Found in an old book, the receipt for my first visit to Orkney in 1998...

Good craic, brilliant locations, and some photography tips too.

Hat tip to the Orkney.com Facebook page, where I first saw this:

Come and explore Orkney through the lenses of two of the UK's most respected landscape photographers Colin Prior and Joe Cornish visited the islands recently with stops in South Ronaldsay, Westray, and Hoy to test their skills and new equipment en-route.

Link to episode 1.

Episode 2.

Episode 3.

In 1943, during the second world war, a Canadian pilot by the name of Don Franko crash landed on the tiny island in Orkney, Scotland called Auskerry. His navigation system was broken, his fuel was running out and it was dreadful weather. In the dark, with nothing to guide him except for the white outline of waves crashing on the cliffs of the island, Don guided his plane down - narrowing missing the actual cliffs as he came in as it was impossible to judge the grass level above the rock. He survived, and in so doing he inadvertently started an incredible bond between two families many decades later. I wanted to help preserve some of the island's history for generations to come by creating this record on film, and I hope you enjoy! This is part two of the visit to the island by county archaeologist of the Orkney Islands, Paul Sharman.

Click here for the link to YouTube.

I visited last spring for a week. I can't put to words what it did to me. I didn't even do anything special; just took walks and drives and had a slow week being there.

I would like to find a way to spend 6 months there but it seems like a difficult place to do that.

Anyway, just wanted to say that I haven't stopped thinking about it. Hopefully I'll be back sooner than later.

I’m moving to Orkney next summer and am curious about the East Asian population on the islands.

Are there any / many? When I was there last month I saw maybe two and with one of them, I think we looked at each other in surprise like ‘what are you doing here?!’ lol.

I’m not expecting racism issues or anything, just curious.

I know that my first ascendant left the Orkney's in the late 19th century. Possibly 1860s-1870s I've tried all the ancestry and archival sources in Canada and Scotland but no luck. Looking for anyone with the last name Kirkpatrick who has any family stories of a single male family member leaving Orkney in the late 19th century to emigrate to St. John's, Newfoundland (now part of Canada, at the time would have been British dominion). Basically just wondering where on Orkney's the family came from as I am planning a trip in 2026 and wouldn't mind knowing which island/area to go have a gander around and maybe get a souvenir or something.

It's been almost a month so I thought I'd update. Read the original post here.

I've applied for a few places and not been approved. I have three potential maybe situations, but nothing definite so far. Two are possible house shares and the third is an apartment that may come available eventually at some point in the next few months. Nothing is ideal, but beggars can't be choosers. I am grateful that people have been trying to help us.

I'm still lurking on Orkney Merkit Place on a daily basis to stay on top of anything that comes available. Several people have messaged me on Facebook to offer advice or wish me luck, which was nice. I sincerely appreciate the kind words of hope and sympathy people have sent me. My stress levels have been off the charts over this. It's hard to have come so far on this incredible journey chasing my dreams only to face a barrier like this. I've started joking that the challenges I've faced over the last 7 years earning a BA in Anthropology and an M.Litt in Archeology while working full time and raising a family pales in comparison to the challenge of finding a place to live in Orkney. 😆

That said, if anyone has any leads on housing, please send them my way. Thank you!

Via Twitter.

Sun 17th Nov 2024

Pentland Firth

MV Hamnavoe, due to forecast AM sailings will operate as follows:

0900 ST-SC dep 1000. ETA Scrabster 1145

1200 SC-ST dep 1230. ETA Stromness 1445

PM sailings as sched with poss delays

Questions -

How are cancelations communicated to passengers with reservations?

Is Twitter the only public notice used?

From Radio Orkney:

It's emerged Kirkwall Post Office is on a list of Post Office branches identified for closure. Highlands and Islands MSP Jamie Halcro Johnston says Kirkwall is one of 8 branches under threat in Scotland, from the total of 115 across the UK. The Post Office has yet to confirm exactly which locations could be affected. It released a statement this morning saying the sites could be transferred to retail partners or postmasters or potentially closed down altogether. And we'll have more on this in Thursday morning's Around Orkney programme at 7.30am.

You can listen to Around Orkney on BBC Sounds

Feels like an almost annual post for me at this point - but I once again find myself with a faulty car and no garage able to see to it this side of Christmas.

