iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Storyteller Fran @storytellerfran.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

It’s Michaelmas, the feast of St Michael the Archangel. Here he is on the astonishing doom painting in Wenhaston church, weighing souls in competition with the Devil!

1105

Reposted by Storyteller Fran

Boze Herrington, Library Owl @sketchesbyboze.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

Dolly Parton rose from poverty to stardom. She gave $500 to every student in her hometown who finished high school; she built hospitals & bald eagle preserves; her Imagination Library has gifted 300 million books to children. Roger Ebert met her and came away thinking she was a literal angel. RIP.

“In Dallas for the premier of '9 to 5', I had an uncanny experience, and on the plane home to Chicago I confessed it to Siskel: I had been granted a private half hour with Dolly Parton, and as we spoke I was filled with a strange ethereal grace. This was not spiritual, nor was it sexual. It was healing and comforting. Gene listened and said, "Roger, I felt the exact same thing during my interview with her." We looked at each other. What did this mean? Neither one of us ever felt that feeling again. From time to time we would refer to it in wonder.”

40118013396

Storyteller Fran @storytellerfran.bsky.social · 22/08/2026

It’s a Jubilee year for St Francis, and I’m a Frances! Did a little pilgrimage today from @stmagnuscathedral.bsky.social to the Italian Chapel - the only two places in Orkney (AFAIK) where he is depicted. 😇🙏

071

Storyteller Fran @storytellerfran.bsky.social · 17/08/2026

Frank thinks this Black Cat Appreciation Day is all very well, but surely that’s every day? 🐈‍⬛🖤

0151

Reposted by Storyteller Fran

Count Binface @countbinface.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

Start the Count.

1413170281

Storyteller Fran @storytellerfran.bsky.social · 08/08/2026

It’s International Cat Day, and #caturday too! This pair bring joy every day 😻😻 Gracie is the tabby and Frank is the shiny black one 🐯🐈‍⬛

1162

Storyteller Fran @storytellerfran.bsky.social · 05/08/2026

Given that we only entered two things in the show today, I’m chuffed that we won two prizes! Well done @nessbattery.bsky.social and me.

0100

Storyteller Fran @storytellerfran.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

Just submitted these beauties for our local flower and produce show. Our gooseberries have won Best Fruit before, so…🤞🏻

050

Storyteller Fran @storytellerfran.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

As a churchcrawler myself, I fully endorse this lovely article! I expect that @g0blinegg.bsky.social also has a list on her phone of ‘interesting churches I’ve heard about and must visit’. You’ll never run out of medieval churches to visit - Suffolk is my favourite 💒

082

Storyteller Fran @storytellerfran.bsky.social · 01/08/2026

I’m a member of a Facebook group where clergy post things they don’t need and are trying to get rid of. Birthday/Christmas/Santa/Jesus turned up today and I love him.

050

Storyteller Fran @storytellerfran.bsky.social · 29/07/2026

Saints Alive!! 😇🙏 I had a good blether with my storytelling pal Tom Muir for the Orkneyology podcast! Strap in for miracles, murders, and puking wolves, with bonus illustrations by @howfartohitchin.bsky.social youtu.be/Y0xBBJjDCv8?...

youtu.be

Scotland's Strangest Saints | ep 32 ~ with St Magnus Cathedral Curator Fran Flett Hollinrake

YouTube video by Orkneyology

041

Reposted by Storyteller Fran

Richard M. Nixon @dicknixon.bsky.social · 22/07/2026

Larry laid his mouse in front of the press to be photographed. Lest you ask, this is a real photograph via the Press Association.

15568192026

Storyteller Fran @storytellerfran.bsky.social · 18/07/2026

After a tip-off from @adrianholmes.bsky.social I sought out the Linn turntable at the National Museum of Scotland. Currently spinning - Feel No Fret by The Average White Band 🤘✨🎶😎🎷🎸

051

Reposted by Storyteller Fran

Count Binface @countbinface.bsky.social · 07/07/2026

On my way, Clacton.

