Orkney Food Festivals and Events Calendar

Orkney's vibrant food and drink scene is celebrated throughout the year with a calendar of festivals, agricultural shows, and seasonal events that showcase the best of local produce. From award-winning cheeses and prime beef to fresh seafood, traditional bere barley, and world-class whisky and gin, the islands offer a rich larder rooted in quality and provenance. Engaging with Orkney's food events provides a delicious insight into the islands' culture, heritage, and community spirit. This guide highlights key dates and happenings for food lovers visiting Orkney.

Overview: Celebrating Orkney's Larder

Orkney's relative isolation and unique environment contribute to the exceptional quality of its food and drink. The non-profit organisation Orkney Food & Drink plays a crucial role in supporting and promoting over 100 local producers, ensuring high standards and fostering innovation. While many products like cheese, beef, and spirits are available year-round, Orkney's event calendar offers special opportunities to taste seasonal highlights, meet producers, and experience the community's connection to its food heritage.

Major Food Festivals & Events

• Taste of Orkney Food Festival (Typically late September): Although dates for 2025 require confirmation (check Orkney Food & Drink website), this flagship event historically runs over a weekend in late September. Expect a bustling marketplace with producer stalls, live cooking demonstrations by local chefs, tasting sessions (cheese, whisky, gin, beer), workshops, and family activities. It's the premier showcase for the islands' diverse food and drink offerings.
• Orkney Folk Festival (Late May - e.g., May 22-25, 2025): While primarily a music festival centred in Stromness, it increasingly incorporates local food and drink. Look for pop-up bars from local breweries (Swannay Brewery) and distilleries (Orkney Distilling/Kirkjuvagr Gin), street food vendors offering local specialities (like seafood or lamb burgers), and festival menus in participating pubs and restaurants.
• St Magnus International Festival (Late June): Similar to the Folk Festival, this major arts event often features associated food and drink experiences, such as pre-theatre dinners highlighting local ingredients or special festival menus in Kirkwall eateries.

Agricultural Shows: Celebrating Farm to Fork

Orkney's agricultural shows are highlights of the summer calendar, offering a fantastic insight into the farming foundations of the local food scene:

• County Show (Kirkwall, Second Saturday in August): Orkney's largest agricultural event. Alongside livestock judging (cattle, sheep), expect numerous stalls selling local produce, baking competitions showcasing traditional recipes (like bere bannocks and shortbread), craft displays, and food vendors. It's a true community gathering.
• Dounby Show (Usually the Thursday before the County Show): Another major agricultural show focusing on West Mainland farming, with similar features including livestock, produce stalls, and community activities.
• Island Shows: Smaller agricultural shows also take place on islands like Sanday, Stronsay, and Shapinsay during the summer, offering a very local flavour.

Farmers' Markets and Local Produce

While dedicated, large-scale farmers' markets might be less frequent than in other regions, opportunities to buy direct or locally sourced produce exist:

• Orkney Food & Drink Trail: Follow this trail (map available via VisitOrkney or OFD) to visit producers directly where possible (e.g., Barony Mill for beremeal, some farm shops).
• Local Shops & Delis: Stores like William Shearer (Kirkwall), Bayleaf Delicatessen (Stromness), and community shops on the isles often stock a wide range of local cheeses, meats, fish, preserves, and baked goods.
• Seasonal Stalls: Look out for honesty boxes or temporary stalls selling fresh eggs, vegetables, or jams, particularly in rural areas during summer and autumn.
• Event Markets: Festivals and agricultural shows are the best bet for finding a concentration of producer stalls in one place.

Seasonal Food Highlights

Orkney's food calendar follows the seasons:

• Spring (April-May): The start of the lambing season means Orkney lamb begins to feature on menus. Early crops like rhubarb appear.
• Summer (June-August): Peak season for shellfish like lobster and crab. New potatoes ('Orkney tatties') are harvested. Soft fruits may be available locally. Agricultural shows celebrate the season's bounty.
• Autumn (September-November): Harvest time for bere barley and root vegetables (neeps and tatties!). Game may appear on menus. The Taste of Orkney festival often takes place. Ideal time for foraging berries (check local guidance). Autumn brings hearty flavours.
• Winter (December-February): Focus shifts to preserved goods, smoked fish, rich cheeses, warming whisky, and festive baking featuring local ingredients. Christmas markets offer seasonal treats.

To find relevant videos, search YouTube for "Orkney County Show" or "Taste of Orkney Festival".

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the main Orkney Food Festival?

The 'Taste of Orkney Food Festival' is the main dedicated event, typically held over a weekend in late September. Check the Orkney Food & Drink website for confirmed dates.

Where can I buy local Orkney produce?

Look in local butchers, fishmongers, bakeries, delis (like Shearer's, Bayleaf), farm shops (like Williamson's), and the Orkney Creamery shop. Agricultural shows and festival markets are also great places.

Are there farmers' markets in Kirkwall or Stromness?

Regular, large-scale farmers' markets are less common than in some areas, but producer stalls feature heavily at events like the County Show and food festivals. Check local listings for smaller or seasonal market days.

What are some must-try Orkney foods?

Orkney Cheddar, Grimbister cheese, local crab and lobster, Orkney beef and lamb (especially North Ronaldsay lamb if available), bere bannocks, fatty cutties (biscuits), and local whisky or gin.

Orkney's food and drink calendar offers delicious opportunities to connect with the islands' producers and traditions throughout the year. From summer agricultural shows celebrating the land to autumn festivals showcasing the harvest and cosy winter fare, timing your visit around these events can add a flavourful dimension to your Orkney experience. Find Orkney accommodation and plan your culinary journey.