Orkney Islands

Stones of Stenness, Orkney

Orkney is a group of 67 islands lying off the north coast of Caithness. Only about a third of the islands are inhabited. As an aside, it is correct to talk about these islands as "Orkney" or "the Orkney Islands": but wrong to describe them as "the Orkneys".

Orkney Islands Since 1996 Note About Image Copyright

After centuries of Norwegian rule, Orkney was annexed as part of Scotland by James III in 1468 after its rents had been pledged as security against a dowry that was not paid. The Norwegians have never formally recognised Orkney as part of Scotland.

But while signs of a Norse background can be seen everywhere, Orkney's history goes back much further. It has been said that if you scratch Orkney, it bleeds archaeology. As a result, parts of West Mainland have been declared a World Heritage Site. This includes the superbly preserved prehistoric village at Skara Brae, the standing Stones of Stenness, the Ring of Brogar, and the chambered tomb at Maes Howe.

You can find out more about Orkney from our Orkney Main Page and the listings pages and many features associated with it, or via our Orkney Map Index. You can browse books about Orkney in our Bookshop (this may take a moment to load).

In terms of local authority coverage, the Orkney Islands formed the traditional county of Orkney. In 1975 a major reorganisation of local government in Scotland swept away the 33 traditional counties and replaced them with 12 regions. In most parts of the country, the regions were the upper tier of a two tier structure and were divided into districts. Things were different in the major island groups, and the Orkney Islands became an undivided region: in effect a unitary council area managed by Orkney Islands Council.

In 1996 another reorganisation of Scottish local government replaced the 12 regions with 32 unitary councils. Orkney Islands Council, which was already a unitary council, was not affected by the change.