheep Breeds: North Ronaldsay|access-date=23 April 2009|archive-date=25 April 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090425140946/http://sheepcentre.co.uk/sheep_breeds.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> Their unique genetic inheritance makes them of interest to conservationists.<ref name="Lawson et al. 2007.">{{cite journal| journal=Heredity |year=2007 |volume=99 |issue=6 |pages=620–631 |title= Genetic structure of European sheep breeds|doi=10.1038/sj.hdy.6801039|pmid=17700634 |last1=Lawson Handley |first1=L-J |last2=Byrne |first2=K. |last3=Santucci |first3=F. |last4=Townsend |first4=S. |last5=Taylor |first5=M. |last6=Bruford |first6=M. W. |last7=Hewitt |first7=G. M. |bibcode=2007Hered..99..620L |doi-access=free }}</ref>]]

The northern group of islands is the most extensive and consists of a large number of moderately sized islands, linked to the Mainland by ferries and by air services. Farming, fishing and tourism are the main sources of income for most of the islands.<ref name=HS/><ref name=OS/>

The most northerly is [[North Ronaldsay]], which lies {{convert|4|km|mi|0}} beyond its nearest neighbour, [[Sanday, Orkney|Sanday]]. To the west is [[Westray]], which has a population of 550. It is connected by ferry and air to [[Papa Westray]], also known as "Papay". [[Eday]] is at the centre of the North Isles. The centre of the island is [[moorland]] and the island's main industries have been peat extraction and [[limestone]] [[quarry]]ing.<ref name=HS/>

[[Rousay]], [[Egilsay]] and [[Gairsay]] lie north of the west Mainland across the [[Eynhallow Sound]]. Rousay is well known for its ancient monuments, including the Quoyness [[chambered cairn]] and Egilsay has the ruins of the only round-towered church in Orkney. [[Wyre, Orkney|Wyre]] to the south-east contains the site of Cubbie Roo's castle. [[Stronsay]] and [[Papa Stronsay]] lie much further to the east across the Stronsay Firth. [[Auskerry]] is south of Stronsay and has a population of only five. [[Shapinsay]] and its [[Balfour Castle]] are a short distance north of Kirkwall.<ref name=HS/>

Other small uninhabited islands in the North Isles group include [[Calf of Eday]], [[Damsay]], [[Eynhallow]], [[Faray]], [[Helliar Holm]], [[Holm of Faray]], [[Holm of Huip]], [[Holm of Papa]], [[Holm of Scockness]], [[Kili Holm]], [[Linga Holm]], [[Muckle Green Holm]], [[Rusk Holm]] and [[Sweyn Holm]].<ref name=HS/><ref name=OS/>

[[File:Hoy Lighthouse RLH.jpg|thumb|upright|alt= A tall white lighthouse with a brown stripe around the parapet and dark coloured lantern sits on a rocky shore. A white wall obscures the lower floor of grey stone buildings gathered around its base.|[[Hoy Lighthouse|Hoy High Lighthouse]] on [[Graemsay]]]]

===The South Isles===
The southern group of islands surrounds [[Scapa Flow]]. [[Hoy, Orkney|Hoy]], to the west, is the second largest of the Orkney Isles and [[Ward Hill, Hoy|Ward Hill]] at its northern end is the highest elevation in the archipelago. The [[Old Man of Hoy]] is a well-known [[Stack (geology)|seastack]]. [[Graemsay]] and [[Flotta]] are both linked by ferry to the Mainland and Hoy, and the latter is known for its large oil terminal. [[South Walls]] has a 19th-century [[Martello tower]] and is connected to Hoy by the Ayre.<ref name=HS/>
[[Burray]] lies to the east of Scapa Flow and is linked by causeway to South Ronaldsay, which hosts cultural events such as the Festival of the Horse and the Boys' [[Ploughing Match]] on the third Saturday in August.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.orkneyjar.com/tradition/festivalofhorse.htm|title=The Festival of the Horse and the Boys' Ploughing Match|publisher=Orknejyar|access-date=6 April 2012|archive-date=16 November 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111116053040/http://www.orkneyjar.com/tradition/festivalofhorse.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> It is also the location of the Neolithic [[Tomb of the Eagles]]. South Ronaldsay, Burray, [[Glimps Holm]], and [[Lamb Holm]] are connected by road to the Mainland by the [[Churchill Barriers]].<ref name=HS/>

Uninhabited South Islands include [[Calf of Flotta]], [[Cava (island)|Cava]], [[Copinsay]], [[Corn Holm]], [[Fara, Orkney|Fara]], [[Glimps Holm]], [[Hunda]], [[Lamb Holm]], [[Rysa Little]], [[Switha]] and [[Swona]]. The [[Pentland Skerries]] lie further south, closer to the Scottish mainland.<ref name=HS/><ref name=OS/>

==Politics==
Orkney is represented in the [[British House of Commons|House of Commons]] as part of the [[Orkney and Shetland (UK Parliament constituency)|Orkney and Shetland]] [[United Kingdom constituencies|constituency]], which elects one [[Member of Parliament (United Kingdom)|Member of Parliament]] (MP), the current incumbent being [[Alistair Carmichael]]. This seat has been held by the [[Scottish Liberal Democrats|Liberal Democrats]] or the former [[Scottish Liberal Party|Liberal Party]] since 1950, longer than any other they represent in Great Britain.<ref>[http://www.alistaircarmichael.org.uk/ "Alistair Carmichael: MP for Orkney and Shetland"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110613181311/http://www.alistaircarmichael.org.uk/ |date=13 June 2011 }} alistaircarmichael.org.uk. Retrieved 8 September 2009.</ref><ref>{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20100904235135/http://www.alba.org.uk/ "Candidates and Constituency Assessments"]}}. alba.org.uk – "The almanac of Scottish elections and politics". Retrieved 9 February 2010.</ref><ref>[http://www.snptacticalvoting.com/2009/10/untouchable-orkney-shetland-isles.html "The Untouchable Orkney & Shetland Isles "] (1 October 2009) http://www.snptacticalvoting.com Retrieved 9 February 2010. {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130729230722/http://www.snptacticalvoting.com/2009/10/untouchable-orkney-shetland-isles.html |date=29 July 2013 }}</ref>

In the [[Scottish Parliament]] the [[Orkney Islands (Scottish Parliament constituency)|Orkney Islands]] constituency elects one [[Member of the Scottish Parliament]] (MSP) by the [[Plurality voting system|first past the post]] system. The current MSP is [[Liam McArthur]] of the Liberal Democrats.<ref>[http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/msp/membersPages/liam_mcarthur/ "Liam McArthur MSP"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110605193733/http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/msp/membersPages/liam_mcarthur/ |date=5 June 2011 }} Scottish Parliament. Retrieved 8 September 2009.</ref> Before McArthur the MSP was [[Jim Wallace, Baron Wallace of Tankerness|Jim Wallace]], who was previously [[Deputy First Minister of Scotland|Deputy First Minister]].<ref>[http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/msp/membersPages/historic/s1/jim_wallace/ "Jim Wallace"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110811013718/http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/msp/membersPages/historic/s1/jim_wallace/ |date=11 August 2011 }} Scottish Parliament. Retrieved 8 September 2009.</ref> Orkney is within the [[Highlands and Islands (Scottish Parliament electoral region)|Highlands and Islands]] [[Scottish Parliament constituencies and regions|electoral region]].<ref>[https://www.highland.gov.uk/info/799/elections_and_voting/799/scottish_parliamentary_elections "Scottish Parliamentary Elections".] The Highland Council. Retrieved 26 May 2025.</ref>

The Orkney Movement, a political party that supported devolution for Orkney from the rest of Scotland, contested the [[1987 United Kingdom general election|1987 general election]] as the [[Orkney and Shetland Movement]] (a coalition of the Orkney movement and its equivalent for Shetland). The [[Scottish National Party]] chose not to contest the seat to give the movement a "free run". Their candidate, John Goodlad, came 4th with 3,095 votes, 14.5% of those cast, but the experiment has not been repeated.<ref>{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20010306162510/http://www.alba.org.uk/scot99constit/h05.html "Candidates and Constituency Assessments: Orkney (Highland Region)"]}} alba.org.uk. Retrieved 11 January 2008 </ref>

In the [[2014 Scottish independence referendum]] 67.2% of voters in Orkney voted no to the question "Should Scotland be an independent country?" This was the highest no vote by percentage in any council area in Scotland<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-29255449|title=BBC News – In maps: How close was the Scottish referendum vote?|newspaper=BBC News|access-date=8 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150227040538/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-29255449|archive-date=27 February 2015|url-status=live|date=2014-09-19|last1=Jeavans|first1=Christine}}</ref> ahead of [[Scottish Borders]] (66.6%), [[Dumfries and Galloway]] (65.7%) and [[Shetland]] (63.7%). Turnout for the referendum was at 83.7% in Orkney with 10,004 votes cast in the area against independence by comparison to 4,883 votes for independence.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/sep/19/scottish-independence-referendum-no-campaigners-buoyed-first-results-clackmannanshire-orkney|title=Scottish independence: no campaigners buoyed by first referendum results|author=Severin Carrell|newspaper=The Guardian|access-date=8 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150208124504/http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/sep/19/scottish-independence-referendum-no-campaigners-buoyed-first-results-clackmannanshire-orkney|archive-date=8 February 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> In the [[2016 United Kingdom European Union membership referendum]] 63.2% of voters in Orkney voted Remain.<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/politics/eu_referendum/results/local/o "Local Results - 'O']. BBC.co.uk. Retrieved 26 May 2025.</ref>

