Museums, archives and heritage in the Orkney Islands

Orkney, insular county of Scotland, separated from Caithness by the Pentland Firth (6½ to 8 miles broad); area, 240,476 acres, population 32,044; population of Pomona, or Mainland, 17,165. The Orkneys comprise 67 islands, 28 of which are inhabited, besides a large number of rocky islets or skerries. They are divided into 3 groups – the South Isles, comprising the large islands of Hoy, South Ronaldshay, and many smaller ones; Pomona, or Mainland, the largest island of the Orkneys; and the North Isles, comprising Rousay, Shapinshay, Westray, Papa Westray, Eday, Stronsay, Sanday, and North Ronaldshay. Except on the S. and W. sides, where the cliffs are bold and precipitous, the coasts of the islands are extremely irregular, abounding in bays and headlands. The surface – most elevated in Hoy, which is hilly – is generally low, and much interspersed with rocks, swamps, and lochs. The climate, prevailingly moist, is mild and equable for the latitude. The soil mostly consists of peat or moss, but is either sandy or of a good loam where the land is arable. The farms are usually of small size; oats, barley, and turnips are grown. Live stock, poultry, and eggs are largely exported. There is regular steam communication between Leith and Kirkwall, an active trade being kept up. Orkney forms one of the great Scottish fishery districts. Fishing and agriculture are the chief industries. There are two distilleries in Pomona. The Orkneys were known to the Romans as the Orcades, and seem to have been originally peopled by Celts. About the beginning of the 4th century the islands were visited by the Norse sea-rovers, who ultimately settled upon them. They were annexed to Norway in the latter part of the 9th century, and in 1468 were attached to Scotland as a pledge for the dowry of the Princess of Denmark who married James III. The people still retain some traces of their Scandinavian descent. Orkney comprises 18 parishes, and the parliamentary burgh of Kirkwall (part of the Wick Burghs).

– John Bartholomew, Gazetteer of the British Isles (1887)

Corrigall Farm Museum

c/o Broad Street

Kirkwall KW15 1DH

01856 771411

goo.gl/ShTVLY

Opened to the public in 1980, Corrigall Farm Museum is a traditional ‘but and ben’ house. It portrays a typical Orkney farmhouse and steading in Victorian times – late 19th century.

Kirbuster Farm Museum

c/o Broad Street

Kirkwall KW15 1DH

01856 77268

goo.gl/noNg6a

Kirbuster Museum was opened to the public in 1986. It is the last un-restored example of a traditional ‘firehoose’ in Northern Europe.

Lyness Interpretation Centre

Lyness, Hoy

Kirkwall KW16 3NU

01856 791 300

www.scapaflow.co.uk/sfvc.htm

Sometimes known as the Scapa Flow Visitor Centre, the Lyness Interpretation Centre houses an important record of the role the Royal Navy played in Orkney during both World Wars. Situated at Lyness on the island of Hoy, the centre is run by Orkney Islands Council Museums Service, which has converted the former pump house to provide a comprehensive series of interpretative displays, as well as being home to a fascinating outside collection of military equipment such as vehicles and guns.

Maeshowe Chambered Cairn – Historic Scotland

Orkney

01856 761606

www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/places

The finest megalithic tomb in the British Isles, with a large mound covering a stone-built passage and a large burial chamber with cells in the walls. Of Neolithic date, broken into in Viking times by people who carved extensive runic inscriptions on the walls.

Orkney Family History Society

Orkney Library and Archives, 44 Junction Road

Kirkwall KW15 1AG

01856 879 207

www.orkneyfhs.co.uk

The Orkney Family History Society has an office in the Orkney Library & Archive, and is usefully located next to the Archives. Our office is staffed by volunteers, and visitors, whether members or not, are assured of a friendly welcome.

Orkney Library & Archive

44 Junction Road

Kirkwall KW15 1AG

01856 873166

www.orkneylibrary.org.uk/

Orkney Library & Archive provides a wide range of services, many of them free of charge, and welcomes everybody, whether a resident of Orkney or just visiting.

Orkney Museum

c/o Broad Street

Kirkwall KW15 1DH

01856 3191

goo.gl/oDgOz6

The Orkney Museum tells the story of Orkney, from the Stone Age, to the Picts and Vikings, right through to the present day. There is a large collection of old photos and activities to amuse younger visitors.

Orkney Wireless Museum

Kiln Corner

Kirkwall KW15 1LB

01856 871400

www.owm.org.uk

The museum came about because of the love of wireless sets of its founder, the late Jim MacDonald. During his lifetime he gathered together an extensive and varied collection of domestic and defence wireless equipment.

Skaill House

Breckness Estate

Sandwick KW16 3LR

01856 841501

www.skaillhouse.co.uk

Skaill House is the finest mansion in Orkney, a family home steeped in 5000 years of history. Situated in the parish of Sandwick overlooking the spectacular Bay of Skaill, the house is surrounded by spacious lawned gardens and stands in a peaceful secluded spot between the Loch of Skaill and the sea.

Skara Brae Prehistoric Village – Historic Scotland

Skara Brae Prehistoric Village

Orkney

01856 841815

www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/places

When a wild storm on Orkney in 1850 exposed the ruins of ancient dwellings, Skara Brae, the best preserved prehistoric village in northern Europe, was discovered. The excavated farming settlement dates back 5000 years.

Stones of Stenness Circle & Henge – Historic Scotland

Stones of Stenness Circle and Henge

Stenness

01856 841815

www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/places

Standing at a maximum height of six metres (around 19 feet), the sheer scale of the megaliths that make up the Stones o’ Stenness makes the monument visible for miles around. Located by the south-eastern shore of the Loch o’ Stenness, only four of the ring’s stones remain. These are considerably larger than those found in the nearby Ring o’ Brodgar, approximately one mile to the north-west.

Stromness Museum

52 Alfred Street

Stromness KW16 3DF

01856 850025

www.scbf.co.uk/museum.html

Stromness Museum was founded in 1837 with the creation of the Orkney Natural History Society. The building dates from 1858.

Westray Heritage Centre

Westray KW17 2BZ

01857 677414

www.westrayheritage.co.uk

We are situated in the centre of Pierowall village in Westray next door to the Pierowall Hotel. Inside we have an annual display plus permanent exhibition panels on walls, and GEO with model seabirds and sounds.