Land of the Selkies: The Orkney, Shetland, and Faroe Islands

Long thought too far off the beaten path for most travelers, the Orkney, Shetland and Faroe Islands are havens of culture, history, and pure, wild nature – home to peoples proud of their traditions and heritage.

I once had the opportunity to visit the Orkneys for 2 short days, during which I met many wonderful people who obviously cherished their traditions and heritage with a warm joy, while at the same time having adapted to the rapid changes of the 21st century. As I quickly learned from talking with them, they've had centuries of experience in adapting to new rulers and ways of life, while still holding on to their core culture. They welcome visitors with bright smiles and tell vivid stories of the islands' histories and folklore, and I found their enthusiasm breathing life into old legends.

The backdrop to this vibrant cultural history is a beautiful, remote wilderness. It is engulfed in a feeling of endlessness where clouds race overhead and the winds whipping them across the sky buffet against you; ocean waves crash high against the cliffs, sculpting castles from the rock. In the summertime the islands become shelter for thousands of birds, and seals and otters play in the coastal waters.

These are lands of the Picts, the Celts, and the Vikings; of standing stones, Irish monks, selkies and Scandinavian sagas. The Shetlanders, Orcandians, and Faroese each keep their own language and culture and haven't forgotten their ancestry. I would love to explore how the land has shaped the culture, and the culture the land; how normally detrimental modern advances have been adapted and used to preserve, rather than destroy their heritage.

My dream assignment would be to share these islands with you, to explore their history, their culture, and their beauty in a photographic journey. Very few have the opportunity to explore these regions, lacking time and energy on their holidays and vacations to make the trip. This assignment would not be just a 'dream' it would be an honor to complete, because the special flavor and hospitality of the Orkney, Shetland, and Faroe Islands is something that should be shared with everyone. Their land and culture touches not only themselves, but visitors like me.

Historical focus points include:
Prehistoric settlements such as:
Knap of Howar * Skara Brae * Maes Howe * The standing stones of the Orkney Islands * Jarlshof * Clickimin Broch

Viking era sites such as:
St. Magnus Cathedral * The Bishop's Palace * The Brough of Deerness

Scottish era sites such as:
Churchill's Barriers * Scalloway Castle * Highland Park * Murness Castle * Muckle Flugga Lighthouse * The Italian Chapel

Cultural subjects such as:
Up-Helly-Aa * Fishing heritage * Olai Festival

Natural subjects including:
Mull Head Reserve * The Old Man of Hoy * Yesnaby * Mainland Shetland * Animal life (birds, seals, sheep, cattle, ponies) * Lerwick coastline

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