In 2022, as part of the [[Levelling up policy of the Boris Johnson government#White paper|Levelling Up White Paper]], an "Island Forum" was proposed, which would allow local policymakers and residents in Orkney to work alongside their counterparts in [[Shetland]], the [[Outer Hebrides|Western Isles]], [[Anglesey]] and the [[Isle of Wight]] on common issues, such as broadband connectivity, and provide a platform for them to communicate directly with the government on the challenges island communities face in terms of levelling up.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.shetnews.co.uk/2022/02/03/new-islands-forum-should-not-just-be-box-ticking-exercise/|title=New islands forum should not be 'box ticking exercise'|last=Cope|first=Chris|date=3 February 2021|work=[[The Shetland News]]|access-date=17 February 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2022/11-february/news/uk/gove-announces-levelling-up-forum-for-islands|title=Gove announces Levelling-up forum for islands|last=Paveley|first=Rebecca|date=11 February 2021|work=[[Church Times]]|access-date=17 February 2022}}</ref> In July 2023, Orkney Council investigated proposals to change its status, looking at options that included becoming a [[Crown Dependencies|British Crown Dependency]], a [[self-governance|self-governing territory]] within the Kingdom of Norway or just staying in the United Kingdom.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-north-east-orkney-shetland-66066448|title=Orkney council to look at proposals to become territory of Norway|work=[[BBC News]]|date=2 July 2023|access-date=2 July 2023}}</ref> In June 2026, this investigation was ended, concluding that options for greater autonomy would be too expensive or too difficult.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Flett |first1=Rob |last2=Harcus |first2=Adam |title=Orkney council ends investigation into leaving UK |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c75rnk7vkq5o |access-date=19 June 2026}}</ref>

==Economy==
The percentage of the Orkney population who are economically active is consistently higher than the Scottish average. In 2023 it was 89.8% compared to 77.9% for the latter, in which year average unemployment was 1.6%.<ref>Orkney Economic Review 2023, pp. 15, 21.</ref>

The soil of Orkney is generally very fertile and most of the land is taken up by farms, agriculture being by far the most important sector of the economy and providing employment for a quarter of the workforce according to a 2008 report.<ref>Chalmers, Jim "Agriculture in Orkney Today" in Omand (2003) p. 127, 133 quoting the Scottish Executive Agricultural Census of 2001 and stating that 80% of the land area is farmed if rough grazing is included.</ref> More than 90% of agricultural land is used for grazing for sheep and cattle, with cereal production utilising about 4% ({{convert|3800|ha|acre}}) and woodland occupying only {{convert|91|ha|acre}}.<ref>Orkney Economic Review 2023, pp. 26-27.</ref> 44% of Orkney businesses are in the agriculture, forestry and fishing sector.
<ref>Fraser of Allander Institute (2020) p. 8.</ref> 90% of the islands' milk production goes towards the manufacture of Orkney Cheddar cheese.<ref>Orkney Economic Review 2023, p. 15.</ref>

Fishing has declined in importance, but still employed 238 individuals in 2023, just under 4% of the islands' total employment.<ref>Fraser of Allander Institute (2020) p. 10.</ref> The modern industry concentrating on [[herring]], white fish, [[Homarus gammarus|lobsters]], [[crab]]s and other shellfish, and [[salmon]] fish farming.{{#tag:ref| Coull (2003) quotes the old saying that an Orcadian is a farmer with a boat, in contrast to a Shetlander, who is a fisherman with a [[croft (land)|croft]].<ref name=Coull>Coull, James "Fishing" in Omand (2003) pp. 144–55.</ref>|group="Notes"}}

[[File:Everybist looking over to Westray (North West Orkney) - geograph.org.uk - 35389.jpg|thumb|Farms and fields on [[Rousay]]]]
A 2009 report indicated the traditional sectors of the economy export [[beef]], [[cheese]], [[whisky]], [[beer]], [[fish]] and other [[seafood]]. In recent years there has been growth in other areas including tourism, food and beverage manufacture, jewellery, knitwear, and other crafts production, construction and oil transportation through the [[Flotta]] oil terminal.<ref>[http://www.orkneybusinesses.co.uk/ "Orkney Business Directory"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120424010048/http://www.orkneybusinesses.co.uk/ |date=24 April 2012 }}. Orkney.com. Retrieved 12 May 2012.</ref> 

There are three [[Scotch whisky]] [[distillation|distilleries]] in Orkney: [[Scapa distillery|Scapa]], [[Highland Park distillery|Highland Park]]<ref name="Maclean">{{cite book |last=Maclean |first=Charles |date=2016 |title=Whiskypedia. A Gazetteer of Scotch Whisky |location=Edinburgh |publisher= Birlinn |isbn=978-1-78027-401-0}}</ref> and the Deerness Distillery, which opened in 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Orkney: Plans for island's first new whisky distillery in 138 years |url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/business_hq/23418988.orkney-plans-islands-first-new-whisky-distillery-138-years/ |access-date=2023-03-29 |website=www.captainscotch.de|date=29 March 2023 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Erste Orkney-Brennerei seit 138 Jahren: Fassverkauf finanziert Bau der Deerness Distillery |url=https://captainscotch.de/news/deerness-distillery-baubeginn-fassverkauf/ |access-date=2023-03-29 |website=www.heraldscotland.com|date=29 March 2023 }}</ref><ref>[https://www.orkney.com/listings/deerness-distillery-ltd "Deerness Distillery Ltd"]. Orkney.com. Retrieved 28 June 2025.</ref> 

Other important sectors of the economy include manufacturing and construction, retailing, hotels and restaurants and public sector activities such as health and social work.<ref>Fraser of Allander Institute (2020) p. 9.</ref><ref name=OER>"Orkney Economic Review No. 23." (2008) Kirkwall. Orkney Islands Council.</ref><ref name=HIE>[http://www.hie.co.uk/HIE-HIE-economic-reports/HIE-OE99.pdf "Orkney Economic Update"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110929034035/http://www.hie.co.uk/HIE-HIE-economic-reports/HIE-OE99.pdf |date=29 September 2011 }} (1999) (pdf) HIE. Retrieved 20 September 2009.</ref>

As of 2020<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-scotland-business-54226956 |title=Study of Orkney economy sheds light on island prosperity |work=BBC News |date=20 September 2020 |access-date=3 February 2021 |archive-date=5 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201105115625/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-scotland-business-54226956 |url-status=live}}</ref><blockquote> there are around 1,500 businesses on the island. More than 90% have fewer than 10 employees. [Estimates indicate] 11,000 jobs, of which around 5,000 are part-time ... There's not much manufacturing, beyond food and drink processing (think cheese and whisky), and apart from the Flotta oil terminal, it lacks big private employers ... Fisheries off Orkney are only half as important to employment as in Shetland, and farming is roughly twice as important.</blockquote>

===Tourism===
[[File:Dig at the Ness of Brodgar in August 2018 c.jpg|thumb|Excavations by [[UHI Archaeology Institute]] at the Ness of Brodgar have contributed to Orkney's [[heritage tourism]].]]
A report published in February 2020 stated that spending by visitors increased from £49.5 million in 2017 to £67.1 million in 2019, making this a significant sector of the economy.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.visitscotland.org/news/2020/orkney-islands-visitor-survey-results |title=ORKNEY ISLANDS VISITOR SURVEY RESULTS |access-date=3 February 2021 |archive-date=18 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210818074325/https://www.visitscotland.org/news/2020/orkney-islands-visitor-survey-results }}</ref> The primary attractions that encourage tourism include the "Heart of Neolithic Orkney" on the main island, defined as "a group of 5,000-year-old sites that include the preserved village of Skara Brae and the Ring of Brodgar stone circle". The Hoy area's landscape is also attractive to visitors, "with its scattered woodland, steep valleys, high cliffs and the famous Old Man, a withered red sandstone sea stack".<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.cntraveller.com/gallery/islands-scotland |title=THE 20 MOST BEAUTIFUL ISLANDS TO VISIT IN SCOTLAND |date=26 April 2020 |access-date=19 February 2021 |archive-date=15 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210215195710/https://www.cntraveller.com/gallery/islands-scotland |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2017, 62% of tourists to Orkney visited for its heritage. The [[UHI Archaeology Institute]] have led excavations at the Ness of Brodgar, contributing to tourism to the area and driving interest in archaeology.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Project Case Studies - Neolithic archaeology |url=https://www.uhi.ac.uk/en/research-enterprise/case-studies/neolithic-archaeology/ |access-date=2022-12-19 |website=www.uhi.ac.uk}}</ref>

