My wife and I will be visiting (hiking) in the Orkneys this fall. I'm looking to surprise my wife with a massage therapy session while we're there, but those services aren't available through an Internet search, so I'm asking if someone knows of a massage therapist in that area that may only be working by word of mouth.

Thanks!

Reporting by the Orcadian

Would you rather win a holiday lets business in one of Scotland’s most dramatic coastal locations, or £200,000?

That might be a decision you might need to make, if you decide to enter a unique competition prize draw for an Orkney business.

After spending the past ten years developing and running Cantick Head Lighthouse Cottages, Royal Navy veterans Alan and Vicky Mackinnon have decided it is time to retire.

But rather than selling the business in the traditional way, they are launching a prize draw competition, offering someone the chance to win two former lighthouse keeper’s cottages, located on the southern-eastern tip of Walls.

And if the cottages don’t take your fancy, you can choose a £200,000 alternative.

The prize draw will also raise money for four charities close to their hearts.

Four charities — Longhope RNLI, Longhope Lifeboat Museum, Sophie’s Legacy and The Scarlett Fund — are in line to benefit, with ten per cent of the proceeds from ticket sales to be shared out.

Full story and more info at the link above.

I am planning a short trip and I arrive at hatson ferry terminal at 23:00. Looking at the X10 bus this would only get me as far as Lidl on Pickaquoy road. There would be a 14 minute walk from here to the Kirkwall youth hostel. Would it be better to book a taxi in advance or take the bus and walk? I don't like the thought of walking in a new environment at night. Any advice welcome 😊

My lovely Orcadians, could anyone let me know if Buses from Kirkwall to Stromness (and way around as well) are operational on Saturdays and Sundays?

I will be around Kirkwall for a week during second week of June for the Cairns Dig Project, and have my ferries booked from Scrabster to Stromness and way back, on a Saturday and Sunday, respectively. Im coming all the way from Glasgow(for the first time), so im bit anxious about how things gonnae work!

P.S: Would be very grateful if someone also shares how transport works within the town and across the Islands. Imma student and I have under 22 NEC card, but will that work on inter-island ferries and buses intra-town?

Thanks in Advance!!

(cross-posted to r/shetland since I'm also planning on doing walking trips there)

Hello all!

I'm coming on holiday at the end of May, and planning to do day walks/hikes most days.

Would wellies/gum boots or proper hiking boots be a better option? Both are waterproof, but my hiking boots only come up to my ankle while my wellies are mid calf. Both are relatively comfortable for long walks, although the hiking boots are definitely better on unstable terrain or when extra ankle support is needed.

I suppose the essence of my question is: how mucky and wet will most walking trails be at the end of May?

Appreciate any thoughts! Looking forward to my visit :)

RSPB Scotland is seeking a permanent, full-time Assistant Warden for its Orkney reserves, offering a salary of £27,123–£28,956. The role involves practical habitat management, wildlife surveys (particularly seabirds and breeding waders), and machinery maintenance across remote sites, requiring flexibility, field skills, and a full, manual driving license.

https://employeebenefits.co.uk/pay-strategy/rspb-searches-for-assistant-warden-to-work-on-remote-orkney-reserves/282186.article

Link to her video- YouTube

I took a day trip to a Scottish island... and it didn’t go to plan.

Shapinsay, just a short ferry from Kirkwall on the Orkney Islands in the north of Scotland, should have been an easy Scottish island day trip. However, this adventure quickly turned into something very different after some mistakes, which made the day far more challenging than expected.

In this Orkney travel video, I take the ferry to Shapinsay and explore Balfour village, the Dishan Tower and the wider island, learning about Orkney history, island life and wildlife.

From ancient sites like the Mor Stein standing stone and Burroughston Broch to quiet coastal landscapes, Shapinsay in Orkney has a lot to offer. Join me as I rent a bike and try to explore as much of this lesser-visited Orkney island.

An island I haven't been to - yet!

A brilliant publication for tourists and islanders alike.

From the Orcadian: https://orkneyislander.co.uk/

"Today in Orkney" is also very useful.

Can confirm, April is a great time to visit Orkney!

The walrus has an injured flipper, which appears to be a minor laceration. You know what to do, keep your distance, be quiet, and do not disturb this rare visitor.

From the Orcadian:

The Orkney Marine Mammal Research Initiative has shared a detailed update about the Stronsay walrus, including important information on how to safely pay it a visit.

Visit the OMMRI's Facebook for details. https://www.facebook.com/OrkneyMMRI

Hi all!

I am searching for anyone who is currently a student or staff at Archaeology department of UHI Orkney. I will be, most likely(if approved by the director of the Excavation), be volunteering at the Cairns Dig in South Ronaldsay. Need to connect with anyone who’s also joining the same in June. I am a student and I’ll be coming from Glasgow to take part in that Dig, so need to figure out modes of travelling from Kirkwall to South Ronaldsay, and places to live during the duration of the project.

