As we come to the end of another year, we've taken our annual look through our images of Orkney and picked our some of our favourites.
It has been a year of beautiful winter days, wild weather, and long, lingering light during the summer months.
Our photography journeys in 2023 have taken us to almost every island in our archipelago, and focus on some of the best beaches and fascinating attractions that we have here in Orkney.
January
Cold, calm, bright. Not every January afternoon in Orkney feels like this. But when it does, it’s time to get out and make the most of it, just as we did in Stromness with a golden glow over the Hoy hills.
February
Often our most tumultuous month, February gales bring high seas but also colour and texture to our Atlantic coast. A walk along the shore at the Brough of Birsay is the perfect way to blow away the pre-spring cobwebs.
March
March, and the setting sun is gradually creeping its way ever northwards along the western horizon. The Neolithic tomb of Maeshowe has played its part, heralding the turning of the seasons. But winter isn’t quite ready to release its grip. A ‘lambing snow’ blankets the landscape around Scapa Distillery.
April
As the days begin to draw out there are few better places to feel the change in the seasons than here on the coast at Yesnaby, where the softening light of evening illuminates ancient geology.
May
Spring only arrives properly in Orkney in May, as puffins raise their young in clifftop burrows, as seen here in Birsay.
June
June brings days of near endless light. The ‘grimlings’ or dusky half-light, last long after sunset, seen here along the length of Eynhallow Sound, close to the Sands of Evie.
July
There can be few better times to appreciate a waterfront walk than a warm July evening. The buildings of Kirkwall and St Margaret’s Hope in South Ronaldsay bask in some late sun.
August
Late August and the summer wildflowers around the Ring of Brodgar put on a final flourish. Follow the outer paths around the site to see the stones from a different angle, through a diffusion of fabulous colour.
September
October showers sweep over Stromness, seen here from Brinkie’s Brae, a short but steep walk above the town.
October
There’s a distinct change in mood come October. The morning after a big gale at the Brough of Birsay and turbulent seas are a cauldron of cold colour.
November
And yet, even in November the most peaceful of days can be found. With little land work going on and much of the livestock inside for the winter, the land lays still here in the parish of Harray.
December
A sprinkling of snow brings winter's magic to the stone monoliths at the Ring of Brodgar in Orkney's World Heritage Site.
If you want to visit Orkney and experience these scenes and seasons for yourself, take a look at our Inspiration page for more ideas on things to see and do across the islands.