Orkney Library & Archive
@orkneylibrary.bsky.social
Books and Archives since 1683.
Website: orkneylibrary.org.uk
Linktree: linktr.ee/orkneylibrary
Website: orkneylibrary.org.uk
Linktree: linktr.ee/orkneylibrary
Okay things are getting serious this week. It's Monday night and it's 5pm so it's time for EPISODE 5 of 'How light is it in #Orkney at 5pm this week?'
BRACE YOURSELF.
We started the year in darkness, but already it's THIS LIGHT! π‘
BRACE YOURSELF.
We started the year in darkness, but already it's THIS LIGHT! π‘
February 9, 2026 at 5:06 PM
Okay things are getting serious this week. It's Monday night and it's 5pm so it's time for EPISODE 5 of 'How light is it in #Orkney at 5pm this week?'
BRACE YOURSELF.
We started the year in darkness, but already it's THIS LIGHT! π‘
BRACE YOURSELF.
We started the year in darkness, but already it's THIS LIGHT! π‘
It may have been Poppy Lowe who modelled for Stanley Cursiter a number of times for different paintings.
February 9, 2026 at 2:36 PM
It may have been Poppy Lowe who modelled for Stanley Cursiter a number of times for different paintings.
While Broad Street in the foreground has hardly changed, the area behind it has changed significantly since the Tom Kent photograph was taken. Another obvious change is the type of traffic visible - on the left-hand side there are cars, on the right-hand side there is a wooden cart.
February 9, 2026 at 10:37 AM
While Broad Street in the foreground has hardly changed, the area behind it has changed significantly since the Tom Kent photograph was taken. Another obvious change is the type of traffic visible - on the left-hand side there are cars, on the right-hand side there is a wooden cart.
It's ages since we've featured a then and now image from our #PhotographicArchive so here's a merged photograph of Kirkwall #Orkney. The left side includes Orkney Library & Archive and was only taken a few years ago, while the right side was taken by Tom Kent around 1900.
February 9, 2026 at 10:37 AM
It's ages since we've featured a then and now image from our #PhotographicArchive so here's a merged photograph of Kirkwall #Orkney. The left side includes Orkney Library & Archive and was only taken a few years ago, while the right side was taken by Tom Kent around 1900.
We've just had half a crab delivered to the back door by a kindly gull, how's your Friday afternoon going?
February 6, 2026 at 3:38 PM
We've just had half a crab delivered to the back door by a kindly gull, how's your Friday afternoon going?
Just a slob like one of us
February 6, 2026 at 10:42 AM
Just a slob like one of us
Today is #NationalSweaterDay so let's enjoy 'The Fair-Isle Jumper' painted by #Orkney-born artist Stanley Cursiter in 1923.
Stanley Cursiter (1887-1976) was Keeper of the National Galleries of Scotland from 1930-1948 and was appointed the King's Painter and Limner in Scotland.
Stanley Cursiter (1887-1976) was Keeper of the National Galleries of Scotland from 1930-1948 and was appointed the King's Painter and Limner in Scotland.
February 4, 2026 at 10:59 AM
Today is #NationalSweaterDay so let's enjoy 'The Fair-Isle Jumper' painted by #Orkney-born artist Stanley Cursiter in 1923.
Stanley Cursiter (1887-1976) was Keeper of the National Galleries of Scotland from 1930-1948 and was appointed the King's Painter and Limner in Scotland.
Stanley Cursiter (1887-1976) was Keeper of the National Galleries of Scotland from 1930-1948 and was appointed the King's Painter and Limner in Scotland.
It's a cold, blustery Tuesday morning in #Orkney but #BookyMcBookface is sailing away on the ferry to the lovely island of Shapinsay. β€οΈ
If you see Booky today then go and get some books! π
If you see Booky today then go and get some books! π
February 3, 2026 at 9:12 AM
It's a cold, blustery Tuesday morning in #Orkney but #BookyMcBookface is sailing away on the ferry to the lovely island of Shapinsay. β€οΈ
If you see Booky today then go and get some books! π
If you see Booky today then go and get some books! π
Incredible scenes as we slide from January into February and realise that yet again it's Monday night (and it's 5pm) so it MUST be time for Episode 4 of 'How light is it in #Orkney at 5pm this week?'
