ORKNEY ISLANDS, Scotland, a group of islands lying to the north of the north-eastern extremity of Scotland, between 53° 44' and 59' 21' N. lat., 2° 23' and 3' 24' W. long. They arc separated from the mainland by the Pentland Frith, which is about 7 miles wide at its eastern entrance between Duncanaby Head and the imbue] of South Itonaldaha. The flux and reflux of the water during the run of the tides through this strait is broken by the Pentland Skerrice, which lie about 4 miles N.E. from Duncansby Heed, and 3 miles S. from South Itonaldsha; and farther westward by the islands of Swona end Stronsa. [Curnerasesurnz.] Strong currents are thus produced in various parts of the frith at the seine time, a circumstance whim, causes so much sea in gales of wind es to render the strait dangerous to deep laden Teasels. There is a lighthouse on the Pentland Skerry.
The Orkneys consist of 67 islands and islets, 27 of which are iubabitel ; the remainder, called ' helms,' are pasture-grounds. The largest of these ialands, called Pomona, or Mainland, extends from south-east to northwest about 18 miles, and divides the group into two portions. The islands between Pomona and the mainland of Great Britain are called the South Isles, and those north of Pomona the North Isles. Eight of the South Islands and three of the Skerries, and 15 of the North Isles, are permanently inhabited. They contained in 1851 a population of 31,453e namely : South Isles.—Swous and Pentland Skerry, 57 inhabitants; South Ronaldaha, 2465; Burnt, 559; 'gotta and Fara, 441; Hoy, 1563; Orernsay, 256; Pomona, or Mainland, 10,757; Hunda, 5.
Norte hla.—Shapinsha, 399 inhabitants; Weir, 62; Eagleshay, or Egilaa, ]92; Rouses, 937; Enhallow, 24 • Eday and Fare, 1016; Strong*, Papa Stronsa, and Lingholm, 1211 ; Sande, 2004; North lionaldsha, 526; Papa Westra, 371; Westra, 2088.
Coast-line, Surface, &c.—Some of the islands have rocky shores pre senting abrupt precipices towards the west. In Hoy these precipices rise to the height of 1000 feet. Other islands rise from the shore in
low rounded hills covered with heath, and with a considerable depth of peat-mould. Others are low and fiat, with sandy shores. There are few trees on any of the islands. In the neighbourhood of the town of Kirkwall, and on Pomona generally, there has of late years been considerable planting. According to a rough estimate, the sur face of the islands is 150,000 acres, of which less than one-third is cultivated and used as pasture; • the remainder is waste or covered with water. The island of Sauds., which is flat and low, is the most fertile. Wart Hill, on the island of Hoy, has an elevation of 155G feet, and is considered the highest land in the islands; Wideford Hill, on Pomona, also rises to a considerable elevation. • The coasts of Pomona and the South Isles are very irregular in their outline, and contain several secure and spacious harbours. The harbours are not howeier much used except by fishing-boats. The principal stations for the herring-fishery are St. Margaret's Hope in South llonaldsha, and Papa Sound in Stronaa. On the island of Hoy there is an excellent and spacious harbour called Long Hope. Stromness and Long Hope are most frequented by shipping. Small lochs are numerous in the islands. The Loch of Stennis in Pomona is by far the most important, being about 14 miles in circumference The roads are good.
Climate, Soil, and Agriculture.—As the Orkneys lie open to the Atlantic, and are exposed to the west-south-westeru gales, which aro the prevalent winds, the climate is rather wet than cold. Frost rarely lasts many days, and the harbours ire open all the year round. The winter is disagreeable on account of the frequent rains and storms. The spring season also is usually wet and stormy. The summer is generally pleasant, the heat moderate, and the weather steady. The early part of the autumn is likewise agreeable, but in November the bad weather commences.