Heavy showers cleared away on Sunday 17 May, and the crowds of visitors and locals who had come into Kirkwall to see The Tog were not disappointed.
The Tog, is a procession, and is part of the celebrations to mark Norwegian Constitution Day. Norway has not always been the independent nation it is today, and gaining its independence is an event Norwegians are justly proud of.
Setting off at 3pm, later than usual because of the event taking place on a Sunday, The Tog, led by Kirkwall City Pipe Band, made its way from the Pierhead to Broad Street, and St Magnus Cathedral. Many members of the public joined in with the parade making it an impressive part of the day.
Speeches were made outside of the Cathedral – a welcome by Graham Bevan, Convener of Orkney Islands Council, with a reply by Beate Skretting, Mayor of Grimstad.
The event is organised by the Orkney Norway Friendship Association with support from the local council and the Norwegian Consulate in Orkney. Earlier in the morning a delegation paid their respects at the gravesides of those men from Norway who had died in World War 2 serving their country in its resistance to Nazi occupation.
After the speeches, delegates, flag bearers and members of the public moved into St Magnus Cathedral for a service.
Hundreds remained in Broad Street captivated by the musicianship and splendour of Kirkwall City Pipe Band. Mobile phones were held aloft to try and record ‘Highland Cathedral’ as a lasting memory of a visit to Orkney.
Orkney has long historical links with Norway, firstly through Norse invasion, and then destruction of the native Pictish society to establish a successful settlement across the islands. A place where farming was good, and the sea routes could take marauders on raids south.
Today Orkney retains its links with Norway through its consulate, and organisations such as the Orkney Norway Friendship Association. Kirkwall is twinned with Vestland. At Christmas time Kirkwall receives a Christmas tree from Vestland which stands outside St Magnus Cathedral, and one from the town of Grimstad for inside the building.
Click on this link to watch a video of The Tog, and images of the crowds outside the Cathedral.
Fiona Grahame