Orkney: Difference between revisions

'''Orkney''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|ɔr|k|n|i}}), also known as the '''Orkney Islands''', is an [[archipelago]] off the north coast of [[Scotland]]. The plural name '''the Orkneys''' is also sometimes used, but is now considered incorrect. Part of the [[Northern Isles]] along with [[Shetland]], Orkney is 10 miles (16&nbsp;km) north of [[Caithness]] and has about 70 islands, of which 20 are inhabited.<ref>Haskell-Smith (2004) pp. 336–403.</ref><ref>Wickham-Jones (2007) p. 1 states there are 67 islands.</ref><ref name=NRS>{{NRS1C}}</ref> The largest island, the [[Mainland, Orkney|Mainland]], has an area of {{convert|523|km2}}, making it the [[List of islands of Scotland|sixth-largest Scottish island]] and the [[List of islands of the British Isles|tenth-largest island in the British Isles]].<ref>Haswell-Smith (2004) pp. 334, 502.</ref> Orkney's largest settlement, and also its administrative centre, is [[Kirkwall]].<ref>Lamb, Raymond "Kirkwall" in Omand (2003) p. 184.</ref>