As harvest time approaches, here is a foy to celebrate Orkney’s ancient grain in words, music and images. The words, from the dialect writers of Orkney Voices, tell of the fresh wind that blows the bere, and the rain that helps its growth and builds up the water flow for the mill wheel, and the work in fields and mill and kitchen. The specially composed music brings together tunes that reflect the various processes and complement backdrop images that focus on the cycle of ploughing, sowing, harvest and milling.

Writers/readers: Alison Aitken, Lorraine Bruce, Thelma Bruce, Vera Butler, Lynn Campbell, Marlyn Firth, Sheila Garson, Ingrid Grieve, Issy Grieve, Barbara Johnston, Greer Norquoy, Kathryn Sclater and Ruth Tait.

Music and Composition: Eric Linklater, Ian Mackay, Billy Peace, Stewart Shearer.

Reflection: Jim Chalmers and Robbie Fraser.

Young folk: Donald Drever, Ruairi Drever, Lena Firth, Molly Firth, Ivan Firth, Freyja Seatter, Brynja Seatter and Ava Tait. Katy Firth and Rachel Drever.

Baker: Thelma Bruce.

Technical and Lighting: Mike Partridge.

Videos and still images: Ingrid Grieve, Mike Partridge, Marcus Scholes, Kathryn Sclater, John Wishart, and Orkney Library Archive.

Recorded voices: BBC Radio Orkney.

Information and support: Ali Harcus, Barony Mill miller, and Tommy Matches.

Produced and directed by Kathryn Sclater and Ruth Tait.

Very sadly, Kathryn Sclater, one of the driving forces in the project, passed away before it was complete, but everyone involved hopes that all the optimism and zest that she brought to it, with a warmth of feeling for Orkney’s land and people and a shared enjoyment of a community working together, will shine through.