Orkney is being beamed into homes across Australia as one of the country’s best known travel programmes showcases the islands to potential visitors.

The Great Outdoors has filmed across Orkney as part of a Scottish series being shown by Seven, the Australian broadcaster holding the rights to the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

Presenter James Tobin explores the islands’ extraordinary combination of landscape, history, wildlife and culture, introducing Australian viewers to some of Orkney’s best known places.

His journey includes the Italian Chapel on Lamb Holm and a crossing of the Churchill Barriers before heading into Kirkwall to visit St Magnus Cathedral.

The programme also reaches much further back into Orkney’s past with visits to Skara Brae and the Ring of Brodgar, giving viewers a glimpse of a Neolithic history stretching back thousands of years.

Orkney’s legends and folklore also feature as the programme looks beyond the scenery to explore some of the stories which have shaped the islands.

Seven has been working with VisitScotland to use the attention surrounding the Commonwealth Games to introduce more Australian viewers to Scotland.

Australian tour operator Albatross Tours has also partnered on the programme, which includes filming from Orkney alongside other destinations across the country.

The Australian market is already an important one for the islands, with visitors from Australia and New Zealand accounting for seven per cent of visits to Orkney.

For many, the connection runs deeper than a holiday, with Orcadian ancestry providing another reason to make the long journey north.

VisitScotland Island Development Manager Cheryl Chapman said:

“We know Scotland’s iconic scenery and landscapes are a strong draw for visitors and The Great Outdoors programme is the ideal fit to showcase Orkney’s stunning coastlines.

“Australian and New Zealand visitors make up 7% of visits to Orkney, with many visiting their Orcadian roots.

“So the opportunity to show Australians the wonderful things they can expect here today is a powerful marketing opportunity for us.

“Being able to capitalise on the increased attention the Commonwealth Games will generate for Scotland is a fantastic opportunity to show the wonderful outdoor experiences visitors can enjoy in Orkney as part of a trip to Scotland.”

The Great Outdoors combines cultural experiences with outdoor adventures from destinations around the world, including growing travel trends such as outdoor therapy and water wellness.

Filming for its Scottish programmes has also taken place in Shetland, the Highlands, Edinburgh and East Lothian, with the final two Scotland episodes airing in Australia this month.

For Orkney, appearing on Australian television puts the islands in front of an audience thousands of miles away at a moment when Scotland is already commanding their attention.

And with ancient villages, great stone circles, remarkable coastlines and centuries of stories waiting when they arrive, Orkney has plenty to make them remember what they have seen.

Episode four, featuring Orkney, is available on the series’ website now at: https://7plus.com.au/the-great-outdoors