Journey through Orkney’s timeless landscapes and folklore with George Mackay Brown, Orkney’s beloved poet and storyteller whose works capture the islands’ Norse heritage, Viking echoes, and mystical spirit.
Continue reading →Born on 17 October 1921, in Stromness, Orkney, George Mackay Brown, “The Bard of Orkney” would be a hundred years old today. We would like to join his many fans all over the world to celebrate this anniversary and pay homage to the great Scottish poet. As one of the leading Scottish poets and authors of the 20th century GMB … Continue reading →
While surfing on Twitter, I stumbled upon a video from Peter Mansbridge (documentary film producer – Toronto – Canada) which tweet captured my attention: “Okay, so I got a little carried away in Scotland today doing a little Canadian history. Here’s a teaser for you.” I watched the video and was delighted to hear about a Canadian-Scottish link in the … Continue reading →
. A Work for Poets To have carved on the days of our vanity A sun A ship A star A cornstalk Also a few marks From an ancient forgotten time A child may read That not far from the stone A well might open for wayfarers Here is a work for poets- Carve the runes Then be … Continue reading →
Dear readers, Today, in our quest of the best of Scotland, I invite you to discover the Orkney Islands, one of our favourite Scottish places. There is something magical in these islands of the North, something different than in mainland Scotland. In sharing our pictures with you I’ll try to give you an idea of the beauty of the … Continue reading →
Dear readers, I’m very happy to be back on the keyboard to share with you new pictures, new stories, new books about our beloved Scotland. Time flies. January is already ending though, in the south west of France, we’re still waiting for the arrival of winter. The skye is as blue today as in a summer day and I … Continue reading →
Novel Orkney Book Scheme Marks a 60th Anniversary Back in 1954 began a service of distributing books to avid readers in some of Orkney’s most far-flung islands by ways of library vans boarding and unboarding ferries. “…it is thought that it was the very first example of this type of service anywhere in the world” …” says Orkney library and … Continue reading →
Bonjour Mairiuna, Janice et Jean-Claude! Ca va? – How are you today? It was lovely to see you again at the end of September, and to welcome you all for the first time to our home in Scotland – a short visit, but one filled with so many unforgettable moments! 🙂 In the course of your extended journey around … Continue reading →
A light that has once shone is never quenched. Can a diamond wither? (George Mackay Brown – Magnus) Hi everybody ! How the martyrdom of earl Magnus and the miracles who followed his death led to the building of St Magnus cathedral in Kirkwall, that is what we’re going to learn today in the last seven paintings of … Continue reading →
. . Mairiuna, we’ve just enjoyed reading your post on the children’s painted panels in St Magnus Cathedral – a miniature Bayeux Tapestry! What was it, we wondered, that attracted the Arran children to this subject? (Iain & Margaret – 17/11/2012) . Many thanks to Iain and Margaret for this kind comment and quite interesting remarks about the Arran children … Continue reading →
Hi everybody, Did you read my last post about St Magnus Cathedral? This beautiful pink and white sandstone church is situated in the heart of Kirkwall, the capital city of Orkney. Look! The door is open… let’s go inside, for the cathedral has a very interesting story to tell. Many old churches have their little secrets but if … Continue reading →
