Great guide to orkney, jun 2010 charles taits guide book to orkney is phenomenal. The language of bees, the flight of gemma hardy, the dark descent of elizabeth frankenstein, northlanders. Facts about orkney orkney was first written about by the greek explorer pytheas who circumnavigated the islands in 224bc and claimed to have seen the edge of the world, ultima thule which was probably foula in shetland. But these represent only a portion of all the beautiful shops, galleries, museums, tombs and heritage centres scattered across orkneys islands each appropriate for rainy day exploration. Orkney archive promotes understanding of the history of the orkney islands by selecting, preserving and providing access to the archives of orkney islands council and its predecessors, local individuals, estates, businesses and organisations, as well as published material. Extraction of baptisms for harray free church 1843 1856. Orkney islands, group of more than 70 islands and isletsonly about 20 of which are inhabitedin scotland, lying about 20 miles 32 km north of the scottish mainland, across the strait known as the pentland firth. In fact the shetland isles are located in the north atlantic, as close to norway as to aberdeen. Little is known of the culture and language of the early inhabitants. In the late 14th century the archipelago became part of scotland. The largest island is mainland, where the administrative capitol and major city of kirkwall is located. Books set on the orkney islands 70 books set on the orkney islands books. Buy the new history of orkney reprint by william p.
Alone beneath the shifting skies of this untethered landscape, the professor realises how little he knows about his new bride and yet, as the days go by and. Up here at britains top end it can feel more scandinavian than scottish, and no wonder. A history of shetland, orkney, the hebrides, isle of man, anglesey, scilly, isle of wight, and the channel islands david w. T he orkney islands have a long and colourful history. Dec 20, 2014 i have one line of ancestors from orkney, so i may have some viking ancestry. This book is the ideal field guide to the orkney isles. Only two languages are found in prenorse orkney, old gaelic old irish and latin.
The orkney islands are located six miles north of the scottish mainland. The latest edition of this widely acclaimed book has 656 pages, with over 1,500 photographs, maps and diagrams and was published in december 2012. To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up. The romans were aware of and probably circumnavigated the orkney islands, which they called orcades, thought to be a brythonic celtic name. Focusing on the eight islands or chains that have long supported substantial populations, it tells the stories of shetland, orkney, the hebrides, anglesey, the channel islands, the scilly isles, and the isles of man and wight. Orkney is seperated from the scottish mainland by the pentland firth, which is only 11km 7 miles wide at its narrowest point. Before i start, can anyone recommend any good guide books or websites to help with my planning. Top 10 books about the scottish highlands and islands books. Unfortunately the parish records have long been lost so it will be very hard to find out. For much of its history, orkney had its own language, culture and institutions.
The prehistoric inhabitants created monuments which are unmatched anywhere in europe, and the medieval period saw the magnificent earldom that expressed itself through the orkneyinga saga and the building of st magnus cathedral in kirkwall. This classic book covers the whole fascinating story and will be of interest to. Shetland consists of a group of 100 islands with approximately. The culture, landscape and history of the orkney islands are a great source of inspiration for poets and writers and there are many great orkney books. To which is added, an essay concerning the thule of the ancients. Theres a saying in orkney that if you stick a spade in the ground, youll probably unearth an archaeological site. Walking on the orkney and shetland isles books from scotland. An excellent overview of the history of the orkney islands. A guidebook to 80 walking routes on scotlands northern isles of orkney and shetland. Every corner of the islands has its ancient monuments, most of them in a remarkable state of repair. It is no exaggeration to say that the isles are a place where this history remains a part of everyday life.
I borrowed a couple of ukscotland guide books from the library but they didnt give. We stock a huge variety of local interest books, most of which are published by ourselves. Its great strength is the straightforward structure combined with a well written highly informed narrative. The orcadian bookshop is managed by the orcadian a division of the orkney media group ltd, who have been publishing newspapers and books in the islands for generations. Scandinavian clans dominated the area from the 8th century ce, using the islands as a base for further incursions. Focusing on the eight islands or chains that have long supported substantial populations, it tells the stories of shetland, orkney, the hebrides, anglesey, the channel islands, the. There are roughly 70 islands in orkney, of which 20 are inhabited. Orkneyjar the history and archaeology of the orkney islands. In addition to the orkney mainland there are three groups of islands.
For accommodation in orkney see the links in the see and stay menu above. To many people on the uk mainland and beyond, the shetland and orkney islands are somewhere up at the top of the map of great britain. Their names bespeak a rich and varied past, belying their paucity of notice by historians. Hello, i am considering a holiday in orkney next year. See the map below for an outline of orkney and links to connecting areas. Quiet, remote and abounding in rare plants and wildlife, together with some of.
Culture, history and archaeology of the most northerly parts of the british isles. Books relating to the history of the orkney islands genuki. For further information on how to plan your trip check out. Guide books and beginning to plan orkney islands message. The only medieval chronicle to have orkney as the central place of action, it tells of an era when the islands were still part of the viking world, beginning with their conquest by the kings of norway in the ninth century. On a remote island in orkney, a curiously matched couple arrive on their honeymoon. The administrative centre is kirkwall with about 8000 people living there. The islands political structures, economy and society are described in detail in a way that never feels parochial, weaving orkneys history into wider approaches towards norse, scottish and european history. Orkney is 10 miles 16 km north of the coast of caithness and has about 70 islands, of which 20 are inhabited. Walking on the orkney and shetland isles by graham uney is an outstanding little book that should be regarded as essential reading by anyone considering visiting scotlands northern isles.
The orkney islands have a long and colourful history. Orkney family history society exists to assist and promote the study of genealogy and family history relating to orkney. Written around ad 1200 by an unnamed icelandic author, the orkneyinga saga is an intriguing fusion of myth, legend and history. Best book to give the history of island life in the northern isles of shetland and orkney. An excellent and incredibly well researched survey of orcadian history, stretching from its first known inhabitants to the present day.
