Orkney: A Historical Guide

Scottish Historical Guides

by Caroline Wickham-Jones

"Orkney: A Historical Guide" is a marvelous companion to the fascinating Orkney islands, offering a broad overview of their history. Starting with the prehistoric period, from which survives the famous settlement of Skara Brae, it goes on to discuss the flowering of the Celtic Church in the sixth and seventh centuries and the subsequent invasion by the Vikings, who settled there in large numbers and established a powerful Norse earldom. This was perhaps the most dynamic period of Orkney's history, and is characterized in the famous "Orkneyinga Saga," one of the major literary works of its time. Orkney lies only twenty miles north of mainland Scotland, yet for many centuries its culture was more Scandanavian than Scottish. Strong westerly winds account for the scarcity of trees on Orkney and for the tradition of well-constructed stone buildings. As a result, exceptionally well-preserved remains are to be found in the islands, providing a rounded view of society through the ages. Sites and remains to be explored include settlements from the stone age, stone circles and burials from the bronze age, iron-age brochs, Viking castles, the magnificent cathedral of St Magnus, Renaissance palaces, a Martello tower from the Napoleonic Wars and numerous remains from the Second World War. This new edition has been revised and updated, and includes a new chapter which sheds light on exciting and recent findings.

Genres: History, Travel, Scotland, Archaeology, Nonfiction

240 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 1999

Reviews

[Derek Baldwin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I purchased this at the Orkney museum in Kirkwall and would have appreciated the exhibits there, which are marvellous by the way, all the more if I'd read this first. It's a very capable potted history of Orkney from the earliest times, arguably the most interesting, with the usual, and I suppose inevitable, emphasis on "great men" as we near the present day. After discussing each era the author provides a gazetteer of sites, which frequently repeats or embellishes upon information given in the text preceding. The prose is a little mundane and there are some silly typos etc that more careful proofreading would have picked up, which means this falls a little short of being excellent, but definitely worth owning and reading. A better index and a glossary, or just a few footnotes, would have helped as well: I'd never heard of the run-rig system for example and had to resort to Wikipedia to find out what it was.

[Brian Turner · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good introduction to the archaeology and history of Orkney. Different chapters provide a general overview of each historical period of Orkney, followed by sites and excavations to illustrate them.

Recommended not just for those with an interest in the history of Orkney, but also for those with an interest in prehistory - especially considering the extensive and unique archaeological sites on the islands, which can provide a rich regional context to wider reading.

[Sooharris · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've always focused on the Mesolithic, Neolithic, Bronze and Iron age history of Orkney. But this book has shown be that there is so much more history from all era's to enjoy in Orkney. I can't wait to return and do more hopping to the different islands

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting overview of the major sites of the islands, which provides a good, if high level, overview of the (pre-)history and archaeology of the Orkneys. However, as with so many books these days, a good editor could have improved both the prose itself as well as the frequent repetition within individual chapters. I occasionally had the feeling that the author was trying to cover too much, from the neolithic through the twentieth century, in just over 200 pages. Nonetheless, the descriptions of individual sites, frequently supplemented by illustrations, are both interesting and helpful, and this seems a good place to start in reading about the Orkneys. I will be taking this book as a guide when I visit the islands next month.

[Robert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just finished this 2018 reprint of this 2015 edition, as I sit in the kitchen of my self-catering cottage in Orkney. Outstanding and easy to read history and guide book! We first visited here almost thirty years ago and are delighted to find most of the changes here are for the better while the best things are very much the same, and the author will guide you through them. Orkney history includes Neolithic, Bronze Age, Iron Age, Norse, Scots history right up to the present day. I learned more about Picts from this one book than from all other sources combined, a great introduction. Highly recommended.

[Sam Hinmers · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really nifty guide, worthwhile and making me very excited for my upcoming trip.

[Jimgosailing · Rating 5 out of 5]

A deep and somewhat academic (but highly informative) dive into the archeological and other historical sites in Orkney, accompanied by a thorough history through the ages (particularly addressing the Picts), and the relationship tensions with Norway and Scotland.
We traveled there in 2019; I’d heard Orkney described as “the Egypt of the north” but given the ages of findings here that out date the pyramids, maybe Egypt should be called the Orkney of the South.
So many sites here. My initial attraction were the Ring of Brodgar and the Stones of Stenness, then to learn of Maeshowe (and Viking graffiti- and our tour guide said he would not translate all of it for us, it was too risqué but we could look it up online) and the comet across the hill.
A fascinating place to explore.

[Tom Simpkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best guide on Orkney out there

[Carol Aldred · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant. Well set out, and we'll written.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars. Well written and informative. Have me the info I was looking for.

[Caro · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick overview of Orcadian history with notes on historic sites. Good prep and should be useful on the trip.