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stevedudley.bsky.social
#OnThisDay 2 November #OrkneyBirding ... a day of few finds but then bang! Tengmalm's Owl! The most recent of our six county records and found sat on a lighthouse toilet! See photo at www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scot... | #rarebirds
A list of scarce and rare bird records found on 2 November in Orkney. The list reads: Green-winged Teal, 1973, Eynhallow Green-winged Teal, 2014, 1CY+, North Ronaldsay White-billed Diver, 2017, adult, Orphir White-billed Diver, 2020, 5, Papa Westray Great White Egret, 2022, Westray Tengmalm's Owl, 2018, 1CY+, Copinsay Great Grey Shrike, 2011, Orphir Shore Lark, 2000, North Ronaldsay Dusky Warbler, 2011, Holm Firecrest, 2002, trapped, Holm
November 2, 2026 at 9:54 PM
stromnessmuseum.bsky.social
Watch out for witchery tonight! 🧙‍♀️ We will be closed tomorrow on Sun 1 Nov, as we move to winter opening hours.

📷 'Witch stone' used by an Orphir woman for rubbing along the spine of cattle refusing to give milk; believed to charm cows to give more milk, and for the milk to give more butter.
Witch stone, used by an old woman in Orphir as a witches stone for rubbing along the spine of cattle refusing to give milk; it was supposed to have the special charm of making the cows give more milk, and for the milk to give more butter. Original use of stone - may have been a linen smoother (Viking), reused as a witch stone.
October 31, 2026 at 5:44 PM
stevedudley.bsky.social
#OnThisDay 27 October ... one of #OrkneyBirding 's greatest finds - Varied Thrush. I'd moved to neighbouring Westray in spring and a factor in choosing to move to Westray was the ability of getting to Papay when needs must. And they did! Two more Firecrests found in the 2025 influx. #rarebirds
A list of scarce and rare bird records found on 27 October in Orkney. The list reads: Lesser Yellowlegs, 2022, 1CY, Papa Westray Little Egret, 2007, Birsay Snowy Owl, 1996, ♂, Orphir Great Grey Shrike, 1976, Westray Great Tit, 1982, Eday Pallas's Warbler, 1996, South Ronaldsay Pallas's Warbler, 2004, Tankerness Dusky Warbler, 2011, North Ronaldsay Firecrest, 2011, North Ronaldsay Firecrest, 2025, Kirkwall Varied Thrush, 2021, 1CY, Papa Westray Olive-backed Pipit, 1990, North Ronaldsay Red-throated Pipit, 1994, North Ronaldsay Parrot Crossbill, 1985, ♂ found dead, Holm Pine Bunting, 1988, ♂, North Ronaldsay Varied Thrush, Papa Westray, October 2021
October 27, 2026 at 10:02 AM
stevedudley.bsky.social
#OnThisDay #OrkneyBirding ... some stellar finds with three first county records - Cattle Egret (first of two), Bearded Tit (still the only record) and Yellow-rumped Warbler (first of three). The Pechora Pipit is the most recent of six records. #rarebirds
A list of scarce and rare bird records found on 13 October in Orkney. The list reads: Scarce and rare birds found in Orkney on this day … 13 October Snow Goose, 2020, 2, Yesnaby & Cleat, Sandwick Snow Goose, 2021, 2, Loch of Skaill, Sandwick Mandarin, 2017, ♂, Mill Dam, Shapinsay King Eider, 2010, 2CY♂, North Ronaldsay Green-winged Teal, 2019, ♂, North Ronaldsay Lesser Yellowlegs, 2021, North Ronaldsay Grey Phalarope, 2011, 3, Howequoy Head, Orphir Grey Phalarope, 2011, 6, Black Craig, Stromness Pectoral Sandpiper, 2011, 2, Herston, South Ronaldsay Black Tern, 1913, Auskerry Cattle Egret, 2014, Stronsay (found injured, Noup Head, Westray on 15th, euthanased) Tengmalm's Owl, 1980, adult, trapped, Binscarth, Finstown Goshawk, 2011, West Heath, Holm Red Kite, 2002, Finstown Rough-legged Buzzard, 2011, Rendall Hoopoe, 2016, Stove, Sanday Great Grey Shrike, 1978, North Ronaldsay Great Grey Shrike, 1992, South Walls Great Grey Shrike, 2006, Graemeshall, Holm, Great Grey Shrike, 2011, North Ronaldsay Blue Tit, 1973, 2, Kirkwall Bearded Tit, 1998, Loch of Ness, Papa Westray Shore Lark, 1913, Pentland Skerries Short-toed Lark, 2005, North Ronaldsay Pallas's Warbler, 2003, North Ronaldsay Radde's Warbler, 1988, Stronsay Thrush Nightingale, 2006, 1CY, Herston, South Ronaldsay Red-flanked Bluetail, 2016, 1CY trapped, North Ronaldsay Pied Wheatear, 2002, ad♂, North Ronaldsay Pechora Pipit, 2015, Peckhole, North Ronaldsay Olive-backed Pipit, 2011, North Ronaldsay, Westness Arctic Redpoll sp, 1980, North Ronaldsay Yellow-rumped Warbler, 1995, 1CY, North Ronaldsay
October 13, 2026 at 9:22 AM
roger93.bsky.social
Moon just waiting for the sunrise over Orphir from Stromness

