Orkney Islands

Hello there. Can you feel the wind tickle your nose and hear the sea splash and sing. I am a big family of green islands, floating in the cool blue water. The sky above me is wide and full of puffy clouds and bright sunshine. I am the Orkney Islands, a special place way up in Scotland. I have green grass for fuzzy sheep to munch on and sandy beaches for you to wiggle your toes in.

Secrets in the Stones

A long, long, long time ago, people lived here. Around 5,000 years ago, they built cozy houses out of stone, like stacking big gray blocks. Their little village was called Skara Brae. It fell asleep under a sandy blanket for many years. Then, one day, a big, windy storm in the winter of 1850 came and woke the village up. Whoosh. The people also built giant circles of standing stones. They would meet there to look at the bright moon and twinkling stars. They were very clever builders.

Vikings and Puffin Friends

Many years later, around the 8th century, brave sailors called Vikings came to visit me. They sailed in big wooden boats called longships with pretend dragons on the front. They loved my green hills and safe, quiet spots for their boats to rest. Today, I have lots of animal friends who live here too. Funny little birds called puffins with rainbow-colored beaks make their homes on my cliffs. Chubby, happy seals love to lie on my rocks in the sunshine and splash in the cool water.

A Place of Wonder Forever

People still come from all over the world to see my old stone houses and my giant stone circles. They walk on my soft green grass and listen to the stories I whisper on the wind. I love sharing my secrets from long ago. I am here to show everyone how people and animals can live together. I will always be here, a place full of wonder and history for you to dream about.