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Revision as of 10:29, 12 September 2002 by Perique des Palottes (talk | contribs) (added map)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)The Orkney Islands are a group of about 200 small islands 16 km north of Caithness in northern Scotland. The largest island in the group is known as "Mainland"; about 20 are inhabited in total.
The most significant islands in the group are:
- Mainland, which is connected by causeway to:
- South Ronaldsay
- Burray
- Hoy (which is also the highest)
- Flotta (a large oil processing centre is located here)
- Eday
- Egilsay
- North Ronaldsay
- Rousay
- Westray
- Papa Westray
- Sanday
- Stronsay
- Shapinsay
Orkney's administrative capital is Kirkwall on Mainland, a small city (due to the Saint Magnus Cathedral) of about 7,000 inhabitants, with a large port. The only other sizeable town is Stromness at the western end of Mainland, with a population of only about 2,000. The third largest town is St Margaret's Hope, on South Ronaldsay.
Geography
The islands are notable for the lack of trees, which is partly accounted for by the amount of wind (although the climate in general is temperate). The formation of peat is evidence that this was not always the case, and deliberate deforestation is believed to have taken place at some stage prior to the neolithic, the use of stone in settlements such as Skara Brae being evidence of the lack of availability of timber for building.
Most of the land is still taken up by farms, and agriculture is by far the most important sector of the economy, with fishing also being a major occupation. The Orkneys export beef, cheese, whisky, beer, fish and seafood.
Communications
Frequent ferry services operate on the following routes:
- Aberdeen to Stromness
- Scrabster to Stromness
- John O'Groats to St Mary's
A locally owned cargo service also takes passengers on its services from Kirkwall to Invergordon.
Most of the larger islands have their own airfield or airstrip.
Heritage
The famous Neolithic sites of Skara Brae and Maes Howe are located on the Mainland. These have both been designated as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
The Romans were aware of, and probably circumnavigated, the Orkneys, which they called "Orcades". There is evidence that they traded, either directly or indirectly, with the inhabitants. However, they made no attempt to occupy the islands.
The Vikings did occupy Orkney, and the islands became a possession of Norway until given to Scotland during the 15th century as part of a dowry settlement. Evidence of the Viking presence is widespread, and includes the settlement at the Brough of Birsay, as well as runic inscriptions at Maes Howe and other ancient sites.