The Entire History of Orkney // Vikings Prehistory Documentary

In Summer 2018 I took a trip to one of the northern most regions of the British Isles. This is what happened. Let me know what you think of this new style of video. Thanks!

I lived in Stromness for 4 years in the early to middle 1950's where my father was a lighthouse keeper on the island of Copinsay. Our history teacher took us to quite few of these sites. At the time I did not realize the uniqueness or historical importance of them but was interested and the teacher remains one of the most stimulating I've ever met.

Thank you for the video. My father who has passed away always told me we were Irish, but after a DNA test, I am 50% from Orkney. How lovely to see the history of my ancestors.

In 1989 I went on a back packing trip for a few months to the UK. As I traveled in southern England, I became very interested in the ancient stone structures and as I learned more about them, I first heard about the stones of Orkney. I had originally had no plans to go to Orkney on the trip but as I was going up to Scotland, I decided to make it part of my trip and spent about 4 days there. Wonderful memories and a very interesting place. Maes Howe was mind blowing and so was Scara Brae. Those ancient people were not dumb.

I have watched many of this great guy's documentaries over lockdown. Second to none in my opinion. I could listen to him educate me all day long. And he has done more than once.

It took me 46 years to finally get my passport and be able to afford a trip abroad. The first time I went somewhere other than the US or Canada, I went to Great Britain. In planning, I knew that if we were going to be in Scotland anyway, I had to see Orkney, so we ended the trip with three days there. I really want to return! It was my favorite area on the entire vacation—friendly locals, a really diverse range of sights to see, easy driving, fun little towns to explore, and top-notch shopping. I was blown away by Skara Brae and Maes Howe, really impressed by the Ring of Brodgar, and loved exploring later buildings like the medieval Earls Palaces and the WWII Italian Chapel. Highly recommend everyone visit after restrictions are lifted!

I live in the west coast of Scotland and this place so diffrent in so many ways to my bit of Scotland that's why I love my country's history. Great video

Pete: You are a treasure. Thank you for your work.

In the ancient sagas, they mention people from Orkney, Greenland, Iceland, Vinland, Norway, it's quite interesting. There was a culture that spanned all these places back then.

Got to visit these first hand in 2004. ....was in Scotland pouring iron for school...wsu in Detroit....begged my teacher to take us here...he did...and at 54 now 71 it remains one of the best days of my life...had been reading about this since I was a child and to see in person was mesmerizing....this is a excellent video and gives a true feel of the place...thank you..xo...ps when I saw ring of brodgar I knew it was a place where clans met at their stones...thank you for confirming that all these years later....

My Mom’s Grandfather(Alexander Harrold)was from the Orkney Islands. He left to work for the Hudson Bay Co. And that is the extent of what I know about him. We did a tour off a cruise ship to Orkney and I felt a real connection to the place. Would love to go back and do some more touring and research.

Orkney!! I’m only now appreciating what Orkney means- I’ve been close to it but never quite got there- thanks Pete for showing us its amazingness❗️

Fascinating and so very well produced and narrated. Definitely makes me want to visit (and to watch more such videos)!

I found out via DNA testing that my mother was 97% Orcadian. She was born in the US south and was adopted. This has led me to discover the history of this amazing place. Thank you for this wonderful tour! I am planning to visit the site of my ancestors as soon as I can. Your perspective and intriguing narration really increased my curiosity and wonder.

This is really high quality stuff, indeed, Pete. Thanks for giving us a window into the lives and times of our ancient Scottish and Norse ancestors. "Traveling" with you is almost like being there. Here's to many more like this. Thanks!

While serving in the US Navy I had a shipmate with the surname Orkney. I had never heard of the islands, until he told me that was where his ancestors were from. It occurs to me that it's entirely possible he may have been just a modern member of a lineage of seafarers dating back millennia.

Fascinating and informative. With 3 of 4 grandparents having been Icelandic, and the other traceable to William the Conqueror, I have some definite family roots interest in this. Thank you for making this, and your many other documentaries!

When these islands were facing northwards , before the Norman invasion of England and Wales , Orkney was at the centre of things. The book ' the edge of the world' by Michael Pye is an excellent read on the history of the North Sea & 'made us what we are'. The Norman invasion inverted the socio economic focus for ever .

Thank you again for yet another amazing video. People all over the world love watching what is evidently a labor of love. Can’t wait to visit some of these places in the future!

I'm from the Fylde coast in Lancashire, and I visited Orkney in 2015 for my best friend's wedding. What really struck me was how similar Orkney is in its feel to the Fylde - words are pronounced the same, people had a similar outlook and it was awesome really. Like home from home. And then we saw the island of Wyre, which is the name of the river closest to where I grew up. I'd be interested in seeing more on Lancashire's Norse past!