During most years, the islands are the home of several international festivals, including the [[Orkney International Science Festival]] in September, a folk festival in May, and the [[St Magnus Festival|St Magnus International Arts Festival]] in June.<ref>[http://www.scotsman.com/lifestyle/do-not-disturb-oakhurst-cottage-orkney-1-3414846 "Do not disturb: Oakhurst Cottage, Orkney"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150805160753/http://www.scotsman.com/lifestyle/do-not-disturb-oakhurst-cottage-orkney-1-3414846 |date=5 August 2015 }}, ''The Scotsman'', 3 August 2015. Retrieved 3 August 2015.</ref>
 
The volume of visitors arriving on ferries declined substantially in 2020, by 71%, due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom|COVID-19 pandemic]].<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-north-east-orkney-shetland-55218561 |title=Covid in Scotland: NorthLink ferry passengers down 71% on last year 7 December 2020 |work=BBC News |date=7 December 2020 |access-date=3 February 2021 |archive-date=7 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210207213301/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-north-east-orkney-shetland-55218561 |url-status=live }}</ref> A news report added that cruise ships also did not arrive and there were "no day trippers and no holiday lets" as of 25 April 2020. Several major events were cancelled: St Magnus Festival, Orkney Folk Festival, Stromness Shopping Week and the Agricultural Shows.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://theorkneynews.scot/2020/04/25/why-the-tourism-sector-needs-to-change/ |title=Why The Tourism Sector Needs To Change 25 April 2020 |date=24 April 2020 |access-date=3 February 2021 |archive-date=10 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210210133805/https://theorkneynews.scot/2020/04/25/why-the-tourism-sector-needs-to-change/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Power===
[[File:Pelamis at EMEC.jpg|thumb|alt=A long red tube lies in the water under dark, cloud-covered skies with black hills in the distance. |[[Pelamis wave energy converter|Pelamis]] on-site at [[European Marine Energy Centre|EMEC's]] wave testing site off Billia Croo]]
Orkney has significant wind and marine energy resources, and [[Renewable energy in Scotland|renewable energy]] has recently come into prominence. Although Orkney is connected to the mainland, it generates over [[100% renewable energy|100% of its net power from renewables]] according to a 2015 report.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Llewelyn|first1=Robert|title=Orkney Island of the future|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FXe1hBvlylw|website=[[Fully Charged]]|date=19 May 2015 |publisher=[[Robert Llewelyn]]|access-date=20 May 2015|ref=Kryten|archive-date=23 August 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150823152417/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FXe1hBvlylw|url-status=live}}</ref> This comes mainly from wind turbines situated across Orkney.<ref>[https://www.orkney.com/life/energy/renewables "Renewables".] Orkney.com Retrieved 30 May 2025.</ref>

The [[European Marine Energy Centre]] (EMEC) is a research facility operating a grid-connected wave test site at Billia Croo, off the west coast of the Orkney Mainland, and a tidal power test site in the [[Fall of Warness]], off the northern island of Eday.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.emec.org.uk/|title=European Marine Energy Centre|access-date=3 February 2007|archive-date=27 January 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070127094922/http://www.emec.org.uk/|url-status=live}}</ref> At the official opening of the Eday project the site was described as "the first of its kind in the world set up to provide developers of wave and tidal energy devices with a purpose-built performance testing facility."{{#tag:ref|"

The centre offers developers the opportunity to test prototype devices in unrivalled wave and tidal conditions. Wave and tidal energy converters are connected to the national grid via seabed cables running from open-water test berths into an onshore substation. Testing takes place in a wide range of sea and weather conditions, with comprehensive round-the-clock monitoring."<ref>{{cite press release |title=First Minister Opens New Tidal Energy Facility at EMEC |publisher=Highlands and Islands Enterprise |date=28 September 2007 |url=http://www.allmediascotland.com/media_releases/1687/first_minister_opens_new_tidal_energy_facility_at_emec |access-date=1 October 2007 |archive-date=24 October 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071024022741/http://www.allmediascotland.com/media_releases/1687/first_minister_opens_new_tidal_energy_facility_at_emec |url-status=live }}</ref>|group="Notes"}}

During 2007 [[Scottish and Southern Energy]] plc in conjunction with the [[University of Strathclyde]] began the implementation of a Regional Power Zone in the Orkney archipelago, involving "active network management" that will make better use of existing infrastructure and allow a further 15&nbsp;MW of new "non-firm generation" output from renewables onto the network.<ref>''Registered Power Zone Annual Report for period 1 April 2006 to 31 March 2007''. (2007) Scottish Hydro Electric Power Distribution and Southern Electric Power Distribution.</ref><ref>[http://www.ensg.gov.uk/assets/kel003110000.pdf ''Facilitate generation connections on Orkney by automatic distribution network management''] (pdf) DTI. Retrieved 18 October 2007. {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090327121236/http://www.ensg.gov.uk/assets/kel003110000.pdf |date=27 March 2009 }}</ref> 1.5 MW of [[polymer electrolyte membrane electrolysis]] form a partial [[hydrogen economy]] for [[hydrogen vehicle]]s and [[district heating]],<ref>{{cite web |title=About |url=https://www.bighit.eu/about |website=BIG HIT |access-date=4 April 2019 |archive-date=4 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190404224813/https://www.bighit.eu/about |url-status=live }}</ref> and grid batteries and electric vehicles also use local energy.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Grant |first1=Alistair |title=Pioneering Orkney energy project offers glimpse of fossil fuel-free future |url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/17548722.pioneering-orkney-energy-project-offers-glimpse-of-fossil-fuel-free-future/ |website=HeraldScotland |publisher=[[The Herald (Glasgow)]] |language=en |date=4 April 2019 |access-date=4 April 2019 |archive-date=4 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190404224944/https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/17548722.pioneering-orkney-energy-project-offers-glimpse-of-fossil-fuel-free-future/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Press release: Energy system of the future to be demonstrated in Orkney: EMEC: European Marine Energy Centre |url=http://www.emec.org.uk/press-release-energy-system-of-the-future-to-be-demonstrated-in-orkney/ |publisher=[[European Marine Energy Centre]] |language=en |date=4 April 2019 |access-date=4 April 2019 |archive-date=5 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190405041847/http://www.emec.org.uk/press-release-energy-system-of-the-future-to-be-demonstrated-in-orkney/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
[[File:Spurness peninsula and windfarm, Sanday, Orkney - geograph.org.uk - 128689.jpg|thumb|Wind turbines, Sanday]]
Orkney has one of the highest uptakes of electric vehicles in the UK with more than 2% of the vehicles on the road being electric, as of 2019.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-49319120 |title=Is Orkney 'in the fast lane' on electric vehicles? 12 August 2019 |work=BBC News |date=12 August 2019 |access-date=12 September 2019 |archive-date=13 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190913220920/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-49319120 |url-status=live }}</ref>

====Hydrogen manufacturing====
A March 2019 report by the [[BBC]] stated that "Orkney creates more clean electricity than its inhabitants need. Even after exporting to the UK national grid, the islands' winds, waves and tides generate about 130% of the electricity its population needs – all of it from clean sources".<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20190327-the-tiny-islands-leading-the-way-in-hydrogen-power |title=How hydrogen is transforming these tiny Scottish islands |date=28 March 2019 |access-date=7 February 2021 |archive-date=14 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191014094933/https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20190327-the-tiny-islands-leading-the-way-in-hydrogen-power |url-status=live }}</ref> A report about sustainable energy in the islands listed two options. A new cable could be laid for exporting of energy to the mainland but another proposal has progressed rapidly since that time: making "excess renewable power into another fuel – such as hydrogen – and then [storing] it".<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/jan/20/orkney-northern-powerhouse-electricity-wind-waves-surplus-power-hydrogen-fuel-cell |title=How Orkney leads the way for sustainable energy |website=[[TheGuardian.com]] |date=20 January 2019 |access-date=3 February 2021 |archive-date=7 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201107231036/https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/jan/20/orkney-northern-powerhouse-electricity-wind-waves-surplus-power-hydrogen-fuel-cell |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.energyireland.ie/is-orkney-the-hydrogen-capital-of-the-world/ |title=Is Orkney the hydrogen capital of the world? 25 November 2019 |date=25 November 2019 |access-date=7 February 2021 |archive-date=14 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210214005639/https://www.energyireland.ie/is-orkney-the-hydrogen-capital-of-the-world/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

In May 2020, [[CNN]] published more specific information about the hydrogen plan:<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/03/13/business/orkney-hydrogen-power/index.html |title=This small island chain is leading the way on hydrogen power' |website=[[CNN]] |date=13 March 2020 |access-date=3 February 2021 |archive-date=20 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210320144847/https://www.cnn.com/2020/03/13/business/orkney-hydrogen-power/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref><blockquote>Orkney's success in creating hydrogen using clean energy demonstrates that it can be done at scale. The islands are already using hydrogen to power vehicles, and it will soon be used to heat a local primary school. Now, Orkney is hoping to use hydrogen fuel cells to power a seagoing vessel able to transport both goods and passengers.</blockquote>

