LAST CALL FOR ORKNEY RESEARCH

This is the last opportunity for the Orkney Research Tour May 24 - 31, 2020.  I have two spaces left for research (non researchers are welcome and do not take away from the research spaces available). However, the hotel is releasing the two remaining rooms TOMORROW so after that I can guarantee neither space nor price. The Orkney tour includes three full days of research at the Orkney Library, which houses both the Orkney Archives and the Orkney Family History Society. People are also welcome to head along to the Tankerness Museum in Kirkwall where there is a very large photo collection. In addition to research, there will be two full days of sightseeing. One day on the west side of the mainland where the neolithic sites are located (Skara Brae, the Ring of Brodgar Standing Stones, the Stones of Stenness and Maeshowe chambered cairn). And one day on the east side of the mainland which includes the Churchill Barriers and the Italian Chapel. As always these two remaining spaces will go on a first come, first serve basis. This tour is a once in a lifetime and will NOT be repeated in future years.  To register: https://www.genealogytoursofscotland.ca/orkney-2020.html

JUST ONE SPACE LEFT FOR THE ORKNEY 2020 RESEARCH AND HISTORY TOUR

There is just ONE space left for the Orkney genealogy and history tour in May 2020. Dates are May 24-31.

The tour will be based in Kirkwall and will allow for three full days of research at the Orkney Library, Orkney Archives and Orkney Family History Society.

There will be the opportunity to tour the historic sites on mainland Orkney including the neolithic sites (Ring of Brodgar, Maeshowe and Skara Brae), The Italian Chapel and Churchill Barriers. There will also be an opportunity to do some sightseeing in both Kirkwall and Stromness.

As with all Genealogy tours, these spaces will go on a first come, first served basis. This is a one time only tour and will not be repeated in future years.

For more information or to register: https://www.genealogytoursofscotland.ca/orkney-2020.html

Orkney Research Tour Itinerary

Here's the Itinerary the Genealogy Research Tour in Orkney 2020:

Sunday May 24 – day of arrival. We will meet in the hotel bar at 6:30 pm

Monday May 25 – Bank Holiday – the archives will be closed today, so this day will be given over to sightseeing. Half of the group will remain in Kirkwall while the other half travels to the eastern part of the mainland to see the Churchill Barrier, the Italian Chapel and the Orkney Fossil and Heritage Centre where there are archival documents for the island of Burray. The two groups will switch places in the afternoon.

Italian Chapel

Tuesday May 26 – Full group will attend the archives in the morning for an overview of the records and a behind the scenes tour. Full day of research for the group. Please note that volunteers from the Orkney Family History Society will be in the library from 2pm – 4:30 pm. Half of the group will be going to Maeshowe chambered cairn for the last tour of the day at 4 pm. We will leave Kirkwall at 3:20

Maeshowe

Wednesday May 27 – Half of the group will be going to the Archives today for a full day of research. Please note that the Orkney Family History Society will be in the library from 2pm – 4:30 pm

The other half of the group will take a trip to the Western mainland to see the Ring of Brodgar, Stones of Stenness, Skara Brae and Skaill House. Lunch will be at Orkney Brewery. Those who wish can take a tour. It lasts about 45 minutes and includes a flight of craft beers after the tour is over. Those not wishing to take the tour can hang out in the café. The tour is £7

Skara Brae

Thursday May 28 – Yesterday’s two groups will switch places today with half of the group going to the Archives today for a full day of research. Please note that the Orkney Family History Society will be in the library from 2pm – 4:30 pm. The other half of the group will take a trip to the Western mainland to see the Ring of Brodgar, Stones of Stenness, Skara Brae and Skaill House. Lunch will be at Orkney Brewery. Those who wish can take a tour. It lasts about 45 minutes and includes a flight of craft beers after the tour is over. Those not wishing to take the tour can hang out in the café. The tour is £7

Orkney Brewery 

Friday May 29 - Full group will attend the archives in the morning for an overview of the records and a behind the scenes tour. Full day of research for the group. Please note that volunteers from the Orkney Family History Society will be in the library from 2pm – 4:30 pm. Half of the group will be going to Maeshowe chambered cairn for the last tour of the day at 4 pm. We will leave Kirkwall at 3:20

Saturday May 30 – Today will be a day to take in the sights and history of Orkney. I will be taking people into Stromness while others remain in Kirkwall. Please note that the Orkney Family History Society is open ALL day today for anyone wishing to research. Their hours are 11 am – 4:30 pm

Stromness

To join the Orkney Genealogy Research Tour: 

https://www.genealogytoursofscotland.ca/orkney-2020.html

JOIN US FOR A GENEALOGY TOUR TO ORKNEY!

