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Westray Culture

Westray Regatta 2021 - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

Regatta Day

I love the Westray Regatta. I don’t understand which boats are which. I don’t know the rules. I don’t know where they …

Kayak - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

The tortoise and the hare

We’re watching a kayaker paddle across Pierowall Bay with his fishing rod safely stowed when a motorboat comes past. Which one would …

Bottle - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

The bottle in the wall

I’m looking for nests in my garden. I’ve found two occupied ones and an abandoned one with an egg still in it, …

Telephone box - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey

When technology meets Westray

Westray; where technology goes to die. On Westray things that you don’t expect to rust, to rot and to weather, do. Just …

Rope - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey

Coiled rope

It would be tempting to think that this coiled rope on Westray is a metaphor. It’s a call-back to the very first …

Arctic Skua - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

Parasiticus

Animal behaviour is happening all around us; curious acts, of ancient origin, repeated in ever-changing patterns. Living things are incredibly complex, but …

Noup Head - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

In salutem omnium

Noup Head lighthouse is a major feature of the coast of Westray. Planned in 1895, it was announced in Parliament because, “Her …

Honey Bee by Ippykak

Honey Bee

No, not that kind of Honey Bee. The metaphorical Honey Bee. Back in 2013 I popped down to the beach with my …

Rabbit Hutch - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

Location of injury

Walking in the garden at the back of Einar I can see a mess of rotten wood painted green, tangled with chicken …

Westray Industrial Show - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

The Battle of Bere Bannock

The Battle of Bannockburn is a famous Scottish victory in the first Scottish War of Independence. Equally as momentous is the Battle …

Groatie Buckies - The Hall of Einar

Groatie Buckies

On the table in the Groatie Buckies cafe on Westray, run by Stewart and Marian Groat, is a jar of Groatie Buckies. …

Edwin Rendall - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

Edwin and the shipwreck cabin

Westray is a small island and has some really interesting characters; Edwin Rendall is one of them. My theory is that everyone …

Barbed Wire - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

Udal Law

The law on who owns what land isn’t as simple as you might think. Living in a country with a name like …

Driftwood - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

Driftwood

There are precious few trees on Westray. Wood for buildings was a scarce material and driftwood was always salvaged by Islanders and …

Orkney Door Handle - the Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

Orkney door handle

In Orkney wood rots and metal rusts. Door handles fall off. A piece of twine through a hole though? A piece of …