Orkney Crofts

Skullspiltter Headache

Mon, 13 Oct 2008 17:39:00 +0200

Alistair Carmichael, the MP for Orkney and Shetland, has tabled a Commons motion calling for a complaint against Orkney Brewery's 8.5 per cent ABV Skull Splitter ale to be rejected.

The 8.5 per cent ABV ale came under fire from the pompous Portman Group last month after a report claimed it "implied violence" - and the drinks watchdog is to meet later in the year to talk about possible action.

In the motion, tabled on Wednesday, Carmichael says he recognises that the name would be inappropriate if it were applied to a low-price high alcohol content drink aimed at young drinkers.

But he adds: "Skull Splitter is not such a drink, but is instead a high quality premium beer, not sold in supermarkets, a past Champion Winter Ale of Britain, which is targeted at, and bought by, discerning drinkers who appreciate its quality and who drink it responsibly."

Five Star Byre

Thu, 21 Aug 2008 21:53:00 +0200

Awarded August 2008 the Byre at Heddle is now officially recoginsed as Scottish Tourist Board Five Star Self-Catering Accommodation. The Byre is the fourth property in Orkney to achieve this grading. We think we should be Six...

Top of the Pops

Mon, 28 Jul 2008 10:08:00 +0200

Scotland's population was yesterday officially estimated at its highest for a quarter of a century. The main reason for the rise? Migration. The main source of the newcomers? England.

Net "in" migration - from all sources - is now at its highest since records begin in the early 1950s, said Duncan Macniven, Scotland's registrar-general, in his official annual report on the nation's population. But the number of people moving to Scotland from the rest of the UK far outstrips migrants with a higher profile, like tens of thousands of Poles and other eastern Europeans who have made their home here since British borders were opened up to them in 2004.

Orkney is at the head of this demograhic curve ball. In many of the outer islands you are more likely to hear southern vowels than the expected Orcadian lilt. Fully 736 people are thought to have moved to the islands in 2006-2007. Half of those were from other parts of Scotland. Most of the rest were from England, Wales or Northern Ireland. Just 45 were officially categorised as "overseas" migrants.

The result: net migration to Orkney of 135, more than cancelling out a modest birth rate and continuing emigration. Orkney's population rose half a percent in the year.

Talking Stones

Mon, 07 Jul 2008 17:49:00 +0200

A major archaeological investigation is getting under way this week at one of Western Europe's most impressive prehistoric sites. The Ring of Brodgar in Orkney is the third largest stone circle in the British Isles, but little is known about it.

A month-long programme of investigations will be undertaken by a 15-strong team. The last important archaeological studies took place there in the 1970s. Historic Scotland said very little was actually known about the site, including its exact age and purpose.

A scheduled ancient monument, the stone circle and henge of the Ring of Brodgar is part of 'The Heart of Neolithic Orkney' World Heritage Site, inscribed by UNESCO in 1999. The project will involve the re-excavation and extension of trenches dug in 1973. Geophysical surveys will also be undertaken to investigate the location of standing stones.

Dr Jane Downes of the Archaeology Department, Orkney College, UHI, and Dr Colin Richards of the University of Manchester are the project directors. Dr Downes said: "Because so little is known about the Ring of Brodgar, a series of assumptions have taken the place of archaeological data.

"The interpretation of what is arguably the most spectacular stone circle in Scotland is therefore incomplete and unclear." Dr Richards added: "At present, even the number of stones in the original circle is uncertain. The position of at least 40 can be identified but there are spaces for 20 more."

Woody Woodpecker

Sat, 05 Jul 2008 08:52:00 +0200

It may not be one of the Great Trees of Britain but Kirkwall and St Ola Community councillors have recommended that the council go ahead and put a stabilising pole at Albert Street’s Big Tree — with measures to ensure youths can't climb it.

Chairman, Spencer Rosie, said the tree had to be protected or taken away, as it was no longer safe in its current state.

It was felt by some members that taking the tree away completely, or replacing it with another, would have to go out to public consultation.

