BBC Our Lives - Orkney When the Boat Comes In (2017)

Orkney, the small island chain off the north-eastern tip of Scotland, is officially the UK's cruise ship capital. In 2017, every cruise line in the world visited. On its busiest days, the capital of Kirkwall will see its population of 7000 almost double. As part of BBC1's Our Lives, Orkney When The Boat Comes In captures the stories of Orcadians whose lives are impacted by the onslaught of tourists.

There will be 140 port calls this year, with more than 120,000 passengers. That's six times Orkney's entire population. For many, this is something to be celebrated. More people means more money coming in to the islands. It's estimated that the industry brings in between 7 and 9 million pounds to the local economy; much needed revenue to help sustain a small and remote population.

For others, it's a pain. The streets of Kirkwall can sometimes be so busy that it's hard to make your way through the main street. Many residents steer clear on cruise ship days and some cafes and restaurants complain that they actually lose money, as passengers nurse teas and coffees for hours or head back to the liner for their all-inclusive lunches.

There's also a growing concern about the environmental impact and for Orkney's world famous Neolithic sites, including Skara Brae, Stenness and the Ring of Brodgar. How long can these fragile World Heritage sites maintain coach loads of people wandering around?

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