Join me for a genealogy research tour to Orkney. 

The tour is scheduled for May 24-31, 2020. We will be staying at the Shore Hotel. 

Arrival will be on the Sunday and check out on the following Sunday. This allows time to just enjoy Orkney.

We will be stationed in Kirkwall which has the magnificent St Magnus Cathedral and the Bishop's Palace.

The tour fees are $2995 canadian and include:

·         7 nights hotel

·        7 breakfasts

·         3 days of research

·         Day trip around the western half of Mainland Orkney

·         Day trip around the eastern side of Mainland Orkney

·         Ring of Brodgar and Stones of Stenness

·         Skara Brae & Skaill House

·         The Bishops Palace

·         Maes Howe

·         Churchill Barriers

·         Italian Chapel (additional £3)

I can take people into Stromness for a stroll. It is a lovely wee place, full of history. The buildings have historical plaques on them letting you know their history. The museum is small but well worth a visit. We can return via the round church in Orphir. If you would like to go to any of the smaller islands, I recommend you plan additional time in Orkney. 

To register: https://www.genealogytoursofscotland.ca/orkney-2020.html

** non researchers are welcome. If accompanying a researcher, there will be a discount. If you wish to see Orkney without researching, your fees will be the same as the researcher fees. 

Seeking Interest in a Genealogy Tour to Orkney

Do you have Orcadian roots?

Last month, I sent out a poll asking people about specific localized regions that might be of interest for a future genealogy tour. In addition to the three choices I listed, people were invited to let me know where THEY might like to have a tour.

Based on the results of the poll, I will be seeking interest in three specific areas for a future tour. Like the Highland tour, these will likely be a one-off rather than ongoing.

The first place that came through with strong interest was Orkney. If I get enough interest, I will organize a tour for May 2020.

The days are 18 hours long in Orkney in May, with several hours of twilight after sundown. The main archives are in Kirkwall, so that would be our base. The Orkney Family History Society is located within the Archives.

In addition to research time, I would offer the opportunity to see the major points of interest on Mainland Orkney: Skara Brae, Ring of Brodgar Standing Stones, Stenness Standing Stones and the Italian Chapel. There would also be time to spend a day or half day wandering along the streets of Stromness where the HBC ships recruited men to work at York Factory in Manitoba. And of course, plenty of time to visit Kirkwall where the magnificent St Magnus Cathedral is dominant.

The tour would likely be a week in length. Getting to and from Kirkwall would be the tour participant's responsibility.

If you have an interest in researching, or indeed just touring Orkney, let me know and if I get enough interest, I will begin the planning process. I would need about 10-12 people to make this work. 

Stromness, Kirkwall and Standing Stones

On Wednesday evening, I caught the last ferry from Scrabster to Stromness. After a short 90 minute sail across the Pentland Firth, we docked and I made my way to the B&B.

The Old Man of Hoy sea stack

Stromness is at the 59th parallel, which at this time of year, provides 18 hours of daylight. After a very restful sleep, and an Orkney Continental breakfast of locally sourced meats, cheeses and fish, it was time to learn what I could about this island. 

My first stop was at the Standing Stones of Stenness. 

Then up the road less than a half mile to see the Ring of Brodgar

From Stenness, I continued on to Kirkwall to see the Weeping Window of Poppies, which has been set in place to commemorate the Battle of Jutland. 

In addition to the poppies, I toured the cathedral

From the Cathedral, I went to see the Earl's and Bishop's Palaces 

After touring the local museum, Tankerness House, I headed back to Stromness, stopping to see the Barnhouse Prehistoric Village, next to the Stenness Stones, on the way. 

I was fascinated with the documented history that was displayed through the wall plaques on the buildings in Stromness

My final stop was the Stromness museum. What a little treasure! The archival information is amazing. They have records for men who were recruited to work in the HBC's inland factory at York, lists of men who were pressed into service with the Navy, lists of ferries, dingys and lifeboats and their workers and fate, men who served and fell in service for both world wars, the records of the Stromness Hearse Company, donated private collections, Orkney Shipwrecks, Pentland Firth Crossings that ran into trouble. I can't begin to explain how much I love and value the local archives and archivists in Scotland.