The Sea Around the North Isles

Beach, Westray
Key Information:
Theme:

Heritage

Time Span:

April 2020 – March 2022

Area:

Throughout The Isles

Exploring and researching maritime heritage in the North Isles, from prehistory to present day.

Seas of the Isles explored different maritime themes, including Prehistoric Seafaring, Maritime Cultural History and Shipwrecks.

The project begun in 2020 with a series of talks and workshops about the very first travellers to Orkney and the colonisation of the islands.

Art in pier waiting rooms

In 2021 local artists were commissioned to create pieces of artwork for some of the island's pier waiting rooms. Each piece drew inspiration from maritime history with artists working in a wide range of different media including stone carving, weaving, felting, photography and textile.

Rosie Priestman's photographic collection of marine objects can be seen at the Sanday pier waiting room.
Rosie Priestman's photographic collection of marine objects can be seen at the Sanday pier waiting room.
Ceri Biddle's intricate textile piece is one of three to be seen in the Rousay, Egilsay and Wyre pier waiting rooms
Ceri Biddle's intricate textile piece is one of three to be seen in the Rousay, Egilsay and Wyre pier waiting rooms
Helen Gallant's unique felting work inspired by North Ronaldsay post boat research.
Helen Gallant's unique felting work inspired by North Ronaldsay post boat research.
Molly Shearer explored Stronsay's herring fishing industry and the history of weaving on the island to create this wall hanging for the Stronsay pier waiting room.
Molly Shearer explored Stronsay's herring fishing industry and the history of weaving on the island to create this wall hanging for the Stronsay pier waiting room.

Island research projects

The final phase of the project saw different local co-ordinators undertaking research on a variety of diverse themes including the North Ronaldsay post boat, shipwrecks, a famous pirate and a chronology of boats. Each project culminated in a unique output. Within this part of the programme NILPS was also able to fund a number of other special projects from isles residents who had a special interest in an aspect of maritime history. These projects included a book about shipwrecks and an animation project.

This stunning wall mural - a timeline of Shapinsay boats can be found in the Island's Heritage Centre and was created by Lenka Mellor.
This stunning wall mural - a timeline of Shapinsay boats can be found in the Island's Heritage Centre and was created by Lenka Mellor.
Alex Wright created this wonderful interpretation panel incorporating her research about the North Ronaldsay post boat
Alex Wright created this wonderful interpretation panel incorporating her research about the North Ronaldsay post boat
Ian Cooper's 'In the Furious Grip of an Orkney Gale' is the culmination of many years researching ships wrecked on the Stronsay coast.
Ian Cooper's 'In the Furious Grip of an Orkney Gale' is the culmination of many years researching ships wrecked on the Stronsay coast.
Jonathan Ford and Saiorse Higgins explore the arrival and departure of flotsam and jetsam on the shores of Papay
Designer Rhona Jenkins created this interpretation panel telling the story of the infamous Pirate Gow for the heritage garden in Eday
Designer Rhona Jenkins created this interpretation panel telling the story of the infamous Pirate Gow for the heritage garden in Eday

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