The Orkney Isles are a large group of islands north of the Scottish highlands that are reached by relatively small ferries. Many of their early settlers were Vikings and Norsemen. The people of this area have a scottish-like brogue which can sometimes be a bit challenging to understand.

The Scapa Flow area of water surrounded by the southern Orkneys was used as a protected are by the British Navy during WW II. However, a small German submarine was able to avoid the obstacles, sink a large British battleship, and escape back through the same obstacles. As a result, many of the entrances to the Scapa flow area were blocked with concrete construction barriers. When Germany surrendered at the conclusion of WW II, they deliberately sank many of their warships in the Northern Orkney area to avoid having them captured. A small chapel still stands which was built during WW II by Italian POW'S.

Orkney contains a neolithic stonehenge type of circle called the Ring of Brodgar. Also, prehistoric stone dwellings have been found in several areas, the most well known being those at Scara Brae. The origin of these dwellings is believed to be approximately 3000 B.C.

The capital of Orkney islands is situated at the small village of Kirkwall.