#Orkney #crescentmoon
Crescent moon over cloud bank with the sun rise just behind
October 8, 2026 at 7:12 AM
vx-noise60.bsky.social
Cy’s Achilles from Live At Orphir by vert:x. (2019)

vertx1.bandcamp.com/track/cys-ac...
Cy's Achilles, by vert:x
from the album Live From Orphir
vertx1.bandcamp.com
October 2, 2026 at 9:31 PM
hfdincidents.bsky.social
NEW | F26048436 | ODOUR INVESTIGATION | Loc: ORPHIR RD/DEAD END | Units: EN7 | Stns: HF07 | 09/24/26 12:24
September 24, 2026 at 4:29 PM
hfdincidents.bsky.social
UPDATE | F26048436 | ODOUR INVESTIGATION | Loc: ORPHIR RD/DEAD END | Units: EN7 | Stns: HF07 | 09/24/26 12:32
September 24, 2026 at 4:35 PM
theorkneynews.bsky.social
The Hall of Clestrain Doors Open Days

This weekend, Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 there will be free tours of the Hall of Clestrain, Orphir, from 10am to 4.30pm as part of Doors Open Days 2026....
The Hall of Clestrain Doors Open Days
This weekend, Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 there will be free tours of the Hall of Clestrain, Orphir, from 10am to 4.30pm as part of Doors Open Days 2026. The Hall of Clestrain was the childhood home of Arctic explorer Dr John Rae, but the house itself played an important role in the history of Orkney. The guided tour will tell you more about the history of the house and of the future plans of…
theorkneynews.scot
September 24, 2026 at 6:00 AM
theorkneynews.scot.web.brid.gy
The Hall of Clestrain Doors Open Days
This weekend, Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 there will be free tours of the Hall of Clestrain, Orphir, from 10am to 4.30pm as part of Doors Open Days 2026. The Hall of Clestrain was the childhood home of Arctic explorer Dr John Rae, but the house itself played an important role in the history of […]
theorkneynews.scot
September 25, 2026 at 12:42 AM
dirleton.bsky.social
Circular Church of St Nicholas at Orphir (Orkney) 'Craig Taylor' image & round roof reconstruction suggestion copied from Jerusalem. #OrphirChurch #OrcadianChurches #HistoryRebuilt
September 16, 2026 at 6:08 AM
undisscot.bsky.social
The remains of the intriguing circular church at Orphir on Orkney's West Mainland. The church of St Nicholas was built in about 1123 and is thought to have been modelled on the rotunda of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. More pics and info: www.undiscoveredscot...

#Scotland #Orkney
The circular church at Orphir. The image shows a mown grassy area with a circular of gravel surrounding more grass in the bottom centre of the frame rising from the far-left side of this circle are the walls of a building, not reaching roof height and with an apse. There are graves in the background and the land on the right descends to the sea.
September 14, 2026 at 6:01 AM
theorkneynews.bsky.social
What Lies Behind & Beneath the Walls of the Hall of Clestrain: Orkney Archaeology Festival

