With the shock announcement that Groundskeeper Willie, the fictional character from the hit tv series The Simpsons, has Orkney roots we wondered about his heritage. In the episode … [Read more...]
Orkney Fish
February 19, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Orkney's clear oceans are teaming with life and it comes as no surprise that fish and shellfish make up a huge part of the Orcadian diet. Orkney seas Eat out in Orkney and you will find … [Read more...]
St. Magnus Cathedral
November 13, 2010 By Leave a Comment
A large part of the imposing and magnificent St. Magnus Cathedral in Kirkwall has stood for over 850 years. In 1137, work started on this church built of red and yellow sandstone, to house the … [Read more...]
Orkney Beef Cattle
May 30, 2010 By Leave a Comment
Agriculture is one of the mainstays of the Orkney Islands and Orkney beef is renowned for it's tenderness and full flavour. Cattle in this region need to be quite robust as Orkney summers are … [Read more...]
Groatie Hoose, Kirkwall
May 3, 2010 By Leave a Comment
Within the high walls at the rear of Tankerness House, the home of the Orkney Museum, is the unusual building called the Groatie Hoose. Set as a focal point to the well manicured lawns and tended … [Read more...]
Fresson Cairn, Kirkwall
February 24, 2010 By Leave a Comment
Tuesday, 8 May 1933 marked the start of what would become the longest continuously-operating scheduled air service in Europe and probably the world. It was to be called Highland … [Read more...]
Take a cruise to Orkney
February 24, 2010 By Leave a Comment
For thousands of years the Orkney Isles have been seen by mariners as a great place to stock up with provisions before or after a great sailing expedition. In modern times the safe harbours … [Read more...]
The Westray Storm Witch
January 10, 2010 By Leave a Comment
The story of a storm raising witch is based upon historical fact and island myth. Janet Forsyth lived in Westray in the 17th century. In 1627, Janet dreamed that she saw her fisherman … [Read more...]
Covenanters Memorial, Deerness, Orkney
August 28, 2009 By Leave a Comment
Situated on a commanding peninsula with steep cliffs to one side and rolling fields to the other, is the Covenanters Memorial at Deerness on the mainland of Orkney. Made of brick and standing … [Read more...]
Tracing Your Orkney Ancestry
August 26, 2009 By Leave a Comment
The people of Orkney live surrounded by a rich tapestry of heritage. Neolithic and bronze age sites are many and well preserved, Viking domination of the islands from the 8th Century has given rise … [Read more...]
