Talks

Is there any way to shift from our current self-destructive path to a more stable world? Yes, say the pioneers in the new field of transition engineering, developed to tackle big complex global problems in a systematic way. Daniel Kenning and Prof. Susan Krumdieck explain how we can develop route maps for the future.

News continues of further Orkney developments in renewables. At sea there are new wave and tidal devices on site. On shore there are vanadium flow batteries to smooth the tidal-powered production of hydrogen in Eday. Speakers from the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) report on the latest developments.

Find out about an Orkney Earl’s marriage proposal, an Orkney bishop’s book dedication, and a mathematician in the family – and how these are all connected to a web of political and religious conflict out of which modern science developed. With music of the time by Kate Fletcher and Corwen Broch.

Local historian Patricia Long tells the story of the shipwreck on the Muckle Green Holm - and its skipper's longstanding links with Orkney. Polar historian Dr Maria Pia Casarini describes a previous voyage he made: a rescue mission with Shackleton, six men in an open boat, through blizzard, hurricane and mountainous seas.

Take the 6 pm ferry from Stromness for a journey to the old Nor’ Wast. Curator Janette Park of Stromness Museum tells the story of Orkney's long links with the Hudson’s Bay Company and the local people. Polar historian Dr Maria Pia Casarini tells the story of the company itself. It's free but remember to book the ferry.

There’s a second part to the great Shetland salt fish trade story – the inspiration it's given to many artists, novelists, poets, film makers and musicians, as John Goodlad explains to Spencer Rosie. Three in a Bar play Shetland and Orkney tunes, and there's a taste of Shetland salt cod and pale ale as well to launch his new book.

“It's a massive atom-smashing machine; a seething mass of electrified gases," says Prof. Robert Walsh of the University of Central Lancashire. With images from the very latest space-based telescopes, he guides us out from the solar core and helps us surf the solar wind – “And then run for cover from immense solar storms!”

Naturalist/author Polly Pullar’s speaks of the joys and heartbreaks of hand-rearing and rehabilitating numerous wild creatures, from tiny naked squirrel kits to tawny owlets and hedgehogs. She highlights the pressing need to care for nature in all forms, from the smallest insects and plants to habitat restoration.

Around the North Isles, farmers have been looking back at the changes through their lifetimes in recorded interviews with Dr Tom Rendall and Ailsa Seatter. Sit back and listen to voices, with photographs past and present: Jimmy and Mary Lennie in Sanday, Irvine Miller in Stronsay, Ena Hewison in Eday, and Steven Drever in Westray.

Each of us differs from everyone else by about four million letters in the DNA code. But which are important for our risk of disease and which should we be told about? Which are common in Orkney? Prof Jim Flett Wilson of the University of Edinburgh investigates using information from the ORCADES and Viking Genes studies.