579152843460

Storyteller Fran @storytellerfran.bsky.social · 06/07/2026

We have a beehive doocot here in Orkney - this is valuable information! Thank you 🪺🕊️

121

Storyteller Fran @storytellerfran.bsky.social · 18/06/2026

TFW a book arrives that you don’t remember ordering, but cool cool

030

Storyteller Fran @storytellerfran.bsky.social · 04/06/2026

Springwatch is Frank’s favourite programme 🖤🐈‍⬛🐦‍⬛

050

Reposted by Storyteller Fran

St Magnus Cathedral, Orkney @stmagnuscathedral.bsky.social · 01/06/2026

*Special Curator Tour: How to Read a Church* Why do churches look the way they do? Why are they east-west? What’s a piscina? Why is there a ladder in the big window? On Wed 3 June at 2pm the curator will lead a tour looking at the symbolism of features found in a church. £15.60, no need to book.

1102

Storyteller Fran @storytellerfran.bsky.social · 25/05/2026

It’s the Feast of St Bede, revered for his writing & scholarship. The word bede/bead means ‘prayer’ or ‘request’ or ‘supplication’. It shares a linguistic root with ‘bid’ & the German ‘bitte’. Rosaries, with their ceramic or glass spheres, aid devotion, with each sphere being a prayer, or bead.

030

Storyteller Fran @storytellerfran.bsky.social · 16/05/2026

Today is the start of @cwgc.bsky.social War Graves Week. I researched & delivered a tour of the war graves in @stmagnuscathedral.bsky.social & those commemorated but buried elsewhere. Thanks to all who came - it’s important to tell these stories. Thanks to @nessbattery.bsky.social for the photos.

073

Reposted by Storyteller Fran

St Magnus Cathedral, Orkney @stmagnuscathedral.bsky.social · 12/05/2026

For War Graves Week (16-24 May) we are offering a FREE tour of the cathedral graveyard to tell the stories of the @cwgc.bsky.social graves, the local war memorial, and those mentioned on family gravestones but buried elsewhere. Saturday 16 May 12.30pm Starts Kirkwall war memorial No need to book.

A Commonwealth War Graves headstone made from grey granite, commemorating J Mackay.

0165

Storyteller Fran @storytellerfran.bsky.social · 02/05/2026

#Thefolkloreofscottishsaints Currently wrestling with Mungo, founder and patron saint of Glasgow! 🐦‍⬛🌳🔔🐟

030

Reposted by Storyteller Fran

Stephen Bush @stephenkb.bsky.social · 29/04/2026

I think it's really underappreciated that a large chunk of people across the world are everyday being served images of the world's worst atrocities, essentially live as they happen, in ways previously only experienced by people on the frontline, who have historically had years of trauma as a result.

642191475

Storyteller Fran @storytellerfran.bsky.social · 28/04/2026

A few weeks ago it was dark at 4pm…now look at it! 9.15pm 🌅 #orkney

060

Storyteller Fran @storytellerfran.bsky.social · 22/04/2026

🌟😇 The Folklore of Scottish Saints 😇🌟 I’m writing this little book for The History Press, and I’m delighted to reveal the gorgeous cover art, by artist and illustrator Paul Dews. Put St Columba and a squirrel on the front - everyone will buy it, right?

1185

Storyteller Fran @storytellerfran.bsky.social · 22/04/2026

Lovely to read and hear these words, Peter! Thank you for mentioning GMB and St Magnus too.

