Northern Isles
Natural Heritage
Orkney
Select a category for more information about Orkney's natural heritage:
- SNH in Orkney
- Orkney's Natural Heritage
- Landscape, Bedrock and History
- Sea & Coast
- Moors & Wetlands
- Farming
- Global to Local
- Advice
- Protecting sites
- Access & Enjoyment
- Understanding nature & working with others
SNH in Orkney
Tradition and history are key features of life in Orkney - as is the natural heritage. Here, perhaps more obviously than elsewhere in Scotland, nature and culture are inseparably linked.
Contrast features strongly too. Orkney has places of striking wildness but also areas where people have greatly influenced the nature of the land.
Much of the land is fertile and rich but the influence of the sea is never far away: quiet bays, rocky shores, spectacular cliffs and the exposed west coast. In Orkney a wealth of wildlife and habitats sustain and provide employment for many of the islands’ 20,000 people.
This is part of Scotland’s natural heritage - for us to enjoy, use, look after and pass on to future generations; caring for this is our contribution to the ‘natural strand’ of the continuing Orkney saga.
Orkney's Natural Heritage
Although the southernmost tip of Orkney is only about ten kilometres from the mainland of Scotland the natural qualities of the islands are very distinct.
Land, sea and air abound in natural interest and wildlife including seals, whales, dolphins, otters, the Orkney vole, Primula scotica (Scottish primrose) and large numbers of seabirds.
The sea moderates the climate of Orkney and influences its natural heritage, but the exposure to the sea also provides for vast contrast. On the heights of Hoy, for example, are the same arctic plants that grow at the much higher altitudes of the mountainous Cairngorms.
The islands support farming, fishing, cottage and craft enterprises, shipping, oil and light industry. More than 100,000 tourists come here each year for the wildlife, landscape and beauty that is unique to Orkney.
Landscape, Bedrock and History
Orkney may seem flat - but appearances can be deceptive. Although hardly mountainous - the highest point (Ward Hill) is only 479 metres high - there are gently undulating hills. At their tops are heather moorland moving down to patchworks of arable land and on to the coast.
This landscape has evolved over millions of years, firstly as the rocks were formed and then eroded, as water and ice scoured the surface, and most recently by the hand of man. It is continuously changing: SNH does not believe in ‘fossilising’ nature into a kind of out-door museum, but in influencing the modern pressures of change and encouraging acceptance of management of the natural heritage as an important and legitimate land-use.
The rocks underlying Orkney date back 380 million years and consist of a series of sandstones and shales. These strata are known collectively as the Old Red Sandstone, although in reality the rocks are not always red; grey and yellow are the dominant colours. The fossilised remains of early life forms, particularly fishes, are common in these rocks, if you know where to look.
When man first came to Orkney there were trees such birch, aspen, rowan, hazel and willow and birds such as the soaring sea eagle and the flightless great auk. A rich wildlife remains. The rabbits, hares, mice and rats common here now were all introduced, as was the famous Orkney vole which is believed to have arrived with early travellers. SNH works to ensure that threats such as over-collection of fossils, dumping and construction work do not damage the geology.
Sea and Coast
Orcadians have been called ‘farmers with boats’. While the land is well suited to farming, the influence of the sea should not be underestimated.
The waters around Orkney are notably clear and unpolluted - it is not unusual to see whales or dolphins and there are important populations of grey and common seals. The seas provide income for people as well as food for marine and bird life so it is vital to manage them with care. SNH advises local and national government and develops policies about the wise use of ocean resources. It also records data, for example on stranded porpoises, dolphins and seals, and seeks to ensure that fish farms take account of the needs of wildlife.
Fully enjoyed by people, Orkney’s coastline is famous for its maritime heath and stretches of colourful flowers including pink sea thrift, blue sea squill, purple bell and common heather. The Scottish primrose, a tiny relative of the common primrose, is found only round the coasts of Orkney and Caithness and Sutherland. Puffins, kittiwakes, shags and black guillemots (tysties) live here, and turnstones, ringed plover and purple sandpipers exploit the seaweed tangles on the shores. With luck, you may even spot an otter playing or feeding along the shoreline.
SNH conducts research and works with others to monitor the natural heritage around the coasts.
Moors and Wetlands
Orkney has extensive areas of peat moor. They provide ideal habitats for a wide range of birds including great and arctic skuas (bonxies and scotie allans), nesting waders such as golden plover and dunlin and surprisingly large numbers of the liquid-sounding curlew. Orkney moorlands are also important for large numbers of ground-nesting birds of prey including hen harrier, merlin, short-eared owl and kestrel.
Moorland is clearly important for both its landscape and wildlife. In a recent project with Stirling University SNH has been finding out more about the birds and plants of this valuable habitat.
