Orkney Islands

**Orkney Islands**
Orkney Islands
Location
OS grid reference:	[1]
Coordinates:	59°N 3°W / 59°N 3°WCoordinates: 59°N 3°W / 59°N 3°W
Names
Gaelic name:	Arcaibh ;
Area and Summit
Area:	990 km2 (380 sq mi)
Highest elevation:
Population
Population (2001):	21,349 (2011 census)
Main settlement:	Kirkwall
Groupings
Island Group:	Northern Isles
Local Authority:	Orkney Islands Council
References:

The Orkney Islands (often also called only Orkney) is an archipelago in the Northern Isles of Scotland, United Kingdom. It is about 16 kilometres north of Caithness. 20 of the about 70 islands have people living on them.^[1]^[2] The administrative centre is Kirkwall (with about 8000 people living there). The next largest settlements are Stromness (2000 people) and St. Margaret's Hope (with about 550 people).

In addition to the mainland, most of the islands are in two groups, the North and South Isles. All of them are made of sandstone. The climate is mild and the soil is fertile. Most of the land is farmed and agriculture is the main source of income for the economy. There are many birds and fish.

In 2023 there were proposals that the islands could change their status in the UK, to be more like the Isle of Man or even become a self-governing territory of Norway.^[3]

Transportation

Ferry services go much of the time to Lerwick (in Shetland). Most islands have air strips (for airplanes). This includes the shortest known flight service in the world, between Westray and Papa Westray. Official flight time is 2 minutes. If the wind goes in the right direction, the flight can take just over a minute.

Orkney Islands Media

Ring of Brodgar, on the island of Mainland, Orkney
Midhowe Broch on the west coast of Rousay
According to the Orkneyinga Saga, 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.
Artist's conception of King Olaf Tryggvason of Norway, who forcibly Christianised Orkney. Painting by Peter Nicolai Arbo.
St Magnus Cathedral in Kirkwall
Lerwick Town Hall stained glass window depicting "Margaret, queen of Scotland and daughter of Norway"
James III and Margaret, whose betrothal led to Orkney passing from Norway to Scotland.
Blaeu's 1654 map of Orkney and Shetland. Mapmakers at this time continued to use the original Latin name Orcades.
King George VI visiting the Home Fleet based at Scapa Flow, March 1943
The Italian Chapel on Lamb Holm was built and decorated by Italian prisoners of war working on the Churchill Barriers.