As the end of the year approaches, we’ve been looking back through this year’s photographs and picking out some of our favourite images.
We all know that Orkney can look fabulous, whatever the season, but it’s always nice to remind ourselves.
2024 is unlikely to be remembered as a year of outstanding weather for photographers – in Orkney, or elsewhere in the UK. But with a bit of patience and the appropriate clothing, there’s always a myriad of fantastic views to be found around our islands.
January
On a wintry day at Warbeth, following a night of westerly gales, the wind swings round into the north, driving spindrift from the tips of the great waves. The Kame of Hoy, the high headland which marks the entrance into Hoy Sound, stands in the background under a dusting of snow.
February
Our maritime climate means that Orkney tends to get less snow than much of northern Scotland, but this year we were treated to a couple of periods of extended cold weather. St Magnus Cathedral looked beautiful amongst the snow-clad branches in its kirkyard.
March
Tentative awakenings as spring light begins to creep across the landscape. The fields will retain their desaturated winter cloak for a few weeks yet, but roadside daffodils outside Stromness give a splash of colour to this March scene.
April
On an April evening the monoliths at the Ring of Brodgar make a popular vantage-point for birds to exhibit their singing prowess. This redshank followed us, noisily, around the stones.
May
By May, the land is greening up and the islands are alive with wildlife and the sounds of agricultural activity. At Pierowall in Westray, land, sea and sky compete for your attention with their palate of colours.
June
In June, the streets of Stromness and Kirkwall are alive with music and performance, as the annual St Magnus International Festival celebrates Orkney’s midsummer in style. Alon Sariel, one of the world's finest mandolin players, finds time between rehearsals to check out the acoustics of the narrow street through Stromness.
July
A warm evening in July, and a chance to take in one of the finest stretches of the St Magnus Way. The pilgrimage route heads along this spectacular coastline, passing the tidal island of the Brough of Birsay in the distance.
August
August evenings in Orkney are sublime. There's not a breath of wind here in the hills of Orphir, looking to the islands of Graemsay and Hoy beyond. The ferry Hamnavoe slips into Hoy Sound in the background – what a night to arrive in our islands.
September
September brings a softness of light. The morning haze slowly lifts around the spire of St Magnus Cathedral as the leaves of Kirkwall’s trees slowly change.
October
The first of the autumn gales sweeps in, driving Atlantic waves against the coast at Yesnaby. It’s an exposed spot, but there’s few better places to enjoy the power of the seas – from a safe distance, of course.
November
November often brings a brief period of settled weather. A couple of days of high pressure late in the month gave us this glorious evening - perfect for a wander in the hills of Orphir, with views across to the small island of Graemsay, backed by the hills of Hoy.
December
An unseasonably mild December was accompanied by gales. As the wind drove salt spray over the cliffs at Marwick Head, this lone gull seemed quite at home amidst the tempest.
If you want to visit Orkney and experience these scenes and seasons for yourself, take a look at our Inspiration page for more ideas on things to see and do across the islands.