Saturday 16th May 2026
Boat Trip and Snorkelling Safari
The underwater world is one of the final unexplored areas on the planet, with almost 80% of it still unexplored. Incredible shows like Blue Planet have helped bring the wonderful and sometimes crazy creatures that live in the marine world into the public mind. Many people focus on warmer climes such as the Great Barrier Reef when thinking about the ocean, but the UK has some incredible and diverse life surrounding it.
On this snorkel safari, being put on especially for Orkney Nature Festival, we will be exploring the coastline of Orkney from the safety of a boat. When a suitable location has be found, we will then jump into the water for a snorkel. Whether lured in by the hypnotic sway of the kelp gardens and seaweed, or enjoying the numerous anemones, starfish and crabs, there is a huge range of different creatures and colours to see.
All equipment will be provided, including dry suits, to keep you warm and dry. Previous snorkelling experience is recommended. But, you can take the session at your own pace with close support from PADI Instructors and Divemasters. It should be possible to spend up to 60 minutes in the water, although there is a team on the boat if you want to come out sooner. There may be an opportunity for a second snorkel after warming up with hot drinks.
If you want to come on the boat trip, but don’t want to get in the water, that is no problem at all. A discounted price will be given and you can watch from the boat and enjoy the views while the snorkellers are in the water.
Nature Weekend – Skara Brae
🕒 10:00 to 15:00
📌 Skara Brae (open map)
💰 Included in normal cost of entry
🔢 All ages (under 16s must be accompanied)
Visit Skara Brae for a fun-filled nature themed weekend! Learn about how the Neolithic people engaged with nature, and how that has changed in the past 5000 years. Follow our nature trail to try and spot some local wildlife.
Pre-book visit in advance to guarantee entry.
Weave on a loom in the Orkney Textile Studio
Trying a number of looms which are set up to give different effects. All materials and a cuppa included.
Unnatural Arrivals – The Stoat Crisis in Orkney
🕒 10:30 to 17:00
📌 Orkney Museum (open map)
💰 Free (donations welcome)
🔢 All ages (under 16s must be accompanied)
This exhibition brings together artists responding to a dramatic ecological change in Orkney. Since 2010, stoats (Mustela erminea)—a species not native to the islands—have spread rapidly, threatening ground-nesting birds, hen harriers, short-eared owls, and the unique Orkney vole.
Through painting, sculpture, photography, and more, the works explore the impact of this invasion on the islands’ fragile ecosystem, as well as the wider questions it raises about conservation, intervention, and coexistence. Drawing on local knowledge and scientific research, and informed by efforts such as the Orkney Native Wildlife Project, the exhibition offers a powerful reflection on nature, balance, and change.
Social Shorewatch: Point of Ness
🕒 11:00 to 12:30
📌 Links Battery (open map)
💰 Free (booking required)
🔢 All ages (under 18s must be accompanied)
Join WDC (Whale and Dolphin Conservation) for a Social Shorewatch at Point of Ness as we scan the sea for whales, dolphins, and porpoises, while keeping an eye out for the many other wildlife species that can be spotted along the coast.
Sensible outdoor weather clothing and footwear is required. Feel free to bring drinks and snacks, as well as any spotting equipment such as scopes and binoculars- although some are provided.
Weave with Orkney grasses
🕒 11:00 to 13:00
📌 For Art’s Sake, Kirkwall (open map)
💰 £20
🔢 All ages (under 16s must be accompanied)
All materials and a cuppa included.
Birds and their beaks!
🕒 11:00 to 15:00
📌 Stromness Museum (open map)
💰 Free with museum entry
🔢 All ages (under 16s must be accompanied)
Drop by Stromness Museum anytime between 11am and 3pm for a guided tour of the museum bird collection and have a go at some fun activities to learn about bird beaks.
Marine Mammal Medic Course BDMLR
The British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR) is running a hands-on Marine Mammal Medic (MMM) training course in Scapa, Orkney on Saturday 16 May. This practical wet course is designed to teach participants how to safely respond to stranded marine mammals, including seals, dolphins and whales.