A marvelous companion to the fascinating orkney islands, orkney. Ernest marwicks compilation of orkney and shetland tales and traditions is a standby book for anyone interested in the norse culture of our northern isles. Orkneyjar a brief history of orkney the norse takeover. Orkneyjar, also known as the orkney islands, is an archipelago in the northern isles of scotland, situated off the north coast of the island of great britain. Important neolithic sites at skara brae and maes howe in the orkneys wallow in anonymity next to stonehenge. Orkney is a yearround adventure sports haven, attracting windsurfers, cyclist, sea kayakers, and sailors, rock climbing, fishing and diving enthusiasts. A description of the isles of orkney internet archive. Orkney all products all products books folklore guide books history maps orkney shetland sort by featured best selling alphabetically, az alphabetically, za price, low to high price, high to low date, new to old date, old to new. Orkney history and heritage the orkney travel guide. Over 500 years ago, however, the islands lost their scandinavian links and since then. The natural history of orkney by berry rj and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Hello, i am considering a holiday in orkney next year before i start, can anyone recommend any good guide books or websites to help with my planning.
I borrowed a couple of ukscotland guide books from the library but they didnt give much information about orkney. Northern isles orkney and shetland the island groups of orkney and shetland are unique and glorious outposts which have as much in common with the nordic countries as they have with northern scotland. There are almost 90 listings in our rainy day in orkney guide, which youll find at the bottom of the page. Aug 19, 2016 ancient origins articles related to isle of orkney in the sections of history, archaeology, human origins, unexplained, artifacts, ancient places and myths and legends. Orkney islands simple english wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Orkney books the shetland bookshop the shetland times.
In which is comprehended an account of their present as well as their ancient state, together with the advantages they possess for several branches of industry and the means by which they may be improved. The origins of the orkney isles unique megalithic culture and its roots in britains own lost atlantis part one the ness of brodgar excavations on the orkney mainland are revealing a mesolithic past with links not only to britains own lost atlantis, but also to gobekli tepe in distant anatolia. The orkney islands constitute a council area and belong to the historic county of orkney. Starting with the prehistoric period, from which survives the famous settlement of skara brae, it goes on to discuss the flowering of the celtic church in the sixth and seventh centuries and the subsequent invasion by. Farming, fishing and the how body and soul were kept together. From the norse hjaltland comes the modern shetland. The book starts with five maps of the orkney isles which show all the key sites in chronological periods, ie 1. Very interesting book about the orkney islands of scotland and viking history. Well organized, clearly written with interesting anecdotes,and illustrated with gorgeous photos, this is the guide im taking along to orkney. Humans have inhabited orkney, an archipelago in the north of scotland, for about 8,800 years. May 30, 2008 an excellent and incredibly well researched survey of orcadian history, stretching from its first known inhabitants to the present day. Orkney is a group of 67 islands lying off the north coast of caithness.
T he norsemen began to colonise orkney in the eighth century ad and before long the islands became a vital link in their western searoutes. Order books online about orkney from the shetland times bookshop. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Walking on the orkney and shetland isles by graham uney. Over the centuries some fascinating dramas have been played out within these shores. For the vikings, the jaunt across the north sea from norway was as easy as a stroll down to the local mead hall and they soon controlled these windswept, treeless archipelagos, laying down longhouses alongside. A historical guide offers a broad overview of their history. Shetland consists of a group of 100 islands with approximately 900 miles of coastline and a population of around 23,000. For the vikings, the jaunt across the north sea from norway was as easy as a stroll down to the local mead hall and they soon controlled these windswept, treeless archipelagos, laying down longhouses alongside the stony remains of ancient prehistoric settlements. The service was awarded accreditation in november 2017. All books set on the orkney islands on mappits literary map. The book includes plenty of information on the regions wildlife, archaeology and history, as well as practical tips such as when to go, what to take and getting to and around orkney and shetland. T he norsemen began to colonise orkney in the eighth century ad and before long the islands became a vital link in their western searoutes exactly how the norse takeover of orkney took place remains a.
Natural history in the highlands and islands by f fraser darling. The north and south isles lie respectively north and south of. The island groups of orkney and shetland are unique and glorious outposts which have as much in common with the nordic countries as they have with northern scotland. Alone beneath the shifting skies of this untethered landscape, the professor realises how little he knows about his.
The islands have one of the highest concentrations of ancient sites in europe and exciting new discoveries are continually being made. Orkney s past surrounds you, with the legacy of a sophisticated neolithic people. The orkney islands often also called only orkney is an archipelago in the northern isles of scotland, united kingdom. The orkney islands are covered with monuments that stand as constant reminders of the events and people that have gone before. This record set contains 142 entries in pdf format, and has not, as far as we are aware, been published before. Routes are described on the islands of orkney orkney mainland, hoy, south ronaldsay, burray, rousay, eday, westray, papa westray, north ronaldsay and the islands of shetland shetland mainland, west burra, east burra, foula, fair isle, isle of noss, bressay, whalsay, papa. Walking on the orkney and shetland isles by author graham uney. Orkney is a fascinating melting pot of historical influences. The islands political structures, economy and society are described in detail in a way that never feels parochial, weaving orkney s history into wider approaches towards norse, scottish and european history. For many centuries they were vital stopping points for anyone journeying across the north sea and their history and archaeology have recorded. Recommended reading for every destination on earth. Ancient origins articles related to isle of orkney in the sections of history, archaeology, human origins, unexplained, artifacts, ancient places and myths and. The north and south isles lie respectively north and south of mainland. In the meantime, i love orkney history see more ideas about orkney islands, history and scotland.