the Orkney Islands
/ði ˈɔːkni aɪləndz/
/ði ˌɔːrkni ˈaɪləndz/
(also Orkney, the Orkneys)
- a group of more than 70 islands off the north coast of Scotland. The islands are governed as a single council area from the town of Kirkwall on the Mainland island. Mainland is the largest of the islands and has a number of prehistoric structures such as Skara Brae. Orkney and Shetland belonged to Norway and Denmark until the 15th century, when they were given to Scotland. The inhabitants of Orkney are called Orcadians. Fishing and farming are two of the main industries. The islands are popular with tourists.
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the Orkney Islands