After considerable discussion, members agreed that a “steadying column”, be driven adjacent to the trunk with a fastening to the tree.

More More ! Awards

Sat, 05 Jul 2008 08:50:00 +0200

The Pier Arts Centre in Stromness is one of two Scottish buildings among the 16 winners of the Royal Institute of British Architects National Awards, which were announced in London on Friday night.

According to the judges, the “extraordinary sensitivity” of the Pier Arts Centre has been achieved by architects Reiach and Hall by extending the original gallery building through adding a new zinc and glass building which can be viewed from across the harbour.

The Stirling Prize shortlist will be drawn from the 16 RIBA National Award winners, and the RIBA European Award winners which are eligible for the prize. The shortlist will be announced on Thursday 17 July.

Traffic warden reinstated - by popular demand

Tue, 17 Jun 2008 10:25:00 +0200

A Scottish traffic warden has been reinstated - after a campaign to save him by local residents and motorists.

James Dewar, 59, was the only traffic warden in the port of Stromness on Orkney until he was told his services were no longer required.

The local police force had increased its presence in the town and its constables were due to take over his duties, reports the Daily Telegraph.

Mr Dewar, who is employed during the summer when tourists double the population of the historic town, keeps the traffic moving in one of Britain's narrowest high streets.

He has done the job for 14 years and is regarded as a friend by many of the residents. He also helps children get home safely after school, and offers advice to tourists.

"To us he's a friend," said Sarah Taylor, who headed the campaign to keep Mr Dewar.

"Anywhere else people would be surprised that we want to keep our traffic warden, but he does an invaluable job in Stromness and he's a great asset to the town."

Mr Dewar, who runs a small croft outside Stromness with his wife Jenny, looking after sheep, goats and hens, said: "For a traffic warden to be wanted is unusual to say the least.

"I'm deeply honoured that the people of Stromness wanted to keep me as their traffic warden. I'm so grateful for their support."

Chief Insp David Miller, of Northern Constabulary, said he could remain in Stromness this summer and the force would consider expanding his duties next year.

Glass half Beerfull

Tue, 17 Jun 2008 09:05:00 +0200

Sinclair Breweries has opened the tendering process for a massive expansion of its Orkney Brewery, which makes its flagship Dark Island beer.

The plans will see the company triple its brewing capacity to boost production of its existing products, in particular Dark Island, but also its 8.5% Skullsplitter brew and Red McGregor.

Sinclair Breweries, which also owns the Atlas Brewery at Kinlochleven in Argyll, will open a visitor centre and events venue, which will host tasting events and Orkney evenings for visitors, on the site.

The expansion will see the company taking on two new full-time brewing staff plus three more full-time and eight part-time employees for the visitor centre. Currently the brewery can not host visitors.

Sinclair Breweries, which bought the Orkney plant two years ago, hopes work will start on the project in August with the brewery expansion completed in five months and the visitor centre opened by March 2009.

Tidal waves

Tue, 03 Jun 2008 19:36:00 +0200

Orkney suffers some of the worst coastal erosion in Scotland. As a result over 1,000 archaeological sites are at risk.

A new book by county archaeologist Julie Gibson will be launched this week, outlining a fraction of these sites and highlighting the problem.

A collaboration with photographer Frank Bradford, Rising Tides: The Loss of Coastal Heritage in Orkney, is being launched in Kirkwall tonight, part of the Maritime Societies of the Viking and Medieval World conference.

Proceeds from the title will go to the Friends of the Orkney Archaeolgical Trust.

Hot Gridle

Tue, 03 Jun 2008 19:28:00 +0200

Irish company OpenHydro has announced that it has become the first company to complete the connection of a tidal turbine to the UK national grid and commence electricity generation.

This is claimed to be a first for both the UK and Ireland and in doing so OpenHydro has reportedly become one of the first companies in the world to reach this stage of technical maturity. OpenHydro's 250kW open-centre turbine, which is installed at the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) off Eday, Orkney, Scotland, commenced generation onto the grid.

