The fourth annual Orkney Nature Festival kicks off on Monday, with a week of events celebrating the islands’ wildlife.
The programme features events ranging from snorkelling to a poetry workshop and a cruise around the dramatic coastline of Hoy.
It is co-ordinated by the local RSPB Scotland team and takes place from Monday until next Sunday.
The RSPB’s community engagement officer for Orkney Alison Nimmo said: “Orkney is an amazing place for wildlife, and the Nature Festival is a chance to make the most of that.
“Thanks to a great range of partners running events there are all kinds of ways to get involved, from exploring one of the more remote islands to taking part in one of the workshops or joining in with a citizen science study of how the tides influence birds diving off Ness Point.”
On Thursday, Tomb of the Eagles on South Ronaldsay will be hosting a special celebration of the county’s sea eagles, giving the chance to see the remains of the 5,000 eagles found at the site and the ongoing project to reintroduce the birds to Scotland.
Then on Sunday afternoon, the festival culminates in a grand wildlife cruise on NorthLink’s Hamnavoe, offering a unique opportunity to circumnavigate Hoy with wildlife commentary, live folk music and a buffet of local sustainable produce.
Stuart Garrett, Managing Director at NorthLink Ferries, said: “We’re excited to be involved in the Nature Festival again this year. Our cruise is a one-off chance to travel the full length of Hoy’s spectacular cliffs, with seabirds all around and sustainable Orkney produce to enjoy on board. Fingers will be crossed for some orcas too!”
Other highlights include trips to Sanday and Papa Westray, a wildlife film screening at the Pickaquoy Centre in Kirkwall and a children’s nature writing workshop, alongside a variety of walks and other wildlife-watching opportunities.