Highlands and Islands

A raised bed in the courtyard, a community garden or simply swapping cuttings and seeds: gardening connects generations. People without a garden of their own are often happy to share a bed. Do you have plants, tools or …

Snow and ice are a real challenge for older or unwell neighbours. If you're clearing your own path anyway, you can often do a few metres more. Sharing a bag of grit between several houses saves effort too. Who in Orkney…

Moving for training or university is exciting, but it can feel a bit lonely at first. Sports groups, choirs, youth clubs or volunteering are great ways to meet people quickly. And sometimes just saying hi here is enough…

Sport doesn't have to mean pressure. Bouldering, skating, volleyball in the park or running with friends: the main thing is that you enjoy moving. Many clubs offer free taster sessions. What sport is popular in Orkney r…

Festivals, customs and small rituals connect people across decades. Which tradition in Orkney means the most to you, and do you take part yourself? Tell us about it in the comments!

So many nice things happen that never make the papers: a lost wallet returned, a new shop opening, a lovely celebration. What good news from Orkney would you like to share this week? We look forward to your posts!

A sunrise over the rooftops, a front garden in bloom or a funny sign: home is full of great pictures. Show us your best photo of the week from Orkney and tell us briefly where you took it!

Prehistoric Orkney: these islands have an amazing collection of well-preserved prehistoric remains. The finest and most extensive are Neolithic or New Stone Age, dating to around 3000 BC. That makes them 5000 years old,…

=== Prehistory === Late Upper Palaeolithic stone tools of the Ahrensburgian culture have been found in Stronsay and Brodgar on mainland Orkney, suggesting the islands have been inhabited around or prior to 8000 BC. A c…

Orkney (), also known as the Orkney Islands, is an archipelago off the north coast of mainland Scotland. The plural name the Orkneys but heavily disliked by Orcadians is also sometimes used. Part of the Northern Isles a…

Not every kind of help needs tools or a car. Sometimes a walk, a phone call or a coffee together is exactly what someone is missing, especially people who live alone. Would you like to give some time for a chat in Shetl…

Almost every neighbourhood is home to people with many different first languages. In a language exchange two people learn from each other: half an hour in one language, half an hour in the other. Real friendships often …

Where do you actually meet up when you don't want to stay at home all the time? Youth centre, skate park, library or the meadow by the river: every place has its spots. Which hangouts in Shetland can you recommend, and …

Your first own money disappears fast if you're not careful. A simple trick: write down everything you spend for one month, and you'll see where it goes. Put a small amount aside at the start of each month before buying …

The weekend is coming and the question is the same as always: what shall we do? Got an idea for a day trip, a concert or simply a lovely afternoon in Shetland? Drop your tips in the comments!

A good walk clears the head and shows your home from a new angle. Which route do you love most in Shetland, and roughly how long does it take? Share your favourite loop with us!

Lots of things in town only work because people give their time for free. Where do you volunteer in Shetland, and where could more helping hands be useful? Tell us about it and inspire others to join in!

Shetland Museum and Archives in Lerwick is a good start, with excellent displays on the geology, natural environment, and long history of these islands. Up Helly Aa Exhibition in Lerwick. Each February the "guizers" sta…

Due to the practice, dating to at least the early Neolithic, of building in stone on virtually treeless islands, Shetland is extremely rich in physical remains of the prehistoric eras and there are over 5,000 archaeolog…

Shetland, also called the Shetland Islands, is an archipelago in Scotland lying between Orkney, the Faroe Islands, and Norway, marking the northernmost region of the United Kingdom. The islands lie about 50 miles (80 ki…