The training includes essential theory completed online in advance, followed by a full day of practical learning at the shoreline. Participants will practise rescue techniques, casualty assessment and refloating procedures using specialist equipment and life-size models.
Upon completion of the course, attendees will become part of BDMLR’s network of trained volunteer Marine Mammal Medics, ready to assist when marine wildlife is in distress.
No previous experience is required, making the course suitable for anyone with an interest in marine conservation and helping wildlife.
Rockpooling with Seasearch
We are so excited to welcome back this fan favourite and a great event for your little ones! Join Seasearch for a fun family event exploring the rockpools around the Brough of Birsay and discovering the creatures within them.
A limited number of rockpooling kits available or bring your own equipment.
Wader Conservation Open Day and BBQ
🕒 13:00 to 15:00
📌 RSPB Workshop, Skesquoy (open map)
💰 £10 per car
🔢 5+ (under 16s must be accompanied)
Orkney is a very important place for Curlew, Lapwing, Snipe and other wading birds, but their populations are unfortunately declining! We’re working hard to ensure they have enough habitat to keep their stronghold in Orkney.
Come along to our new workshop location in Birsay for a BBQ and a chance to see the nitty gritty of how we support these iconic birds. We’ll show you: a habitat restoration site, where we’ve created pools and wet areas for the birds to find their food; the tools of the trade, including a very special tractor that complements the hard work that the cattle do to create good habitat; how to monitor how well the birds are doing; just how amazing these birds are!
There’ll also be activities for kids, along with both plant-based and meat options from the grill.
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Social Shorewatch: Yesnaby
🕒 14:00 to 15:30
📌 Yesnaby Battery (open map)
💰 Free (booking required)
🔢 All ages (under 18s must be accompanied)
Join WDC (Whale and Dolphin Conservation) for a Social Shorewatch at Yesnaby as we scan the sea for whales, dolphins, and porpoises, while keeping an eye out for the many other wildlife species that can be spotted along the coast.
Sensible outdoor weather clothing and footwear is required. Feel free to bring drinks and snacks, as well as any spotting equipment such as scopes and binoculars- although some are provided.
ONWP Guide Without a Hide
Meet the Orkney Native Wildlife Project (ONWP) Monitoring Officer at the top of the cliffs at the RSPB Marwick Head reserve. He will be talking about the species that call Marwick their home as well as offering the opportunity to look through spotting scopes for a close up view of these amazing birds! Maybe learn something new….did you know that Razorbills have been known to dive as deep as 100m when foraging for food?!
Westside Cinema – Songs of Earth
🕒 19:15 (19:45 start)
📌 Stromness Town Hall (open map)
💰 £5/£3 student or YoungScot card, cash only
🔢 All ages (under 16s must be accompanied)
The mountainous landscapes of Norway provide the monumental backdrop for this cinematic nature experience. A magnificent, existential journey with the filmmaker’s parents as its human yardstick, and with the primordial forces of the earth looming in the bedrock.
In Norway’s official selection for the Academy Awards, Director Margreth Olin has created a stunning, cinematic work about life, death, nature and about simply being present in the world. With her native Norway’s dizzyingly beautiful mountain landscapes as its monumental backdrop, Olin embarks on an existential journey with her own ageing parents as the human yardstick out in the vast expanses. Here, their family has always lived side by side with nature. Even when the earth’s primordial forces have shown their most merciless side. Her parents’ love and lifelong loyalty bear quiet witness to how surroundings and inner space resonate with each other. But not even the most rock-solid mountain is unchanging – and certainly not in times like ours. The level of detail in Olin’s lyrical and visionary poem to her homeland is almost beyond anything seen on the big screen. And that is most definitely where ‘Songs of Earth’ should be experienced.
Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HTzJws8GbUQ
BYO refreshments and cold snacks.
