… which today will be in Birsay, where we go to see a memorial plaque unveiled to the great Orkney naturalist Rev. George Low, in the garden of the house where he lived. The plaque, on the wall of The Old Manse, next to St Magnus Church, will be unveiled by Orkney Islands Council Convener Harvey Johnston.

Also paying tribute to George Low’s work in natural history and in Orkney history will be county botanist John Crossley, historian Dr Barbara Crawford of the University of St Andrews, and Spencer Rosie of Orkney Heritage Society.

Gemma McGregor (flute) plays music of George Low’s time – James Oswald’s Airs for Autumn and a traditional Orkney tune – and Robin Barr rounds off with a new piece of fiddle music composed in Low’s honour.

For lunch today we’re treating ourselves to Orkney bere bannocks, with the fallback of oatcakes or fresh toast. On some slices we’re spreading crab pâté, on others farmhouse cheese with caramelised carrot chutney. There’s more options in our leaflet of Peedie Kirk lunch recipes, and we’ve a booklet about foraging food options as well. If you want to go further and try baking bere bannocks for yourself, the Barony Mill in Birsay provides beremeal, and also this video.… with details of today’s guests coming soon …

You can watch this free event from here, through the YouTube link below, or if you’d like to join questions and discussion, you can also go to the Science Festival’s YouTube channel

And for a walk along the Birsay shore, out from the village of the Palace, with aerial views, here is a film by Tristan Cameron-Harper. You can see the ruins of the Earl’s Palace, and then follow the line of the shore to the Point of Buckquoy and the causeway to the Brough, with its sea-cliffs, monastic ruins, and the ground rising up to the headland and the light.