By Nick Morrison

I had seen this old gas lamp many times in a friend’s house and paid it no attention.

It was just like the ones my Granny had.

Then one evening (they kick in quite early in Orkney this time of the year like about 3.30!) the fluorescent tube started to flicker. My friend did no more than light the gas lamp.

What a pleasant light it was, softer and warmer.

This canny farmer kept the kitchen light connected when all the others were removed, it runs quite happily on bottled gas. What’s more it also helps heat the room.