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Site of Viking Age boat burial at Scar, Sanday, Orkney
A small sign marking the location of the Viking Age boat burial near Scar, on the north coast of Sanday, Orkney. Excavated in November/December 1991 and published in Olwyn Owen and Magnar Dalland, Scar: A Viking Boat Burial on Sanday, Orkney, 2000.
Sign for Egilsay in the Orkneys
Egilsay is famous as the site of the martyrdom of St Magnus, and for the church that still stands on the site, with its unusual round tower. Egilsay may refer to the personal name Egil (Egil's Island) or to Gaelic eagles, meaning church. It was the…
Scapa Whisky with Viking Branding
Scapa Orkney Single Malt Whisky, 2001. A Viking ship is used in the branding of this product.
Runic Pins from Orkney
Runic pins reading 'Orkney', on sale in a tourist shop in Kirkwall.
Runic patterned socks from Orkney
Socks with runic pattern, seen in a tourist shop in Kirkwall
Runic donation box, Orkneyinga saga Centre, Orphir
A donation box in the Orkneyinga saga Centre in Orphir, Orkney, featuring an open-mouthed face (viking?) with accompanying runic inscription.
'The Orkneyinga saga Centre, Orphir, tells the story of the Norse Earls of Orkney using The Orkneyinga…
'The Orkneyinga saga Centre, Orphir, tells the story of the Norse Earls of Orkney using The Orkneyinga…
Runes at Kirkwall Airport
This is the entrance of Kirkwall Airport, Orkney. The placename Grimsetter is written in the runes "krimsitir" in the younger futhark. The new building was opened in 2002 and I have been told that M. P. Barnes advised on the correct use of the runes.
Round Church at Orphir, Orkney
The round 'Kirk' at Orphir was built in the late eleventh or early twelfth century, possibly by Earl Hakon. It was dedicated to Saint Nicholas and its round style is based on the Ecclesia Sancti Sepulchri in Jerusalem: a fashion probably brought home…
Rögnvald Kali Kolsson on the Hakon and Rognvald Window in Lerwick Town Hall
Rognvald Kali Kolsson (d. 1158), also known as Rognvald the Crusader, is one of the most important and colourful Earls of Orkney, and his exploits are depicted in Orkneyinga saga. He invaded Orkney in 1135, and promoted the cult of St Magnus with the…
Rögnvald Brusason on the Oriel Window of Lerwick Town Hall
Rögnvald Brusason shared the Earldom of Orkney with Thorfinn Sigurdsson from c. 1037 until his death in conflict with Thorfinn in 1046, and his eventful life is recorded in some detail in Orkneyinga saga. More information about the Oriel Window can…
Reading of skaldic verse by David Baker and Orri Tomasson
Readings of skaldic verse produced for the Orkney Project. Orri Tomasson reads the Old Norse, and David Baker reads the translations of the following poems:
1. Earl Rögnvaldr Kali Kolsson, a Lausavísur from Orkneyinga saga, ch 58 in which he…
1. Earl Rögnvaldr Kali Kolsson, a Lausavísur from Orkneyinga saga, ch 58 in which he…
Poster advertising the Orkney Viking Heritage Project
A poster created by ECRs on the Orkney Viking Heritage Project. Designed and produced by Annelies Stern.
Plaque indicating location of St Olaf's Kirk in Kirkwall
This plaque in Orkney indicates the location of St Olaf's Kirk in Kirkwall, from which Kirkwall may derive it's name.
Photo of the Brough of Birsay, Orkney
The Brough of Birsay was an important defensive site in Orkney from the earliest settlement. It was under Norse control from the ninth century, and most of the ruins on the Brough (ON Byrgisey, or 'Fort Island') date from this time. The causeway…
Photo of St Olaf's Wynd Street Sign in Orkney
Photo of the street sign 'Olaf's Wynd' in Kirkwall, Orkney. Wynd is a placename element from the Norse verb venda, meaning 'to turn' or 'to wind'. St Olaf refers to the Norwegian king Ólafr Haraldsson, who reigned from 1015 to 1028 and was…
Photo of Norse Ruins on the Brough of Birsay, Orkney
The Brough of Birsay was an important defensive site in Orkney from the earliest settlement. It was under Norse control from the ninth century, and most of the ruins on the Brough (ON Byrgisey, or 'Fort Island') date from this time. The causeway…
Photo of Maeshowe (Orkhaugr) in Orkney
Maeshowe is a neolithic burial mound and chambered cairn on the mainland island of Orkney. Its connection to the Vikings (or Norse in Orkney) is the fact that the chamber was looted and used as a shelter on various occasions, as attested by the…
Orkney Viking Fridge Magnet Photographed in the Orkney Museum
Small stylised Viking with sword, shield and horned helmet, with the inscription 'Orkney'. Photographed by Julie Cassidy in the Orkney Museum.