EMEC is reportedly the only independent and publicly financed facility in the world for testing tidal and wave technologies. OpenHydro has been testing the power generation of its open-centre turbine over the past 18 months at EMEC

Folking Great

Mon, 19 May 2008 10:27:00 +0200

A surefire way to discover the best festivals is to ask the musicians who play them. Musicians love coming to Orkney, whether it's for the islands themselves, with their remote, Norse-influenced otherness, stark sea-girt beauty and wealth of archaeological treasures, the wholehearted welcome they receive from a music-loving population, or the thriving local music scene that this year contributes 20 home-grown acts to the 2008 festival programme that starts this week, May 22nd-25th.

"No other festival I've been to can compare with the atmosphere in Stromness that weekend," says Bob Gibbon, who took over this year as chairman of the organising committee. "A lot of festivals take place in community centres, village halls, fields or whatever, but Orkney Festival is just in the air."
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"It's like a party that just goes on for four days," says Kris Drever, the Orkney-born singer and guitarist who is now one of the UK folk scene's fastest-rising stars, as both a solo artist and a member of Lau, and who features among this year's festival headliners.

This stylistic cross-pollination is a strong feature of Orkney's music today. Underlying the scene is a solid foundation of traditional music tuition, both in schools and through independent ventures such as the Wrigley Sisters' Centre of Music, established by native-born duo Jennifer and Hazel in 2004 after years of international touring, and now seeking to expand.

Besides Drever's homecoming appearance, a very strong line-up for Orkney 2008 includes the superb Irish-American band Solas, multi-award-winning English singer-guitarist Martin Simpson, turbocharged Balkan/jazz dance music from Moishe's Bagel and the Highland ceilidh king himself, accordionist Fergie MacDonald. There's also a first-ever folk festival appearance by the acclaimed Scottish Fiddle Orchestra.

Magnificent man and his flying machine

Mon, 12 May 2008 09:14:00 +0200

It was Tuesday, 8 May,1933 and Captain Ernest Fresson was taking off on the first scheduled flight in the Highlands – from Inverness, via Wick, to Kirkwall, establishing what would become the longest continuously-operating scheduled air service in
Europe and probably the world.

Scouting out his routes in his little Gypsy Moth, he prepared the ground – and the air – for Highland Airways, which he established with help from the Inverness motor engineers Macrae & Dick. Fresson's ability to get mail and passengers through in all weathers became a byword. "He was a highly-skilled pilot and a determined businessman who adopted the north of Scotland and stuck with it, right through very acrimonious times," said Morgan.

The foggy weather which threatened that first flight, as well as the hazards of flying those fragile early aircraft, returned to haunt last Thursday's 75th anniversary celebrations, when the planned flypast over Inverness was transferred to Orkney because of predicted fog.

Just over a year after that historic flight to Orkney, he inaugurated the UK's first scheduled airmail service on the same route and went on to open up many other Highland and island routes now taken for granted.

He is also credited with the concept of Britain's first Tarmac runway, at Hatston, Orkney. By the Second World War, his airline had become part of the early British Airways and after the war it was nationalised, along with other domestic air services, into British European Airways.

What a Lady Part 11

Thu, 24 Apr 2008 09:26:00 +0200

KIRKWALL dental nurse Natasha Groundwater has made it into the top 20 of The Sun's Miss Scotland competition.

"It's absolutely fantastic, I'm still overwhelmed!" said Natasha, who was chosen to face the public vote after a photo shoot in Glasgow last weekend. "So far it's all been a really good experience, to have everyone from Orkney behind me would make it even better."

The final ten contestants will take part in the glamorous Miss Scotland final in Glasgow's Princes Square on May 25, where the judges will decide who walks away with the crown. The highly sought-after title comes with a £10,000 prize and contract with Scotland's fastest growing marketing agency, DADA.

The lucky winner will also jet off to Ukraine to represent her country at the glittering Miss World competition.

