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!
This was a great tour! Besides the prehistory/history I have 2 fossil fish from the Cruday quarry who lived there 385 million years ago. Would love to visit there someday.
AHHHHH so excited hopefully if everything goes as planned this year my wife and I will be there for our honeymoon this year! so pumped. thx for the vid pete
Awesome video Pete, I'm from Orkney and it was pretty spot-on, I wish you had visited the Dwarfie Stain on the island of Hoy though, look it up, it's bloody cool, when you're inside it there's a really weird echo, makes you feel woozy, and there's some interesting graffiti inside it too.
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.
I am thrilled to read your comment. I should congratulate you for your unique experience. btw I was born in 1951. I'll let my imagination do the rest. (3/15/21)
@@libbys.1708 He was very charismatic too. Women, children and animals absolutely adored him. In his day he had been an engineer, a pilot, and he even played bass in my rock band. Whilst in Stromness he also played guitar in a local dance band. He was able to build houses - he built an extension for a dentist and he made me toys to a highly professional standard. He made me a fort with gates that opened, lights came on and the flag went up and down the flag pole with miniature Guards men made out of plastic which he had made and painted. He was my real dad but he was my step father and not my paternal father.
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.
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.
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.
My father-in-law told me there was "a lot of scotch in us" when I first started dating my husband in 1979. I"ve since found out that the Inksters of Kingston, Ontario have an Orkney name, but, in fact, the family has mostly Irish Protestant and English Protestant ancestors. My sister-in-law and her husband visited Scotland in the year 2001 or so. My sister-in-law said she preferred the highlands to Orkney. Maybe, if she'd seen this video first, she could have visited some of these ancient sites. A cousin died a couple of years ago and had lived in Glasgow for years had never visited the Orkneys, although she knew that that was where the family of her mother born in Eastern Ontario was from. I guess it's very remote and not much visited.
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
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.
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!
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.
A lot of Orkney men worked for the Hudson Bay Company. My husband's great-great-grandfather and great-great-great-grandfather did. Stromness was the last port for the HBC's ships where they filled up with fresh water before leaving for Hudson's Bay and James Bay. Some of them married native women and became the forefathers of the "Half Breeds" of the Red River Settlement. The Métis were the children of Canadien fathers and native mothers. I keep wondering if we have some native cousins in the north of Canada or in Manitoba. There are lots of Inksters in western Canada and only of some are closely related to us--descended from our immigrant ancestor who came to Eastern Ontario (Madoc) in 1821.
I’ve lived in Orkney for around 3 years now, I can confirm there’s still plenty of Harrold’s around! Loads of islanders went to work for the Hudson Bay Company, the back room of the Royal Hotel ( a pub in Stromness in the West Mainland) is called the Hudson room and has a few bits of art dedicated to it.
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!
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!
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!
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.
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!
My first viewing of anything from you Pete because I am currently very interested in Orkney Isles, Norway and Scotland. But this was documentary level for me. I loved it.
Great video mate. I travelled to Lerwick, Shetland a few years back. Most of the small business' around town use their last names on the front of the shops and it's clear to see quite a lot of them are descendants of scandinavia. I'll never forget rolling in via ferry on a cold winter's morning just in awe at the surrounding islands, I too was imagining it from a vikings perspective. If you've not been, I highly recommend visiting. They have a great museum dedicated to the old Shetland ways, along with some amazing viking relics!
Thanks for the great description - been to Orkney many times. By the way it is called "Orkney" NOT Orkneys - even when referring to the multiple Orkney islands.
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.
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 .
Orkney has always seemed like a magical place. It's definitely a bucket list place to visit. The stone age history of all the British isles are absolutely fascinating. From the mesolithic all the way to 1066.
Entertaining and informative. I like the personal view of the landscape and artifacts of the history narrated. It seems more like research exploration than a mere tour guide. I look forward to more.
Hi Pete! Just found out my family are ancestors from Orkney. Thank you for documenting your visit there. It was really informative and helped me learn more of where I come from! Keep up the amazing work, I love all your videos!!
