Review
"This book is a must for all lovers of the islands, and if you haven't been, it might provide the inspiration you need."
—Simon Papps in BIRD WATCH (September 2001)
"This excellent book brings the natural history, its conservation and the life of Orcadians together. Readable and authoritative, it has excellent illustrations and full lists of animals and plants. A huge bibliography reflects the admirable historical perspective and exhautive reference to other naturalists that is clear throughout the book."
—BIRDS (February 2001)
"...this is indeed a marvellous and very well produced reference work on Orkney, which (as the author states it) reveals her charms gladly, but gradually, like a shy lover."
—ALULA (January 2001)
"The Poyser series is arguably one of the finest collections of ornithological writing that has ever been produced and Nick Davies' book may well be the best of the series."
—Will Cresswell in IBIS (2001)
"Written for those who know or want to know about Orkney's structure and scenery, its animals and birds, its people past and present... But above all it is for those who love sky and sea, nature in its fullness, solitude and plenitude. A vast compendium of information is presented in an attractive way, aided by the numerous illustrations, of which the sketches by John Holloway bring a special charm."
—David Saunders in BRITISH BIRDS (December 2000)
"Every aspect of the flora, fauna, people and geology of the Orkney Isles is included. ...the book is interesting, informative and beautifully presented."
—Ross McGregor in BIRDING WORLD (December 2000)
"A fascinating read and lavishly illustrated, although packed full with loads of high quality data, the reading is easy and the text is peppered with quotes and extracts of poems and writings. If you've visited Orkney you will enjoy this book immensely, if you've been meaning to make the effort to get there, read this book and you'll be off as soon as possible!"
—BTO NEWS (November/December 2000)
"This superb new book...guarantees that Orkney will be near the top of your shortlist when it comes to booking next year's holiday."
—BIRD WATCHING (November 2000)
From the Back Cover
Islands have a perennial fascination as well as being outdoor laboratories for evolutionary studies. The Orkneys have been strangely forgotten by naturalists when compared to Shetland or western Scotland, although they have long been a place of pilgrimage for archaeologists and historians. This book is an antidote to the neglect, bringing the islands' animals, plants, and scenic history to life for casual readers and specialists alike.
Orkney is home to a significant proportion of the British (and indeed, European) populations, of many seabirds and boasts some of the most spectacular and accessible breeding colonies in north-west Europe; it has an exciting flora, adapted to extreme oceanic conditions and there are numerous seals and otters, never mind Orkney voles, black moths, the northernmost indigenous wood in the British Isles and the rare Scottish Primrose (
primula scotica). Scenically, the Old Man of Hoy, Skara Brae, the magnificent Viking cathedral of St. Magnus and Scapa Flow, home to the British fleet in the two World Wars, take pride of place. But perhaps above all, the islands have a magic compounded of light and space, sea and land, and six thousand years at a cross-roads of human aspiration and achievement.
