Every few weeks we bring you stories about life in Orkney, its history and archaeology, artists and designers we admire – and the inspiration behind Ola Gorie’s unique jewellery.
Blog
On the third Sunday of August, a unique event takes place in the island of South Ronaldsay. As the tide ebbs from the Sands o Wright, young boys furrow the beach with miniature ploughs, striving to achieve the most even and regular dreels.
Are the puffins watching back, out of those apparently big mournful eyes, with their streak of Cleopatra-like eyeliner? Probably not, but it’s almost impossible not to think of them as little bird people, such is the appearance of character their faces and behaviour give them. Their Orkney name, Tammy Norrie, sounds like a particularly cheery uncle.
2022 is the Year of Stories in Scotland, a celebration of the tales that thread through our history and way of life. In Orkney, stories define who we are, even more than the rest of Scotland. That’s certainly true here at Ola Gorie.
Art is meant to be seen. Or at least that’s what we tend to think nowadays. We live in a world saturated with images, where almost everything seems to be done for public display and consumption, whether in an art gallery or on Instagram. But what about 5,000 years ago, in the Neolithic? How did people think about art then?
By Nick Card and Anne Mitchell
For this week's blog, we welcome special contributors N...
There’s one time of year when there is undoubtedly magic in the air, of a very human kind. The St Magnus International Festival is a ten-day wonder of music, theatre, literature, and creative activity of every variety. Its roots go back more than fifty years, and a firebrand English composer…
As the philosopher said, ‘Sometimes the smallest things take up the most space in your ...
After hardly leaving Orkney for the past two years, the thought of going to central Lon...
Ola Gorie Jewellery is a genuine Orkney family business. As we approach Mother’s Day, Ola’s daughter Ingrid Tait offers some thoughts about growing up with a pioneering jeweller as a mum and her experience of being an integral part of the 'Ola Gorie Story'.
Mention the word ‘flow’ to anyone in Orkney, and the chances are they’ll think you’re talking about Scapa Flow. The Flow, as we usually call it, is the spectacular natural harbour at the heart of the Orkney archipelago.
It was Christmas, 1153. Earl Harald Maddadsson moored his longship at Hamnavoe – the ‘s...
Orkney’s climate is surprisingly mild, given how far north we are. The last lick of the...
Holmie sheep, with Papay in the background. Photo courtesy of Lynda Sharp.
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One of Ola’s enduringly popular jewellery collections is Skara Brae, inspired by the di...
We are now closed for the Christmas and New Year holidays. While we remain delighted t...
It's hard to believe July is here – a month that would normally mean the arrival of a...
Minnie, Ola and Pat Gorie, Kirkwall, c1940
Today marks the 75th anniversary of...
Firstly, we would like to say a big HELLO from Kirkwall, Orkney and we hope that you a...
Fashions come and go, but the appeal of a bracelet or necklace strung with gold or si...