110

Storyteller Fran @storytellerfran.bsky.social · 18/04/2026

Many years ago I used to write a blog...and here it is again! I went down a bit of a rabbit hole about the Crown of Thorns, encompassing one of my favourite novels, and a much-missed Tweeting nun. stromnessdragon.wordpress.com/2026/04/18/t...

stromnessdragon.wordpress.com

The Crown of Thorns

I was doing some reading recently about the Crown of Thorns, (or, as Billy Connollyonce described it, the ‘jaggy bunnet’). My initial interest was to see if I could find out what species of plant t…

331

Storyteller Fran @storytellerfran.bsky.social · 21/03/2026

Having people for dinner, you say? I’ll just sit here. #caturday

0191

Storyteller Fran @storytellerfran.bsky.social · 18/03/2026

Doing some reading on artwork featuring the four Evangelists. Found this one of Mark with his lion breaking the fourth wall 🦁 😆

3273

Storyteller Fran @storytellerfran.bsky.social · 14/03/2026

I’m researching saints for a book I’m writing. Found this gem 🙏😇

051

Reposted by Storyteller Fran

the pickwicker man @pickwick.bsky.social · 12/03/2026

In Scotland we've had wildlife on some of our money since 2016 and the country doesn't seem to have fallen

Back of a Scottish RBS fiver, with two swimming mackerel

Back of an RBS tenner, with two frolicking otters

Back of an RBS 20 note, with two lively red squirrels

1249

Storyteller Fran @storytellerfran.bsky.social · 12/03/2026

Yeah just finished the Christmas cake

250

Reposted by Storyteller Fran

Damien Owens @damienowens.bsky.social · 10/03/2026

Yes, hello, is that God? Yeah, hi. I have a complaint. You gave me this brain that’s designed for finding berries and avoiding lions and now people are ‘just circling back’ to see if we can ‘move the needle’ on ‘key initiatives’? NONE of those things are berries.

4546371281

Reposted by Storyteller Fran

Lorraine Evans @thedeathhistorian.bsky.social · 06/02/2026

Pleased to announce that my good friend Fran Flett Hollinrake will be speaking at this years Symbols of Mortality Conference. Fran will be sharing the story of HMS Royal Oak, sunk by a German U-boat in 1939, and the memorial to those who were lost. @storytellerfran.bsky.social

031

Reposted by Storyteller Fran

St Magnus Cathedral, Orkney @stmagnuscathedral.bsky.social · 13/02/2026

After weeks of rain we have some sunshine and a sprinkling of snow 💒❄️☀️

1383

Reposted by Storyteller Fran

St Magnus Cathedral, Orkney @stmagnuscathedral.bsky.social · 02/02/2026

A Special Theme Curator Tour with Fran Flett Hollinrake will take place in the cathedral on Sat 7 Feb at 1000: 'The Legacy of War from the Middle Ages to Modern Times'. The tour lasts one hour, costs £15 per person and there is no need to book.

A large brass bell hanging on a stone wall, flanked by a Union Jack and a White Ensign.

033

Storyteller Fran @storytellerfran.bsky.social · 03/02/2026

So, @nessbattery.bsky.social. You gave me Reggae Shark; I give you…whatever this is.

010

Storyteller Fran @storytellerfran.bsky.social · 02/02/2026

Awww, nice one @dannyrobins.bsky.social! A Mastermind champion! You cut it a bit fine but many congratulations 🙌😅

010

Storyteller Fran @storytellerfran.bsky.social · 01/02/2026

We made it to February! Blessings of Imbolc/Candlemas/St Brigid to everyone 🙌🌞

071

Storyteller Fran @storytellerfran.bsky.social · 25/01/2026

A very happy Burns night, wherever you are. Slàinte mhath! Please excuse the lack of neeps - red cabbage will have to do. I don’t think RB would mind.

181

Storyteller Fran @storytellerfran.bsky.social · 19/01/2026

Got some very red aurora happening in Orkney right now

68512

Storyteller Fran @storytellerfran.bsky.social · 17/01/2026

Great edition of one of my favourite podcasts - featuring the amazing @judithjesch.bsky.social talking about her new translation of the Orkney saga. @stmagnuscathedral.bsky.social gets a few mentions! podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/g...

podcasts.apple.com

The Sagas of the Earls of Orkney

Podcast Episode · Gone Medieval · 13/01/2026 · 1h 2m

092