Tradespeople in Orphir, Orkney

Orphir is a scattered parish on the southern coast of the Orkney Mainland, overlooking Scapa Flow with views across to the islands of Hoy, Cava and Flotta.

The Orkneyinga Saga Centre here tells the story of the Norse earls who ruled Orkney for centuries and the remains of the 12th-century Round Kirk - one of only two medieval round churches in Scotland - stand nearby.

The parish is largely agricultural, with rolling farmland running down to the shore and the community hall at Orphir serves as a focal point for local life.

Orphir's south-facing position gives it some of the best views in the Mainland, looking out across the great natural harbour of Scapa Flow where the British Grand Fleet was stationed during both World Wars.

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Orkney is an archipelago of around 70 islands off the north coast of mainland Scotland, separated from Caithness by the Pentland Firth - one of the most powerful tidal races in Europe.

Of those 70 islands, roughly 20 are inhabited and most of the population of around 22,000 lives on the largest island, known simply as the Mainland, where the towns of Kirkwall and Stromness serve as the administrative and cultural centres.

Orkney's history stretches back over 5,000 years. The Heart of Neolithic Orkney - a UNESCO World Heritage Site comprising Skara Brae, Maeshowe, the Ring of Brodgar and the Stones of Stenness - represents some of the best-preserved prehistoric sites anywhere in northern Europe. The islands were under Norse rule for around 600 years and that Scandinavian heritage remains visible in place names, dialect and culture.

The islands are reached by ferry from Scrabster and Aberdeen and by air from Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen and Inverness. Orkney's economy is built on agriculture, fishing, renewable energy, whisky and tourism and the islands have a quality of life consistently rated among the highest in Scotland.

Orkney is at the forefront of marine renewable energy, home to the European Marine Energy Centre which tests tidal and wave power devices in the waters around the islands. The strong community life, low crime and dramatic landscape make Orkney one of the most distinctive and self-reliant places in Scotland.