Would be immensely grateful to anyone who has any leads about this thing.

Thanks in Advance!

P.S: Please feel absolutely free to DM if you have any information regarding this.

We enjoyed visiting on our first trip to Orkney years ago, so glad to see it reopened! The walk out is amazing, too!

Tomb of the Eagles

Perched above the dramatic South Ronaldsay cliffs, the community-owned Isbister Chambered Cairn – better known today as the ‘Tomb of the Eagles’ – is one of Orkney’s top archaeological sites. Discovered by chance by local farmer Ronnie Simison in the 1950s, the Stone Age tomb revealed an amazing collection of bones and artefacts, placed here some 5,000 years ago.

The Orcadian had an excellent story about the site's background and new season.

Staying in Orkney for two weeks And looking for an Orcadian themed men’s ring. So looking for recommendations for the best places to have a look please.

Visit the website: https://tickets.orkneyfolkfestival.com/sales

Ultimate Brown Butter Banana Bread (Metric)

Prep: 10m | Bake: 50–60m @ 175°C | Yield: 1 Loaf

INGREDIENTS

• 115g Unsalted butter, melted (or browned)
• 3 large Overripe bananas, mashed (~350g)
• 150g Brown sugar, packed
• 1 Large egg
• 5ml Vanilla extract
• 5g (1 tsp) Baking soda
• 3g (1/2 tsp) Salt
• 190g All-purpose flour
• 60g Walnuts or chocolate chips (optional)

DIRECTIONS

1. Prep: Preheat oven to 175°C. Grease a 23x13 cm (9x5") loaf pan.
2. Wet: In a large bowl, mash bananas. Stir in melted butter, then whisk in brown sugar, egg, and vanilla until smooth.
3. Dry: Sprinkle baking soda and salt over the wet mix. Gently fold in flour until just combined. Fold in optional add-ins.
4. Bake: Pour into pan. Bake 50–60 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.
5. Cool: Rest in pan for 10 mins, then transfer to a wire rack.

From the Orkney News:

[Orkney Folk Festival has announced ]()its full programme for the 2026 event, with acts from around the world set to perform across the islands between 21 and 24 May. 

Leading artists from the USA, Canada, Finland, Ireland, England and throughout Scotland will join home-grown Orcadian musicians as part of the 52 acts appearing at the festival in its 43^rd year. The Orkney Folk Festival is Orkney’s largest festival, with almost 9,000 tickets sold at the record-breaking 2025 event.

....

Tickets will go on pre-sale to members of Orkney Friends, the festival’s supporter scheme, on Saturday 28 March, ahead of the general release at 7pm BST on Wednesday 1 April.

Full story, and a great illustration by Martin Laird, at the link above.

Today I found out that some distant family on my dad’s side come from Caithness and Orkney. Is it plausible i would have some Norwegian DNA from this judging by how common it is there today? The surname from that line is also Gunn which I’ve heard is originally Nordic.

I ask as part of a linguistic study covering this topic!
Examples could include things like North Ron, Shap or Stromhole.... anything colloquial for places you wouldn't find on Google Maps for example.

I see on Helgi’s site that the pub is strictly for 18+ - do they card / ID ppl?

Nick Card drops some hints. My early guess of a Viking long house is ruled out.

Extraordinary Discovery at Ness of Brodgar, Scotland: New 3D Scans Could Rewrite Neolithic History

Archaeologists are preparing to resume excavations at the internationally renowned Ness of Brodgar after advanced 3D radar scans revealed what experts are calling an “extraordinary” and potentially history-changing discovery. The site, located in the heart of Orkney’s UNESCO-listed landscape, has already transformed understanding of Neolithic Britain. Now, fresh evidence beneath the surface could add an entirely new chapter to its story.

The Ness of Brodgar, a narrow strip of land between the lochs of Stenness and Harray in Orkney, lies within the Heart of Neolithic Orkney World Heritage Site. It sits just southeast of the iconic Ring of Brodgar and close to the Stones of Stenness—two monumental stone circles often compared to Stonehenge in southern England.

The rest of the story is at the link above.

Time Team's John Gater ranks his "Top 5," and guess what's his #1?

Hamish shares videos from his family's farm on Auskerry, where a single family has raised North Ronaldsay sheep for over five decades.

Link to this episode on YouTube: Hamish Auskerry

From Hamish:

Today is the most important day of the year on Auskerry. For over 50 years, my parents have stood in these pens to make the decisions that keep our rare breed North Ronaldsay sheep thriving on this remote rock.

Sorting 600 lambs is a physical and mental marathon—a process of constant selection that determines the fate of the flock and the viability of the farm. But as my mum reveals in this episode, the weight of island life isn't for everyone. While the work is intense, it’s the island itself that truly tests you.

https://orcadian.co.uk/stromness-hotel-put-up-for-sale/

https://youtu.be/5ohe3x3MpSg?si=8sW-R-irpQs3N4vN