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St Kilda Archipelago, Scotland (Hirta)
St Kilda is an isolated archipelago west of the Hebridies. The etymology of St Kilda is debated, but it does not refer to a saint - the most likely origin is from Old Norse: either a corruption of Skildir ('shield') or from the Norse name for a…
St Kilda Archipelago, Scotland (Hirta and Soay)
St Kilda is an isolated archipelago west of the Hebridies. The etymology of St Kilda is debated, but it does not refer to a saint - the most likely origin is from Old Norse: either a corruption of Skildir ('shield') or from the Norse name for a…
St Kilda Archipelago, Scotland (Boreray)
St Kilda is an isolated archipelago west of the Hebridies. The etymology of St Kilda is debated, but it does not refer to a saint - the most likely origin is from Old Norse: either a corruption of Skildir ('shield') or from the Norse name for a…
Souvenir Runic Mugs from Orkney
Runic mugs with the inscription 'Orkney'. Seen in a tourist shop in Kirkwall.
Smoo Cave, Durness
Smoo Cave in Durness in the north of Scotland. Archaeological investigation has identified Neolithic, Norse and Iron Age artefacts. 'Smoo' is thought to derive from Old Norse 'smuga' (a small hole, narrow cleft).
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…
Shields and Artwork from the Up Helly Aa Proclamation
Each proclamation displayed publicly before the Up Helly Aa festival includes a painting, usually relating to the Viking heritage of Shetland. These are housed in the Up Helly Aa Exhibition.
The Up Helly A' is a festival celebrated on the 24th day…
The Up Helly A' is a festival celebrated on the 24th day…
Shetland Place Name Elements Reference
A handy guide to Norse place name elements, produced by the Shetland Place Names Project, and available to download on the Shetland Amenity Trust Website.
Seagaet House in Lerwick Shetland
In addition to many streets bearing Norse names, some buildings also have Norse roots. This example of a house named 'Seagate' (or sea street) may reference a road that has changed its name.
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 Fragment from Noss, on display in Shetland Museum and Archives
Runic fragment from Noss (Br Sh7 M).Reading...-uko=ktuAccording to Rundata, found in 1994 during excavations of the medieval chapel and cemetery.Probably graffiti.
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.
Rune stone from Papil, on display in Shetland Museum and Archives
Viking-Age Rune stone from Papil, West Burra (Br Sh4) photographed in the Shetland Museum. According to Rundata, it reads
...r : ra(i)s(t)(i) : s... ...
... reisti s[tein] ...
'...Raised the stone...'
...r : ra(i)s(t)(i) : s... ...
... reisti s[tein] ...
'...Raised the stone...'
Ring money on display in Shetland Museum and Archives
Ring-money from an unknown location in Shetland (donated by Lerwick Town Council) and replica of ring-money from Dunrossness on display in the National Museum of Scotland.
Replicas of Viking brooches from Unst on display in Shetland Museum and Archives
Brooches from a woman's grave discovered on Unst, on display in Shetland Museum and Archives. These are replicas of the items held in the National Museum of Scotland.