Additional specific information about the status of the hydrogen scheme was published in late November 2020 by Orkney Islands Council.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.orkney.com/life/energy/hydrogen |title=Hydrogen |access-date=3 February 2021 |archive-date=20 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210120161755/https://www.orkney.com/life/energy/hydrogen |url-status=live }}</ref> A few weeks earlier, another report indicated that the world's first hydrogen-fueled ferry was to be tested on the Orkney Islands, using "a hydrogen/diesel dual fuel conversion system", developed by a consortium known as the HyDIME project. Initially hydrogen was to power only the auxiliary engine but the plan calls for later using this fuel for the primary engine. The report suggested that "if all goes well, hydrogen ferries could be sailing between Orkney's islands within six months".<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://electrek.co/2020/10/14/egeb-scotland-hydrogen-ferry-microwave/ |title=EGEB: Scotland trials world's first hydrogen ferry |date=14 October 2020 |access-date=3 February 2021 |archive-date=7 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210207225743/https://electrek.co/2020/10/14/egeb-scotland-hydrogen-ferry-microwave/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Kirkwall Airport in Orkney was scheduled "to have its heat and power decarbonised through [[green hydrogen]] as part of a new project" starting in 2021.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20190327-the-tiny-islands-leading-the-way-in-hydrogen-power |title=How hydrogen is transforming these tiny Scottish islands |date=27 March 2019 |work=BBC News |access-date=7 February 2021 |archive-date=14 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191014094933/https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20190327-the-tiny-islands-leading-the-way-in-hydrogen-power |url-status=live }}</ref> A hydrogen combustion engine system was to be connected to the airport's heating system. The scheme planned to reduce the significant emissions that were created with older technology that heated buildings and water. This was part of the plan formulated by the Scottish government for the Highlands and Islands "to become the world's first net zero aviation region by 2040".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://hydrogeneast.uk/green-hydrogen-set-to-decarbonise-airport/ |title=Green hydrogen set to decarbonise airport |date=20 December 2020 |work=Hydrogen East |access-date=7 February 2021 |archive-date=2 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210202151112/https://hydrogeneast.uk/green-hydrogen-set-to-decarbonise-airport/ }}</ref>

Hydrogen manufacturing is also planned for [[Shetland]]<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.shetnews.co.uk/2020/09/02/sic-moves-ahead-in-developing-hydrogen-as-an-alternative-fuel/#:~:text=The%20council%20believes%20Shetland%20has,and%20the%20Western%20Isles%20council. |title=Council, SIC moves ahead in developing hydrogen as an alternative fuel 2 September 2020 |date=2 September 2020 |access-date=7 February 2021 |archive-date=26 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210226213823/https://www.shetnews.co.uk/2020/09/02/sic-moves-ahead-in-developing-hydrogen-as-an-alternative-fuel/#:~:text=The%20council%20believes%20Shetland%20has,and%20the%20Western%20Isles%20council. |url-status=live }}</ref> and will spread to other areas of Scotland that have access to clean electricity. To achieve that goal, the government announced an investment of £100 million in the hydrogen sector "for the £180 million Emerging Energy Technologies Fund".<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.maritime-executive.com/article/scotland-invests-in-offshore-wind-and-tidal-energy-for-green-hydrogen |title=Scotland Invests in Offshore Wind and Tidal Energy for Green Hydrogen 20 December 2020 |access-date=7 February 2021 |archive-date=23 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210123145555/https://maritime-executive.com/article/scotland-invests-in-offshore-wind-and-tidal-energy-for-green-hydrogen |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Transport===
====Air====
[[Highlands and Islands Airports Limited|Highland and Islands Airports]] operates the main airport in Orkney, [[Kirkwall Airport]]. [[Loganair]] provides services to the Scottish mainland ([[Aberdeen Airport|Aberdeen]], [[Edinburgh Airport|Edinburgh]], [[Glasgow Airport|Glasgow]] and [[Inverness Airport|Inverness]]), as well as to [[Sumburgh Airport]] in Shetland.<ref name=visork>[http://www.visitorkney.com/gettinghere.asp "Getting Here"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090502072758/http://www.visitorkney.com/gettinghere.asp |date=2 May 2009 }} Visit Orkney. Retrieved 13 September 2009.</ref>

Within Orkney, the council operates airports on most of the larger islands including [[Stronsay Airport|Stronsay]], [[Eday Airport|Eday]], [[North Ronaldsay Airport|North Ronaldsay]], [[Westray Airport|Westray]], [[Papa Westray Airport|Papa Westray]], [[Sanday Airport|Sanday]], and [[Flotta#Airport|Flotta]].<ref>[http://www.hial.co.uk/kirkwall-airport.html "Air Travel"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090603165324/http://www.hial.co.uk/kirkwall-airport.html |date=3 June 2009 }} Orkney Islands Council. Retrieved 13 September 2009.</ref> The [[Loganair Westray to Papa Westray route|shortest scheduled air service in the world]], between the islands of Westray and Papa Westray, is scheduled at two minutes' duration.<ref>[http://www.westraypapawestray.co.uk/getting-here/ "Getting Here"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120407105120/http://www.westraypapawestray.co.uk/getting-here/ |date=7 April 2012 }} Westray and Papa Westray Craft and Tourist Associations. Retrieved 7 January 2010.</ref>

====Ferry====
[[File:Ferry at Whale Geo pier, Westray - geograph.org.uk - 33804.jpg|thumb|right|{{MV|Earl Thorfinn}} arrives at [[Westray]]. [[Orkney Ferries]] operate a fleet of inter-island ferries.<ref>[http://www.orkneyferries.co.uk/ "Welcome to Orkney Ferries"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070208020048/http://www.orkneyferries.co.uk/ |date=8 February 2007 }}. Orkney Ferries Ltd. Retrieved 16 May 2012.</ref>]]

Ferries serve both to link Orkney to the rest of Scotland, and also to link together the various islands of the Orkney archipelago. Ferry services operate between Orkney and the Scottish mainland and Shetland on the following routes:<ref>[https://www.orkney.com/plan/getting-here "Getting Here".] Orkney.com Retrieved 30 May 2025.</ref><ref>[https://www.visitjohnogroats.com/information/ferry/ "Gateway to the Orkney Islands."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250530142428/https://www.visitjohnogroats.com/information/ferry/ |date=30 May 2025 }} Visit John O'Groats. Retrieved 30 May 2025.</ref>

* Gills Bay to [[St Margaret's Hope]] (operated by [[Pentland Ferries]])
* John o' Groats to [[Burwick, Orkney|Burwick]] on South Ronaldsay (seasonal passenger only service, operated by John o' Groats Ferries)
* [[Lerwick, Shetland|Lerwick]] to Kirkwall (operated by [[NorthLink Ferries]])
* Aberdeen to Kirkwall (operated by NorthLink Ferries)
* [[Scrabster Harbour]], [[Thurso]] to [[Stromness]] (operated by NorthLink Ferries).

Inter-island ferry services connect all the inhabited islands to Orkney Mainland and are operated by [[Orkney Ferries]], a company owned by Orkney Islands Council. The isles of [[Westray]], [[Papa Westray]] (or Papay), [[North Ronaldsay]], [[Sanday, Orkney|Sanday]], [[Eday]], [[Stronsay]], and [[Shapinsay]] are served from Kirkwall harbour, while the northern end of [[Hoy, Orkney|Hoy]] and [[Graemsay]] are served from Stromness harbour, the [[Lyness]] end of Hoy, as well as [[Longhope, Orkney|Longhope]] on [[South Walls]], and [[Flotta]] are served from [[Houton]] on the south of the mainland, and [[Rousay]], [[Egilsay]] and [[Wyre, Orkney|Wyre]] are served from [[Tingwall, Orkney|Tingwall]], in the [[Rendall]] area of the Orkney mainland. As well as this, the {{MV|Golden Mariana}} connects the village of [[Pierowall]] on Westray with Papa Westray - this provides a vital local service for schoolchildren on Papay as well as supplementing existing through sailings from Kirkwall.<ref name=visork/>

====Bus====
Local buses around the Orkney Mainland, as well as across the [[Churchill Barriers]] to [[Burray]] and [[South Ronaldsay]], are operated by [[Stagecoach Highlands#Orkney Islands|Stagecoach Highlands]]. There are also bus services on Sanday, Westray and Hoy & Walls.<ref>[https://www.orkney.gov.uk/our-services/transport/bus-services/ "Public Bus Services".] Orkney.gov.uk. Retrieved 30 May 2025.</ref>

In 2021, the island's three-vehicle minibus service for disabled people was a target for hackers seeking a £1,000 ransom in cryptocurrency.<ref>{{cite web |first=Constance |last=Kampfner |title=Orkney minibus service for disabled targeted by international ransomware hackers |work=[[The Times]] |date=22 December 2021 |url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/scotland/article/orkney-minibus-service-for-disabled-targeted-by-international-ransomware-hackers-hp5gx5zxg |url-access=subscription |access-date=30 May 2022}}</ref>

