Blog

  Inspiration comes from many places – nature, music, the seasons. For Ola, great inspiration has been found in the works of other artists: in particular, Charles Rennie Mackintosh and his wife, Margaret Macdonald. Today, June 7th, is the 150th birthday of Mackintosh. The Glasgow born designer, architect and artist needs little introduction, however the work of his wife, Margaret, and that of her sister, Frances Macdonald MacNair, is often overlooked. Born in 1868 and 1873 respectively, Margaret and Frances were both students at Glasgow School of Art, where, along with Mackintosh and Herbert McNair (who Frances later married), they...

Ola Gorie graduated from Gray's School of Art as its first jewellery-design graduate in 1959, and started her own business here in Kirkwall the following year.  But the name Gorie was already well known in Orkney... In 1859, a Kirkwall man called James Kirkness opened a wine merchant and grocer's shop in Broad Street, opposite St Magnus Cathedral.  Orkney was in the midst of an agricultural boom, and there was suddenly a demand for fine imported products such as coffee, pasta, Claret and Champagne.  James Kirkness's son John took over the business around the start of the 20th century (he's...

As you will know if you've been to Orkney, or if you've watched one of Ola's videos - like this one from the summer: Ola at the Ness of Brodgar dig - you'll know that the islands are stuffed with fascinating ancient history.  But did you know that Orkney is also home to a leading research and teaching Archaeology Insitute, part of the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI)? Their blog is an invaluable treasure trove of the latest news about Orkney's latest digs, discoveries and debates.  It's also a great place to keep up to speed with the many...