On at the Northlight Gallery, Stromness from Friday 23 October is an exhibition of paintings by Bernadette Mathié-Claverie. The gallery will be open most days between 10am and 6pm to Monday 9 November.

Victorian women of ‘respectable’ middle class households faced numerous restrictions on what they could and could not do. Despite the limitations of what was permitted by a sexually repressed male dominated society, women from wealthier backgrounds found a way to educate and express themselves. For the majority of Victorian women, that’s those from poorer households, […]

By Bernie Bell. I’m a bit confused about the Loch of Ouse. In this piece, I referred to the stretch of water by the bay at Halley as being the Loch of Ouse We walked at Halley recently And the water in the loch had pretty much disappeared – been reduced to a lot of […]

Information from The Met Office. Today 20 October : There will be variable cloud and a few bright or sunny intervals. There will be a few light showers but most of the time it will be dry. Strong southeasterly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C. Tonight: It will be mostly cloudy with occasional showers and one or […]

By Bernie Bell. It’s been a while since we walked at Halley, Deerness, and our stroll along the sand started with a rainbow Then we came across a huge cluster of whelk-egg-cases – size 4 wellie for scale A pleasing sea-weed shape We found what we think is a seal-bone, which nestled nicely in a […]

Flowers are not only things of beauty, important feeding stations for pollinators, but have a symbolism attached to them and are markers at special events in our lives. Flowers are presented as gifts at both ends of the human life span from birth to death and all those important dates in between. Most often they […]

Information from The Met Office. Today 19 October : It will stay dry throughout the day on Monday with sunshine perhaps quite hazy at first, but good prolonged sunny spells developing. Fresh southerly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C. Tonight: Clear spells at first in the evening but gradually clouding over from the south. Staying cloudy overnight […]

Post-Roman lead production which began in one of Europe’s largest medieval lead-producing regions, the Derbyshire Peak District in central England, has been uncovered by archaeologists, after centuries of mining had erased much of the archaeological evidence. Roman and medieval lead waste was repeatedly re-smelted during the 16th to 19th centuries, and so many of the […]

By Bernie Bell. I first came across Lara Maiklem when friend Jo showcased her own flint finds in Southwark Cathedral, and posted what Lara had written about it on her Facebook page. The ‘permanent case of mudlarked artefacts’ referred to, is Lara’s own “Meet Joanne Bourne, she’s the author of a beautiful little book called […]

Information from The Met Office. Today 18 October : Orkney will have a dry day with long sunny spells. Shetland may catch a light shower at first, then cloud breaking to allow sunny spells. Southwesterly winds will gradually freshen. Maximum temperature 12 °C. Tonight: Dry through the evening with some clear spells at first but increasing […]

On 18 October 1922, the British Broadcasting Company was set up by British and American electrical companies in the UK. The BBC was a commercial operation under license issued by the General Post Office. Its original office was located on the second floor of Magnet House, a GEC building in London, and consisted of a […]

Today, Saturday 17 October, Peace campaigners will again stand in vigil on the Kirk Green, outside St Magnus Cathedral, Broad Street, Kirkwall, between 1 and 2pm raising awareness about the genocide in Gaza, and the need for humanitarian aid to be delivered unhindered. One of the organisations supported from money raised in Orkney is Hope […]

345,000 Scottish households will receive a £150 rebate on their energy bills from the Warm Home Discount Scheme. Scotland has a range of payments, grants, and discounts to help with energy bills. Many of which are only available in Scotland: In Total around six million households across Britain will benefit from the Warm Home Discount […]

The Tomb of the Eagles, South Ronaldsay, has completed its first full summer season under its new community ownership and will be closed for the winter after 18th October 2026 South Ronaldsay and Burray Development Trust (SRBDT) are delighted toreport that it had a very encouraging first summer season, with 11,500 visitors both local and […]

Information from The Met Office. Today 17 October : A largely dry and bright day with sunny spells, although a few light showers are possible, mainly during the morning. Winds will be gentle to moderate. Maximum temperature 12 °C. Tonight: Any light showers will clear away to leave it dry and partly cloudy. Best of clear […]

In 1995 ITV launched a series which told the story of a pioneering woman doctor in late Victorian London. I have a vague memory of having watched this when it was first released and recently I decided I would revisit it. Created by Lucy Gannon, the 27 episodes take us through the challenges and tribulations […]

Information from The Met Office. Image credit: Christie Grahame. Today 16 October : Bright or sunny spells through the day with scattered showers in the morning, which may be heavy. Showers gradually easing and becoming fewer through the afternoon Maximum temperature 11 °C. Tonight: Any remaining showers will clear this evening, leaving it dry with clear […]

