Using the Online Archive Catalogue
The Orkney Archive catalogue lists collection descriptions which date from the 15th century to the present day and includes local authority records, estate, church, legal and business records and local historians and personal papers of the people of Orkney. Our photographic collection dates from the mid-nineteenth century and covers a multitude of subjects, locations, people and events. Our famous Orkney Sound Archive lists recordings of many locals talking about their lives at work and at home, telling stories, playing music and reciting poetry.
The Orkney Local Studies catalogue lists a variety of different resources for reference which include printed books, theses, magazines and pamphlets. The resources relate particularly to the history and culture of Orkney and Shetland, dating from the 17th century onwards, but also includes material relating to Caithness. The local studies collection, located in the Orkney Room, is part of the Archive and is open whenever the Archive is open.
The Orkney Museum Collection can also be searched on this link. Please see the Orkney Museum website for more information.
Please note – we recommend using the Advanced Search for the best results.
Search the Archive Catalogue here
Simple: allows you to search your choice of catalogues namely Archive Catalogue; Museum Collection and Orkney Local Studies.
Advanced: search the catalogue of your choice. Results can be shown in order of date, creator or reference number.
Expert: search the catalogue of your choice and fields of your choice, such as creator or reference number.
We currently recommend the Advanced Search for the best results. As we add more data to our catalogues all three search options will improve.
Search Results: There are two sets of results to view. A brief list of items appear under the title ‘Results’ and a fuller description including any images can be seen under the title ‘Details.’
If you are interested in any of the photographs or images you see in the catalogue, please contact Orkney Archive. We can provide low resolution or high resolution images or photographic prints for a fee. If you wish to publish any of our images on the internet, in a publication or in a television programme, please contact the Orkney Archive for costs and permission.
If you wish to view any of the archives or books which you find in our catalogue, please contact the Orkney Archive to arrange a visit, listing the reference numbers of the items you wish to see. If you cannot visit us, we provide a scanning service and an enquiry service. Please contact the Orkney Archive for further information and costs.