I'm glad you stopped in the Border Lands, my Beatty family were Reivers there. Thank you Snorri Sturluson for the sagas. Thanks Pete that was awesome!! Great video, photos, and showing us modern days re-enactors.
This is incredible. Thank you for posting! I love stone circles and prehistory, but this is just a terrific historical overview. Followed your channel and looking forward to more watching!
There's more islands around Ireland but in clew bay alone there's 365 small islands as you said each one for each day of the year. Achill island (Eagle Island original name, Clare island etc.
I am amazed by the degree of speculation by historians, scientists, and researchers regarding such sites as found on Orkney and elsewhere throughout Britain and the world at large. The danger of such speculation is that it eventually passes from imagination to factual history. Otherwise, Mr. Kelley is rather gifted in producing these documentaries. My thanks to you for the stunning videography.
I agree that too much is accepted as FACT when it is really just inspired supposition. Thankfully the door is still open for others to add to the possibilities and offer alternative theories.
@@barbaratimmons5510 dna analysis, modern dating technologies combined with visual analysis of archaeological remains gives us some pretty solid information. I agree that speculation is an irritation.
Great video... Having grown up in Orkney I was a little sceptical at first, but there was no need. Very interesting and informative. Orkney has a long and colourful history with more than it's fair share of tyranical oppresion!! My only suggestion is you need to work on your pronuciation a bit... Here is one for free: Brough of Birsay is "Broch" as in Loch and with Birsay its more like "Birsy" not and elongated Birsaaaay (as are all place names ending in "ay")... Also if you want to be let back on the Islands NEVER call it "The Orkneys".
@@kerenlacy-brown8903 and my orcadian family always said "Rowsee" not "Roosay" (latter how pronounced on this video). How would the locals say Rousay now?
Hey guys thanks for this. I also starting watching this in hopes of having a hair across my ass about something but luckily you guys scratched that itch for me. I’m pretty sure Pete stirred his morning coffee counterclockwise and that’s not how it’s done on Orkney either.
Oh my, Pete! This thrilled me, lit indeed! Very beautiful and interesting! My heritage springs in Orkney, among the earls of Orkney and of Caithness and before that in Normandie. Someone served so well he got Roslin castle as gift. Very thrilling to see it. I must go there soon! Thanks for a great channel!
Only just found this and watched it this evening followed by Pete's one on Boudica. Excellent, well presented and good researched content. Have subscribed and look forward to watching more. 👍🙂
I've been dreaming to visit Orkney at least once since reading about Skara Brae and the Ring of Brodgar about a year ago. Thank you so much for bringing me there virtually with this video. A bit sad because you didn't visit Skara Brae, but damn that Tomb of The Eagles more than makes up for it. I'd be a very happy girl if you ever come back to Orkney and make another content about it ❤
Thanks for making this Pete! I've been obsessed with Orkney for a long time, something always drew me to this wonderful place seemingly lost in time... little did I know, I found out recently, exploring my Scottish ancestry, that I'm possibly very distantly related to the Jarls of Orkney! Haakon Paulsson, Jarl of Orkney in the 12th century, would be my 31st great-grandfather, if the connection through the Lawson/Cunningham lines are accurate (I need to deep dive into it more... some possible dodgy connections in the 17th century...!). He is the son of Paul Thorfinnsson, so the grandson of Thorfinn Sigurdsson mentioned in the video. Ancestry revealed I got a 1% norwegian ancestry signature, which could entirely be from other randos in Scotland, mind you... Not a confirmation. My half-brother, who shares our father's scottish roots, has 2%, and he's more scottish than me. (I got more of dad's english DNA stuff..) But even before I knew about my bio dad's ancestry, GEDmatch's Oracle tool always came up with "'Orkney" as a match...! I was deadass hoping it was accurate... and I mean, it MIGHT be! lol Fife seems nice enough and all... but Orkney is... Orkney!!! xD haha
So glad you posted this for those of yearning for a trip such as this. I'm definitely going to the Orkneys and the Hebrides some day. Your camera work, archeology, and story telling make your videos a joy to watch. 💚🌎🌄🍀✌️
Many thanks @Pete Kelly, really enjoying your documentaries, great information and yet another place to add to list of places to visit when lockdown is behind us :)
These vids are so good it beggars belief , a Great enthusiastic narrator with a passion to share his knowledge with us knowledge seekers ,10/10 +keep up your great work.
