Hello Hallowe'en!

This year's Hallowe'en archive is a letter from Margaret Robertson of Buttquoy Kirkwall to her older brother Duncan telling him about her Hallowe'en plans.

We always enjoy wee Madge's letters as she does not hold back. One unfortunate acquaintance of the family is charmingly referred to as 'an old pig' in this particular missive dating from 1875. We are also treated to the tale of the untimely death of Whity the fat, turnip - munching rabbit.

Tonight we shall be hiding in the house, eating the guisers' sweets and shaking our fists impotently as our door and windows are festooned with eggs and flour.


Orkney Archive Reference D99/3/1/16

Birthday Bonanza

Today is a birthday bonanza, being the birth date of four of our very favourite celebs: the mighty Madonna, the Terrific Trevor McDonald, writer Charles Bukowski and politician and Big Brother alumnus George Galloway.

The archive staff wanted to celebrate all of these fab folk in one cunning costume. Our kindly 'Trevor' expressions clashed somewhat with our Bukowski-esque drunken abuse of the customers, however, and a sturdy, conical bra somewhat defeats the purpose of a low-cut leotard.

We'll work on it throughout the day, but, for now, here is a beautiful embroidered silk birthday greeting which was sent to Duncan Robertson of Kirkwall on his 21st birthday in 1881.

Reference D99/3/9/5