Description
Book SynopsisSpending seven months in Orkney to delve into the secrets of the islands, Richard Clubley was keen to get as many local views as possible.
He gathered interviews with lighthouse keepers, farmers, archaeologists and climbers – and many others! On dreich afternoons during the short days of winter, Richard ate home bakes with locals and recorded their memories. It was at one such hearth that someone said, ‘You know about so-and-so of course, you come to Orkney all the time, so how could you not know?’. Richard didn’t know.
While there are still a lot of unearthed stories hidden in Orkney, Richard has collected a fair few in this beautifully illustrated book.
Richard Clubley loves Scotland’s islands, but it is Orkney that has stolen his heart. In this book, he portrays the northern Scottish islands fairly and honestly, with stories that even Orkney locals may not have heard before. Travellers from elsewhere will be charmed by Richard’s descriptions of the Orkney landscape and way of life.
Trade ReviewA wealth of island voices, with a rich and varied picture of life in Orkney today. HOWIE FIRTH
He has a beautiful written style that allows him to convey his enthusiasm in a truly inspiring way. UNDISCOVERED SCOTLAND
Table of ContentsMap 1 Scotland with her islands
Map 2 Map of Orkney
Map 3 Orkney Mainland
Acknowledgements
Foreword by Howie Firth
Preface 15 Introduction
Orkney History
Chapter One: A Brief History of Orkney
Chapter Two: Neolithic Orkney from the air
Chapter Three: The Kitchener Memorial
Chapter Four: Lighthouses
Chapter Five: The Ring of Brodgar
Orkney People
Chapter Six: Dr John Rae
Chapter Seven: The Island Games
Chapter Eight: Orkney Furniture
Chapter Nine: Young People
Chapter Ten: The Owld Men’s Hut – The Pier Head Parliament
Chapter Eleven: Traditional Music – Hanging by a Thread
Chapter Twelve: Old Men of Hoy
Chapter Thirteen: Islands in Winter
Orkney’s Outer Islands
Chapter Fourteen: Hunda
Chapter Fifteen: Cava
Chapter Sixteen: Rousay
Chapter Seventeen: Papa Westray
Chapter Eighteen: Westray
Orkney’s Wildlife
Chapter Nineteen: Birds in Winter
Chapter Ttwenty: Stoats
Orkney’s Favourite Buildings
Chapter Twenty-One: Favourite Buildings 1 – Schools
Chapter Twenty-Two: Favourite Buildings 2 – Churches
Chapter Twenty-Three: Favourite Buildings 3 – St Magnus Cathedral
Chapter Twenty-Four: Favourite Buildings 4 – The Bothy at Swanbister
Tourism in Orkney
Chapter Twenty-Five: Cruise Liners
Chapter Twenty-Six: Orkney Produce
Orkney’s Future
Chapter Twenty-Seven: Green Energy
Chapter Twenty-Eight: Heading North – The journey to Orkney is all part of the experience
Chapter Twenty-Nine: New Hospital – The future’s bright
Epilogue