By Bernie Bell. I was talking with someone about the perils of people accepting and using A.I. un-questioningly. He told me that there is now an A.I. camera which has no lens. If a person is in an interesting place or at an interesting occasion – they can programme into the camera all the details […]

By Nephrite The basic plot of the story is as follows: The narration comes from a surviving member of a scientific expedition to the Antarctic plateau as an attempt to prevent a foolish return to the areas excavated by their crew and prevent what happened to them occurring to others. The intention of the expedition […]

More than 3,600 hard-to-reach homes and businesses in Orkney have been given access to faster, more reliable broadband through the Scottish Government’s Reaching 100% (R100) programme, according to new figures. People in the Harray, Hoy and Longhope areas and in Flotta, South Ronaldsay and Stronsay are the latest to benefit from the £600 million Scottish […]

On Thursday 1 October one of the stands at the careers fair organised by Developing the Young Workforce at the Pickaquoy Centre was by TalEntEd Islands. Their stand had a model hydrogen-powered car – introducing the topic of future skills about hydrogen technology. Claire Thomson, TalEntEd Programme Manager, explained: “The careers fair built on many […]

Information from The Met Office. Today 15 October : Some bright or sunny spells developing during the day but these interspersed with cloudier conditions and showers, which may be heavy. Still breezy but winds generally easing. Maximum temperature 12 °C. Tonight: Variable cloud with clear spells and showers through the evening, some heavy at times. Clear […]

“I’m humbled to receive this honour, but I’m mindful every day of the suffering and dignity I witnessed during my two deployments of Gaza with UK-Med. My thoughts are with the healthcare teams who continue to provide compassionate care in incredibly challenging conditions."

Information from The Met Office. Today 14 October : Winds strengthening to gale force with a risk of storm force especially around exposed coasts. A largely cloudy day with light patchy rain in the morning but heavier at times in the afternoon. Maximum temperature 14 °C. Tonight: Cloudy with heavy rain spreading east during the evening. […]

It seems you have returned for another tale of terror. As you walk into the shops and see ghoulish costumes, of vampires and wolfmen perhaps you are unaware of where these images came from. Perhaps you mistake the current image of the vampire as having always been a charming figure, but these images all had […]

By Bernie Bell. Following my account of our tour of HMS Tern, Lindsay Bailey (Site Manager) was good enough to send me some extra information about the ‘planes which crashed in Rendall. With her permission, I’ll transcribe what Lindsay sent to me. “The Rendall Spitfire crash X4108. His early life and training Reg was born […]

A family feud came to a crisis point when on the night of 5 October 1926, John Thomas Wishart, aged 74, of The Academy, South Ronaldsay, stabbed William Simison, aged 51, a farmer of Barswick, in the back, to the endangerment of his life. Seven years ago John Wishart returned from America where he had […]

Most of Scotland’s land area (66%) is used for agriculture, however, the number of people working as farmers on the farms they occupy has declined steadily. Most of Scotland’s farmers are owner occupiers – this includes those who rent their farms. As with the ageing demographic of the whole of Scotland, the majority of the […]

By Bernie Bell. I was just thinking about getting  Christmas cards, a calendar, Advent Calendar etc,  when Jeanne gave us one of her 2027 Calendars! They’re available from 59 Victoria Street, Stromness, along with more of Jeanne’s art-work https://www.orkney.com/listings/artworks-of-the-earth I particularly like how Jeanne’s introduced a sort-of shimmer to some of the images

Information from The Met Office. Today 13 October : Rain at first, occasionally heavy, but clearing by mid-morning as a mix of sunshine and scattered showers follow from the southwest. Showers building late afternoon. Brisk southwest winds, perhaps touching gale force at first over Shetland. Maximum temperature 13 °C. Tonight: Showers quite frequent early evening with […]

On Saturday 10 October The Orkney News popped down to the new premises of Grooves Toy Shop, now located at 6 Bridge Street. Here’s a few images captured for us by Christie Grahame. Opening hours: 9.30am – 5pm Monday to Saturday.

More than 2,000 children and young people have shared their experiences with Scotland’s Inquiry into the response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Let’s Be Heard has also gathered the views of those working with children and young people during that extraordinary time. Let’s Be Heard is the Scottish COVID-19 Inquiry’s public participation project. The independent public […]

One Ribbon at a Time is part of Baby Loss Awareness Week which runs till 15 October. Readers may have noticed little ribbons tied on the railings outside of St Magnus Cathedral. There’s a box of ribbons for those who wish to remember and there’s also an address for contributions which can be made to […]

Information from The Met Office. Today 12 October : The chance of some early brighter spells, particularly across Shetland, but cloud soon thickening from the southwest to bring some patchy rain to Orkney by mid-morning, which extends to Shetland from around noon. Winds southerly increasing strong for the afternoon. Maximum temperature 13 °C. Tonight: Patchy rain […]