What a Lady

Thu, 24 Apr 2008 01:44:00 +0200

Pentland Ferries’ new catamaran was officially named in the Philippines on Tuesday.

Owner Andrew Banks, and his wife, Susan, travelled out to Cebu for the ceremony, which saw the vessel named Pentalina.

The Pentalina is due to be launched on Thursday 24th, and be sea trialled and completed, ready for the voyage back to the UK. She is expected to come into service in early summer.

May Madness

Tue, 15 Apr 2008 10:24:00 +0200

Orkneycrofts is offering a special for May 2008 only.

May 2008 Special Offers.

The fully stocked kitchen will be supplied to all guests free of charge this month only.

Yuri Blast Off

Mon, 14 Apr 2008 09:35:00 +0200

One of Scotland's most famous Neolithic sites - Skara Brae in Orkney - has commemorated a defining moment in the space race.

The pathway to the prehistoric village is lined with carved stones that form a time trail of major events in history.

A new stone was unveiled on Saturday, marking the anniversary of Russian cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin orbiting the Earth on 12 April, 1961.

Despite bad weather, a number of locals turned out for the event.

Historic Scotland created the pathway to emphasise changes which have taken place since the settlement was inhabited 5,000 years ago.

Doreen Grove, Historic Scotland's head of access and understanding, said: "Uri Gagarin's mission was a defining moment in human history.

"At Historic Scotland we are delighted to commemorate an event of such importance by including it in the Skara Brae timeline."

The idea for the new stone was suggested by Russian Alexander Korobko, who visited in 2006 in search of his Orcadian roots.

Mr Korobko said: "I am delighted that Historic Scotland is commemorating the space flight of Uri Gagarin at Skara Brae."

Tatiana Danilova, trade marketing executive at VisitScotland for Central and Eastern Europe, said: "Russia is an important emerging tourism market for Scotland, thanks to its growing economy.

"I hope that the stone will be something Russian visitors enjoy seeing and will talk about when they return home."

Fishy Story

Mon, 07 Apr 2008 13:23:00 +0200

TOP rabbis have been flown in from America by a Scots herring company - to make sure their fish is 100 per cent kosher.

The Orkney Herring Company landed a deal to send 54,000 pots of the fish to the States every month.

But to meet strict Jewish religious laws, its preparation must be scrutinised by a leading rabbi - who makes sure it has not touched non-kosher fish such as sharks and eels.

Managing director Ken Sutherland said: "The first two rabbis flew in from New York, the third was from Germany and next week we'll be welcoming one from Glasgow

"It's for the whole Jewish-American market, so we have to cater for the more orthodox branches too. That means we'll be getting visits every few weeks, instead of just at Passover."

Herring is popular in Jewish cuisine, eaten with crackers on Friday evenings or for the Sabbath dinner on Saturdays.

The Stromness-based firm were set up in 1987 and produce sweet-cured herring from a secret family recipe which is hidden in a safe at a secret location.

They have produced herring for the UK market for more than 15 years and have once-a-year checks from a local rabbi.

Fulmarks

Mon, 07 Apr 2008 13:18:00 +0200

Orkney-born Raymond Besant has won first prize in a worldwide wildlife film festival, with a documentary charting the life of an Atlantic seabird, the albatross family Fulmar.

Ray worked for three years on his film, The Flying Dustman, which examines the challenges that pollution and climate change are posing for the Fulmar.

Filmed in Aberdeenshire, Orkney, St Kilda and the island of Texel - off the Dutch coast - the documentary won the amateur section of the International Wildlife Film Festival in the USA, and picked up a merit award for scientific content.

As an amateur filmmaker - this is his first film - Raymond said it was difficult to judge how well he was doing. “You’ve only got yourself as a reference. You don’t know if you are really doing the right thing.”

He will attend the awards ceremony in Missoula, Montana, next month.

Skyline Concern

Sun, 06 Apr 2008 01:18:00 +0200

Orkney Skyline Concern have gone online. Visit them to register.