===Media===
Orkney is served by a weekly local newspaper, ''[[The Orcadian]]'', published on Thursdays. It is first published in 1854 and part of the Orkney Media Group, formed out of a partnership with a competing newspaper, ''Orkney Today'', in 2007.<ref>{{Cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s)/no by-line.--> |date=25 June 2007<!--Older HTFP archives usually default to 25/6/2007-->|title=Weekly titles in company merger |work=HoldTheFrontPage |url=https://www.holdthefrontpage.co.uk/2007/news/weekly-titles-in-company-merger/ |access-date=5 May 2022}}</ref>

A local BBC radio station, [[BBC Radio Orkney]], the local opt-out of [[BBC Radio Scotland]], broadcasts twice daily, with local news and entertainment.<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/scotland/north_east_orkney_and_shetland "Radio Orkney"] . BBC. Retrieved 19 September 2009.</ref> Orkney also had a [[commercial radio]] station, [[The Superstation Orkney]], which broadcast to Kirkwall and parts of the mainland and also to most of [[Caithness]]<ref>[http://www.thesuperstation.co.uk/ "Superstation Orkney"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110519170245/http://www.thesuperstation.co.uk/ |date=19 May 2011 }} thesuperstation.co.uk. Retrieved 19 September 2009</ref> until its closure in November 2014.<ref>[http://radiotoday.co.uk/2014/11/superstation-orkney-stops-broadcasting/ Superstation Orkney ends community radio broadcasting] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150120231927/http://radiotoday.co.uk/2014/11/superstation-orkney-stops-broadcasting/ |date=20 January 2015 }}, RadioToday, 16 November 2014</ref> [[Moray Firth Radio|MFR]] broadcasts throughout Orkney on an FM transmitter just outside Thurso. The [[community radio]] station Caithness FM also broadcasts to Orkney.<ref>[http://www.caithnessfm.co.uk/ "Welcome to the Caithness F.M. website"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090216062844/http://caithnessfm.co.uk/ |date=16 February 2009 }} Caithness FM. Retrieved 19 September 2009.</ref>

Orkney is home to the [[Orkney Library and Archive]], based in Kirkwall. The library service provides access to over 145,000 items.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.orkneylibrary.org.uk/index.htm|title=Orkney Library & Archive|website=www.orkneylibrary.org.uk|access-date=15 November 2017|archive-date=15 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171115143255/http://www.orkneylibrary.org.uk/index.htm}}</ref> They have a wide range of fiction and non-fiction titles available for loan as well as audiobooks, maps, eBooks, music CDs, and DVDs.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.orkneylibrary.org.uk/kirklibrary.htm|title=About our libraries|website=www.orkneylibrary.org.uk|access-date=15 November 2017|archive-date=15 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171115143357/http://www.orkneylibrary.org.uk/kirklibrary.htm}}</ref> Orkney Library and Archive operates a Mobile Library Service that serves the rural parishes and islands of Orkney. The Mobile Library carries a wide range of books and audiobooks suitable for all ages and is completely free to use.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.orkneylibrary.org.uk/mobile.htm|title=Mobile Library|website=www.orkneylibrary.org.uk|access-date=15 November 2017|archive-date=15 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171115143226/http://www.orkneylibrary.org.uk/mobile.htm}}</ref>

==Language, literature, and folklore==
[[File:Odin-Stone sketch.jpeg|thumb|upright|alt= A black and white line drawing of a tall standing stone that is wider at the top than the base. It has a long vertical crack on the right-hand side and there is a small hole that goes right through it near the ground. A lake and hill are in the background.|The Odin Stone]]
At the beginning of recorded history, the islands were inhabited by the [[Picts]], whose language was Brythonic.{{#tag:ref|There is convincing place-name evidence for the Picts' use of Brythonic or [[P-Celtic and Q-Celtic|P-Celtic]], although no written records survive. No certain knowledge of any pre-Pictish language exists anywhere in Scotland, but there may well have been times of significant overlap.<ref>Clarkson (2008) pp. 30–34.</ref> For example, the early Scottish Earls spoke Gaelic when the majority of their subjects spoke Norn, and both of these languages were then replaced by Insular Scots. It is therefore possible that the Pictish aristocracy spoke one language and the common folk an unknown precursor such as [[Proto-Celtic]].<ref>Lamb, Gregor "The Orkney Tongue" in Omand (2003) pp. 248–49.</ref>|group="Notes"}} The [[Ogham]] script on the [[Buckquoy spindle-whorl]] is cited as evidence for the pre-Norse existence of [[Old Irish]] in Orkney.<ref>{{Cite journal| author=[[Katherine Forsyth|Forsyth, Katherine]]| title=The ogham-inscribed spindle-whorl from Buckquoy: evidence for the Irish language in pre-Viking Orkney?| journal=[[Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland]]| volume=125| year=1995| pages=677–96| url=http://archaeologydataservice.ac.uk/archives/view/psas/volumes.cfm| access-date=12 May 2012| archive-date=22 May 2013| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130522025643/http://archaeologydataservice.ac.uk/archives/view/psas/volumes.cfm| url-status=live}}</ref>{{#tag:ref|Only two [[Goidelic languages|Q-Celtic]] words exist in the language of modern Orcadians – {{lang|sco|iper}} from {{lang|gd|eabhar}}, meaning a [[midden]] slurry, and {{lang|sco|keero}} from {{lang|gd|caora}} – used to describe a small sheep in the North Isles.<ref name="Lamb 2003 p. 250">Lamb, Gregor "The Orkney Tongue" in Omand (2003) p. 250.</ref>|group="Notes"}}

After the Norse occupation, the [[toponymy]] of Orkney became almost wholly [[West Norse]].<ref>Lamb, Gregor (1995) ''Testimony of the Orkneyingar: Place Names of Orkney''. Byrgisey. {{ISBN|0-9513443-4-X}}</ref> The Norse language changed into the local [[Norn language|Norn]], which lingered until the end of the 18th century, when it eventually died out.<ref name="Lamb 2003 p. 250"/> Norn was replaced by the [[Orcadian dialect]] of [[Insular Scots]]. This dialect is at a low ebb due to the pervasive influences of television, education, and the large number of incomers. However, attempts are being made by some writers and radio presenters to revitalise its use<ref>[http://www.orkneyjar.com/orkney/dialect/index.html "The Orcadian Dialect"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071107011653/http://www.orkneyjar.com/orkney/dialect/index.html |date=7 November 2007 }} Orkneyjar. Retrieved 4 October 2008.</ref> and the distinctive sing-song [[accent (dialect)|accent]] and many dialect words of Norse origin remain in use.{{#tag:ref|Lamb (2003) counted 60 words "with correlates in Old Norse only" and 500 Scots expressions in common use in the 1950s.<ref>Lamb, Gregor "The Orkney Tongue" in Omand (2003) pp. 250–53.</ref>|group="Notes"}} The Orcadian word most frequently encountered by visitors is {{lang|sco|peedie}}, meaning 'small', which may be derived from the French {{lang|fr|petit}}.<ref>Clackson, Stephen (25 November 2004) ''[[The Orcadian]]''. Kirkwall.</ref>{{#tag:ref|The word is of uncertain origin and has also been attested in the Lothians and Fife in the 19th century.<ref>Grant, W. and Murison, D.D. (1931–1976) ''[[Scottish National Dictionary]]''. Scottish National Dictionary Association. {{ISBN|0-08-034518-2}}.</ref>|group="Notes"}}

Orkney has a rich folklore, and many of the former tales concern [[trow (folklore)|trows]], an Orcadian form of [[troll]] that draws on the islands' Scandinavian connections.<ref>[http://www.orkneyjar.com/folklore/trows/ "The Trows"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210126195034/http://www.orkneyjar.com/folklore/trows/ |date=26 January 2021 }}. Orkneyjar. Retrieved 19 September 2009.</ref> Local customs in the past included marriage ceremonies at the Odin Stone that formed part of the Stones of Stenness.<ref>Muir, Tom "Customs and Traditions" in Omand (2003) p. 270.</ref>

The best known literary figures from modern Orkney are the poet [[Edwin Muir]], the poet and novelist [[George Mackay Brown]], and the novelist [[Eric Linklater]].<ref>Drever, David "Orkney Literature" in Omand (2003) p. 257.</ref>
=== Languages ===
The 2022 Scottish Census reported that out of 21,400 residents aged three and over, 8,278 (38.7%) considered themselves able to speak or read the [[Scots language]].<ref>[https://www.scotlandscensus.gov.uk/webapi/opentable?id=019a1a62-eab8-76fc-98d0-f7e8423a5077]</ref>

The 2022 Scottish Census reported that out of 21,407 residents aged three and over, 177 (0.8%) considered themselves able to speak or read [[Scottish Gaelic|Gaelic]].<ref>[https://www.scotlandscensus.gov.uk/webapi/opentable?id=019a2022-ecdd-77ea-96ad-569f0c5b3786]</ref>

==Orcadians==
{{Main|Orcadians}}

[[File:The Bridge of Brodgar, Stenness, 1875. By Walter Hugh Patton (1828-1895).tif|thumb|The Bridge of Brodgar, Stenness, 1875 by Walter Hugh Patton (1828–1895)]]

