Historic Orkney

Historic Orkney The latest chapter. I provide a departure from the standard loop, treating the islands as a discipline. Without rush or compromise.

One private experience per day for grit, quiet precision, and the luxury of time.

Northern Marsh Orchids are starting to appear across Orkney just now.Small, easy to miss, and every bit as Orcadian as t...
08/06/2026

Northern Marsh Orchids are starting to appear across Orkney just now.

Small, easy to miss, and every bit as Orcadian as the cliffs and standing stones.

05/06/2026

Wish you were here?

Few places in the world let you stand in a landscape shaped by people more than 5,000 years ago, look across a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and then visit a live archaeological excavation on the same day.

If you're visiting Orkney this summer, there are several opportunities to see archaeology happening in real time:

📍 The Cairns, South Ronaldsay — 8 June to 17 July
📍 Skaill Farm, Rousay — 6 July to 24 July
📍 Ness of Brodgar, Stenness — 7 July to 30 July
📍 Spurness, Sanday — 19 July to 14 August

The Heart of Neolithic Orkney is not simply a collection of ancient monuments. It is a living archaeological landscape where new discoveries continue to emerge and new chapters of the story are still being written.

Sometimes the best way to understand Orkney is not through a museum display, but by watching history being uncovered before your eyes.

Y'all seem to enjoy these behind-the-scenes photos, so here's another one.Your guide standing on what appears to be a ve...
02/06/2026

Y'all seem to enjoy these behind-the-scenes photos, so here's another one.

Your guide standing on what appears to be a very stable rock bridge somewhere along Orkney's coastline...

For the avoidance of doubt, this isn't a photo opportunity I recommend for guests. Some viewpoints are best appreciated from a sensible distance.

Thankfully, Orkney provides all the drama needed without adding unnecessary excitement. My role is usually uncovering the stories behind places like this rather than testing the laws of gravity.

Jumped at the chance to pick up this brand-new edition and spend some time exploring the deeper layers of Orkney's Norse...
31/05/2026

Jumped at the chance to pick up this brand-new edition and spend some time exploring the deeper layers of Orkney's Norse past.

One review described it as:

"An exciting and often bloody tale, packed with as much scheming, sorcery, heroism, betrayal and revenge as several seasons of Game of Thrones."

The Norse Earls of Orkney left a legacy that shaped these islands for centuries, connecting Orkney to a wider world that stretched from Scandinavia to Ireland, Scotland and beyond. Looking forward to seeing how Angus Konstam brings their story to life.

#

Scapa Distillery and The Noost, sitting right on the edge of Scapa Flow.The Noost takes its inspiration from the old Orc...
29/05/2026

Scapa Distillery and The Noost, sitting right on the edge of Scapa Flow.

The Noost takes its inspiration from the old Orcadian boat shelters once built along the shoreline, a modern building that still feels very much at home in Orkney.

One of the advantages of private touring is flexibility. If you want to stop in here, Highland Park, or somewhere completely different along the way, just say the word.

26/05/2026

Meet some of the locals.

Out on a walk the other night with this ewe and her two young lambs keeping a close eye on things.

One of the better parts of island life.

24/05/2026

The Stones of Stenness were raised long before Stonehenge, and likely served as a sacred complex on Scotland’s northern edge.

Just beside the Italian Chapel sits one of Orkney’s more unique stops, the home of J. Gow Rum.A proper small island busi...
22/05/2026

Just beside the Italian Chapel sits one of Orkney’s more unique stops, the home of J. Gow Rum.

A proper small island business with rum distilled beside the sea, and for anyone looking, there is still some Orkney wine available as well.

Definitely worth calling in if you are passing through the barriers.

Tried to get an epic shot of the 5 Series tonight. Good job I am not a photographer.Thankfully, Orkney tends to do most ...
21/05/2026

Tried to get an epic shot of the 5 Series tonight. Good job I am not a photographer.

Thankfully, Orkney tends to do most of the hard work no matter where you point the camera.

Compared to a standard tour bus, the G30 is in a completely different class. Quiet, comfortable and built for the kind of touring I actually enjoy doing.

The Majestic Princess in port today, making the freight ferry Hildasay look tiny beside her.It is always impressive seei...
18/05/2026

The Majestic Princess in port today, making the freight ferry Hildasay look tiny beside her.

It is always impressive seeing ships of this scale arriving in Orkney, especially with stretches of water like the Swelkie not too far away.

Address

Kirkwall
Kirkwall

Telephone

+447387304235

Website

http://www.instagram.com/historicorkney/, http://www.his

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Historic Orkney posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Historic Orkney:

Shortcuts

Share

Category