Airport Parking

Mon, 31 Mar 2008 13:02:00 +0200

KIRKWALL Airport now has 40 extra car parking spaces.

Kirkwall Airport manager David Blackman said that he was delighted the first stage of the development is now complete, taking just four weeks of construction.

He added that the next stage, creating an additional 18 or 19 spaces, should be finished in another couple of weeks, depending on the weather.

The car park extension is expected to make a massive difference to the parking situation at the airport, which in the past has seen travellers complaining that spaces were in such short supply that they had to park on grass areas so they would not miss their flights.

Freebie Weekend

Mon, 31 Mar 2008 11:58:00 +0200

Historic Scotland’s annual free weekend will take place on April 12 and 13 – allowing visitors access to some of Orkney’s best-known historic sites completely free of charge.

Over the weekend, admission charges will be dropped at the Bishop’s and Earl’s Palaces, the Broch of Gurness, Hackness Battery, Maeshowe and Skara Brae.

Visitors will have the opportunity to sign-up for annual membership for Historic Scotland over the weekend, with a special offer of three months free.

Tesco's are coming

Mon, 31 Mar 2008 11:53:00 +0200

SUPERMARKET giant Tesco last week extended its retail dominance to every corner of Scotland.

The company now has a store in every Scottish postcode area. The firm has just snapped up properties in the last Tesco-free' areas with the purchase of six stores from rival company Somerfield.

It means Tesco will now have a presence in Paisley and Wester Ross and also Orkney, The Shetland Isles, and Lewis, despite campaigns to block the store chain moving to the islands.

The supermarket giant said 470 jobs at the six stores would be safeguarded and confirmed there would be further investment and jobs in each store. It would not reveal what it had paid for the Somerfield stores.

Beach Plumbing

Mon, 17 Mar 2008 10:31:06 +0100

March 16, South Ronaldsay -- A plumber found what appears to be a piece of a Neolithic chambered tomb on a beach on a Scottish island.

Julie Gibson, the Orkney County archaeologist, said that the carved stone must have been buried and exposed by recent storms. The carvings on soft sandstone would not have survived centuries in the water.

David Barnes said he thought when he first spotted the stone at Sandwick Bay on South Ronaldsay in the Orkneys that it had simply eroded in an interesting way. Then he realized that the circular markings were manmade.

"This piece is really a once-in-50-years discovery," Gibson said. "I was very pleased to find out David really had such a piece of Neolithic art. It's not something that happens every day."

Gibson believes that the stone, carved as long as 6,000 years ago, was part of a chambered tomb.

Highland Fling

Mon, 10 Mar 2008 14:52:24 +0100

American whisky expert Paul Pacult named Highland Park 18 year old single malt whisky the best spirit in the world, judged against spirits across the globe.

The accolade was announced in the latest edition of the US drinks publication Spirit Journal 100 listing of the world’s best 100 distilled spirits.

Birmingham families ship out to the Orkneys

Mon, 10 Mar 2008 14:46:43 +0100

Bustling Brum may be the country's Second City but it seems workers tired of the rat race are deserting the city in favour of the simple life on the weather-beaten islands off Scotland's north coast.

More than one in seven people who moved to the capital, Kirkwall, in the second half of last year were from Birmingham, according to new figures. Orkney Islands Council deputy leader James Stockan said he was not surprised families were tempted by the lifestyle on offer.

"Orkney has been assessed as probably the best place to live for well-being in Scotland and there has been quite a lot of migration here in the last five years, we have a very low crime rate and lots of people have come for a better way of life. The only problem we have is the weather!" he said.

Monster of the Deep

Mon, 03 Mar 2008 14:12:05 +0100

Orkney angler Peter "Jocky" Robertson won the club's three-day weekend competition with the help of a big conger.

It might not be a monster in the conger world but, at 13lb 7oz, it's still a significant fish because it is a new record for the Orkney Shore Anglers Club.