An [[Orcadians|Orcadian]] is a native of Orkney, a term that reflects a strongly held identity with a tradition of understatement.<ref>[http://www.orkneyjar.com/orkney/orcadian.htm "The Orcadians – The people of Orkney"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060718064612/http://www.orkneyjar.com/orkney/orcadian.htm |date=18 July 2006 }} Orkneyjar. Retrieved 19 September 2009.</ref> Although the annexation of the earldom by Scotland took place over five centuries ago in 1472, some Orcadians regard themselves as Orcadians first and [[Scottish people|Scots]] second.<ref>"'We are Orcadian first, and Scottish second' many people would tell me during the course of my fieldwork." McClanahan, Angela (2004) ''The Heart of Neolithic Orkney in its Contemporary Contexts: A case study in heritage management and community values'' [[Historic Scotland]]/University of Manchester, p. 25 (§3.47) [http://www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/orkney-case-study.pdf#xml=http://web1:10700/texis/webinator/pubssearch/pdfhi.txt?pr=publications&prox=page&rorder=500&rprox=500&rdfreq=500&rwfreq=500&rlead=500&rdepth=0&sufs=0&order=r&id=4b2056937] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111208111927/http://www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/orkney-case-study.pdf#xml=http://web1:10700/texis/webinator/pubssearch/pdfhi.txt?pr=publications&prox=page&rorder=500&rprox=500&rdfreq=500&rwfreq=500&rlead=500&rdepth=0&sufs=0&order=r&id=4b2056937|date=8 December 2011}} Retrieved 8 January 2010.</ref> However, in response to the national identity question in the [[United Kingdom Census 2011|2011 Scotland Census]], self-reported levels of [[Scottish national identity|Scottish identity]] in Orkney were in line with the national average.<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://www.scotlandscensus.gov.uk/ethnicity-identity-language-and-religion | title=Ethnicity, Identity, Language and Religion &#124; Scotland Census 2011 | access-date=31 October 2017 | archive-date=22 March 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160322121750/http://scotlandscensus.gov.uk/ethnicity-identity-language-and-religion | url-status=live }}</ref>

The Scottish mainland is often referred to as "Scotland" in Orkney, with "the mainland" referring to [[Mainland, Orkney]].<ref>[http://www.orkneyjar.com/orkney/index.html "Where is Orkney?"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060719214059/http://www.orkneyjar.com/orkney/index.html |date=19 July 2006 }} Orkneyjar. Retrieved 19 September 2009.</ref> The archipelago also has a distinct culture, with traditions of the [[Scottish Highlands]] such as [[tartan]], [[clans]], [[bagpipes]] not indigenous to the culture of the islands.<ref>[http://www.orkneyjar.com/orkney/faq.htm Orkneyjar FAQ] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060715193258/http://www.orkneyjar.com/orkney/faq.htm |date=15 July 2006 }} Orkneyjar. Retrieved 19 September 2009.</ref> However, at least two tartans with Orkney connections have been registered and a tartan has been designed for Sanday by one of the island's residents,<ref>[http://www.tartans.scotland.net/tartan_info.cfm@tartan_id=4091.htm "Orkney tartan"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070712142238/http://www.tartans.scotland.net/tartan_info.cfm@tartan_id=4091.htm |date=12 July 2007 }} tartans.scotland.net Retrieved 19 September 2009.</ref><ref>[http://www.clackson.com/tartan/sanday-tartan.htm "Sanday Tartan"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120911225847/http://www.clackson.com/tartan/sanday-tartan.htm |date=11 September 2012 }} http://www.clackson.com. Retrieved 2 June 2007. </ref><ref>[http://www.tartans.scotland.net/tartan_info.cfm@tartan_id=8160.htm "Clackson tartan"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090915192548/http://www.tartans.scotland.net/tartan_info.cfm@tartan_id=8160.htm |date=15 September 2009 }} tartans.scotland.net. Retrieved 19 September 2009.</ref> and there are pipe bands in Orkney.<ref>[http://www.kirkwallcity.com/ "Kirkwall City Pipe Band"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070409140749/http://www.kirkwallcity.com/ |date=9 April 2007 }} kirkwallcity.com. Retrieved 19 September 2009.</ref><ref>[http://www.stromnesspipeband.co.uk/ "Stromness RBL Pipe Band"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081015134427/http://www.stromnesspipeband.co.uk/ |date=15 October 2008 }} stromnesspipeband.co.uk. Retrieved 19 September 2009.</ref>

Native Orcadians refer to the non-native residents of the islands as "ferry loupers" ("loup" meaning "jump" in the [[Scots language]]),<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/lowp_v | title=Dictionary of the Scots Language :: DOST :: Lowp V | access-date=1 September 2018 | archive-date=1 September 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180901113143/http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/lowp_v | url-status=live }}</ref> a term that has been in use for nearly two centuries at least.<ref>Vedder, David (1832) ''Orcadian Sketches''. Edinburgh. William Tait.</ref>{{#tag:ref|The expression "ferry louper" has a literal meaning of "ferry jumper" i.e. one who has jumped off a ferry as distinct from a native.|group="Notes"}}

==Natural history==
[[File:Seals hauled out by Lyrie Geo, Hoy, Orkney - geograph.org.uk - 2472901.jpg|thumb|right|upright|Seals hauled out at Lyrie Geo on [[Hoy, Orkney|Hoy]]]]
Orkney has an abundance of wildlife, especially of [[grey seal|grey]] and [[Harbor seal|common seals]] and seabirds such as [[Atlantic puffin|puffins]], [[kittiwake]]s, [[black guillemot]]s (tysties), [[common raven|ravens]], and [[great skua]]s (bonxies). Whales, dolphins, and [[European otter|otters]] are also seen around the coasts. Inland the [[Orkney vole]], a distinct subspecies of the [[common vole]] introduced by [[Neolithic]] humans, is an [[endemic]].<ref name=SNH>[http://www.snh.org.uk/scottish/nisles/orkney.asp "Northern Isles"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081205025558/http://www.snh.org.uk/scottish/nisles/orkney.asp |date=5 December 2008 }}. SNH. Retrieved 27 September 2009.</ref><ref>Benvie (2004) pp. 126–38.</ref> There are five distinct varieties, found on the islands of Sanday, Westray, Rousay, South Ronaldsay, and the Mainland, all the more remarkable as the species is absent on mainland Britain.<ref>{{Cite journal|author=Haynes, S., Jaarola M., & Searle, J.B.|year=2003 |title=Phylogeography of the common vole (''Microtus arvalis'') with particular emphasis on the colonization of the Orkney archipelago |journal=[[Molecular Ecology (journal)|Molecular Ecology]] |volume=12 |pages=951–956 |doi=10.1046/j.1365-294X.2003.01795.x |pmid=12753214|issue=4|bibcode=2003MolEc..12..951H |s2cid=2819914 }} Retrieved 27 September 2009.</ref>

The coastline is well known for its colourful flowers including [[Aster tripolium|sea aster]], [[Scilla verna|sea squill]], [[Armeria maritima|sea thrift]], [[Limonium|common sea-lavender]], [[Erica cinerea|bell]] and [[Calluna|common heather]]. The [[Primula scotica|Scottish primrose]] is found only on the coasts of Orkney and nearby Caithness and [[Sutherland]].<ref name="Brown 2003 p. 19"/><ref name=SNH/> Although stands of trees are generally rare, a small forest named [[Happy Valley (garden)|Happy Valley]] with 700 trees and lush gardens was created from a boggy hillside near Stenness during the second half of the 20th century.<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-north-east-orkney-shetland-13529344 "Boggy hillside reborn as Orkney forest reserve"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181022094827/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-north-east-orkney-shetland-13529344 |date=22 October 2018 }}. (27 May 2011) [[BBC]]. Retrieved 27 May 2011.</ref>

The [[North Ronaldsay sheep]] is an unusual breed of domesticated animal, subsisting largely on a diet of [[seaweed]], since they are confined to the foreshore for most of the year to conserve the limited grazing inland.<ref name=SheepCentre2>{{cite web|url=http://www.sheepcentre.co.uk/sheep_breeds.htm|publisher=Seven Sisters Sheep Centre|work=Sheep Breeds|title=North Ronaldsay|access-date=23 April 2009|archive-date=25 April 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090425140946/http://sheepcentre.co.uk/sheep_breeds.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> The island was also a habitat for the Atlantic [[walrus]] until the mid-16th century.<ref name=Roy,1960>{{citation |publisher=Bulletin of the Museum of Comparative Zoology at Harvard College 122:129–142.|title= Trichecodon huxlei (Mammalia: Odobenidae) in the Pleistocene of southeastern United States.}}</ref>

