Pony Poo
Allowing ponies into our field has finally had the much anticipated and appreciated effect. The mushrooms have come. What would we do …
Curiosity Cow
Westray cattle are a breed apart. I’m used to seeing docile unthinking beasts in Devon. Barely alive, seemingly semi-conscious, the Devon grass …
Sunset Over Tafts
Spectacular days and spectacular nights, with a breathtaking sunset inbetween. The days have taken on a eerie stillness and the seemingly everpresent wind drops in a strange lull. Wading birds call to one another as the light fades to crimson standing in the Bay of Tafts.
The Family
The family on a glorious day.
Majestic Cliffs
It’s August and the cliffs around the north of Westray in Orkney are covered with the dried husks of Sea Pinks. Seals snort curious noses and Gannets plunge headlong into the sea, whilst we keep a watchful eye out for a pod of Killer Whales.
Away With the Faeries
An intriguing visit to the Orkney Faerie Museum and Gallery this morning, with the wonderful, warm and welcoming Alicen and Neil. A …
The Groove-y Neolithic
Archaeologist Sean Rice holds a piece of neolithic grooved ware on the Links of Noltland.
The Links of Noltland
Wandering along the beach at Grobust on Westray in Orkney I spot a group of people with wheelbarrows kneeling in the sand …
We (Heart) Westray
Gabriel makes his feelings known with a stick.
The Answer My Friend
“How many years can a mountain exist, Before it’s washed to the sea?” by Bob Dylan from Blowin’ in the Wind. It takes three of …
The North Sea
Treacherous and beautiful.
Fischer-Z
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Goose Barnacles
Evie finds a collection of Goose Barnacles on the beach at Tafts.
A Light in the Black
November in Orkney and the days are short and the nights are long. I’m told that the reason many people love to visit Orkney is the reason few can stay there: the loneliness.
The Key
Westray. An island both friendly and wild. I’m here to see a house I’d like to buy. Based upon a few small …
Whether the Weather
I’m looking at Noltland Castle, with a stunning backdrop of fluffy white clouds on a jaw-droppingly beautiful day. As I walk towards …
Golden Fish
The sun sets over Pierowall Bay as the goldfish at No. 1 Broughton swims.
When the Wind is in the West
The last five days have changed my life. I was offered four days work in Orkney and stayed an extra day at …
Highland Park’s Good But…
Working in Orkney for a week, the conversation turns to whisky. My colleague tells me I should visit the Highland Park distillery. …
PDC
I’m in Orkney working for a week. “Did you walk past the PDC?” My questioner is earnest. She is really interested in …
Finding More Than Red MacGregor
Red MacGregor. It’s a name to conjure with. An elusive beer, rumoured to exist in the keg. Tonight I aimed to find a …
In Search of Red MacGregor
It appears that there are no pubs in Kirkwall, only hotels with restaurants and bars. It is the morning, and I’m getting …
First Impressions
“First impressions often lie, Often fool the naked eye.” from First Impressions written by John Watts, performed by Fischer-Z I’m standing in a …
Arriving in Orkney
“Orkney.” “Pardon”, I said. “We’ve got a customer in Orkney who’d like you to do some work for them.” Orkney. I’d heard …
Oozy Coils
Coils of rope on the quayside in Kirkwall as I look at the ferries leaving for the Northern Isles.