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Orkney

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LOCATION AND COMMUNICATION LINKS

Orkney is a thriving, fertile island archipelago of around 70 islands lying only seven miles north of the Scottish mainland. Stretching 53 miles from north to south and 23 miles from East to West, it shares the same latitude as St Petersburg and the southern tip of Greenland and is nearer to Oslo than it is to London. Orkney has occupied a pivotal strategic position as a departure point for the exploration of Canada, a land base for the Viking raiders, a naval harbour for the British Fleet and a graveyard for the surrendered German High Seas Fleet of the Great War.

It has good communications with regular air and sea services with mainland Scotland, Scrabster, Gills Bay and the John O'Groats passenger ferry. Travel from either London, Manchester and Birmingham through Glasgow, Edinburgh, Inverness or Aberdeen and you could have lunch with your friends in Orkney. Alternatively you may choose the overland route by bus or rail and daily ferry from Scrabster or the summer only ferry from John 0’ Groats.

GEOGRAPHY & CLIMATE

‘The Grand Green Isles in the Sea’, the title of the Orkney Islands’ Games anthem, is an apt description of Orkney. With a coastline of over 500 miles, incorporating an area of 97,166 hectares, Orkney’s landscape ranges from the lush green pastures of prime farmland to the rugged rocky coasts, teeming with birdlife and towering at St John’s Head the highest perpendicular cliff in Britain at over 1 ,000ft, dwarfing the world famous sea stack — the Old Man of Hoy at only 450ft. The undulating almost treeless landscape reaches a maximum height of 1,550ft on the island of Hoy. Orkney’s northern maritime climate is mild but changeable, it is sometimes said that all four seasons can jostle each other during the course of an afternoon.

Orkney’s population of 20,139 inhabitants occupy 18 of the 70 islands. The largest island is called Mainland where the majority of people live and where the City and Royal Burgh of Kirkwall, the capital town is located. This is followed by Stromness as Orkney’s second town which is 20 KM from Kirkwall.

Kirkwall has been Orkney’s administrative and commercial centre since the 11th Century. Derived from the Norse Kirkjuvagr (Church Bay) the town is a bustling market and tourist centre with annual tourist numbers of over 127,000 visitors per year. The spectacular St Magnus Cathedral, dedicated in 1137, dominates the centre of the town.

Stromness, in comparison, is only 200 years old, built under a granite hillside with picturesque narrow cobbled streets with no pavements. Whilst less of a commercial centre, it offers much to the cultural heritage of the county.

HISTORY

Orkney’s history predates that of many other civilisations. Its historical and archeological finds over the years has enabled Orkney to record more sites per square mile than any other area in Western Europe. But quantity does not rival quality, only by directly experiencing Orkney’s ancient heritage can you measure its magnificence. The Stone Age village of Skara Brae was built in 3200 BC, some 500 years before the building of the Pyramids, but, 500 years before, in 3700 BC, at the Knapp of Howar on the island of Papa Westray you can witness the oldest standing houses in north-west Europe. As well as the treasures of the Neolithic, Bronze and Iron ages, the historical impact of the marauding Vikings has left its mark on modern Orkney. This Norse influence of the 8th and 9th centuries continuing through to the 12th Century is best illustrated in the place names of Orkney, in the patterns of settlement and as scripted in ‘The Orkneyinga Saga’.

More modern history was created through Orkney’s strategic role in the defence of Britain in the 1914-18 and 1939-45 World wars. Centred on the natural harbour of Scapa Flow, it saw the epic scuffling of 74 German High Seas Fleet battleships in June 1919.

‘Our treasured islands -Steeped in history’.

GOVERNMENT

At one time owned by Norway, but sold in 1468 to Scotland, Orkney remains under the national government of the United Kingdom. It is served by a joint Member of Parliament with Shetland and shares with the Highlands and Islands area, a Member of the European Parliament. Its local government powers are delivered by the 21 elected members of Orkney Islands Council, the smallest regional authority in Britain. It is by far the major employer in the islands.

LANGUAGE AND CULTURE

English is the official language. However, native Orcadians and particular island residents have established an Orcadian dialect described as a variation and softer Scottish brogue sometimes mistaken for a Welsh accent. Originating from a rural agricultural background, the unique strength of community identity and the safeguarding of Orkney’s heritage continues to provide a rich cultural quality of life for Orcadians. This has been further enriched by the integration of new islanders from other cultures.

ECONOMY

The Orcadians have always looked to the land for their living with farming the land and breeding of cattle and sheep more important than fishing the sea. Patterns change, however, and the riches within and more importantly, under the sea offer much to modern Orkney. Since 1976 the oil industry has processed North Sea oil through the Flotta Oil terminal. The development of the Atlantic oilfields west of Orkney promises continuation for some years to come. The farming community revolves around 1,000 family farms, grazing in excess of 100,000 cattle and 55,000 sheep during the summer months when grasslands pastures are unrivalled. Highland Park whisky is among a range of other local produce, crafts, silverware and other products which help make the Orkney economy thrive.

SPORT AND LEISURE ACTIVITIES

Sport has always played an important part in community life with many sporting organisations celebrating over 100 years of existence. High levels of participation and a wide range of sports lead people into multi-sport participation. Sport is seasonal with football and ladies’ hockey being major summer sports, and rugby, badminton, netball and indoor football in winter.

Opportunities exist for most sports and there are a large number of sports clubs. The tremendous natural resources of inland lochs and sandy sheltered beaches provide excellent facilities for trout fishing, sea angling, sailing, canoeing, and windsurfing. Orkney’s trout fishing team have achieved the rank of British trout fishing champions. Free fishing for wild brown trout is a real attraction for the visitor. The underwater theatre of German warships in Scapa Flow is a haven for sub aqua diving. Two 18-hole golf courses cater for all ages of golf enthusiast Inter-County events with near neighbours Shetland and Caithness provide added incentive for competiiion beyond club level with considerable pride being demonstrated in such ‘battles’.

Young people can progress through the age group divisions in most sports, but for many the lack of opportunities beyond 18 years was restrictive. The creation of the Island Games gave a window of opportunity in extending participation but also in creating greater achievements and higher standards of excellence. As one of the original fifteen islands, Orkney takes great interest in the medal performances of its sportsmen and women.

Orkney's main sports facility is the Pickaquoy Centre, which was opened in 1999 by HRH, the Princess Royal. It offers eight badminton courts, fitness room, health studies, cinema, bar, cafe, floodlit athletics track and articifical hockey / football pitch, adventure play area, camping site, playing fields and a range of meeting rooms. A six-lane swimming pool and three squash courts will be added by 2012.

In addition, the new Kirkwall Grammar School, also planned for 2012, will provide a new games hall gymnasium, fitness room, dance studio as well as both outdoor natural turf and synthetic pitches.

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