Form Follows Function
The making of traditional furniture has nearly died out in mainland Britain. There are few master craftsmen, little knowledge of natural materials …
The making of traditional furniture has nearly died out in mainland Britain. There are few master craftsmen, little knowledge of natural materials …
I love workplace signs. There’s something about working in close quarters with people that can really wind you up. The office kitchen …
Always shake the woodlice off your flannel before using it to wipe your face in the morning.
Today was a full day on the Mainland of Orkney for the Orkney County Show. A trip on the ferry is always …
Evie’s sculpture of The Westray Foot from pebbles collected at The Bay of Swartmill.
Yesterday was the premier of my bicycle and me conquering Westray. I cycled the full length of the Island and it felt …
I’m a man and I love knitting. There, I feel better for unburdening myself already. Craftwork. Fine and designer knitting. Italian yarns. …
I’m sitting in a dilapidated school building. It’s on a remote Scottish Island called Westray which is an hour and a half …
I loved chemistry at school, despite how difficult I found it to remember. Part of that was, of course, the teacher I …
The first time I visited Westray I was on foot and I walked from the main village, Pierowall, to the ends of …
It’s easy to tell an incomer on Westray. They stick out like a sore thumb. I’m one of them, I should know. …
There are so many patterns on rocks here it’s dizzying. There are magnificent beds of wave patterns from fossilised freshwater beaches 380 …
I’m so used to massive industrial barrel-shaped hay bales in Devon that it’s a pleasure to see some hay bales in old-fashioned …
Evidence of Westray’s long-established drive to harness the energy of the wind is seen in this ancient sail-less windmill at Sangar (Old …
Common seals strike ridiculous poses in Pierowall Bay. Apparently Common Seals have a characteristic ‘head-up, tail-up’ posture when they are hauled out. …
Despite the wind the Westray flag resolutely refuses to flutter in the breeze. The people of Westray didn’t choose it but they …
Dunlin are wary birds. As I walk along the Bay of Tafts they jerk in nervous motion and skit further along the …
Sunshine on the clouds over Rousay at the Bay of Tafts.
Morning. Another day on Westray and time to tip the woodlice out of my slippers, have some Scots porridge for breakfast and …
Idyllic weather in Orkney? T-shirt and shorts on the beach? It must be August and it must be a fluke, surely? Westray …
I learnt very early that if you want good photographs of your children there is only one solution – give them the …
Another day, another cycling trip to the shops. Having no fridge means buying fresh and Westray is full of fresh produce. This …
is not a question you want answered by a slow but persistent drip, drip, drip somewhere near your head at 04:38am. It’s …
On a remote island some things always stay the same, yet other things change quite quickly. For islanders, an island like [[Westray]] …
Here’s one Summer Rose that’s lost a petal. In the bay at Pierowall is this wonderful vibrantly painted boat. I take a …
Monk, Tusk, Witches. They are fish names to conjure with; a beautiful marine harvest which local fishermen have risked their lives to …
One of my favourite quotes is from the British scientist JBS Haldane. When asked by a theologian what could be inferred about …
When travelling to Orkney I always try to bring a copy of The Orkneyinga Saga with me. Westray is so full of …
It’s not possible to think about a break cycling in Orkney without discussing two subjects. The first is wind. Understanding the wind, …
I’m standing at the top of our small field taking in the magnificent view. From here there’s a 360 degree view of …