Tonight: traditional music from Orkney. World Wednesdays, an informal exploration of traditional music with presenter Otenth Paderborn, occurs weekly from 6-7pm SLT in The Clarendon Conservatory in New Babbage, or listen at Photo: The so called 'Dwarfie Stane' (Dwarf's Stone) on the Island of Hoy, Orkney Islands, Scotland. (wikimedia, uploaded by user Grovel)

... when it feels like it. According to wave energy company Aquamarine Power, Orkney currently has “the world’s largest working hydro-electric wave energy device”, and “ ... world’s only hydro-electric wave energy device which is producing power The device is sited just off Orkney, and was switched on by First Minister Alex Salmond, today, November 20, 2009, when Aquamarine Power&# ...

From BBC News: The Orkney Venus, which was discovered a few weeks ago, is a 5,000-year-old female carving which has the UK's first known depiction of a person's face. The 4cm-tall carving, known by locals as the Westray Wife, will be on show in the ante-room of Edinburgh Castle's Laich Hall along with colourful panels giving information about how and when it was found.

From our friend Umblepie: The weather in Orkney over the last few days has been wet, windy and generally wild! Last night the Kirkwall lifeboat was called out to rescue a yacht which had broken its anchors whilst riding out the storm in Mill Bay, Stronsay. The yacht I believe, had several on board, and with its sails shredded, had to be towed by the lifeboat into Stronsay harbour. The sea was very ...

... and steps to take your breath away as you climb and climb. There are also an unusually high concentration of galleries and craft shops. But I digress ( you will just have to have patience with me as Orkney is so dear to me that I can’t help waxing a little) So we met at the pier arts centre. ( Pictures of the centre will appear in a later post) The mix of makers made for an ...

We, the tax paying people of Orkney object in the strongest terms about the total hand over of OUR transport system to one company, we feel we are not being given value for OUR council tax and also feel the lack of commitment shown by Stagecoach on the island last summer will ruin our tourism. we demand a complete and open investigation into the tendering system!