The north derby ended with honours even in a high-scoring draw.
Home coach Paul Livingstone was happier than his Highland opposite number Dave Carson at the end of a hard-fought and entertaining contest.
Livingstone said: “I was delighted with my players, who stopped Highland getting the four points they had come for.
“Both packs worked hard. It was a very competitive game. Highland’s pick and drive was particularly effective but a draw was just about right. We also picked up a try bonus point.”
Carson was disappointed and said: “It was two points dropped, not two gained. Having led 13-12 at half-time, we should have kicked on. Instead, we fell off the pace, going 27-13 down with only 10 minutes to play. The players they rallied to earn a draw but it was not enough to win.”
Despite dropping two points, the Inverness side remain joint top of National 3, although it is mark of how far the club has come in the last four years that HIghland were unhappy with the a draw on the road.
Orkney remain seventh in the league and have completed their programme for 2016, returning on January 7 when they travel to Haddington, who will be at Canal Park on Saturday when Highland will bid to keep their promotion drive going.
The Orkney try scorers were Ally Link, Scott Rendall, Keven Pepper, and Dean Campbell. Centre Willie Thomson kicked two conversions and one penalty.
The Highland tries came from from Grant Jamieson (2) and Stuart McDonald.