Nope, it's going to get towed and made into part of the Hebrides, right next to where some of my ancestors come from, The Isle Of Skye, Macleod, Hold Fast!.
@@Anaris10 LOL ,,yes might so yes . I Love the Hebrides, might take them as well and stuff into the Norwegian fjords :) your pension will be great in norway so think about it :)
I find Orkney really interesting, it’s so baron windswept and treeless how could it support so many people in history to build so many vast complexed structures, fascinating
Wonder what the ocean levels were 3000 ya? Might these islands have been one large mass? And perhaps connected to northern main Scotland? Since they dug straight down into the bedrock for the "moat", I also wonder if that is the source of the stones? Reminds me of farmers who pull boulders out of their fields and recycle them into dry stone walls....
Thanks some of these places I had heard of most from Time Team. But many were new. So much to see. I do enjoy your videos I glad YT brought you up on the side.
What a well researched and presented video with a present day twist at the end. You took me back in time. I went to the Orkneys more than 10 years ago, will never forget it.
Love your videos, so we’ll done and informative. I’m heading to the Orkney’s this August to to all the megalithic sites. Your drone footage is fantastic, helps to make more sense of a site.
Thanks for all your work Pete, the longer format vids have been a great help in understanding the succession of people and events preceding the Romans and the “dark” epochs prior to 1066.
Thank you for this wonderful video. My Grandfather was born on the Isle of Sanday in Orkney. I have yet to make the trip ... your video is enchanting. 1000 thanks!
2006 I did my very first ever overseas trip to Scotland for a Gunn clan gathering...we were taken by car ferry to Stromness then taken to Kirkwall...some of the historical places we visited was Skara Brae, Isle of Hoy and to the Dwarfie Stane...we also visited The Italian Chapel...that was brilliant...the painting of the nissen hut was so well done that I had to touch the walls to make sure that it truly was 1 dimensional rather than 3D..unfortunately we didn't visit any of the stone circles/tombs or brochs...if I ever get back to the UK then I'm hiring a campervan and spending a week or more driving around there...by the way, I'm Aussie..
Man Pete Kelly you are so good at narrating I love your stories of historyI listen hours and hours to them you are so great riding in telling these historic inspiration stories
Totally magic place. Outrageous how this acute corner on the edge of habitation was, across six millennia, a thriving heart of activity, culture and civilisation, a power base for successive rulers of their particular sphere's, be they civic, spiritual, military or agricultural. It speaks to the power and importance of the craft that enabled all this to happen, from coracle to longship, with every form between. Thanks Pete
WOW!!! This island is next on my Bucket List (was in Egypt before the shutdown) as soon as we can travel overseas again from Canada. As a retired history and geography teacher you have heightened my anticipation. THANKS!
Brings back great memories , Orkney is truly a very special place and i am honoured to have been at all of these astounding sites , have to go back again soon , excellent video , and great presentation!!! :)
That was the most interesting 45min. of an educational virtual trip into the past history of the Orkney’s, I am quite mesmerised by your wonderful narration of monumental event’s that have occurred in the land of my birth, the atmospherics must be quite palpable, especially around the Cairn’s and Stone Circles! I remember visiting the Clava Cairn’s & Standing Stones for the first time many years ago, it was very eerie and you could feel a certain energy running through the ground, quite indescribable! apparently that was the inspiration for ‘Craigh na Dun’ of the Remarkable ‘Outlander’ Series, my one regret is that I never made it this far north to ‘Orkney’ I am fast becoming a relic of the past myself, so thank you Pete for this very informative documentary, I look forward to your next exiting offering! 👌🤗
Thank you Pete for this beautiful video. It seemed as if I was there with you on this trip and you were the guide providing all those valuable informations. Keep up the good work - you got another subscriptoin. Looking fwd. for your next videos.
