Whit’s on this weekend?

Orkney Folk Festival

Hands will be clapping and toes will be tapping as the 36th Orkney Folk Festival gets underway, this weekend, with artists from across the globe already converging on the county for the four-day festival weekend, amid the fifth year of record-breaking ticket sales.

Artists from all across the globe have been arriving in Stromness, the festival’s hometown in Orkney’s West Mainland, with early arrivals featuring some of this year’s furthest-travelled visitors — including The Maes, from Melbourne, Australia; The Once, from Newfoundland; and String Sisters, who bring together some of the world’s finest fiddle talent, from the USA, Ireland, Norway, Sweden, Scotland and Shetland.

This festival, which goes on until Sunday night, will see headline acts including Scottish singer-songwriter, Dougie MacLean; world-renowned Quebec five-piece, Le Vent du Nord; Highland fiddle player Duncan Chisholm and his band; and 2018 BBC Radio 2 Folk Award winners, Glasgow-based Irish/Manx/Scottish quintet, Ímar.

Bojagi for Betty

On the centenary of her father’s birth, artist Barbara Rowell has returned to contemplate life in Stromness around the time of his birth and early life.

Rowell’s research will be developed during her residency at Northlight Gallery, through the reconstruction of textile fragments which have been reworked with natural dye processes in indigo, madder and cochineal, with markings inspired by her ongoing interest in passage grave art and grooved ware
pottery.

A Bojagi for Betty is a site-specific installation dedicated to Betty Corrigal, which honours strong mothers everywhere. A Bojagi is a Korean wrapping cloth, made from scraps of recycled fabrics and with triple stitched ‘kekki’ seams — protective embroidery symbols are often added.

The installation is on show at Northlight until next Tuesday, May 29. This Friday night, there will be an opportunity to meet the artist from 5pm until 7pm at the gallery.

Sooth Isles Craft Fair

Sooth Isles Craft Fair and Sale is on at the Cromarty Hall, St Margaret’s Hope, this Saturday and Sunday.

With plenty of handmade local crafts and products on offer — from clothing, homeware and decorations, to jewellery, artworks and baking — this will offer folk a chance to get a head-start on the Christmas shopping, or to pick up a little treat for themselves.

The fair will be open on both Saturday and Sunday, from 12 — 4pm each day. There will also be a prize raffle, due to be drawn at 4pm on Sunday.

Plant Sales

If you’re looking to give your garden that extra touch of colour at this time of year, there will be two plant sales for you to choose from this weekend!

St Colm’s and the Blide Trust are teaming up this Friday and Saturday from 10am until 3pm to host a sale of summer bedding, young vegetable plants, crafts, cards and more at St Colm’s Day Centre.

There will also be soup, hot rolls, homebakes and refreshments.

Another sale will be on, hosted this time by Kirkwall East Church at the King Street Halls, this Saturday from 10am until 12pm. There, you’ll be able to browse though annuals, perennials  — plus indoor, fruit and vegetable plants!

David and Wendy Bowen

David and Wendy Bowen will be providing music and entertainment at the Royal Scottish Legion, Kirkwall, this Saturday night.

Lidl Fun Day

May 26, 2018 10:00 am - 4:00 pm

There will be games, competitions and more at Kirkwall supermarket, Lidl, this Saturday, as the shop hosts a special Fun Day of activities for all the family.