The towns, landscapes and ancient monuments of Orkney and Shetland have been the inspiration for many writers. In this series of short films we look at some of the locations on the islands that are associated with different authors.
Videos
The Ring of Brodgar
Walter Scott thought that the Ring of Brodgar was the finest ancient monument after Stone Henge and the twentieth-century poet Glasgow poet Edwin Morgan was also inspired by this ancient stone circle. The video is … read more
Skara Brae
The Stone Age village of Skara Brae and the lives the people who lived there are imagined in the poems of George Mackay Brown and the Irish poet Michael Longley. The video is one of … read more
Weisdale and John J. Graham
John J. Graham used Weisdale as a key location in two of his novels, Shadowed Valley and Strife in the Valley. The video is one of a series looking at the literary heritage of Shetland and … read more
Clickimin Broch and Walter Scott
Walter Scott was fascinated with the ancient history of Orkney and Shetland and wrote about the Clickimin Broch when he visited Lerwick. The video is one of a series looking at the literary heritage of Shetland … read more
Mavis Grind and William J. Tait
The video discusses Mavis Grind and references to it in William J. Tait’s poem; A Day Atween Waddirs. The video is one of a series looking at the literary heritage of Shetland and was commissioned by Writng the North.
Sullom Voe and Robert Alan Jamieson
The video discusses Sullom Voe and Shetland author Robert Alan Jamieson’s book, Thin Wealth which examined the impact of the oil terminal on the community. The video is one of a series looking at the literary … read more
Sumburgh Head and Walter Scott
Walter Scott used Sumburgh Head as a key location in his book The Pirate. This video is one of a series on the literary heritage of Shetland commissioned by Writing the North
Whalsay and Hugh MacDiarmid
This video located on Whalsay where Scottish poet Hugh MacDiarmid lived is one of a series of short videos on the literary heritage of Shetland.
Fort Charlotte and Margaret Chalmers
This video of Fort Charlotte in Lerwick discusses the 19th century poet Margaret Chalmers and is one of a series of short videos on the literary heritage of Shetland.