Namaste to you Mr Kelly superb content as always like you I have visit a some stone circles on the islands and I found it vey spiritual (as a follower of buddha of course ) when visiting I always got a strange feeling and tingling sensations may I ask did you find it spiritually satisfying and what if any sensations do you get cheers
My wife and I have visited Orkney 3 times in the last 18 months. We find it mysterious, charming, dramatic, enchanting and many other adjectives that I could use. Hope to go back next spring.
Seriously this guy needs to get signed up for a history of the world documentary on mainstream TV. He's one of those people who jus engages well telling the story of history.. Props Pete..
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!
This was a great tour! Besides the prehistory/history I have 2 fossil fish from the Cruday quarry who lived there 385 million years ago. Would love to visit there someday.
I was there in June 2019. (Birthday trip.) 👍
AHHHHH so excited hopefully if everything goes as planned this year my wife and I will be there for our honeymoon this year! so pumped. thx for the vid pete
So well done. I wish there was a printed time line to go with it so I could remember better. Thank you I really enjoyed it.
Awesome video Pete, I'm from Orkney and it was pretty spot-on, I wish you had visited the Dwarfie Stain on the island of Hoy though, look it up, it's bloody cool, when you're inside it there's a really weird echo, makes you feel woozy, and there's some interesting graffiti inside it too.
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.
I am thrilled to read your comment. I should congratulate you for your unique experience. btw I was born in 1951. I'll let my imagination do the rest. (3/15/21)
Stromness, such a beautiful wee place to walk or drive through.
@@orchidorio Around about the coronation. Those were the days.
How interesting it must have been to have a lighthouse keeper for a father!
@@libbys.1708 He was very charismatic too. Women, children and animals absolutely adored him. In his day he had been an engineer, a pilot, and he even played bass in my rock band. Whilst in Stromness he also played guitar in a local dance band. He was able to build houses - he built an extension for a dentist and he made me toys to a highly professional standard. He made me a fort with gates that opened, lights came on and the flag went up and down the flag pole with miniature Guards men made out of plastic which he had made and painted. He was my real dad but he was my step father and not my paternal father.
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.
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.
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.
Same here!
My father-in-law told me there was "a lot of scotch in us" when I first started dating my husband in 1979. I"ve since found out that the Inksters of Kingston, Ontario have an Orkney name, but, in fact, the family has mostly Irish Protestant and English Protestant ancestors. My sister-in-law and her husband visited Scotland in the year 2001 or so. My sister-in-law said she preferred the highlands to Orkney. Maybe, if she'd seen this video first, she could have visited some of these ancient sites. A cousin died a couple of years ago and had lived in Glasgow for years had never visited the Orkneys, although she knew that that was where the family of her mother born in Eastern Ontario was from. I guess it's very remote and not much visited.
you may be israelite
@@sandraswift3489 I believe that is true
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.
Also baffin island, newfoundland, probably the hudson
@@canadianmmaguy7511 Vinland the Good and Markland are Newfoundland and Labrador today.
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've had these islands on my bucket list lately, and if my trip this summer gets to happen I might be able to fit it in
Sshhhhh. Don't tell everyone, they'll all want to go! 🤫🤫🤣🤣🤣👌
So happy you lived a dream come true!
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.
A lot of Orkney men worked for the Hudson Bay Company. My husband's great-great-grandfather and great-great-great-grandfather did. Stromness was the last port for the HBC's ships where they filled up with fresh water before leaving for Hudson's Bay and James Bay. Some of them married native women and became the forefathers of the "Half Breeds" of the Red River Settlement. The Métis were the children of Canadien fathers and native mothers. I keep wondering if we have some native cousins in the north of Canada or in Manitoba. There are lots of Inksters in western Canada and only of some are closely related to us--descended from our immigrant ancestor who came to Eastern Ontario (Madoc) in 1821.
I’ve lived in Orkney for around 3 years now, I can confirm there’s still plenty of Harrold’s around!
Loads of islanders went to work for the Hudson Bay Company, the back room of the Royal Hotel ( a pub in Stromness in the West Mainland) is called the Hudson room and has a few bits of art dedicated to it.