The Orkney char (''[[Salvelinus inframundus]]'') used to live in Heldale Water on Hoy and has not been observed since 1908, so is now considered to be [[extinct]].<ref>[http://www.fishbase.org/summary/speciessummary.php?id=49340 "Salvelinus inframundus: Regan, 1909"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071229223727/http://www.fishbase.org/Summary/SpeciesSummary.php?id=49340 |date=29 December 2007 }} – FishBase. Retrieved 5 January 2013.</ref><ref>{{Cite iucn|author=Ford, M. |date=2024 |title=''Salvelinus inframundus'' |volume=2024 |article-number=e.T135414A137331529 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2024-2.RLTS.T135414A137331529.en |access-date=14 February 2025}}</ref>

===Stoat problem and solution===
[[File:Mustela_erminea_upright.jpg|thumb|175px|Stoat]]

The introduction of non-native [[stoat]]s since 2010, a natural predator of the [[common vole]] and thus of the [[Orkney vole]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.orkneyjar.com/archaeology/2013/09/04/revealed-the-orkney-voles-prehistoric-links-to-belgium/|title=Orkney vole is from Belgium|access-date=10 April 2016|archive-date=30 July 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160730022721/http://www.orkneyjar.com/archaeology/2013/09/04/revealed-the-orkney-voles-prehistoric-links-to-belgium/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.orkneyjar.com/archaeology/2006/11/30/academics-ponder-orkneys-fox-farming-past/|title=Orkney Fox in Neolithic era|access-date=10 April 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170205013541/http://www.orkneyjar.com/archaeology/2006/11/30/academics-ponder-orkneys-fox-farming-past/|archive-date=5 February 2017}}</ref> was also harming native bird populations.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.snh.gov.uk/land-and-sea/managing-wildlife/orkney-stoats/|title=Orkney Stoats|access-date=10 April 2016|archive-date=21 April 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160421212243/http://www.snh.gov.uk/land-and-sea/managing-wildlife/orkney-stoats/|url-status=live}}</ref> [[NatureScot]], Scotland's nature agency, provided these additional specifics:<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.nature.scot/professional-advice/land-and-sea-management/managing-wildlife/orkney-native-wildlife-project |title=Orkney Native Wildlife Project |access-date=2 February 2021 |archive-date=5 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210305231138/https://www.nature.scot/professional-advice/land-and-sea-management/managing-wildlife/orkney-native-wildlife-project |url-status=live }}</ref><blockquote>The introduction of a ground predator like the stoat to islands such as Orkney, where there are no native ground predators, is very bad news for Orkney's native species. Stoats are accomplished predators and pose a very serious threat to Orkney's wildlife, including: the native Orkney vole, [[hen harrier]], [[short-eared owl]] and many ground nesting birds.</blockquote>

In 2018, a stoat eradication project was presented by NatureScot to be applied "across Orkney Mainland, South Ronaldsay, Burray, Glimps Holm, Lamb Holm and Hunda, and the biosecurity activities delivered on the non-linked islands of the archipelago". The Orkney Native Wildlife Project planned to use "humane DOC150 and DOC200 traps".<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.nature.scot/sites/default/files/2020-05/Orkney%20Native%20Wildlife%20Project%20-%20SEA%20consultation%20-%20SEA%20Environmental%20report.pdf |title=The Orkney Native Wildlife Project |access-date=2 February 2021 |archive-date=18 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210818210934/https://www.nature.scot/sites/default/files/2020-05/Orkney%20Native%20Wildlife%20Project%20-%20SEA%20consultation%20-%20SEA%20Environmental%20report.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> The partners in the five-year project include [[Royal Society for the Protection of Birds|RSPB Scotland]], [[Scottish Natural Heritage]] and Orkney Islands Council.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-north-east-orkney-shetland-45975295 |title=Orkney stoat eradication project awarded £6m |work=BBC News |date=25 October 2018 |access-date=2 February 2021 |archive-date=16 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210816103308/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-north-east-orkney-shetland-45975295 |url-status=live }}</ref> A report issued in October 2020 stated that over 5,000 traps had been deployed. Specifics were provided as to the locations.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://community.rspb.org.uk/placestovisit/orkney/b/orkney-blog/posts/stoatsnippet92 |title=Orkney Native Wildlife Project |date=20 October 2020 |access-date=2 February 2021 |archive-date=29 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201129224120/https://community.rspb.org.uk/placestovisit/orkney/b/orkney-blog/posts/stoatsnippet92 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Not all was going well as of 15 January 2021, according to ''[[The Times]]'', which stated that the project "has been hit by alleged sabotage after the destruction and theft of traps that have also killed and injured household pets and other animals" but added that the £6 million programme was supported by most islanders.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.thetimes.com/article/stoats-of-orkney-weasel-out-of-cull-thanks-to-saboteurs-6070v3spn |title=Stoats of Orkney weasel out of cull thanks to saboteurs |access-date=2 February 2021 |archive-date=15 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210115073125/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/stoats-of-orkney-weasel-out-of-cull-thanks-to-saboteurs-6070v3spn |url-status=live |last1=Watson |first1=Jeremy }}</ref> Another news item stated that some of the traps had "caught and killed family pets as well as hundreds of other animals".<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/19011526.row-stoat-cull-mass-deaths-animals/ |title=Row over stoat cull after mass deaths of animals |date=14 January 2021 |access-date=2 February 2021 |archive-date=19 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210119053847/https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/19011526.row-stoat-cull-mass-deaths-animals/ |url-status=live }}</ref> A subsequent report confirmed that "Police Scotland is investigating a number of incidents involving damage to and the theft of stoat traps in Orkney".<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.orcadian.co.uk/police-investigate-stoat-trap-damage/#:~:text=Police%20Scotland%20is%20investigating%20a,Deerness%20and%20Evie%20throughout%202020. |title=Police Investigate Stoat Trap Damage 11 January 2021 |date=11 January 2021 |access-date=2 February 2021 |archive-date=7 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210207122440/https://www.orcadian.co.uk/police-investigate-stoat-trap-damage/#:~:text=Police%20Scotland%20is%20investigating%20a,Deerness%20and%20Evie%20throughout%202020. |url-status=live }}</ref>

By 2024 the Orkney Native Wildlife Project had spent £7.9m trapping more than 6,300 stoats. Progress was impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions which prevented trapping in the 2020 breeding season.<ref>{{cite news |title=Orkney project granted extra £4m to remove stoats |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c624zgp5314o |access-date=21 October 2025 |work=BBC News |date=14 August 2024}}</ref>

===Protected areas===
There are 13 [[Special Protection Area]]s and 6 [[Special Area of Conservation|Special Areas of Conservation]] in Orkney.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.orkney.gov.uk/Service-Directory/S/SPA.htm|title=Special Protection Areas SPA|access-date=25 November 2019|publisher=Orkney Islands Council|archive-date=6 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806045531/https://www.orkney.gov.uk/Service-Directory/S/SPA.htm}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.orkney.gov.uk/Service-Directory/S/SAC.htm|title=Special Areas of Conservation SAC|access-date=25 November 2019|publisher=Orkney Islands Council|archive-date=6 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806051531/https://www.orkney.gov.uk/Service-Directory/S/SAC.htm}}</ref> One of Scotland's 40 [[National scenic area (Scotland)|national scenic area]]s, the [[Hoy and West Mainland National Scenic Area]], is also located in the islands.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nature.scot/sites/default/files/2017-07/Publication%202010%20-%20SNH%20Commissioned%20Report%20374%20-%20The%20Special%20Qualities%20of%20the%20National%20Scenic%20Areas.pdf|title=The special qualities of the National Scenic Areas|publisher=Scottish Natural Heritage|date=December 2010|access-date=25 November 2019|page=17|archive-date=25 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180125015417/https://www.nature.scot/sites/default/files/2017-07/Publication%202010%20-%20SNH%20Commissioned%20Report%20374%20-%20The%20Special%20Qualities%20of%20the%20National%20Scenic%20Areas.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> The seas to the northwest of Orkney are important for [[sand eel]]s that provides a food source for many species of fish, seabirds, seals, whales and dolphins, and are now protected as [[Marine Protected Areas in Scotland|Nature Conservation Marine Protected Area]] (NCMPA) that covers {{convert|4365|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}}.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://archive.jncc.gov.uk/pdf/North%20West%20Orkney%20-%20Site%20Summary%20Document%20-%20July14.pdf|title=North-west Orkney Marine Protected Area Summary|access-date=25 November 2019|publisher=Joint Nature Conservation Committee}}{{Dead link|date=May 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://sitelink.nature.scot/site/10451|title=North-west Orkney MPA(NC)|access-date=12 October 2020|publisher=NatureScot|archive-date=27 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200927013349/https://sitelink.nature.scot/site/10451|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Flag==
{{main|Flag of Orkney}}

A new flag for Orkney was adopted in 2007 following a public competition. It comprises a [[Nordic cross]] of blue and yellow on a red background. Previously the traditional flag of St Magnus (a red cross on a yellow background) had sometimes been used, but in 2001 it was ruled too similar to other flags to allow it to be formally registered as the area's flag.<ref>{{cite news |title=Postman designs new Orkney flag |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/north_east/6541099.stm |access-date=8 October 2024 |work=BBC News |date=10 April 2007}}</ref>

