Even though summer isn’t over yet, attention is already turning to the autumn months and the return of one of Orkney’s most popular annual events.
The Orkney International Science Festival will bring a week-long programme to the islands between 3 – 9 September 2026, featuring walks, talks, demonstrations, family days, music, and plenty of opportunities for food, drink, and fun.
This year the festival will island hop to Swona, Hoy, and Graemsay, focus on Orkney’s archaeology, look at the language and dialect of the Northern Isles, and even explore dark matter, dark energy, and deep space.
Also in the programme will be stories of famous Orcadians, including Arctic explorer, John Rae, and a Stromness teacher who became a wartime codebreaker in the Far East.
It really is an eclectic mix of events and the challenge as always will be to decide which ones to add to your itinerary. We’ve picked out one programme item per day to give you a flavour of this fantastic festival.
3 September – Time for Traditional Food
This is the perfect opportunity to introduce yourself to some of the classic elements of the Orkney larder.
Organised by the newly formed Orkney Traditional Food Group, you’ll be able to watch demonstrations on how to bake oatcakes and bere bannocks, and find out how to make Orkney butter and cheese.
You’ll also get expert advice on what to do with sowans and how to use wild foods.
4 September – Things That Glow in the Dark
Fireflies, glow-worms, algae, and even laundry detergents can all glow in the dark, but how does this happen, and how can we see it in action?
Join Johnathan Doran and Dr Paul Beaumonth from the Scottish Schools Education Research Centre for a family show packed full with live demonstrations all aimed at sparking curiosity.
5 September – Old Old Stories
Head across the Churchill Barriers to a unique building in South Ronaldsay to explore the nature of stories passed from one generation to the next.
The historic St Mary’s Kirk at Burwick is the venue for this special event, hosted by Tom Muir of the Orcadian Story Trust.
He’ll be joined by other storytelling experts to discuss how long a story can continue, and what clues it might give us to the past.
6 September – The Astronomy of The Odyssey
Perfectly timed to coincide with the release of the film, this talk with Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society, Dr Vassilios Spathopoulos, will decode the hidden astronomical information in Homer’s epic, The Odyssey.
It’s one of the greatest stories of all time, composed over 2,800 years ago, and now the film version is bringing it to a whole new audience.
During the talk you’ll discover the constellations that guided Odysseus across open seas, and hear about a solar eclipse that could date the fall of Troy to the exact day.
September 7 – The Wind That Blows the Bere
With harvest time fast approaching, this special foy celebrates Orkney’s ancient grain, bere, in words, music, and images.
Storie from the dialect writers’ group, Orkney Voices, are backed by specially-composed music from local musicians and imagery that focuses on the cycle of ploughing, sowing, harvest, and milling.
It’s a quintessential Orcadian tale, told in the beautiful setting of Birsay’s St Magnus Church.
September 8 – Following the Drone to Graemsay
Jump on the morning ferry to Graemsay to enjoy a special day in the island, with a walk, lunch, and stories of the sea planned.
You’ll also get to welcome the arrival of the drone that carries the mail here from Stromness – the first of its kind in the UK. You’ll hear the story of the development of the service from Royal Mail representatives, and find out about Graemsay’s long seafaring tradition from local boatbuilder, Len Wilson, and naval architect, Dennis Davidson.
The day will be rounded off with a guided walk back to the pier focusing on roadside nature and more tales from the island.
September 9 – John Rae and the Northern Telegraph Route
The final day of the festival features a special concert in St Magnus Cathedral inspired by Dr John Rae’s northern telegraph survey of 1860.
It will see Nordic Viola and Faroese chamber ensemble, Aldubaran, perform four brand-new works by northern composers from Scotland, Faroe, and Greenland.
The concert will also feature poetry by Lesley Harrison, all in the stunning setting of Orkney’s Viking cathedral.
These are just some of the many highlights to be found at this year’s Orkney International Science Festival. View the full programme online and book your tickets now. The festival will be held across Orkney between 3 - 9 September, 2026.