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 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!
Fascinating and so very well produced and narrated. Definitely makes me want to visit (and to watch more such videos)!
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!
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!
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.
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!
My first viewing of anything from you Pete because I am currently very interested in Orkney Isles, Norway and Scotland. But this was documentary level for me. I loved it.
Well done! Next time you visit Orkney, let me know. Would love to meet up and discuss our history- and teach you how to pronounce our place names...
Hi pretty lady. How are you doing today????????
They certainly are weird. Are they corruptions of Norwegian terms or what?
Thank you from Australia, another great session, you do it so well.
Great video mate. I travelled to Lerwick, Shetland a few years back. Most of the small business' around town use their last names on the front of the shops and it's clear to see quite a lot of them are descendants of scandinavia. I'll never forget rolling in via ferry on a cold winter's morning just in awe at the surrounding islands, I too was imagining it from a vikings perspective. If you've not been, I highly recommend visiting. They have a great museum dedicated to the old Shetland ways, along with some amazing viking relics!
Marvelous work, and timely. Covid has us all pretty much tethered and seeking armchair travel. Thank you.
Thanks for the great description - been to Orkney many times. By the way it is called "Orkney" NOT Orkneys - even when referring to the multiple Orkney islands.
My maternal great-grandparents, Drever, were from Orkney and migrated to South Oz. Love your work Pete. No wood in Egypt either. Shetland looks nice.
I do get excited when i see a new production from Pete. Just sitting down now for another fantastic journey. Thankyou!
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.
97 percent, wow, didn't know orkadian was a race???
@@kennethrollo7891 what’s orkadian?
97% I think someone's is telling fibs and what is an orkadian
@@kennethrollo7891 from what I can read its an irish scottish and Norwegian admix that is only found on the orkneys
@@rrrfc72 from what I can read its an irish scottish and Norwegian admix that is only found on the orkneys
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 .
Well done Pete.Brilliant video. Very informative, and interesting. Much better than most conventional documentaries..!!
Orkney has always seemed like a magical place. It's definitely a bucket list place to visit. The stone age history of all the British isles are absolutely fascinating. From the mesolithic all the way to 1066.
Entertaining and informative. I like the personal view of the landscape and artifacts of the history narrated. It seems more like research exploration than a mere tour guide. I look forward to more.
Oh, please continue your wonderful videos. I learn new things and pass on the vids to my grandson. You truly are a star in this house
Hi Pete! Just found out my family are ancestors from Orkney. Thank you for documenting your visit there. It was really informative and helped me learn more of where I come from! Keep up the amazing work, I love all your videos!!
So glad someone has done this.
Me too. In 12 years of public school (60 yrs ago) I never learned what a Pict was. (Heard about the Boston Tea Party 10 times though)
I'm glad you stopped in the Border Lands, my Beatty family were Reivers there. Thank you Snorri Sturluson for the sagas. Thanks Pete that was awesome!! Great video, photos, and showing us modern days re-enactors.
Hi pretty lady. How are you doing today???????
This is incredible. Thank you for posting! I love stone circles and prehistory, but this is just a terrific historical overview. Followed your channel and looking forward to more watching!
We have some great islands around Ireland, apparently 365, one for every day of the year.
In sweden we have 221800 islands in total
UK has a few more I believe.
@@tufftraveller4784 No there are about 6000 islands in the british islands as a total. Sweden is the 1# country is the count of islands.
There's more islands around Ireland but in clew bay alone there's 365 small islands as you said each one for each day of the year. Achill island (Eagle Island original name, Clare island etc.
Sweden pisses higher.
I am amazed by the degree of speculation by historians, scientists, and researchers regarding such sites as found on Orkney and elsewhere throughout Britain and the world at large. The danger of such speculation is that it eventually passes from imagination to factual history. Otherwise, Mr. Kelley is rather gifted in producing these documentaries. My thanks to you for the stunning videography.
What else can they do than speculate? That's most of history from before written records, and even those are rarely the full story.
