A promise of magic at Orkney Folk Festival 25 - 28 May 2017

Orkney Folk Festival takes place on 25 - 28 May 2017. There can be few more wonderful locations for a Festival than Orkney. Orkney (Scottish Gaelic: Arcaibh. Norse: Orkneyjar) is an archipelago situated off the north coast of Scotland. Orkney is made up of approximately 70 islands, of which 20 are inhabited and the largest island is Mainland. The largest settlement and administrative centre is Kirkwall. Orkney is a place of great beauty that has been inhabited since Mesolithic times. There are many remarkable sites from prehistory including the settlement at Knap of Howar, on Papa Westray, which dates from 3500 BC. Skara Brae, Europe's best-preserved Neolithic settlement, is believed to have been inhabited from around 3100 BC. The Standing Stones of Stenness, the Maeshowe passage grave, the Ring of Brodgar and other standing stones. 

Stromness in the south-west of Mainland is the second most populated town. It is also where the Orkney Folk Festival is based, although events also happen in other venues and locations. The Festival was established in 1982 and has grown to become one of the most successful since that time. Once again the organisers 'invite you to come and experience the festival’s magic'. The programme for Orkney Folk Festival on 25 - 28 May 2017 can be seen on the Festival website.