Currently on show at the Orkney Museum, Kirkwall, is an exhibition to mark the 100th anniversary of the birth of the poet George Mackay Brown.

Whether you are a scholar of GMBs work, someone who recalls him in Stromness, or an occasional reader of his books and poems, this exhibition will be of interest to you.

The photographs and archival exhibits on display are a fascinating window into the extraordinary life of George Mackay Brown from his childhood through to his last days.

Along with the photographic images are paintings, some of which are portraits of him, and sculptural works.

If you get the chance to visit the exhibition you won’t be disappointed.

There is no need to book a place to get in but there are Covid measures in place to keep everyone safe: wearing a mask and limited numbers permitted in each room. A one way system is in operation.

On entry you fill in a ‘visitor’ sheet with a pen which is provided as is hand sanitiser. I was surprised that the Museum doesn’t use the Check In Scotland App so that there would be no need to use pens and bits of paper. (Apologies if it was there and I missed it). Indeed I have never encountered anywhere yet in Orkney that is using this which seems a great pity as it links in with the Protect Scotland NHS contact tracing App.

Check In Scotland

Check In Scotland will allow you to log your contact details with any business or venue displaying the Check In Scotland Test and Protect QR code poster.

This includes:

• pubs, bars, restaurants and cafes
• tourism and leisure businesses, such as theme parks, museums and cinemas
• close contact services, including hairdressers, barbers, beauticians, tattooists, sports and massage therapists
• services run by local councils, such as libraries, leisure centres and registration offices
• cremation authorities, burial authorities, places of worship or funeral director service rooms offering funeral services
• places of worship

Check In Scotland works with NHS Scotland’s Test and Protect contact tracing system to:

• collect your details
• alert you if you came into close contact with someone at a business or venue who later tests positive for COVID-19

Reporter: Fiona Grahame

Related article: Exhibition: ‘Beside the Ocean of Time: The Centenary of George Mackay Brown’