We are NOT making this up.
IT REALLY IS THIS LIGHT π‘
We are NOT making this up.
IT REALLY IS THIS LIGHT π‘
February 2, 2026 at 5:05 PM
Incredible scenes as we slide from January into February and realise that yet again it's Monday night (and it's 5pm) so it MUST be time for Episode 4 of 'How light is it in #Orkney at 5pm this week?'
We are NOT making this up.
IT REALLY IS THIS LIGHT π‘
We are NOT making this up.
IT REALLY IS THIS LIGHT π‘
Once again our #LEGO cases have been jam-packed full of cosmically creative LEGO models for our #OrkneyLibraryLego SPACE theme! πβοΈπ°
All made by library users using our #Lego collection. Thanks to everyone who made us a model! β€οΈ
Our next theme is YEAR OF THE HORSE! ππ²οΈπ
All made by library users using our #Lego collection. Thanks to everyone who made us a model! β€οΈ
Our next theme is YEAR OF THE HORSE! ππ²οΈπ
February 2, 2026 at 3:04 PM
Once again our #LEGO cases have been jam-packed full of cosmically creative LEGO models for our #OrkneyLibraryLego SPACE theme! πβοΈπ°
All made by library users using our #Lego collection. Thanks to everyone who made us a model! β€οΈ
Our next theme is YEAR OF THE HORSE! ππ²οΈπ
All made by library users using our #Lego collection. Thanks to everyone who made us a model! β€οΈ
Our next theme is YEAR OF THE HORSE! ππ²οΈπ
January 31, 2026 at 11:14 AM
I started this one day years ago. I will complete it before I retire. π
January 30, 2026 at 3:13 PM
I started this one day years ago. I will complete it before I retire. π
I saw the rain dirty valley
you saw Brigadoon
I saw the croissant
you saw the whole of Sassoon
#NationalCroissantDay
you saw Brigadoon
I saw the croissant
you saw the whole of Sassoon
#NationalCroissantDay
January 30, 2026 at 10:43 AM
I saw the rain dirty valley
you saw Brigadoon
I saw the croissant
you saw the whole of Sassoon
#NationalCroissantDay
you saw Brigadoon
I saw the croissant
you saw the whole of Sassoon
#NationalCroissantDay
Today is #NationalPuzzleDay and DID YOU KNOW that along with an extensive collection of loanable jigsaws we ALSO HAVE FREE ONLINE JIGSAWS you can solve at: jigsawplanet.com/OrkneyLibrary
We started publishing them online during lockdown and we now have over 80 puzzles to solve! π§©
We started publishing them online during lockdown and we now have over 80 puzzles to solve! π§©
January 29, 2026 at 11:11 AM
Today is #NationalPuzzleDay and DID YOU KNOW that along with an extensive collection of loanable jigsaws we ALSO HAVE FREE ONLINE JIGSAWS you can solve at: jigsawplanet.com/OrkneyLibrary
We started publishing them online during lockdown and we now have over 80 puzzles to solve! π§©
We started publishing them online during lockdown and we now have over 80 puzzles to solve! π§©
January 28, 2026 at 11:49 AM
Whoa these Mondays are coming round quick! Can you believe it's Monday night and it's 5pm? That means it MUST be time for Episode 3 of 'How light is it in #Orkney at 5pm this week?'
You're never going to believe this!
IT'S THIS LIGHT! π‘
You're never going to believe this!
IT'S THIS LIGHT! π‘
January 26, 2026 at 5:03 PM
Whoa these Mondays are coming round quick! Can you believe it's Monday night and it's 5pm? That means it MUST be time for Episode 3 of 'How light is it in #Orkney at 5pm this week?'
You're never going to believe this!
IT'S THIS LIGHT! π‘
You're never going to believe this!
IT'S THIS LIGHT! π‘
Each audiobook will be available from Orkney Library as an eAudiobook on BorrowBox (or CD) but you can get it from your own library or wherever you get your audiobooks, then send us a review!