I agree that too much is accepted as FACT when it is really just inspired supposition. Thankfully the door is still open for others to add to the possibilities and offer alternative theories.
@@barbaratimmons5510 Agreed.
@@barbaratimmons5510 dna analysis, modern dating technologies combined with visual analysis of archaeological remains gives us some pretty solid information. I agree that speculation is an irritation.
Agreed nobody really knows the truth about these monuments. Only speculation.
Great video... Having grown up in Orkney I was a little sceptical at first, but there was no need. Very interesting and informative. Orkney has a long and colourful history with more than it's fair share of tyranical oppresion!! My only suggestion is you need to work on your pronuciation a bit... Here is one for free: Brough of Birsay is "Broch" as in Loch and with Birsay its more like "Birsy" not and elongated Birsaaaay (as are all place names ending in "ay")... Also if you want to be let back on the Islands NEVER call it "The Orkneys".
As an Orcadian, I agree with you 100%, especially about the mis pronunciation of local words! But otherwise it was very informative
@@kerenlacy-brown8903 and my orcadian family always said "Rowsee" not "Roosay" (latter how pronounced on this video). How would the locals say Rousay now?
@@annawilson5587 locals would be with your Orcadian family and say ‘Rowsee’
Thank you so much
Hey guys thanks for this. I also starting watching this in hopes of having a hair across my ass about something but luckily you guys scratched that itch for me. I’m pretty sure Pete stirred his morning coffee counterclockwise and that’s not how it’s done on Orkney either.
Oh my, Pete! This thrilled me, lit indeed! Very beautiful and interesting! My heritage springs in Orkney, among the earls of Orkney and of Caithness and before that in Normandie. Someone served so well he got Roslin castle as gift. Very thrilling to see it. I must go there soon! Thanks for a great channel!
Only just found this and watched it this evening followed by Pete's one on Boudica. Excellent, well presented and good researched content. Have subscribed and look forward to watching more. 👍🙂
Thanks for watching. Glad you liked it. Loads more on the way
@@PeteKellyHistorythanks for excellent documentaries
We need more of this!!! Awesome & very entertaining/informing video! Damn this Coronavirus!!
Better program than the BBC can ever make, best history on youtube by far !
Very nice. It's like looking at a friend's holiday video -- but more interesting! Wish I could go with you next time.
🕊✊🕊
Would love to see you do one of these on The Isle of Man!
Love all your content, keep up the amazing work.
I've been dreaming to visit Orkney at least once since reading about Skara Brae and the Ring of Brodgar about a year ago. Thank you so much for bringing me there virtually with this video. A bit sad because you didn't visit Skara Brae, but damn that Tomb of The Eagles more than makes up for it.
I'd be a very happy girl if you ever come back to Orkney and make another content about it ❤
Really appreciated this historical dive into Orkney, thank you!
Thanks for making this Pete! I've been obsessed with Orkney for a long time, something always drew me to this wonderful place seemingly lost in time... little did I know, I found out recently, exploring my Scottish ancestry, that I'm possibly very distantly related to the Jarls of Orkney! Haakon Paulsson, Jarl of Orkney in the 12th century, would be my 31st great-grandfather, if the connection through the Lawson/Cunningham lines are accurate (I need to deep dive into it more... some possible dodgy connections in the 17th century...!). He is the son of Paul Thorfinnsson, so the grandson of Thorfinn Sigurdsson mentioned in the video. Ancestry revealed I got a 1% norwegian ancestry signature, which could entirely be from other randos in Scotland, mind you... Not a confirmation. My half-brother, who shares our father's scottish roots, has 2%, and he's more scottish than me. (I got more of dad's english DNA stuff..) But even before I knew about my bio dad's ancestry, GEDmatch's Oracle tool always came up with "'Orkney" as a match...! I was deadass hoping it was accurate... and I mean, it MIGHT be! lol Fife seems nice enough and all... but Orkney is... Orkney!!! xD haha
So glad you posted this for those of yearning for a trip such as this. I'm definitely going to the Orkneys and the Hebrides some day.
Your camera work, archeology, and story telling make your videos a joy to watch.
