Orkneys
North of Scotland
The Orkneys are an archipelago off the northeastern tip of Scotland, comprising about seventy islands.
More formally called the Orkney Islands, or simply Orkney—locals often prefer the singular.
The islands are known for Neolithic sites, Norse heritage, and dramatic coastal landscapes: We spent a week exploring the Orkneys.
Aquatic whiskered mammals
- puffinsStocky seabirds, bright bills
- guillemotsNorthern diving seabirds
- orcasLarge predatory dolphins
- seabirdsOcean-dwelling avians
gannets · fulmars · grey seals · harbour seals · cetaceans · porpoises · otters · waders
Northern British nation
- HighlandsNamed elevated regions
- ShetlandScottish archipelago, northernmost UK
- HebridesScottish island chain
- Scottish islandsIsles belonging to Scotland
whisky · Highland Park · crofting · tartans · fishing communities · ferry routes · devolution
Medieval Scandinavian seafarers
- jarlsNorse regional rulers
- Bishop's PalaceOfficial dwelling of diocese head
- ThingUnspecified entity or matter
- longshipsMedieval Norse sailing vessels
Isolated coastal rock formations
- cliffsSteep natural rock walls
- harborsSheltered waters for mooring
- ferriesRegular water transport vessels
- fishingCatching aquatic creatures
shipwrecks · diving · lighthouses · tides · North Sea · Atlantic · nautical · lifeboat stations
seals
Aquatic whiskered mammals
- puffinsStocky seabirds, bright bills
- guillemotsNorthern diving seabirds
- orcasLarge predatory dolphins
seabirds · gannets · fulmars · grey seals · harbour seals · cetaceans · porpoises · otters · waders · birdwatching
Scotland
Northern British nation
- HighlandsNamed elevated regions
- ShetlandScottish archipelago, northernmost UK
- HebridesScottish island chain
Scottish islands · whisky · Highland Park · crofting · tartans · fishing communities · ferry routes · devolution
Vikings
Medieval Scandinavian seafarers
- jarlsNorse regional rulers
- Bishop's PalaceOfficial dwelling of diocese head
- ThingUnspecified entity or matter
sea stacks
Isolated coastal rock formations
- cliffsSteep natural rock walls
- harborsSheltered waters for mooring
- ferriesRegular water transport vessels
fishing · shipwrecks · diving · lighthouses · tides · North Sea · Atlantic · nautical · lifeboat stations
isolated
Separated from others
- windsweptExposed to strong winds
- northernToward the top
- peripheralExternal computer add-on
treeless · rugged · wild · exposed · sparse · tranquil · unspoiled · far-flung · frontier · North Atlantic
wheelhouses
Ship steering compartments
Mainland
Principal continuous territory
OrkneysChannel Islands
Archipelago between England and France
Isle of Wight · Jersey · Guernsey · Cornwall