Visit the Orkney Islands and
Participate in Homecoming 2007
By CATHOLINE BUTLER
The year 2007 has been designated as the Highland Year of Culture. The Orkney Islands, which are also part of the Highland Islands, will also be celebrating the Orkney Homecoming 2007, starting next May 14 on Kirkwall, Orkney.
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| BARBARA FOULKES, the Area Director for VisitOrkney. |
Orkney is a group of islands situated a few miles off the north-east tip of mainland Scotland. With it's green fields and hills, stone pinnacles rising out of the sea, rugged cliffs and sandy beaches, it is the ideal place for getting away from it all. There are roughly 70 islands but only 17 are inhabited.
Kirkwall the county's main town, is on the largest island, the Mainland. Warm ocean currents give the islands the mild climate that makes them one of Scotland's most productive farming areas, with beef cattle being the main product. Fishing also a highly significant industry, but recently tourism has taken overtaken both in terms of earnings.
Viking raiders arrived from Norway 1,200 years ago and colonized the islands, but they came under Scottish rule in 1472 when along with Shetland they were ceded to Scotland in lieu of a wedding dowry.
This will be the second homecoming of descendants from the Orkney Islands for a spectacular week-long event. The first homecoming was in 1999 and it was an emotional and resounding success. Over 250 Canadians traveled to Orkney at that time to learn more about their roots.
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| THE STANDING STONES OF STENNESS is the oldest stone circle found in the Orkney Islands in Scotland. |
Orkney's long-standing historical and cultural links with Canada goes back to the Hudson's Bay Company and the Orcadians, who came to Canada to work and were the mainstay of the company.
Cameron Taylor, who was chief executive of Orkney Tourist Board during the 1999 Homecoming and is now chairman of Orkney Homecoming 2007, said, "The first Homecoming in 1999 was an amazing experience for all involved, and it was always hoped that we would do this again following that success.
"The Treaty of Friendship between Orkney and Manitoba was drawn up as a result of 1999 and when the Orkney Islands Council Convener and the Chief Executive went over to Canada last year to renew the treaty, it was decided to start planning for the second homecoming.
"We have already received a huge amount of support and encouragement from the likes of Orkney Islands Council and VisitOrkney. Up to 300 Canadians are expected to make the journey next year and I truly believe that this will be an even better event."
Since the renewal of the treaty, Orkney Islands Council Convener Stephen Hagan has invited Manitoba Minister for Culture, Heritage and Tourism Eric Robinson - himself of Scottish ancestry - to Orkney next year. In addition, he and Orkney Islands Council Chief Executive Alister Buchan have jointly signed a letter of open invitation to all North Americans of Orcadian ancestry.
Other partners involved in the planning of the Homecoming include VisitOrkney and the Great Canadian Travel Company, who helped to organize the original event.
Orkney is blessed with a wealth of records which are of use to both historians and genealogists.
Barbara Foulkes is the Area Director of VisitOrkney, and she spoke to The Celtic Connection recently about what visitors could expect at the Homecoming.
She said, "the main event is access and support for people tracing their roots. We see this as key to what people will want to do when they are here. We have the Archive Department at the Library on board, along with the Family History Society, who will be running events giving complete access to the Archives while helping and supporting visitors to trace relatives.
"We also have an organized Gala Dinner and Ceilidh for all the people who made the trip and this will be hosted by our local council. No doubt it will be a lively affair, with the world renowned Orkney Island fiddlers at the Ceilidh."
Due to some space constraints in Orkney, participation at the event will be limited to approximately 350 homecomers, so it is suggested that if you want to be a part of the historical Orkney Homecoming 2007, that you should book as soon as possible. For more information call: 1-800-661-3830, or visit: www.orkneyhomecoming.com
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| THE TOWN OF STROMNESS stretches for over a mile along the shore of Hamnavoe, an inlet of Scapa Flow sheltered by the Orkney islands of Outer Holm and Inner Holm. The core of the town is just one main street that twists and turns narrowly between the shoreline and the hillside behind. |
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| LITTLE HAS CHANGED for centuries in Stromness. The main street harkens back to earlier days with its cobbled stones and twisting paths. |
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