Orkney

Still January, still here.

Thursday 29th January 2026

COUNTRY DIARY – 15th Jan KIRKWALL, Orkney, Scotland, UK The temperature has risen, although hat, gloves and ‘heavy’ coat are still needed for my morning walk. Stones and mortar are scattered on the pavement, chipped away by ice and wind, and crows are squabbling around a high nest in the sycamore trees of the Earls […]

Race to the finish?

Monday 16th June 2025

Island Voices, Orkney 2025 Island Games, compiled Gabrielle Barnby, cover Megumi Barrington-Uenoyama

I sit down to write a reflection on finishing Island Voices (a collection celebrating island communities participating in Orkney 2025 Island games) and become straightaway wary of the word 'finish'. The physical item went into production last week, written pieces and illustrations that were considered finished have been submitted and released to my good keeping [...]Read more...

Seasonal Book Fayre

Tuesday 10th December 2024

Christmas is a time of stories. It is a time of memory. It is a time for the reading and exchange of books. Books will be picked up from dressing tables in visited houses and smuggled away, books will be opened avidly while a mound of unopened presents still waits, books will be taken as […]

A Year and a Day

Friday 12th July 2024

By this time next year the Orkney 2025 Island Games will have had its first day of competition. There will already be winners and losers, moments of success and disappointment will have passed. After observing many hours of youngsters playing sports, primarily football, I feel that while winning is the aim, losing really is where […]

Carduelis carduelis

Thursday 30th May 2024

Carduelis carduelis ‘All of life is sacrament.’ I was told this central tenant of Quaker belief by a fellow poet and past pupil of catholic school. ‘I love that,’ I replied, and took a sip of the newly sacramental coffee in the cup before me. I felt glad for this small revelation, it chimed with […]