It was washed up on the rocks below the cliffs of Rothiesholm in 1808 and if it was a basking shark then it was 15 feet longer than anything that has ever been recorded. And there is now a chance to find out for sure as a very small piece of material from its body has now been found, sent through a chain of several people and safely preserved for two centuries. The story involves several writers of the time, including Lord Byron – with further consequences. Howie Firth describes the work of Dr Yvonne Simpson in opening up new clues to the mystery. Could DNA analysis now resolve the mystery of the Stronsay monster and others seen in Orkney waters – or even give a clue to later stories from Loch Ness? Or is there an even stranger explanation?

This event will also be livestreamed.

A new website has been developed to feature Dr Simpson’s work.