There are many societies in Orkney and one of the oldest is the society which led to the formation of Stromness Museum.  The Orkney Natural History Society was founded in 1837 – the year the young Queen Victoria ascended to the throne.  The Victorians were great collectors and travellers and amassed fascinating specimens of animals, birds, butterflies and fish.

Other historical societies include Orkney Heritage Society which was founded in 1968 to preserve the beauty, history and character of Orkney by encouraging high standards of architecture and planning and hosting public lectures, conferences, awards and trips, such as the annual boat trip to the uninhabited island of Eynhallow.  Awards are given for architecture and the Marjorie Linklater and the Fereday Prize to school pupils for writing and historical research.  In 2010 it ran the Year of Orkney Dialect project. 

Orkney Family History Society is run by volunteers and has a room open in the afternoons at Orkney Library and Archive. The society helps people conducting family research and holds a database of information including census records.  It also hosts evenings with guest speakers.  The Orkney Archaeology Society promotes and supports archaeology and replaced the Friends of Orkney Archaeological Trust.

Orkney Field Club was founded in 1959 to encourage the study of our natural heritage.  It maintains a species list and has projects in the field at Durkadale plantation, which is home to native trees and heathland at Orphir.  The club hosts talks in the St Magnus Centre in Kirkwall.  The RSPB has a strong presence in Orkney with many reserves protecting native and migratory birds.

The arts are also well represented with societies including the Orkney Arts Society which exists to promote all the arts.  It hosts events with visiting writers, theatre companies, opera and dance and the visual arts.  Orkney Strathspey and Reel Society, the West Mainland Strathspey and Reel Society and the Orkney Accordion and Fiddle Club joined forces for the Orkney Traditional Music Project.

Other societies include the many agricultural societies detailed on the Agriculture page, the Caged Bird Society and even the Orkney Railway Society.  Although there are no passenger railways in Orkney, tracks were laid during the war and for industry such as quarrying.