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Orkney

Orkney /ˈɔːrkni/ (Scottish Gaelic: Arcaibh), also known as the Orkney Islands, is an archipelago in the Northern Isles of Scotland, United Kingdom. Situated off the north coast of Great Britain, Orkney is 16 kilometres (10 mi) north of the coast of Caithness and comprises approximately 70 islands, of which 20 are inhabited. The largest island, Mainland, often referred to as "the Mainland", has an area of 523.25 square kilometres (202 sq mi), making it the sixth-largest Scottish island and the tenth-largest island in the British Isles. The largest settlement and administrative centre is Kirkwall.

The name "Orkney" dates back to the 1st century BC or earlier, and the islands have been inhabited for at least 8,500 years. Originally occupied by Mesolithic and Neolithic tribes and then by the Picts, Orkney was invaded and forcibly annexed by Norway in 875 and settled by the Norse. The Scottish Parliament then re-annexed the earldom to the Scottish Crown in 1472, following the failed payment of a dowry for James III's bride, Margaret of Denmark. Orkney contains some of the oldest and best-preserved Neolithic sites in Europe, and the "Heart of Neolithic Orkney" is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site.

North Ronaldsay sheep

The North Ronaldsay is a breed of sheep living on North Ronaldsay, the northernmost of the Orkney Islands, Scotland. They are one survivor of a type of sheep formerly found across the islands of Orkney and Shetland (the other is the Shetland), belonging to the Northern European short-tailed sheep group of breeds.

They are notable for living almost entirely on seaweed for several months of the year, except for a short lambing season this is the only forage available to them, as they are confined to the shoreline by a 6 feet (1.8 m) tall dry-stone wall which encloses the whole island. The semi feral flock on North Ronaldsay is confined to the foreshore for most of the year to conserve the limited grazing inland. This breed is raised primarily for wool.

The Rare Breeds Survival Trust lists this breed as "vulnerable," with about 600 registered breeding females in the United Kingdom in Spring 2014.

Wool

Wool from the sheep is spun in Lanarkshire on the Scottish mainland and returned to Orkney for sale. However a small woollen mill now has a processing operation on North Ronaldsay. This mill processes the majority of Island-produced fleeces and supplies fibre for felters and spinners, as well as spinning yarn for knitters, many of whom live in Orkney producing fine clothing and other woollen goods for sale throughout Orkney.

Orkney (disambiguation)

Orkney may refer to:

Scotland

  • Orkney, an archipelago in Scotland, also known as the Orkney Islands
  • Mainland, Orkney, the largest island in the Orkney archipelago
  • Orkney (Scottish Parliament constituency), the constituency for the Orkney Islands in the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh
  • Orkney Islands Council, the local authority for Orkney
  • Antarctica

  • South Orkney Islands, a group of islands in the South Atlantic Ocean.
  • South Africa

  • Orkney, North West, a mining town in South Africa
  • Orkney Snork Nie, a sitcom in Afrikaans set in Orkney, North West Province
  • Canada

  • Orkney, Saskatchewan, a village
  • Orkney No. 244, Saskatchewan, a rural municipality
  • Orkney, Kentucky
  • See also

  • Orkney and Shetland (UK Parliament constituency) the constituency for Orkney in the British Parliament in London
  • Radio Stations - Orkney

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    Sautun Noor Religious South Africa
    Radio Laeveld - 100.5 FM Country,Dance,Talk South Africa
    Jacaranda South Africa Varied South Africa
    Boervolk Radio Adult South Africa
    Radio Islam Religious South Africa
    Cii Varied South Africa
    Republic Radio Oldies South Africa
    Lesedi FM (SABC) Varied South Africa
    Highveld Adult Contemporary South Africa
    All Jazz Radio Jazz South Africa
    Squad Cars Talk South Africa
    Motsweding FM (SABC) Pop,World Africa South Africa
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    Yfm Gospel,Christian South Africa
    Chai FM Adult Contemporary,Religious South Africa
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    Bok Radio Varied South Africa
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    Classic FM SA Classical South Africa
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    567 Cape Talk Talk South Africa
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    Latest News for: orkney

    Edit

    Occasional Licence Kerry Leask Orkney Food and Drink Stromness Pier Head 24 May 2025 (Orkney Islands Council)

    Public Technologies 25 Apr 2025
    Orkney Islands Area Licensing Board. The Orkney Islands Area Licensing Board has received the following application for occasional licence - ... Kerry Leask, Skiren, 2 Scapa Brae, St Ola, Kirkwall, Orkney, KW15 1WG ... Orkney Food and Drink.
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    Occasional Licence Lindsay Hall Gable End Theatre Live Music 13 and 28 June 2025 (Orkney Islands Council)

    Public Technologies 25 Apr 2025
    Orkney Islands Area Licensing Board. The Orkney Islands Area Licensing Board has received the following application for occasional licence - ... Lindsay Hall, Seaview, Melsetter, Longhope, Hoy, Orkney, KW16 2NQ.
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    Roads update for week starting 28 April 2025 (Orkney Islands Council)

    Public Technologies 25 Apr 2025
    You can zoom in for a detailed view of roadworks carried out by the Council at www.orkney.gov.uk/roads ... The Orkney Islands Council (Cruise Liners) (Temporary Closure) Order 2025 ... Orkney Islands Council ...
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    Digital Ferry Voucher Scheme extended to 19-21 year olds (Orkney Islands Council)

    Public Technologies 24 Apr 2025
    The concessionary scheme which was previously limited to 16-18 year olds, provides four single free ferry trips between Orkney and the Scottish mainland each year ... In Orkney, digital vouchers are ...
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    Aberdeen hospital staff given two-year car park reprieve

    BBC News 24 Apr 2025
    Staff at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary can continue using its main patient and visitor car park. .
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    Rat forces closure of Aberdeenshire school for a week

    BBC News 24 Apr 2025
    It is hoped the 125-pupil school in Aberdeenshire can re-open next week. .
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    Aberdeenshire schools merger could keep current buildings open

    BBC News 23 Apr 2025
    A final decision is being sought on plans to merge Foveran and Tipperty schools in Aberdeenshire. .
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    Man denies causing death crash and driving at 194mph

    BBC News 23 Apr 2025
    Josh Buchan, 25, is due to go on trial over the alleged offences in Aberdeen next year. .
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    Learner drivers in rural Scotland face long waits for tests

    BBC News 23 Apr 2025
    Dylan Whiteley, 17, has been trying to book a test for seven weeks, without success. .
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    One injured after jet ski collides with pier in Lerwick Harbour

    BBC News 22 Apr 2025
    Two people were on board at the time of the incident, near the Shetland Catch fish factory. .
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    Orkney’s curlew population back on the rise as charity removes invasive species

    London Evening Standard 21 Apr 2025
    The curlew population had declined by more than 50%, according to statistics obtained by a wildlife charity ... .
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    Orkney’s curlew population back on the rise, figures show

    The Scotsman 21 Apr 2025
    The RSPB says the latest figures from Orkney mark a significant success for conservationists ....
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    Stoat cull credited with rise in Orkney curlew numbers

    BBC News 21 Apr 2025
    A mass eradication of the non-native mammals is believed to have helped the wading bird population recover. .
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