As the excitement of the Island Games sweeps across Orkney, across fields, skies and coastlines, Orkney’s native wildlife are showing off their own extraordinary talents — and now they’re being celebrated in a brand-new way.
To mark this special occasion, we have launched Orkney Wild Cards — a set of free limited-edition, collectable cards that shine a spotlight on some of our most iconic species, reimagined as sporting stars! These cards are a fun, free way to learn about the wildlife that makes Orkney such a special host.
Whether you’re a visitor exploring Orkney for the first time or a local cheering from the sidelines, Orkney’s natural environment is all around you — and it’s full of characters worth knowing.
Who’s on the team?
Each card features one of four standout species found only in Orkney or the UK, each with its own ‘sporting’ twist:
How to collect them
The Wild Cards are available for FREE at the Orkney Island Games 2025 community stalls tent outside the Pickaquoy Centre. But there’s a catch — you’ll need to explore to complete your set!
Each card is available from a different community stall, so be sure to visit them all:
- Collect a Curlew at Creative Orkney!
- Collect a Lapwing at Women's Aid Orkney!
- Collect a Hen Harrier from Callum's Cakes!
- Collect an Orkney Vole from Orkney Lifeboats (RNLI Kirkwall Lifeboat, RNLI Stromness Lifeboat, RNLI Longhope Lifeboat)!
It’s a fun, family-friendly way to discover more about Orkney’s amazing wildlife while exploring some of the brilliant local groups supporting our community.
Our Wildlife Matters
While these wild athletes aren’t competing for medals, they play a vital role in what makes Orkney so unique. Their unforgettable sights and sounds are part of what makes Orkney shine!
Learn more about our incredible native wildlife here!