Orkney - the place
The Orkney islands are located six miles north of the Scottish mainland and are covered by the single tier local authority, Orkney Islands Council. Orkney is a cluster of islands centred around the Orkney mainland. The settlement pattern in Orkney has a number of key features, principally:
Our 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 beautiful beaches. Our traditional industries are farming and fishing, but tourism and food processing are increasingly important. We enjoy an excellent international reputation for producing quality food and drink (whisky, beer, ice cream, shellfish, salmon, etc, etc) which are sent around the world as well as being served to great effect in local restaurants. We also have the second most significant cluster of jewellery manufacturers in the UK (Birmingham comes top) and we are rightly proud of the wealth of designers and artists who draw their inspiration from our landscapes and heritage. The amount of beautiful jewellery and crafts being produced here has to be seen to be believed. Our summer season sees Kirkwall become the busiest port 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.
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