The Orkney islands are located six miles north of the Scottish mainland, lying on latitude 59° North, where the North Sea and the Atlantic Ocean meet.
Orkney is a cluster of islands centred around the Orkney mainland. The islands are about 85 km from north to south and 37 km from east to west.
The settlement pattern in Orkney has a number of key features, principally:
- 18 inhabited islands;
- the dispersed population distribution on the outer isles;
- two principal towns (Kirkwall and Stromness);
- a pattern of small villages distributed throughout the Orkney mainland
The landscape is green and fertile, with rolling green fields and gentle hills. We do not have the mountainous landscape of the Highlands of Scotland, but have spectacular cliffs and peaceful beaches.
Our traditional industries are farming and fishing, but tourism and food processing are increasingly important and Orkney is a key player in the emerging marine renewables sector with a cluster of businesses offering a full range of support for the development of this industry. Vital to the development of marine renewables worldwide, and opened in 2004, is the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) where prototype wave and tidal devices are tested.
Orkney enjoys an excellent international reputation for producing quality food and drink (whisky, beer, ice cream, shellfish, salmon, etc) which are sent around the world as well as being served to award winning effect by talented chefs in local restaurants.
We also have a significant cluster of jewellery manufacturers and skilled craftspeople and artists. We are rightly proud of the wealth of designers and artists who draw their inspiration from our landscapes and heritage. The staggering range and quality of crafts being produced here has to be seen to be believed.
Our summer season sees Kirkwall become one of the busiest ports in Scotland for visiting liners and cruise ships. Visitors also make their own way here by ferry or air to enjoy the archaeology, beaches, fishing, birdwatching, golf, scenery and diving. Visitors to the islands tend to come back again and again because of the relaxing way of life and the welcoming and friendly nature of the local people and because they didn't realise just how much there is to see and do.
Local people enjoy an excellent quality of life with education, healthcare, leisure activities, etc, all at a high standard.
The capital, Kirkwall, is the location of HIE's area office.
