Orkney’s deep Viking history as an enduring power base for early Norse explorers and rulers has been brought to life in new galleries at The Orkney Museum in Kirkwall. Featuring the UK’s first AI-powered Viking character, Ragna, created by Interpretation Designers Rocketbox Design, the galleries chart the Norse past of Orkney – from the earliest […]
Viking past comes alive at The Orkney Museum Read More »
KIRBUSTER MUSEUM, BIRSAY [Author, Brian Flett] Introduction The name Kirbuster comes from the Old Norse kirkju-bolstadr (kirk farm settlement) – kirk (church) + bister or buster (farm). The related church is believed to have been situated quite near the present group of buildings – on the bank of the Kirbuster Burn is a mound said
The History of Kirbuster Museum, Birsay Read More »
The Ba’ Games Every Christmas Day and Hogmanay the Ba’ takes place, sometimes referred to as the Ba’ Game, it is a game where the men of Orkney divide into teams that compete against one another, in what is effectively a giant rugby scrum. These teams are referred to as the ‘Uppies’ and the ‘Doonies’
Case Study: The Ba’ Games Read More »
St Magnus Cathedral West Window [Fran Hollinrake, St Magnus Cathedral] If you have ever stood at the west end of the cathedral as the sun is going down, you may have been privileged to see the glowing splashes of colour as the sunlight floods through the west window onto the sturdy round pillars of the
St Magnus Cathedral West Window Read More »
The History of Kirbuster Farm Musuem This unique building with its original central hearth, called a ‘firehoose’, is a rare survivor dating from the 16th century. The name Kirbuster come from the Old Norse kirkju bolstadr, meaning church farm. A nearby mound is said to be the ruins of a medieval chapel. Remarkably, it was
Kirbuster Farm History Read More »
The History of Scapa Flow Museum, Lyness The old Royal Navy pumphouse at Lyness, along with one of the original oil tanks, were purchased by the Orkney Islands Council from the Ministry of Defence in 1980. It originally opened to the public in 1990, having been refurbished by the Special Projects Unit of the Orkney
The History of Scapa Flow Read More »
Corrigall Farm Museum: Then and Now Old farm buildings were rapidly disappearing and there was a desire to preserve an example of these old structure for future generations. Kirbuster in Birsay was the preferred option, but it was not available to buy. In the 1960s the County Librarian, Evan MacGillvray, along with folklorist and historian,
The History of Corrigall Farm Read More »
The History of the Orkney Musuem Housed in an A Listed building, The Orkney Museum displays the islands’ main collection of archaeology and history. The building was originally built as two official residences for the cathedral clergy in the 1530s, under the Catholic Church. After the Reformation the buildings were sold to Gilbert Foulzie, who
Orkney Museum History Read More »
The Courtyard Christmas Tree The Orkney Museum is delighted to be working with Voluntary Action Orkney in the Kirkwall Christmas Tree Festival from 1st – 12th December. Please note that the museum will be open on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 10:00-12:00, 14:00-16:00 as usual, but the courtyard will be open for people to see and
The Courtyard Christmas Tree Read More »
Between Islands Project, Film 18 (Western Isles) Jane Hepburn Macmillan. An Lanntair. [Alex MacDonald, coordinator, Between Islands] https://youtu.be/yacapDSuJ5c Also, you may be interested in some of the subjects covered in An Lanntairs Faclan book festival which are now available to view online: Alex Boyd: Isle of Rust – First shown 7pm on 19th November 2020 https://vimeo.com/480973019 Roddy M.
Between Islands Project, Film 18 (Western Isles) Read More »