By Bernie Bell

I receive a catalogue called ‘Culture Vulture’.  It has some covet-able things in it, some so-so things, and some things that you – just wonder about.  It also has a terrible tendency to label things ‘UK Mainland only’.

It is something of an indicator of current trends and tastes – suddenly, all the men were sporting those trim, tidy beards.  It’s divided into sections, such as ‘Provence Kitchen’, ‘Scandinavian Home’, ‘Mediterranean Table, and………’Highlands and Islands’, which, God & St. Kevin help us all, includes a ‘Glendalough Poncho’. I hate to have to tell them this, but Glendalough is in the Republic of Ireland.  Also in this section is………..’The Stromness Dress’!!!!

Now, this tells me something of how widely-known Orkney is becoming, and I believe that to be a lot to do with the on-going dig at the Ness of Brodgar http://www.nessofbrodgar.co.uk/  , and how much that has helped to bring Orkney archaeology, and therefore Orkney, to prominence as a place to visit and be aware of, especially among the well-heeled customers of catalogues such as ‘Culture Vulture’.

Bring on the well-heeled! – to help the Orkney economy and donate to Orkney archaeology!

This ad. did tickle me, though – ‘The Stromness Dress’ – who’d a’ thought it?  What next?  The Toab Trousers?  The Birsay Breeks? Or….the Pomona Poncho?

You never know……………..