Find out more about Audio Waves Book Club on our website at: orkneylibrary.org.uk/audio-waves-...
Find out more about Audio Waves Book Club on our website at: orkneylibrary.org.uk/audio-waves-...
Audio Waves Book Club
The Audio Waves Book Club at Orkney Library is a book club where the members listens to Audiobooks and eAudiobooks instead of reading printed books
orkneylibrary.org.uk
January 26, 2026 at 2:43 PM
Each audiobook will be available from Orkney Library as an eAudiobook on BorrowBox (or CD) but you can get it from your own library or wherever you get your audiobooks, then send us a review!
Find out more about Audio Waves Book Club on our website at: orkneylibrary.org.uk/audio-waves-...
Find out more about Audio Waves Book Club on our website at: orkneylibrary.org.uk/audio-waves-...
It's a way to offer a book club experience to readers who require audiobooks and there are no physical meetings to attend so ANYONE CAN JOIN IN - everyone just listens to the same Audiobook, then sends us a rating and a short review via email. βοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈ
January 26, 2026 at 2:43 PM
It's a way to offer a book club experience to readers who require audiobooks and there are no physical meetings to attend so ANYONE CAN JOIN IN - everyone just listens to the same Audiobook, then sends us a rating and a short review via email. βοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈ
If you've been joining in with our Audio Waves Book Club then you've still got a couple of weeks to send us your review of The Wall of Life by Shirley MacLaine.
Audio Waves is our newest Book Club where we are listening to Audiobooks instead of reading printed books. π§
Audio Waves is our newest Book Club where we are listening to Audiobooks instead of reading printed books. π§
January 26, 2026 at 2:43 PM
If you've been joining in with our Audio Waves Book Club then you've still got a couple of weeks to send us your review of The Wall of Life by Shirley MacLaine.
Audio Waves is our newest Book Club where we are listening to Audiobooks instead of reading printed books. π§
Audio Waves is our newest Book Club where we are listening to Audiobooks instead of reading printed books. π§
January 25, 2026 at 4:55 PM
You are correct though that 1995 is only like 6, 7 years ago. Something like that. Definitely. Maybe?
January 23, 2026 at 3:40 PM
You are correct though that 1995 is only like 6, 7 years ago. Something like that. Definitely. Maybe?
It's like how we'll only read the Bourne novels on the 4th of July
January 23, 2026 at 12:24 PM
It's like how we'll only read the Bourne novels on the 4th of July
Books are amazing. This novel was published back in 1995 but reading it TODAY, it's hasn't dated at all.
January 23, 2026 at 11:43 AM
Books are amazing. This novel was published back in 1995 but reading it TODAY, it's hasn't dated at all.
Exciting news - we now have a CHERRY TREE growing outside Orkney Library & Archive! β€οΈ
Massive thanks to the Orkney Japan Association. It's one of 30 trees planted in #Orkney as part of the #Sakura Cherry Tree Project which aims to plant 10,000 cherry trees across the UK. πΈπΈπΈ
Massive thanks to the Orkney Japan Association. It's one of 30 trees planted in #Orkney as part of the #Sakura Cherry Tree Project which aims to plant 10,000 cherry trees across the UK. πΈπΈπΈ
January 22, 2026 at 12:55 PM
Our Archive has just posted a new Blog post, written by guest blogger Joan, about the transcription of 17th century documents concerning the merchant and privateer Captain Peter Winchester.
You can read it (and all their other fascinating blog posts) at:
orkneyarchive.blogspot.com/2026/01/pigt...
You can read it (and all their other fascinating blog posts) at:
orkneyarchive.blogspot.com/2026/01/pigt...
January 22, 2026 at 11:23 AM
Our Archive has just posted a new Blog post, written by guest blogger Joan, about the transcription of 17th century documents concerning the merchant and privateer Captain Peter Winchester.
You can read it (and all their other fascinating blog posts) at:
orkneyarchive.blogspot.com/2026/01/pigt...
You can read it (and all their other fascinating blog posts) at:
orkneyarchive.blogspot.com/2026/01/pigt...