Some Scottish islands or isles around the north (7)
I believe the answer is:
orkneys
'some scottish islands' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'or isles around the north' is the wordplay.
'isles' becomes 'keys' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should believe this answer much more).
'around' indicates putting letters inside.
'the north' becomes 'N' (abbreviation).
'keys' placed around 'n' is 'kneys'.
'or'+'kneys'='ORKNEYS'
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for orkneys that I've seen before include "Western Isles" , "Scottish isles" , "Northerly UK islands" , "Islands north of Britain" , "Islands off NE tip of Scottish mainland" .)