Travel with Rick Steves · Saturday, September 26, 2026
Kinley Francis describes Orkney as a Royalist county with strong ties to the United Kingdom, dating back to the 17th century. He states a personal preference for remaining part of Great Britain, and notes that while some in Scotland desire separation, Orkney and Shetland have discussed potential arrangements, including a historical possibility of returning to Norway.
“Uh, the Orkney and Shetland Islands, particularly Orkney is a Royalist county.”
“Uh, but we are very much geared towards the United Kingdom and the government.”
“Now here in Orkney and Shetland, there's already the agreement perhaps in the pipeline that if this ever happens, then Norway will bring us back. So we can go back to Scandinavia.”