The programme for the 2021 Orkney International Science Festival, 2nd to 8th September, is ready and you can find it all on their website www.oisf.org.

This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Festival’s collaboration and friendship with the Slovenian Science Foundation, and the Festival will be jointly opened by two people at the start of their careers. Dr Gavin Woodbridge from North Ronaldsay graduated this year in medicine from the University of Edinburgh. Dr Zarja Muršič is a member of the Covid-19 Tracking group in Slovenia.

Just about everything is online, with one important exception – a daily programme of wildlife walks, led by Orkney wildlife guide Megan Taylor. The walks are in very small groups, and include Orphir, Yesnaby and Burwick, and a day trip to explore Flotta.

All the online events are free, apart from several workshops where numbers are limited, with the ticket for some including materials. Just about all the events will be streamed through YouTube, for easy access. And wherever you are, you are warmly welcome to join us!

You can follow them on Facebook , Twitter, and Instagram as well (www.instagram.com/orkscifest).