Has anyone been in contact with any garages lately who have availability sooner rather than later? Ideally before the end of the month. The earliest date I've been offered so far is December 6th which is just crazy.

I've been in touch with a number of garages already, so I'd appreciate suggestions only if you know for certain that a garage has some space.

Archaeologist reveals the secrets of prehistoric island life in Orkney

Hamish Auskerry has produced a wonderful series of videos of his family's life on a small Orkney isle.

Off-grid living but two thousand years ago! How on earth did people scratch a living with few tools in a brutal landscape in the middle of the North Sea? The island of Auskerry in Orkney features numerous examples of prehistoric life - from a bronze age burnt mound to a Iron Age village. We invited the county archaeologist of the Orkney Islands, Paul Sharman, to visit the island in order to help us make more sense of the island we call home. I want to help preserve some of that history for generations to come by creating this record on film! This is part one, showing half the day of exploring, there will be a part two with more about the history of the island.

https://preview.redd.it/o03cav1fnwyd1.jpg?width=338&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=ad295676a419a84277abcf3f2a41b36086c825f6

Orkney didn't make an appearance until the final episode of season 1.

From Northlink:

We are delighted to let you know that you can now make bookings with NorthLink Ferries for sailings in 2025. For 2025 prices, please visit the '2025 Fares' webpage:

https://www.northlinkferries.co.uk/booking-info/2025-fares/

Residents of Orkney and Shetland with a valid Islander ID can access 2025 islander prices linked from the same page. For timetables, please visit the '2025 Timetables' webpage:

https://www.northlinkferries.co.uk/booki.../2025-timetables/

Bookings can be made by visiting the NorthLink Ferries website or by calling 0800 111 4422 (free from UK landlines and mobiles) or 01856 885500 (International callers). Thank you for your patience. We wish you an enjoyable sailing with NorthLink Ferries in 2025.

Hi Everyone! We would like to travel around Orkney, mostly on the mainland. What would be the best way to get around for two adults in your opinion?

We will travel from Hungary, most probably flying to Edinburgh then going by train to Aberdeen and ferry to Kirkwall and I’ve checked if there are buses or rental cars in Orkney, but I would be glad to have your insights! We would like to go around explore the area.

Thank you :))

Hello does anyone know if you can buy the daily financial times paper anywhere in Orkney, preferably on the east of the mainland - I've been told I can get the weekend edition in Tesco but we're moving here next spring and have been told I can exchange a voucher from the financial times for the daily paper as they won't post it, but im not sure where sells the daily paper?

Thank you!

Hello everyone. I've just been given a conditional offer to do a PhD in archaeology at UHI. I finished an M.Litt. in Archaeological Studies last December. I've been to Orkney three times before (including once in the winter). My family and I will be moving at the end of January for a tentative Feb. 3 start date, though this is flexible if we need to wait to arrange housing. We are three people and a small indoor cat (husband 47, myself 46F, and our daughter 15F). We're moving from Texas.

I know housing can be hard to find and that's honestly my biggest worry. UHI is going to help look but I thought I'd throw this out here in case anyone has any leads or advice. We're looking for a 2-3 bedroom flat or house that allows pets, ideally in Kirkwall and on or near public transport. We will not have a car initially. Stromness is also a possibility, but my kiddo really wants to go to KGS and I want to be near the university campus and archives.

We are financially stable. My husband's in IT and his company is allowing him to work remotely from the UK. I've been a high school English teacher for 18 years and received Scottish teaching qualifications this year. I can only work 20 hours a week on a student visa but I'd like to be a supply teacher if there's an opening with the council. We are also selling our house that we've owned for 10 years and have a lot of equity built up. The housing market here in Texas is terrible right now but our neighbor wants to buy our house, so we're lucky!

Thank you in advance for your help. Orkney is such an incredible place and I am honored and excited that I've been offered the opportunity to help expand our knowledge of its history and heritage.

Click here for info > The Orkney Storytelling Festival

https://preview.redd.it/nyjog51crrvd1.jpg?width=633&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=332180a5c56fef01e4e4aa728c3151778d464e99

Hi folks! I'm a journalist with The National looking at the recent announcement from the Scottish Government that ferry fares are going to increase from next year (see here for context)

I'm looking to hear any thoughts on the increase & how it might affect you for an upcoming Sunday story.

