How many Stromness maidens will be up and about early on May 1st to wash their faces in the dew of Brinkie’s Brae? We look back to 1946 when there will still a few maidens about and taking part in this traditional event – although even then they were few in numbers.

Stromness News: Tuesday 7th May 1946, The Orkney Herald and Advertiser.

MAY DEW

Only very few Stromnessians observed the traditional custom this year of going to the slopes of Brinkie’s Brae and washing their faces with May dew in the early morning of May Day.

The custom appears to be dying out, which is a pity. Among other things May dew has valuable cosmetic properties, and is said to give the features of whatever maiden makes use of it irresistible charm.

The dew of Brinkie’s Brae, say the local old people, is ten times as powerful and beauty giving as the dew in your back garden. A lot of valuable stuff went to waste this year.