At the start of the 19th century the Laird, William Watt, employed Lochaber man and experienced gardener, Hugh Ross, to lead the team of gardeners at Skaill House.
The Lost Gardens of Orkney (12), Hugh Ross, Gardener
Passing through the eye of a needle
“There is so much wealth and so much misery at the same time, that it seems incredible that people can endure such class difference, and accept such a form of hunger while on the other hand, the millionaires throw away millions on stupidities.” – Frida Kahlo
Book Review: ‘Tales of the Black Widowers’
The book contains twelve short stories, basically puzzles, which the gathering of men, ‘The Black Widowers’ have to solve.
NHS, S.O.S
The waiting list for hospital treatment in England rose to a record of 7.2 million in January 2023. The 18-week treatment target has not been met since 2016.
Stronsay: Island of Bays
Stronsay is one of Orkney’s most fertile of islands. It established the first Agricultural Society in Orkney in 1783, a year before the ‘Highland Society of Scotland’ (the forerunner of the ‘Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland’) was established in Edinburgh in 1784.
The Lost Gardens of Orkney (7) Fertilisers
With the growth in popularity in gardening, especially after people saw the importance of home grown food during the shortages of World War 1, gardening advice columns appeared in newspapers and magazines.
What is going on?
As the reality of massive rises in our energy bills arrives in our In-Box or Letter Box, households and businesses are struggling to find how they will pay. Faced with, at the same time, rises in basic foods, mortgages and rents – we ask – What is going on?
The Lost Gardens of Orkney (2) Balfour Hospital
This story features both a family named ‘Garden’ and of course gardens or grounds of what was once Orkney’s Hospital.
“This is about more than our politics and our laws. This is about who we are, how we carry ourselves.” Donald Dewar
Section 35 in the Scotland Act will be used for the first time and its use is by the Secretary of State for Scotland , Alister Jack Tory MP for Dumfries and Galloway.
The Lost Gardens of Orkney (1) War Memorial Garden
Orkney Memorial Garden Scheme 1949 – This series will explore the hidden gems of the gardens that have either been lost in Orkney or that have changed substantially since they were first created.
