The Orkney Isles are comprised of ten major islands and innumerable smaller islets and "skerries". Many of the smaller islets and skerries are not inhabited. However, the occasional cairn or broch shows that they did indeed have a population at some time in the past. Due to a scarcity of timber as a building material, most of the structures were built of native stone. For this reason, the buildings are remarkably well preserved, in spite of depredations by Vikings and other invading groups.

The people we know as the Picts, occupied these islands from approximatel 600 BC until somewhere around AD 900. Archaeological evidence suggests there was little or no contact directly with the Romand, but that they traded with tribes further to the wouth who had access to Roman goods. The people were primarily farmers, herders and fishers. They were also accomplished workers of metals, potters, dyers and weavers. Two large stone rings, at Brodgar and Stenness, suggest they were knowledgeable watchers of the stars and the heavens. It would appear that they were a self-sufficient community, or series of communities. Little is known of their tribes or clans. They left no list of kings or writings for us nor any of the ancient myths and legends.

Today, the population of the islands are of predominantly Scandinavian descent. There are no recognizeable Pictish place names. What became of these ancient inhabitants of the isles? Some scholars maintain they were absorbed by the Norse. Others believe they were exterminated by the invaders, who coveted their farmland and pastures. Which camp is correct is a matter of conjecture and somewhat of a moot point. They are gone, but not forgotten.