Orkney

Archipelago, county and council area in northern Scotland

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Orkney, also known as the Orkney Islands, is an archipelago off the north coast of mainland Scotland. The plural name the Orkneys is also sometimes used, but is now considered incorrect. Part of the Northern Isles along with Shetland, Orkney is 10 miles (16 km) north of Caithness and has about 70 islands, of which 20 are inhabited. The largest island, the Mainland, has an area of 523 square kilometres (202 sq mi), making it the sixth-largest Scottish island and the tenth-largest island in the British Isles. Orkney's largest settlement, and also its administrative centre, is Kirkwall.

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Funding boost to help reveal secrets of beached shipwreck Archaeologists have been given a £21,000 funding boost to carry out further research into a shipwreck found washed ashore on an Orkney beach. Sky News - Published 2 weeks ago
Members of the public help save stranded dolphins Members of the public have helped to save the lives of three dolphins after the mammals washed ashore at a bay in Orkney. Sky News - Published on July 30, 2024
Seventy-seven whales dead after mass stranding in Orkney A pod of 77 pilot whales have died after a mass stranding on a beach in Orkney. Sky News - Published on July 12, 2024

Orkney shop owner raises £3,000 for charity after mistakenly ordering 720 Easter eggs Orkney shop owner Dan Dafydd made headlines after a whopping 720 Easter eggs turned up at his door instead of the 80 he meant to buy. Sky News - Published on March 29, 2024
Orkney island shop owner mistakenly orders 720 Easter eggs For the Orkney island of Sanday, Easter has come early. Sky News - Published on March 20, 2024
Diver dead off coast of Scotland A diver has died and another is in hospital after an incident off the coast of the Orkney Islands. Sky News - Published on October 28, 2023

Orkney to trial two electric ferries thanks to £15m funding boost Two electric ferries will go on trial in Orkney thanks to a £15m funding boost. Sky News - Published on September 12, 2023
UK's first drone delivery service launches The UK's first drone delivery service has launched in Orkney. Sky News - Published on August 1, 2023
Community testing begins for Orkney cancer gene link A community testing programme is under way in the Orkney island of Westray for a gene variant linked to a higher risk of ovarian and breast cancer. Sky News - Published on July 3, 2023
Orkney Islands to consider break from UK governance and explore 'Nordic connections' The Orkney Islands is set to consider changing how it is governed, including exploring its "Nordic connections". Sky News - Published on July 3, 2023

Two more weeks of ferry cancellations after vessel ran aground Ferry services to and from Orkney face two more weeks of disruption after a vessel ran aground last month. Sky News - Published on May 8, 2023
'Mayday': Sixty passengers have to be rescued after Orkney ferry takes on water and runs aground Sixty passengers had to be rescued after a ferry ran aground off the coast of Orkney. Sky News - Published on April 30, 2023
Gene mutation which increases risk of cancer linked to Orkney islands A gene mutation which increases the risk of breast and ovarian cancer has been linked to people with Orkney heritage. Sky News - Published on March 16, 2023