💚🌎🌄🍀✌️
Many thanks @Pete Kelly, really enjoying your documentaries, great information and yet another place to add to list of places to visit when lockdown is behind us :)
Your videos are always top-notch. I enjoy your narration and admire the effort you put in your research.
I love your documentaries! You're the best. Most soothing videos I know of.
These vids are so good it beggars belief , a Great enthusiastic narrator with a passion to share his knowledge with us knowledge seekers ,10/10 +keep up your great work.
Love ur historic documentaries ... Orkney ,We want you back to Norway :)
It belongs there...
@@thomasmills3934 When i get rich i will hire the biggest towboats in the world and bring it back..lol
Nope, it's going to get towed and made into part of the Hebrides, right next to where some of my ancestors come from, The Isle Of Skye, Macleod, Hold Fast!.
@@Anaris10 LOL ,,yes might so yes . I Love the Hebrides, might take them as well and stuff into the Norwegian fjords :) your pension will be great in norway so think about it :)
Let's ask the people on the islands. Oh, we did. They're British by choice.
I find Orkney really interesting, it’s so baron windswept and treeless how could it support so many people in history to build so many vast complexed structures, fascinating
Wonder what the ocean levels were 3000 ya? Might these islands have been one large mass? And perhaps connected to northern main Scotland? Since they dug straight down into the bedrock for the "moat", I also wonder if that is the source of the stones? Reminds me of farmers who pull boulders out of their fields and recycle them into dry stone walls....
@@dianeericson7900 I mind seeing something that they got the stones from miles away or something but I’m no sure
Thanks some of these places I had heard of most from Time Team. But many were new. So much to see. I do enjoy your videos I glad YT brought you up on the side.
Thank you Pete Kelly for helping me to understand history you are a scholar and a teacher to those to understand history
What a well researched and presented video with a present day twist at the end. You took me back in time. I went to the Orkneys more than 10 years ago, will never forget it.
Great video, very greatful for energy and dedication, thanks! 🫠💯👊
Your voice is very pleasant for the fascinating history narrative you give. Thank you!
Love your videos, so we’ll done and informative. I’m heading to the Orkney’s this August to to all the megalithic sites. Your drone footage is fantastic, helps to make more sense of a site.
Thanks Mr. Kelly ! Very informative, and entertaining.
Absolutely phenomenal presentation! Thank you for the education, and the imaginings....
Best piece I've seen on this. Informative & inspiring. Still trying to figure out what they ate & how they managed to live day to day.
Thanks for letting us travel with you !
The British isles are the most magical places on earth
This was so wonderful and so rich with history! Thank you so much for sharing your trip and knowledge!
Hey pal, I’m on yr History Time channel, which is awesome, I never knew you had another channel, great stuff as always 👍👍👍
Thanks for all your work Pete, the longer format vids have been a great help in understanding the succession of people and events preceding the Romans and the “dark” epochs prior to 1066.
Thank you for this wonderful video. My Grandfather was born on the Isle of Sanday in Orkney. I have yet to make the trip ... your video is enchanting. 1000 thanks!
Origen of my ancestors. Thanks so much. This was wonderful. ❣️
Really nice photography, thanks for the journey.
2006 I did my very first ever overseas trip to Scotland for a Gunn clan gathering...we were taken by car ferry to Stromness then taken to Kirkwall...some of the historical places we visited was Skara Brae, Isle of Hoy and to the Dwarfie Stane...we also visited The Italian Chapel...that was brilliant...the painting of the nissen hut was so well done that I had to touch the walls to make sure that it truly was 1 dimensional rather than 3D..unfortunately we didn't visit any of the stone circles/tombs or brochs...if I ever get back to the UK then I'm hiring a campervan and spending a week or more driving around there...by the way, I'm Aussie..
Hi pretty lady. How are you doing today?????
Thanks from Texas. I look forward to a re-visit and a tour of Highland Park distillery.
Man Pete Kelly you are so good at narrating I love your stories of historyI listen hours and hours to them you are so great riding in telling these historic inspiration stories
The Memory Code by Lynne Kelly will forever change your view of these monuments. Wonderful work.
