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 degrees north means the sun is above the horizon for 18 hours.  It rises at around 4am and sets at about 10.30pm.  But it is still twilight for much of the night as the sun only dips just below the horizon.  This period of not-quite darkness is known in Orkney as the ‘simmer dim’.  You can celebrate the summer solstice on June 21, the year’s longest day, at the standing stone circle of the Ring of Brodgar in West Mainland. This is marked with music, poetry, readings and a tour.  Folklore in Orkney tells of the Mither of the Sea, a goddess who takes up residence for the summer around Orkney, keeping the sea calm and warm.

Summer is the time when most of Orkney’s festivals are staged.  St Magnus Festival in June showcases music and drama and attracts international musicians.  Shopping Week in Stromness in July offers week-long activities and concerts and Orkney’s famous agricultural shows held across the islands in August are a chance for farmers to be recognised for their hard work in the year.  You can witness the historic tradition of the Riding of the Marches, designed to keep marauders out of Kirkwall, step back in time at the Vintage Rally and witness the unique Boys’ Ploughing Matches in South Ronaldsay when boys plough mini furrows on the beach and boys and girls dress up as plough horses in intricate costumes.  These are popular days out for visitors and locals alike.

Those who are keen to learn more about Orkney’s history, traditions and way of life can sign up for the summer school run by the UHI Centre for Nordic Studies in Kirkwall.

It’s tough to fit everything in.  If you'd rather have a more leisurely time of course, you could just relax and enjoy Orkney’s unspoilt beaches.