Articolo in Italiano QUI
Traveling and photographing, a perfect combination for lovers of nature photography, but which for many of us is often equivalent to moving during the summer holidays, in conjunction with millions of other people. Talking about tourist overcrowding when we ourselves are, first and foremost, tourists may seem redundant and perhaps a little hypocritical, but as lovers of nature photography it should be a pleasure and also a bit of a duty to respect the natural environments we visit.
With this premise I have often found myself wondering which places to visit outside the classic summer routes that can make up for the desire to photograph uncontaminated natural environments and enjoy the silence and peace typical of these places. I have always loved the stormy islands overlooking the Atlantic and had a desire to visit all the islands in the north of Scotland for years, so in August 2024 I decided to visit the Orkney Islands. Not particularly known in Italy, this archipelago is located just beyond the northernmost point of the Scottish mainland and has around 70 islands of which only about twenty are inhabited. The islands are typically the furthest you can imagine from an urbanized environment, with few centers concentrated on Mainland, the main island, and otherwise nature as far as the eye can see. The habitats are very different from island to island and I must say that I personally found the island of Hoy the most fascinating; it is the most peculiar of the archipelago, as it is the only one to have mountain ranges and to resemble the classic Scottish moor more than an island. Sparsely inhabited, it can be crossed by following a single road that also leads to the main “attraction”, the path that in about two hours leads to the Old man of Hoy; a rock formation in the sea surrounded by an environment of surreal beauty. The route to reach it is easy and well signposted, although it is mainly uphill and quite long, but when upon arrival you see the rock rising in front of you the effort is easily forgotten.
When I walked the path I met no one but birds along the way, the Old man appears before you suddenly, after a long climb, almost like a mirage, but the road is still long. Once you reach the top of the cliff in front of you, the sensation is that of feeling infinitely small in front of the majesty of the natural environment: very high cliffs, the moor all around you and as only perceived noises, the wind and waves crashing on the rocks below. When you find yourself so immersed in harsh but beautiful nature you can’t help but think about how short our existence is, like a breath in the wind, and appreciate with extreme gratitude the possibility of seeing places that words can only try to describe.
Another island that I particularly loved is Westray, here the landscape is less rugged but still hosts environments of disarming beauty. In particular, a natural arch in the north of the island lent itself well to the photography of long exposures that I love so much. The route to it cuts through disused fields and farms and here too, the only company on the trail have been sheep, birds and a few seals once you reach the arch. In this place, helped by a wonderfully colorful sunset, I took several photos, abstract and normal; I have always found the marine environment of a power but at the same time a unique delicacy, which lend themselves well to a poetic and meditative photograph like the one with the long exposure technique.
As for Mainland, the main and largest island, the landscapes are definitely no different; it is the most inhabited island in the archipelago so it is certainly less peaceful and offers a less immersive experience of contact with nature than the smaller islands but no less beautiful for this reason. Among the most fascinating points to photograph are Warebeth beach which offers a perfect observation point in the mountains of the island of Hoy which is located right in front of the beach, and the Yesnaby cliffs, among the most spectacular points of the island.
Somewhat everywhere on the various islands, but especially on the Mainland, you can also visit past life testimonies such as the Neolithic settlement of Skara Brae and the stone circles of Stennes and Brodgar, an interesting cultural diversion that I personally also found very particular to photograph with analogue cameras to integrate nature with the surprising cultural offer of the islands (which perhaps not many would expect to find in these remote northern islands).
Orkney, in fact, is dotted with ancient monuments and even some UNESCO sites, especially in the Mainland and Rousay, and also has a rich military history thanks to the key role they played during the Second World War as the main military base of the British Royal Navy, as well as a place of detention for around 1300 Italian prisoners of war.
But the islands are not only culture and beautiful landscapes but also home to rich fauna; seals are visible almost everywhere, just pay attention to the sea and you will often see them sprouting from the surface of the water, watching us curiously. One of the best places to spot them is Saviskail Bay, on Rousay Island where they are often seen resting on the beach, and it is not difficult to spot orcas, whales and dolphins too. For lovers of nature photography though, Orkney is also the ideal place to spot puffins nesting on the islands between April and July; the best place to spot and photograph them is Castle O’Burrian on Westray Island. In general there are many species of birds that can be seen almost everywhere on all the islands.
For those who, like me, are looking for a trip surrounded by nature and which still allows you to fully enjoy the places without finding yourself in the crowd, the Orkney Islands are certainly a good choice. The sound of the ocean and the wind breaking on the cliffs will be constant companions, sometimes the only sounds to break the immense silence that crowns the beauty of these islands, and my most vivid hope is that these very special and uncontaminated places will remain so, so that we can enjoy them for a long time to come.
For more information on the culture and history of the islands you can visit their website
Valentina Parente 
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