Takahiro Kondo

Mon, 03 Mar 2008 13:49:01 +0100

Acclaimed ceramic Japanese artist Takahiro Kondo's "Orkney Monolith" series incorporates his unique gintekisai ( “silver mist”) overglaze and luminous layers of cast glass. Each piece in the Orkney Monolith series stands between four and a half and six and a half feet in height and is covered with Kondo’s distinctive gintekisai overglaze.

The technique coats the porcelain surface with tiny droplets of a precious alloy of gold, silver, and platinum (representing “water out of fire”), which catch and refract light, mimicking the appearance of rain-drenched stone.

The works, which recall the ancient standing stones found throughout Scotland’s Orkney Islands, go on display in the U.S. (New York), for the first time this month.

Pentland Pull

Mon, 25 Feb 2008 12:04:22 +0100

The Pentland Firth has been called the greatest untapped source of energy Scotland has ever had, offering northern Scotland an equivalent to the Californian gold rush. 25% of the European tidal energy resource is said to be present in the turbulent waters where the Atlantic and North Sea merge.

This week the huge reserves in the stretch of water between Orkney and the mainland, and the opportunities they present, will be detailed to industry experts.

Members of the British Wind Energy Association, which also promotes wave and tidal power, are on a two-day fact-finding trip to the area, starting today. They will be encouraged to work with local firms and public agencies, and to use Caithness and Orkney as a base.

Skylarks at East Heddle

Fri, 15 Feb 2008 11:19:06 +0100

I did a couple of hours tree maintenance down at East Heddle to day, 3 Skylarks for a while, 50+ Twite passed over, Greenfinches now seem resident. 240 Greylag around all day, 34 Fieldfare feeding with the starling flock were the first i have seen for a while.

Selkies are transformed

Mon, 11 Feb 2008 02:03:26 +0100

The myth of the Selkie, long thought to be Scottish in origin, in fact originates on the Farne Islands, a nature reserve off the coast of Northumberland — according to a North East solicitor, Colette Stroud.

The Selkie is a mythical creature said to be a woman with the ability to transform itself into a seal. Selkie's are able to transform to human form by shedding their seal skins and can revert to seal form by putting their Selkie skin back on. The myth has long been thought to be Scottish in origin, and is widely attributed to the Orkney Islands.

She said: "The Selkie myth can be found along the North East coast, throughout Scotland and Scandinavia. The origins of the myth are lost in time so I assume Scotland has simply claimed it for its own on the basis of no known facts. Since the Farne Islands have always been home to one of Europe's largest seal colonies, I feel it is perfectly possible that the myth originated here, and then migrated North".

The idea that Northumbrian myths have been hijacked and re-written is not new. Many experts believe Joyous Guard or Broomlee Lough in Northumberland to be the original site of the King Arthur legend.

Guided walks around the Ring of Brodgar

Sat, 09 Feb 2008 17:06:42 +0100

Guided tours led by Historic Scotland's expert guides are back by popular demand.

The Orkney World Heritage Site ranger service is offering free guided walks around the Ring of Brodgar.

This year, people of all ages will have the chance to attend the walks every Thursday at 1pm. No advance booking is required for the guided tours and visitors are advised to wear appropriate outdoor clothing. The guides are very enthusiastic with a both natural and cultural history expertise.

Sunday Times and North Ronaldsay Lamb

Tue, 05 Feb 2008 01:03:30 +0100

The Sunday Times
February 3, 2008

Lucas Hollweg: the virtues of North Ronaldsay lamb

MEAT AND GREET

Warning: vegetarians might want to look away. I’ve been having rather a meaty time of late. I only have to think about North Ronaldsay lamb and I start salivating. The native sheep of Orkney’s most northerly island are confined to the seashore by a stone wall, so they survive almost entirely on seaweed. This gives intensely savoury, dark, gamey meat – I devoured two chops before I even got them to the table.........

Orkney Rose

Tue, 05 Feb 2008 00:56:41 +0100

Run by Rose Grimond, Orkney Rose sells Orkney fish and meat to Londoners and London restaurants. The business represents 16 local producers. By uniting their distribution channels, Orkney Rose provides these small businesses with the infrastructure to reach the London market.