Food Standards Scotland and the Food Standards Agency (FSA) are advising consumers and food businesses not to eat, sell or distribute eggs originating from Yasensvit Ltd, Kyiv, Ukraine after Salmonella was identified in the product. The affected eggs are stamped with the code 3UA1012066 and may have been supplied to catering businesses or sold through […]

By Bernie Bell. I remember the demonstrations against the Poll Tax. And before that, there was the Window Tax. I‘m dipping into a book entitled ‘Kilmactigue Parish: History & Memories’ – Kilmactigue being my parent’s home parish in Ireland – and read the following account of the Hearth Tax… “Hearth Money Rolls, Sligo, Kilmacteige 1665 […]

Information from The Met Office. Today 11 October : The odd light shower will be possible at first, most likely for Shetland. Otherwise it will be a dry day with bright or sunny spells and light winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C. Tonight: It will stay dry through the evening and overnight with clear spells. Light winds […]

On 11 October 1899 the Boer Republics (South African Republic and Orange Free State) declared war on the British Empire. The war continued until 31 May 1902 with the defeat of the Boers. The Boers used guerrilla hit and run tactics but Britain pursued a scorch earth policy. Britain also instigated the use of something […]

The Norwegian Nobel Committee has awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for 2026 to Navanethem “Navi” Pillay for her efforts to promote peace and international law. The Norwegian Nobel Committee described the award, ” to a person who with exceptional courage and integrity has led the way towards a more comprehensive global legal order. This year’s […]

The Capital Punishment Amendment Act 1868, 29 May 1868, put an end to public executions for murder in the United Kingdom. Public executions had become notorious for the grotesque behaviour of those who went along to spend the day attending the ‘fair-ground’ atmosphere that accompanied the spectacle. In the US of 2026 it is now […]

Baby Loss Awareness Week runs from 9 to 15 October. Financial support is available in Scotland for families that already receive qualifying benefits if they have experienced a stillbirth or have lost their baby after being born. Rowena Pailing, Director of Bereavement Support Services, Community and Volunteering, Sands commented: “Baby loss has a huge emotional […]

Information from The Met Office. Today 10 October : Another day of bright or sunny intervals and occasional showers, some on the heavy side. Lighter winds for Shetland, a fresh west to northwesterly over Orkney. Maximum temperature 11 °C. Tonight: Clear spells and a few light showers in the evening. It will become mostly dry overnight […]

Excavations in Orkney have revealed the remains of aurochs in Neolithic settlements. With a shoulder height of up to 1.8 m (5 ft 11 in) in bulls and 1.55 m (5 ft 1 in) in cows, it had massive elongated and broad horns that reached 80 cm (31 in) in length. Aurochs, the predecessor to domestic cows, are now extinct. Their final disappearance […]

By Bernie Bell. Next…the cinema Various sports were organized but having a cinema built, at considerable expense, shows how important keeping up morale was. It was open to the public as well as the Services, and was called the ‘Orcadia Cinema’. It was also used as a dance hall and theatre where, under the auspices […]

Information from The Met Office. Today 9 October : A wet start to the day with some heavy rain, soon brightening up to sunshine and scattered showers over Orkney, then Shetland brightening in afternoon. Strong southeasterly winds at first over Shetland, veering westerly and easing somewhat as it brightens. Maximum temperature 12 °C. Tonight: There will […]

Information from The Met Office. Today 8 October : A few scattered early showers, otherwise dry with some good spells of sunshine during the morning and early afternoon. High cloud will then increase from the southwest. Moderate northerly winds becoming light and variable. Maximum temperature 11 °C. Tonight: Shetland staying dry this evening. Some patchy rain […]

There have been awards of funding for Orkney out of the latest grants from The Marine Fund Scotland 2026-27. Fisheries Management Scotland in Orkney have been awarded the total cost of their project, £94,217. 36. The project is the ‘Development of a national platform for automated fish monitoring using sonar’. Description : This project will […]

The results of Butterfly Conservation’s 2026 Big Butterfly Count have revealed it was a great summer for butterflies, but what comes next could be dire. Butterfly Conservation Head of Science Professor Richard Fox said: “This has been one of the hottest, driest summers on record, and the figures certainly suggest that was good news for […]

By Ian Cooper, from his excellent series Records of a Bygone Age, first published in The Stronsay Limpet and republished here with kind permission. On 17 March 1969, Orkney faced one of the darkest days in its long maritime history. While responding to a rescue call, the Longhope Lifeboat TGB capsized in ferocious seas, and […]

The future plans for the development of sites in Stenness and Brodgar, part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Heart of Neolithic Orkney have now been uploaded to the OIC website. The Orkney World Heritage Gateway has funding support from the Islands Growth Deal. It is a very ambitious plan to create a modern Visitor […]