About the Orkney Islands
Orkney consists of about 70 islands, of which around 17 are inhabited – the largest is known as as ‘the Mainland’.
About 7,000 people live in the capital, Kirkwall, which is on the Mainland. The most northerly cathedral in the UK, St Magnus’ Cathedral, built by the Norsemen is in Kirkwall.
Stromness, which is also on the Mainland, is the second largest town. The islands have a total population of 19, 245.
Orkney has a successful tourist industry. The long summer days and many geological and archaeological features are the main visitor attractions.
The smaller islands are ideal for watching wildlife and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) has moorland habitat reserves at Hobbister and Birsay Moors. Travelling between the islands is relatively easy and “island hopping” is popular with tourists.
The Future
Orkney has a thriving entrepreneurial spirit. The economy is founded on a long tradition of fishing and farming, and now tourism, speciality food production and jewellery making have joined these industries in representing the best that Orkney has to offer.
Orkney’s jewellery companies face ever-increasing international competition. Support from Orkney Enterprise has ensured that the largest manufacturers, Ortak and Sheila Fleet, are able to take on the challenge and concentrate on innovation, design and improved marketing.
A groundbreaking renewable energy project was launched in Stromness in August 2004, when the world’s first wave energy converter, Ocean Power Delivery’s Pelamis, was put in place in the seas west of the islands.
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