It must be awesome to live so close to so many pre-historic sites.
Where do you live ? I guarantee there are prehistoric sites near
Totally magic place. Outrageous how this acute corner on the edge of habitation was, across six millennia, a thriving heart of activity, culture and civilisation, a power base for successive rulers of their particular sphere's, be they civic, spiritual, military or agricultural. It speaks to the power and importance of the craft that enabled all this to happen, from coracle to longship, with every form between.
Thanks Pete
Informative and enjoyable as always Pete. Thanks mate.
WOW!!! This island is next on my Bucket List (was in Egypt before the shutdown) as soon as we can travel overseas again from Canada. As a retired history and geography teacher you have heightened my anticipation. THANKS!
Amazing as usual! Pete keep on making these videos, they are life changing!
That was amazing Pete.Thanks so much for a grate history lesson 🥰
Brings back great memories , Orkney is truly a very special place and i am honoured to have been at all of these astounding sites , have to go back again soon , excellent video , and great presentation!!! :)
Great job Pete,throughly informative and entertaining.
I’m Scottish, Irish and Scandinavian. Thanks for this info!
Ciamar a tha thu, a sammi.
Tha, tha am bhidio seo gu math inntenneach! Tha thu Gàidhlig agat? Tapadh leibh! Diolch.
as an orcadian named Thorfinn this video is amazing. your love of history bleeds into your telling of simple truths.
Odin bless you
and when i was wee, we got to run around in skara brae.
shit you not. best hide and seek we ever played
Ohhhh fuck yes. I have been begging you in the comments for this one for months
Then I have you to thank! (3/15/21)
That was the most interesting 45min. of an educational virtual trip into the past history of the Orkney’s, I am quite mesmerised by your wonderful narration of monumental event’s that have occurred in the land of my birth, the atmospherics must be quite palpable, especially around the Cairn’s and Stone Circles! I remember visiting the Clava Cairn’s & Standing Stones for the first time many years ago, it was very eerie and you could feel a certain energy running through the ground, quite indescribable! apparently that was the inspiration for ‘Craigh na Dun’ of the Remarkable ‘Outlander’ Series, my one regret is that I never made it this far north to ‘Orkney’ I am fast becoming a relic of the past myself, so thank you Pete for this very informative documentary, I look forward to your next exiting offering! 👌🤗
Hi pretty lady. How are you doing today??????
Brilliant video. You are very talented in making this entertainment. Thank you. Peace be unto you.
Awesome program and tour of Orkney. We are hoping to be able to see Scotland via camper in Spring of ‘22. Thank you!
Hi pretty lady. How are you doing today???????
Well done, really enjoyed this video and the history, looking forward to watching more....
Hi pretty lady. How are you doing today????
Another beautiful documentary from someone I wish was more popular! Well done Pete!
fantastic documentary. very well made Pete. A pure joy to watch.
Ah, the land of my fathers!
Rousay family. The only place on earth where I feel like I'm truly 'home' 😊
Thank you Pete for this beautiful video. It seemed as if I was there with you on this trip and you were the guide providing all those valuable informations. Keep up the good work - you got another subscriptoin. Looking fwd. for your next videos.
Namaste to you Mr Kelly superb content as always like you I have visit a some stone circles on the islands and I found it vey spiritual (as a follower of buddha of course ) when visiting I always got a strange feeling and tingling sensations may I ask did you find it spiritually satisfying and what if any sensations do you get cheers
Thanks for yet another great video, I discovered you after watching The Dig. I like your presenting style, informative and straight forward.
WOW !!!
And the narrative was easy on the ear and easy to understand,
THANK YOU
My wife and I have visited Orkney 3 times in the last 18 months. We find it mysterious, charming, dramatic, enchanting and many other adjectives that I could use. Hope to go back next spring.
Seriously this guy needs to get signed up for a history of the world documentary on mainstream TV. He's one of those people who jus engages well telling the story of history.. Props Pete..
Iron age of Scotland is fascinating. Caithness in Scotland is wild.
Best to find a calm day before heading of from Scotland to Orkney.