purple sandpipers on Birsay beach
purple sandpipers on Birsay beach
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  • purple sandpipers on Birsay beach
  • a field of buttercups by Kirkwall
  • visiting geese in flight
  • tree bark in Hoy
  • a spider lurks in the grass
  • lichen growing on a rock
  • the glorious colours of sun dew
  • seals on the beach in Birsay
Orkney Nature

With its mild climate, fertile green land and stunning coastline, Orkney is a paradise for nature lovers all year round.

Every season has its own charm and beauty from the endless days of summer with seabirds clamouring on the cliffs to the short days of winter when the land is free of visitors and you can enjoy the quietness or cosy up by a roaring fire for traditional Orcadian storytelling sessions.

Unique animals live here, including the Orkney vole, while rare plants thrive in the pollution-free air.

Nature is all around you in Orkney.

Other Websites of Interest
Visit Orkney - nature
Outdoor Orkney
Wildlife of Scapa Flow
Orkney nature forum

Local Businesses
Natural Power
Unit 3, Kiln Corner,, Kirkwall, Orkney, KW15 1QX
www.naturalpower.com
Nature Knowe
Knowe of Quindry, Saint Margaret's Hope, Orkney, KW17 2TW
Orkney Pagan Weddings
Harray, Orkney, KW17 2JU
www.orkneypaganweddings.co.uk
Orkney Aggregates Ltd
Crowness Crescent, Hatston Industrial Estate, Kirkwall, Orkney, KW15 1GJ
www.orkagg.co.uk
Corinne Fudge Photography
Corinne Fudge Photography and Wedding Photographer, Rufusmoor, TANKERNESS, Kirkwall and Stromness, Orkney, KW17 2QS
www.corinnefudgephotography.co.uk
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Explore Nature
Climate
Climate
Popular sayings in Orkney are that we have can have four seasons in one day AND that there are only two seasons a year.  Both have some truth in the telling.  Orkney weather can be very
 
Summer
Summer
If you are not used to the early dawn of an Orkney summer’s day, you may waken very early.  In high summer in June there is almost continual daylight.  Orkney’s latitude at 59
 
Elsewhere on Orkney.com
Agriculture
Agriculture
Farming has been a way of life in Orkney for 5,000 years since Neolithic farmers raised crops and livestock on our fertile land.  Things have changed since then of course with Orkney now a
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Diving
Diving
The sheltered waters of Scapa Flow are a magnet for scuba divers who come to Orkney in their thousands every year to see what lies beneath.  For Orkney offers more than just clean waters and
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Papa Westray
Papa Westray
Take the world’s shortest scheduled flight and see northern Europe’s oldest house on one of Orkney’s smallest inhabited islands with a big community heart.  Papa Westray is
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Seals
Seals
Orkney is an internationally important breeding site for two species of seals – the grey and the common seal.  These charismatic creatures are both friendly and inquisitive, but it's
see more
Orkney Nature photos from flickr
Owl - Orkney
Tractor
War Beach
Cottage
Lamb
on the meadow... :)
Shaggy
IMG_5488
European Herring Gull
Google News
Scottish islands use independence vote to push for own devolution
... proudly displays the Saltire flag ©Bloomberg. Councils in Shetland, Orkney and the Western Isles are seizing the opportunity presented by Scotland's independence referendum to launch their own combined drive for more devolved powers and policy ...
Financial Times
Islands councils united in call for powers to run their own affairs
"Islands by their very nature are special places with special requirements. The Western Isles, Shetland and Orkney each have a strong sense of identity. What we share is an abundance of natural resources and a pride in our cultural traditions. "What we ...
stv.tv
Aberdeen violent assault: CCTV of two men released
"Anyone with information that can help us locate those responsible for this incident is asked to contact police immediately." He added: "Assaults of this nature can have a significant impact, not only on the lives of the victims but also on their ...
BBC News
Seabird spectacular
Widespread around UK coasts with large colonies at Bempton Cliffs and on Orkney. Northern gannet (Morus bassanus): Perform ... Large colonies in Scotland on Orkney, Shetland and also in Wales and Devon. Continue reading the main story. previous slide ...
BBC News