Feel free to comment below or send me a DM! Thanks in advance!

The U-47 after the attack.

From the National Museum Of The Royal Navy: The Sinking of HMS Royal Oak

From Wiki:

On 14 October 1939, Royal Oak was anchored at Scapa Flow in Orkney, Scotland, when she was torpedoed by the German submarine U-47. Of Royal Oak's complement of 1,234 men and boys, 835 were killed that night or died later of their wounds. ... The shock resulted in rapid changes to dockland security and the construction of the Churchill Barriers around Scapa Flow, with the added advantage of being topped by roads running between the islands.

The wreck of Royal Oak, a designated war grave, lies almost upside down in 100 feet (30 m) of water with her hull 16 feet (4.9 m) beneath the surface. In an annual ceremony marking the loss of the ship, Royal Navy divers place a White Ensign underwater at her stern. Unauthorised divers are prohibited from approaching the wreck under the Protection of Military Remains Act 1986.

I visited the Scapa Flow Museum and the Lyness Royal Naval Cemetery on Hoy for the first time last year. Hope to return sometime soon.

A brilliant video series from Hamish.

The unexplored archaeological history of a remote island in Orkney

My parents have been farming sheep on a remote Scottish island for nearly 50 years. For half that time, they've had a flock of North Ronaldsays, or Rollies, an ancient breed of seaweed-eating sheep native to the Orkney Islands. I took a sabbatical from my job in 2023 as a TV news reporter to help for four months and decided to film a documentary series about their unique lifestyle while I was there. Now, in the second episode of the new series from 2024, join us as we explore some of the incredible archaeological history of the island. From Bronze Age burnt mounds to Iron Age settlements, Auskerry has been home to people for thousands of years at different times. I want to help preserve some of that history for generations to come by creating his record on film!

Hello everyone! I’m looking to make my way up to your lovely little isles to visit a friend, also recently watched ‘The Outrun’ which sold me on an already sold trip! What I wanted to ask, is what’s the cheapest route and what’s the best route? Two separate questions really. But when I’ve been looking online and asked my friend in the past I was just shocked how expensive it can be to get up there! I feel like getting a coach to Aberdeen and then throwing a dingy would be the cheapest but riskiest route. Any advice?

Hello everyone,

I work at the University of Glasgow, on a research study funded by Marie Curie. We're exploring the experiences of people living with serious advanced illnesses in rural, coastal, and island areas of Scotland. We are also interested in the experiences of carers.

We want to understand if people can access the resources and financial support they need in these challenging times. Your insights could help improve services and support for others in similar situations.

Who we're looking for:

• Individuals living with a serious advanced illness
• Or those caring for someone who is
• Living in rural, coastal, or island communities in Scotland
• Facing difficulties in accessing resources or financial support

What's involved:

• An interview lasting about 30–60 minutes (Can be in person, over the phone, or online—whatever suits you best)
• All responses will be anonymised (your name and exact location won't be shared), and we'll take every step to ensure confidentiality.
• As a thank you for your time, you'll receive a £25 high street voucher.

Interested or want to know more?

Please get in touch with me:

Email: Sam.Quinn@Glasgow.ac.uk

Phone: 07484 006217

Feel free to ask any questions here or reach out directly. Your story could help shape Marie Curie's campaigning and policy agenda.

The Orkney News' Bernie Bell writes about Changes At Hoxa Head - sign board removed, private property signs attached to wartime buildings, 'Private' signs on the right of way.

I've enjoyed Scotland's right-to-roam many times, but have yet to encounter signs like these. Honestly, I might not have had the courage they showed by hiking on ahead.

Leaving the city to work off-grid on a remote Orkney island in Scotland

My parents have been farming sheep on a remote Scottish island for nearly 50 years. For half that time, they've had a flock of North Ronaldsays, or Rollies, an ancient breed of seaweed-eating sheep native to the Orkney Islands. I took a sabbatical from my job in 2023 as a TV news reporter to help for four months and decided to film a documentary series about their unique lifestyle while I was there. Now, in the first episode of the new series from 2024, you can join me on my journey back from my life in the city to the island in the wilds of Scotland for my extended holiday to help on the farm. I take a look at St Magnus Cathedral in Kirkwall, Orkney. Then once we get to Auskerry, I see seals, experience the wilds of a storm, and embrace the change of pace on the island.

