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St Magnus Church, Orkney
St Magnus Church, founded at the site of the killing of Saint Magnus Erlendsson, Earl of Orkney by an axe-blow to the head in ca. 1116 at the orders of his cousin Hákon Pálsson. This episode, referred to in Orkneyinga saga, is possibly corroborated…
News Article: Viking thing site found on Bute
New research has identified a possible Viking thing (parliament) site on Bute in the Hebrides. It is suggested that Ketill flatnose may have been associated with it.
Blog post: Auðr the Far-Traveler …
Brief overview of the voyages that Auðr/Unnr djúp(a)uðga Ketilsdóttir made in various sources that relate about her. With Google Maps images of the locations mentioned.
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.
Canmore - Scottish Heritage Database
Canmore is a database of heritage sites in Scotland that is compiled and maintained by Historic Environment Scotland. This link is a search for all Norse sites.
Photo of Midgarth Crescent Sign in Lerwick, Shetland
Midgarth is a common Norse placename, and Anglicisation of Miðgarðr, meaning in this case 'Middle Enclosure / Farm' . Miðgarðr is also the 'Middle Realm', and home of mankind, in Norse Mythology.
Photo of Copeland Pier Sign in Lerwick, Shetland
Copeland is a common placename and surname deriving from Old Norse kaupa land, meaning 'bought land'. This example is from Lerwick in Shetland.
Photo of Twageos Road Sign in Lerwick, Shetland
Twageos is a place name incorporating the common Norse place name element 'gjá', meaning 'ravine' and rendered in Shetland as 'geo' or 'gjo'. Twageos may refer to the 'two ravines'.
Photo of Tait's Closs Sign in Lerwick, Shetland
Tait is a common Scottish surname derived from the Old Norse 'teitr', meaning cheerful. Many surnames and place names in Shetland have a Norse origin.
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.
Leaflet on Shetland's Norse Placenames
A leaflet produced by Shetland Amenity Trust, giving information about Shetland's Norse place names
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.
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).
Cape Wrath
The photograph shows the lighthouse at Cape Wrath a name probably derived from Old Norse 'hvarf' meaning 'turn' or 'turning point'. It was here that the Vikings turned their ships around the coast to head for the Hebrides and Ireland.
Vikingar! Experience
Vikingar! is an interactive experience about the Vikings, offering educational tours as well as general visits.
Nyheter: Dansk vikinggrav med britisk sensasjon
A well-equipped grave at Randers in Denmark included a brooch that was probably of Irish or Scottish origin.
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…
News: Galloway Viking treasure pot's contents revealed after more than 1,000 years
Conservators have released images of the contents of a Carolingian cup that formed part of the Galloway Hoard.