Jolly's kippers are something of a legend in Orkney, with the herring caught in the clean waters off Orkney, smoked on slow fires of oak chips and turned into plump, firm-fleshed kippers for grilling or lightly steaming.

Orkney Rose offers the kippers on a supply and demand basis, vacuum-packed individually or in bulk.

Loganair and Flybe

Tue, 15 Jan 2008 19:19:56 +0100

Tourists will find it easier to visit some of Scotland's most remote areas after a deal struck between a regional airline and a low-cost carrier, it was claimed.

A new franchise agreement between Loganair and Flybe will mean that connecting flights from cities across Europe to airports throughout the Highlands and Islands can be booked at the same time.

Loganair claim the deal, which comes into effect in October 2008, will make it easier for tourists to get to the communities it serves including Shetland, Orkney, Wick, Stornoway, Benbecula, Barra, Tiree, Islay and Campbeltown.

Radio 2 Young Folk Award

Fri, 04 Jan 2008 13:48:31 +0100

Jeana Leslie and Siobhan Miller have been crowned winners of the 10th BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Award.

The duo claimed the title at the end of a night of music at The Queen Elizabeth Hall, Southbank Centre, London where once again six of the UK's most promising young folk acts performed for the chance to win a host of prizes and kick start their careers.

The prize for the winners includes a session for Mike Harding's Radio 2 show and slots at three of the UK's most important festivals – Cambridge Folk Festival, Fairport's Cropredy Convention and Towersey Village Festival.

Jeana Leslie and Siobhan Miller are third year students on the BA Scottish Music course at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama in Glasgow. Jeana is 19 and comes from Orkney, Siobhan is 20 and is from Penicuik.

For the Radio 2 Young Folk Award final Siobhan sang and Jeana played piano, fiddle and sang. The duo were presented with their award by singer, songwriter and musician Seth Lakeman, who collected two awards himself at this year's award ceremony.

Boots and Bog Myrtle

Fri, 04 Jan 2008 13:40:56 +0100

Boots PLC has plans to launch a range of products using essential oil extracted from bog myrtle as one of the main ingredients. However, to achieve this aim, there needs to be a ready supply of bog myrtle. Luckily for Boots, two institutions have provided grants to research how to cultivate the plant on a commercial basis. The companies, the Agronomy Institute on Orkney, part of the University of the Highlands, and Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) grants will be to the tune of £94,000 and £201,000 respectively.

The trial products made by Boots were said to have been a success with consumers. Boots new line of products will refer to bog myrtle as Sweet Gale which is expected to better appeal to consumers.

Best Building in Scotland

Fri, 04 Jan 2008 11:48:19 +0100

In the first 7 weeks since re-opening to the public in July of this year 16,500 people visited the Pier Arts Centre. Considering the population of Stromness is just over 2,000 this goes some way to quantify the worth and value of this restoration, refurbishment and new-build of the internationally acclaimed arts venue. Now, winning the biggest prize in British Architecture, the Pier Arts Centre is marked as a virtuous winner of the RIAS Andrew Doolan Award for Architecture 2007.

Uppies Triumph Again

Fri, 04 Jan 2008 11:34:42 +0100

The New Year's Day Men's Ba' proved something of a marathon for the Uppies... It was not so much a case of if they would defeat the Doonies - which they did in just over four hours - but who should win the coveted ba'.

Although Stephen Kemp touched the Uppie goal - Mackinson's Corner - at 5.20pm, it took a further 50 minutes to decide which player should be awarded the trophy.

Among the names who were contenders for the Uppie Men's Ba' were Sigurd Gibson and Neil Stevenson. But it was 37-year-old Neil Stockan of Kirkwall (who was eventually given the honour.

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Merry Dancers

Wed, 12 Dec 2007 12:01:00 +0100

The Aurora Borealis gave us an unexpected and bonnie show on the night of Dec 11th.

Orkneybirds

Mon, 10 Dec 2007 11:29:00 +0100

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