As part of the exciting events taking place at the 2026 Orkney Archaeology Festival is a guided tour of Arctic Explorer John Rae's childhood home, The Hall of Clestrain, Orphir....
What Lies Behind & Beneath the Walls of the Hall of Clestrain: Orkney Archaeology Festival
As part of the exciting events taking place at the 2026 Orkney Archaeology Festival is a guided tour of Arctic Explorer John Rae's childhood home, The Hall of Clestrain, Orphir. Visitors are very welcome to come along between 10.00 – 16.30 and see the work which will be taking place at the Hall of Clestrain. Parking within the grounds of the Hall.
theorkneynews.scot
September 9, 2026 at 6:31 AM
theorkneynews.scot.web.brid.gy
What Lies Behind & Beneath the Walls of the Hall of Clestrain: Orkney Archaeology Festival
As part of the exciting events taking place at the 2026 Orkney Archaeology Festival is a guided tour of Arctic Explorer John Rae’s childhood home, The Hall of Clestrain, Orphir. Visitors are very welcome to come along between 10.00 – 16.30 and see the work which will be taking place at the Hall of Clestrain. […]
theorkneynews.scot
September 9, 2026 at 10:26 PM
fosberystudio.bsky.social
A spot light positioned in a niche or alcove area is a great way to create drama and accentuate any moldings or panelling on the walls. This would also work well as an alternative to bedside lighting.

Featured light - Orphir pendant
August 28, 2026 at 6:06 PM
stromnessmuseum.bsky.social
Happy #internationaldogday 🐾 Especially to Snowy and his owner Joseph Groat of Glenrae Poultry Farm, Orphir.

📷 Featured in The Orcadian 25/06/1964, Hourston Photographic Collection.
Black and white photo of Joseph Groat holding Snowy the dog in his arms, in a field and underneath a sign reading Glenrae Poultry Farm. Featured in The Orcadian 25/06/1964, Hourston Photographic Collection.
August 26, 2026 at 8:10 PM
orkneyology.bsky.social
I had a beautiful summer walk yesterday near a Viking-Age round kirk in Orphir, Orkney Islands. You can enjoy the full walk here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=wm9q...
Summer Afternoon on a Scottish Island
YouTube video by Orkneyology
www.youtube.com
August 24, 2026 at 12:27 PM
craigsm.bsky.social
Good morning BlueSky...
A scene from Orphir Pass between Telluride and Silverton Colorado.
August 23, 2026 at 12:48 PM
davelifelines.bsky.social
My 2x Gt Grandmother, Margaret Hay Sinclair, was born in 1857 at 'Hannabeck' or Hangaback, a then newly-established settlement in the Orkney mainland parish of Orphir, looking out over Scapa Flow.

The Sinclairs' farm didn't last very long. It had gone by the late 1870s.

#MyFamily52Maps
Copy of plan, by James Johnston of Coubister 1816 and 1856, of the Common in the parish of Orphir National Library of Scotland Maps https://maps.nls.uk/estates/rec/7793 Name: Johnston, James Title: Copy of plan, by James Johnston of Coubister 1816 and 1856, of the Common in the parish of Orphir, as divided amongst the respective heritors… Imprint: 1816, 1856 Pagination: 1 map; 68 x 100 cm Shelfmark: Acc.4065, 05b - on reverse of Acc.4065(5a)
August 17, 2026 at 7:07 AM
davelifelines.bsky.social
After moving from his native Eday, my 2x Gt Grandfather, James Miller, settled in Orphir on Orkney's mainland, before moving to Kirkwall. In the early 1900s he moved again, settling in Edinburgh where he lived for over 40 years.

A bit of a change from his old childhood farm...

#MyFamily52Maps
Ordnance Survey National Grid Map https://maps.nls.uk/view/188146404 NT27SW - A Surveyed / Revised: 1947 to 1955, Published: 1956 Size: map 47-50 x 47-50 cm (ca. 19 x 20 inches), on sheet ca. 68 x 58 cm (27 x 23 inches)
August 10, 2026 at 11:30 AM
littlebonelady.bsky.social
It's my unprofessional opinion that the Vikings used runes on objects like someone who has just bought a labelmaker and is overexcited about it.

Either that, or this is the most literal sentence break ever.
A nondescript, broken fragment of large mammal rib, against a black background. Faint angular runes are scratched into the surface. Interpretive text panel. The text reads: "Rune inscribed cow's rib. The runes translate as: (This) bone was... Found at The Earl's Bu, Orphir."
May 23, 2025 at 5:30 PM
hugowhymark.bsky.social
Missing Neolithic carved stone ball... last seen in Orkney in 1909! Is it in a museum near you? Read more: http://www.orkneystonetools.org.uk/themes/biographies/objects/missing-carved-stone-ball-orphir
January 4, 2025 at 8:57 PM
thepigguy.bsky.social
Short(ish) walk from the Earl's Bu near Orphir, Orkney. Bu is Old Norse/Norn for a large hall or homestead.
February 20, 2026 at 5:15 PM
sergepou.bsky.social
Dans ma jeunesse jai connus un vieux monsieur qui s'appelait Orphir.
October 20, 2024 at 1:35 PM