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Inns of North Walls and Brims

With several ships a day regularly arriving in and leaving from Longhope, you’d think there might be a few licensed establishments for the refreshment of the sailors on board. Was this so? This clipping from 1870 gives an idea of the number of ships arriving in and leaving from the anchorage at Longhope as they  |  more…

Who is a ‘black sheep’?

In each community there are people who are ‘different’, in varying ways. Some are well known and people keep a friendly eye on them; others are looked at askance, with mistrust even. The phrase ‘black sheep’ seems to apply to those whose behaviour deviates from their family or society’s norms and who thus become outcasts  |  more…

“Red-letter day for Lifeboat crew”

“Eight Longhope heroes honoured at Kirkwall”; “Medal and Diploma Awards from French Government”. Three of the headlines and sub-headlines in the Orkney Herald, 14 October 1936. What had they done and why were they being honoured? The events of Friday 21 February 1936 On the evening of 21 February 1936 the French steam trawler Neptunia,  |  more…

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