==Freedom of Orkney==
The [[Freedom of the City|Freedom]] of Orkney is a ceremonial award issued by Orkney Islands Council. It can only be awarded twice during the term of any given Council, typically a period of five years. Its roots stretch back to the mid-15th century.<ref name=FOO>[https://www.orkney.gov.uk/latest-news/freedom-of-orkney-bestowed-on-royal-navy-northern-diving-group/ "Freedom of Orkney Bestowed on Royal Navy Northern Diving Group".] Orkney Islands Council. Retrieved 30 May 2025.</ref>

Recipients include:
* [[Ernest Marwick]] (1975)
* [[John Rae (explorer)|John Rae]] (2017)
* [[HMS Orkney (P299)|HMS Orkney]] (1984)
* [[Jo Grimond|Lord and Lady Grimond]] (1987)
* [[Queen's Own Highlanders]] (1990)
* The Northern Diving Group of the [[Royal Navy]](2021).<ref name=FOO/><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/news/islands/3300712/royal-navy-divers-take-to-the-streets-of-orkney-after-their-awarded-freedom-of-orkney/ |title=Royal Navy divers take to the streets of Orkney after their awarded Freedom of Orkney |last=Henderson |first=Michelle |date=9 July 2021 |website=The Press and Journal |publisher= |access-date=13 July 2021 |quote= |archive-date=10 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210710101629/https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/news/islands/3300712/royal-navy-divers-take-to-the-streets-of-orkney-after-their-awarded-freedom-of-orkney/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.orcadian.co.uk/freedom-of-orkney-honour-presented-to-northern-diving-group/ |title=Freedom of Orkney honour presented to Northern Diving Group |last= |first= |date=9 July 2021 |website=The Orcadian |publisher= |access-date=13 July 2021 |quote= |archive-date=9 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709164004/https://www.orcadian.co.uk/freedom-of-orkney-honour-presented-to-northern-diving-group/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

==See also==
{{Portal|Scottish Islands|Scotland|Islands}}
{{div col|colwidth=27em}}
* [[Timeline of prehistoric Scotland]]
* [[Prehistoric Scotland]]
* [[Battle of Florvåg]]
* [[List of places in Orkney]]
* [[Orkney Club]]
* [[Orkney College]]
* [[Rögnvald Kali Kolsson]]
* [[Udal Law]]
* [[Orkney Islands Church of Scotland]]
* [[:Category:Parishes of Orkney|Parishes of Orkney]]
* [[Constitutional status of Orkney, Shetland and the Western Isles]]
* [[Solar eclipse of 1 May 1185]]
* [[Baha'i Faith in Orkney]]
{{div col end}}

==References==
===Footnotes===
{{Reflist|group=Notes}}

===Citations===
{{Reflist|30em}}

===General references===
{{refbegin}}
* Armit, Ian (2006) ''Scotland's Hidden History''. Stroud. Tempus. {{ISBN|0-7524-3764-X}}
* Beuermann, Ian "Jarla Sǫgur Orkneyja. Status and power of the earls of Orkney according to their sagas" in Steinsland, Gro; Sigurðsson, Jón Viðar; Rekda, Jan Erik and Beuermann, Ian (eds) (2011) ''Ideology and power in the Viking and Middle Ages: Scandinavia, Iceland, Ireland, Orkney and the Faeroes ''. The Northern World: North Europe and the Baltic c. 400–1700 A.D. Peoples, Economics and Cultures. '''52'''. Leiden. [[Brill Publishers|Brill]]. {{ISBN|978-90-04-20506-2}}
* Baynes, John (1970) ''The Jacobite Rising of 1715''. London. Cassell. {{ISBN|0-304-93565-4}}
* Benvie, Neil (2004) ''Scotland's Wildlife''. London. Aurum Press. {{ISBN|1-85410-978-2}}
* Ballin Smith, B. and Banks, I. (eds) (2002) ''In the Shadow of the Brochs, the Iron Age in Scotland''. Stroud. Tempus. {{ISBN|0-7524-2517-X}}
* Ballin Smith, Beverley; Taylor, Simon; and Williams, Gareth (eds) (2007) ''West Over Sea: Studies in Scandinavian Sea-borne Expansion and Settlement Before 1300''. Brill. {{ISBN|90-04-15893-6}}
* Clarkson, Tim (2008) ''The Picts: A History''. Stroud. The History Press. {{ISBN|978-0-7524-4392-8}}
* Duffy, Christopher (2003) ''The 45: Bonnie Prince Charlie and the Untold Story of the Jacobite Rising''. London. Weidenfeld & Nicolson. {{ISBN|0-304-35525-9}}
* Fraser, James E. (2009) ''From Caledonia to Pictland: Scotland to 795''. Edinburgh University Press. {{ISBN|978-0-7486-1232-1}}
* {{Cite web
|url= https://fraserofallander.org/publications/orkney-islands-economic-review/
|year=2020
|title=Orkney Islands Economic Review 
|publisher=[[Fraser of Allander Institute]]
|access-date=23 June 2025}}
* {{Haswell-Smith}}
* Moffat, Alistair (2005) ''Before Scotland: The Story of Scotland Before History''. London. Thames & Hudson. {{ISBN|978-0500051337}}
* Omand, Donald (ed.) (2003) ''The Orkney Book''. Edinburgh. Birlinn. {{ISBN|1-84158-254-9}}
* {{Cite web
|url=https://www.orkney.gov.uk/our-services/enterprise-and-economic-growth/orkney-economy/
|year=2023
|title=Orkney Economic Review 2023
|publisher=Orkney Islands Council 
|access-date=23 June 2025}}
* Thompson, William P.L. (2008) ''The New History of Orkney''. Edinburgh. Birlinn. {{ISBN|978-1-84158-696-0}}
* ''Whitaker's Almanack 1991'' (1990). London. J. Whitaker & Sons. {{ISBN|0-85021-205-7}}
* Wickham-Jones, Caroline (2007) ''Orkney: A<!--sic--> Historical Guide''. Edinburgh. Birlinn. {{ISBN|1-84158-596-3}}
* {{EB1911|wstitle=Orkney Islands|volume=20|pages=279–281}}
{{refend}}

==Further reading==
{{refbegin}}
* Batey, C.E. ''et al.'' (eds.) (1995) ''The Viking Age in Caithness, Orkney and the North Atlantic''. Edinburgh University Press. {{ISBN|978-0-7486-0632-0}}
* [[E. E. Fresson|Fresson, Captain E.E.]] ''Air Road to the Isles''. (2008) Kea Publishing. {{ISBN|978-0-9518958-9-4}}
* Hutton, Guthrie (2009) ''Old Orkney''. Catrine: Stenlake Publishing {{ISBN|9781840334678}}
* [[Margot Livesey|Livesey, Margot]], ''The Flight of Gemma Hardy'' (a novel). HarperCollins, 2012. {{ISBN|978-0-06-206422-6}}
* Lo Bao, Phil and Hutchison, Iain (2002) ''BEAline to the Islands''. Kea Publishing. {{ISBN|978-0-9518958-4-9}}
* Nicol, Christopher (2012) Eric Linklater's Private Angelo and The Dark of Summer Glasgow: ASLS {{ISBN|978-1906841119}}
* Rendall, Jocelyn (2009) ''Steering the Stone Ships: The Story of Orkney Kirks and People'' Saint Andrew Press, Edinburgh. 
* Tait, Charles (2012) ''The Orkney Guide Book,'' Charles Tait, St. Ola, Orkney. {{ISBN|978-0-9517859-8-0}}
* Warner, Guy (2005) ''Orkney by Air''. Kea Publishing. {{ISBN|978-0-9518958-7-0}}
* Dance, Gaia (2013) ''The Sea Before Breakfast.'' Amazon. {{ISBN|978-1-3015054-8-7}}
* Marshall, Peter (2024) ''Storm's Edge: Life, Death and Magic in the Islands of Orkney.'' William Collins. {{ISBN|978-0008394394}}
{{refend}}

==External links==
{{Commons}}
{{Wikivoyage|Orkney Islands}}
* [http://www.orkney.gov.uk/ Orkney Islands Council], the local authority website
* [http://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/descriptions/entry_page.jsp;jsessionid=83591791380FA8D941CC8FB0C7DA218B?text_id=135520&word=NULL Vision of Britain – Groome Gazetteer entry for Orkney]
* [https://www.orkneyfromabove.co.uk Orkney Landscapes] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190403215518/https://orkneyfromabove.co.uk/ |date=3 April 2019 }}
* [http://www.orkney.gov.uk/Council/C/Community-Councils.htm Map of the community council areas]
* [http://www.genuki.org.uk/big/sct/OKI/indexpars Map of civil parishes]
* [https://bsbi.org/wp-content/uploads/dlm_uploads/A_CHECKLIST_OF_THE_FLORA_OF_ORKNEY2013.pdf A Checklist of the Flora of Orkney, 2013] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210419022253/https://bsbi.org/wp-content/uploads/dlm_uploads/A_CHECKLIST_OF_THE_FLORA_OF_ORKNEY2013.pdf |date=19 April 2021 }}

{{Orkney Islands}}
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