Outsider post, obviously.

The movie is great, if a bit depressing.

How did Orkadians like the depiction of Orkney and Saoirse Ronan's accent?

https://preview.redd.it/kpgdlolt30rd1.jpg?width=1754&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=af6ba4658aa4efd41088040a153ff7e2d6a3f7bd

From the An Baile Facebook page. (I cleaned the image up a bit.)

Archaeologists excavating and preserving the Neolithic settlement at Skara Brae, #Orkney, c1929

[photo: Tom Kent; source: HLH Archives, D1751/2/1/22]

I’m asking since I went there for fuel for the first time. (I work down at Adams Place and it’s kinda the only place for fuel where I’m living) Anyway I went to my banking app and there’s 4 transactions from North End. A £100, a £30.44, a £30.00 and the £30.44 again. I paid £30 for the fuel, the £30.44 is being refunded back to me but I don’t know where this £100 transaction has came from. I’m really annoyed since and worried since I’ve never used North End before and the way you fill your car up is different to what I’m used to.

Has anyone else experienced this before or should I do something else. Any and all advice and questions are welcome. Thanks

Read the full story at The Orcadian. Ticket info at the Pickaquoy Centre's website.

The Orkney premiere will actually include two screenings of the film on the evening of Saturday, September 21 — an invite-only screening for those who were involved in making the film and guests, followed by a public screening at 9.30pm.

Both screenings will include an introduction from the film’s star Saoirse Ronan, writer Ms Liptrot and producer Dominic Norris.

The Outrun has been adapted by Nora Fingscheidt, in collaboration with Ms Liptrot, and sees Ronan play Rona, who fresh out of rehab, returns to Orkney after more than a decade away.

Tickets for the Phoenix Cinema’s screenings will go on sale at 12pm on Monday, September 16 — both for the Orkney premiere on Saturday, September 21, and for standard screenings of the film from September 27, when the film will be released across the UK and Ireland.

The Beeb has picked up the killed-by-car fox story.

A dead fox has been found in Orkney, which has no known fox population.

The body of the young female animal was discovered in Kirkwall, near the Balfour Hospital on Tuesday.

Staff members at the hospital spotted the animal, which was later taken away by Orkney Islands Council and a post mortem examination was carried out at a local vet practice.

People have been warned against bringing animals to the island from the mainland as there is a risk to public health.

The council confirmed the matter had been reported to the police.

Foxes have not existed on the island since the late Iron age with the only exception believed to be a failed attempt to introduce them in the 1930s.

A dead fox was found on the island in 2007, sparking concerns from farmers and environmentalists. It was thought it had been brought over from the mainland.

'Fairly unusual'

Balfour Hay is one of the vets who carried out the post-mortem on the animal at Northvet veterinary surgery.

He said it was a "fairly unusual" morning for the practice to have received a call about the fox found on the side of the road.

Mr Hay said the vets could tell from the extent of the decomposition that the animal had been dead for several days.

He said: "Based on the kind of injuries that we did see inside the body, we're fairly certain that it would have died from a road traffic accident or some other form of trauma.

"However, there was evidence on the post mortem that several of the fractures, particularly to the bones in its legs, certainly happened after it died. We don't know what would have caused those," he said.

Mr Hay suspects that the fox was unlikely a pet, based on the contents of the animals stomach.

He said that the fox was covered in ticks, but a lot more than what would be expected on a local animal.

"There's already a bit of speculation that this animal may have been brought up from south. If that was the case, we just want to emphasise the potential risks to animal and public health from bringing animals up from outside of Orkney," he added.

"We're fortunate in Orkney that we have a water barrier to infectious diseases, so we do want to try our best to keep any infectious diseases that we don't have here out."

Mr Hay said he strongly suggests people do not bring animals to Orkney from elsewhere.

Orkney Islands Council’s trading standards manager, Gary Foubister, said that it was a "serious offence" to release non-native species, dead or alive.