It’s the only mill in the world that grinds bere, and you can explore it today and enjoy a range of activities. Try grinding bere yourself, with a replica hand quernstone from Orkney Museum. Take a closer look at the grain under a microscope. Hear a story from Tom Muir, or see Diane Clouston demonstrating how to make a bere bannock. Beiting & Brew will be there with their food trailer and a special bere-themed menu.
Conducted by the Rev. Barbara Quigley, with the St Magnus Cathedral Choir. “Whether you come from north or south, east or west, whether you live here or are a visitor, are here for the first time, or are here regularly … you are welcome to our worship,” they say.
Join civil engineer Neil Kermode, Steve Sankey and Capt. Bill Spence for a bus tour across the Barriers to hear about their construction and their impact, stopping at each one to get a fuller picture of the scale of the work. The route includes a visit the Old Kirk in Holm to see the exhibition of photos of the building of the Barriers. On the way back there are refreshments at the Barrier View Café, built on the site of the Rockworks, one of the former construction camps.
The Mearns Singers, conducted by Irene Watt, with songs of the land and the sea, from Sunset Song to Partans in his Creel; and songs of other lands as well.
It makes a difference at every stage of life, says Dr Irene Watt – for babies and children, teenagers, adults young and old. It can be used in child development, to build confidence, promote teamwork, help communication, create bonding and friendships, and to help health and mental wellbeing. A music educator for more than 35 years, she is a research fellow at Aberdeen University’s Elphinstone Institute, and music director of two award-winning choirs and Aberdeen’s Harp Orchestra.
A stunning new film from a master documentary maker. “Hypnotic. Goes beyond architecture to take us into the secret world of rocks and stones,” wrote one reviewer. Victor Kossakovsky’s earlier films included Gunda on animal consciousness and Aquarela on the natural wonder of water.
A concert of music to celebrate a great discovery and the island where it happened a century ago. Helgoland Museum director Dr Simone Arnhold, tells the story, with music from Orkney Camerata conducted by Iain Campbell; the Orkney Chamber Choir conducted by Robert Hersey; Hannah Firth (soprano) and Iain Campbell (piano). There is Haydn, Grieg, Elgar and Mogens Pedersøn; Edward Bairstow, Hindemith, Nielsen and Ronald Binge – and the world premiere of a new work by George McPhee in memory of the physicist Peter Higgs and his love of hillwalking and music.
After the concert, Twa Folk (Irene Watt and Graham White) welcome you with music and song from the North-East of Scotland. There are songs of land and sea, and their instruments include harp, bouzouki, harmonica and bodhran.