By Bernie Bell

Many of the long-standing attractions of Orkney are opening again – working within Covid restrictions – adapting as the restrictions adapt.

The Stromness Museum….

….is re-opening on Thursday the 13^th of May – operating on a reduced schedule with hour long slots and reduced capacity to ensure that the premises meets with Covid-19 safety requirements.

The Museum will start with a three day week, and booking is essential.  Bookings can be made through the Museum’s website at https://www.stromnessmuseum.org.uk/.

Alternatively, you can ‘phone the Museum, Thursday to Saturday, on 01856 850025.

N.B. – ‘Friends of Stromness Museum’ get free entry!

The Museum has extended its 2020 summer exhibition ‘Distant Shores: Orkney to Oceania’, which will run until October 2021, and work is on-going with up-dating and re-displaying some of the more well-known exhibits in the other galleries.

The gift shop will be open, stocked with some new book titles and potential gifts, as well as old favourites.

I know it’s early to be thinking about Christmas, but we always get some of our Christmas cards from the Museum shop – Inuit reindeer, fossil leaves ( surprisingly Christmassy), and, last year, a North Ronaldsay sheep in a Santa hat!

To mark the centenary of the birth of Orcadian writer George MacKay Brown…..

……the Museum has commissioned 100 lead crystal whisky glasses, engraved with a quote from the man himself.  These will be available in the Museum shop for £20 each, or £18 to ‘Friends of the Stromness Museum’.

Putting it all together – free entry, reduced prices on good things – why not become a ‘Friend of…’ before you visit the Museum?  You can join on-line at www.stromnessmuseum.org.uk and help to preserve this unique collection for future generations.