Events for September 9, 2017

Learn about knots and ropework, blocks and pulleys, and some old Norse navigational skills. Booking essential: phone 01856 569401.

Join Bryce Wilson for a walk to follow the story of Baikie’s boatyard, which built over 120 yoles and dinghies, and Stanger’s yard, which built brigs, sloops, schooners, smacks and ketches.

Johan Daniel Berlin, born in 1714, was in charge of the fire station and waterworks in Trondheim – and was also a writer, mapmaker, inventor, astronomer, meteorologist, organist – and composer. Maarten de Vries tells the story; George McPhee provides the music.

Orkney Vintage Club with cars, motorbikes, tractors and stationary engines; plus electric cars, street food from 12 noon, green home information, and the Willowburn Valley Stompers at 2 pm.

How did the fast and elegant ships of the Viking Age develop? Marine scientist Eric McVicar, who lived amongst the Sea Sami and studied their boats and boatbuilding traditions, suggests they hold the key.

A lecture/recital on music of the time of St Magnus, featuring vocal and instrumental pieces from Britain and Europe, and a demonstration of the instruments thought to have been used at the time, including lyre, lur, harp, symphonia, bone flutes, pan pipes, bladder pipe, fiddle and percussion, with David Griffith,

Church bells ring, says an old Welsh legend, from the drowned lands in Cardigan Bay – where today remnants of a sunken forest appear at low tide. The story of discoveries made there is told by Dr Richard Bates of St Andrews University, together with his brother Dr Martin Bates

Robert Rendall had several different lives – in poetry, marine science, and writing theology. Could there be an underlying connection? Brian Murray, John Flett Brown, Jon Side and Neil Dickson look at different aspects, with guest readers. Tickets £5 & £3 include tea at interval.