The landscape has changed since 1468 when Orkney became part of Scotland. The lower land areas would have been wet and marshy, but today much of this has been drained. However, some remaining wet areas such as the Loch of Isbister and the Loons are important for flora and attract huge numbers of migrating and wintering ducks and geese. More than 17,000 wildfowl have been counted on the Loch of Harray on a single day.
Both the Lochs of Harray and Stenness and the Loch of Isbister and the Loons are sites where SNH gives advice on management.
Farming
Orkney has an important tradition of farming that extends back thousands of years. Unlike Shetland or the Hebrides there are not many crofts and most farming is on small owner-occupied farms.
People have changed the landscape over the ages. Early settlers cleared woodland cover away and started to farm hill areas, while during this century we have seen the mechanisation of farming.
There have been some casualties of these changes, such as the corncrake - there are now only a few pairs of this globally rare bird nesting on Orkney - and the decline in the cliff top areas of maritime heath. However, despite the relative intensity of agriculture, many diverse wildlife refuges remain.
To contribute to this aspect of our natural heritage SNH:
- works with farmers, The Scottish Office Agriculture and Fisheries Department and the Orkney Farming Fishing and Wildlife Advisory Group
- gives advice and promotes the preparation of farm conservation plans
- grant aids FWAG
Global to Local
It has been said that Orkney is part of a continuing saga. Heritage and nature survive, but here, as elsewhere nature can be easily damaged and needs some protection and encouragement. Only last century the Great Auk disappeared. Today it is the corncrake which is struggling to survive.
Global conservation issues such as acid rain, deforestation and global warming rightly concern us all, but we must not forget what we have at home. We can act locally to combat these pressures and preserve the special natural qualities of Orkney.
SNH has a key role to play in this.
Advice
The task of protecting the natural heritage is not SNH’s alone.
We work with and advise people with a range of interests in Orkney including - voluntary groups, land owners, farmers, crofters and local businesses.
Orkney has an important range of wildlife and landscapes, some of which are officially protected. SNH can advise on legislation designed to safeguard species and promote schemes to protect wildlife.
Research and survey is central to much of our work in Orkney and includes regular monitoring of the condition of moorland, seals and birds.
We either do this work ourselves or contract specialists to do it for us. Once we know more about what we have we can look after it better.
Protecting Sites
We care about the natural heritage throughout the whole of Orkney, but in addition, some places have special protection through a system of designations.
National Scenic Areas
Orkney has one NSA which covers a roughly triangular area from
the Bay of Skaill to Sneuk Head, south of Rackwick and north of the
Loch of Kirbister. NSAs are areas of outstanding national scenic value.
SNH is consulted about planning applications so that the beauty of such
places is not compromised.
Sites of Special Scientific Interest
Orkney has over 30 SSSIs, sites which represent important examples of
habitats and geological features in Britain. SNH identify and notify
these sites and work with land holders to conserve their special features.
Access and Enjoyment
Access to nature, wherever you live, contributes greatly to our quality of life. Promoting access, enjoyment and recreation in the countryside is the key role of SNH.
Residents and visitors alike take great pleasure in the scenery and access to nature that Orkney offers so abundantly. Whether you canoe, walk, windsurf, bird watch or fish, all these activities depend on a healthy, unspoilt landscape.
SNH aims to promote sensitive and informed development of these activities in ways that respect the interests of wildlife, landscape and those who own and work the land.
In Orkney, SNH has been an active partner, through grant aid and management agreements, in maintaining the natural beauty of the islands and supporting projects that aid people’s enjoyment. This includes the development of walks, leaflets, signs and hides from which to view wildlife.
Understanding nature and working with others
SNH works with others to care for and encourage awareness of the natural heritage. Our partners include Orkney Islands Council, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, private landowners and government as well as a wide range of voluntary groups and of course the general public.
Where the natural heritage will benefit from our practical support we are able to fund improvements such as the visitor interpretation at Mull Head Local Nature Reserve, North Hoy and on Westray. We have grant aided footpaths on Rousay, Westray, Hoy and the Mainland and lent support to tree nurseries, tree planting and pond schemes.
Improved knowledge about nature leads to greater understanding and appreciation of its importance. In Orkney we provide signs, educational material, booklets, information and other resources.
We recognise the importance of personal contacts in creating strong working relationships. We give talks, lead groups on guided walks and make farm visits. We try to make our advice practical and based on sound, environmentally-friendly land management techniques.
The future of Orkney’s natural heritage depends largely on its young people. In towns and cities nature gardens are a good way of introducing wildlife themes to children, but in rural Orkney nature is on the doorstep. SNH staff are therefore keen to take school groups into the real thing! They also make visits to schools and help develop special projects and grant schemes.