Arts, Crafts & Workshops
Mat-making workshop
Where: Orkney Creative Hub, Hatston, KW15 1RH
When: Monday 13 May, 9:30am-12:30pm
With: Afrayedknot
Cost: £25
Booking required: Yes
Contact: 07554331138; [email protected]
How many uses can you think of for an old rope?
Stromness-based craftsman Mark Cook uses his creative skills to turn what some see as litter, into elegant designs that are both attractive and useful: from doorstops and table mats to a whole range of stunning decorations. Come along to this workshop, where you will gain the skills and materials needed to build your own designs.
Not only that, but you will also get that warm, fuzzy feeling that comes with doing your bit for the natural world. Litter dumped in our seas can cause all sorts of damage to the environment. By making use of these discarded materials, you will be helping to maintain the beautiful landscapes that are home to so much wildlife.
Call 01856 850176 or email [email protected] for booking information.
The Harray Potter Workshop
Where: Fursbreck Pottery, Harray, KW17 2LB
When: Saturday 18 May, 10am-6pm
With: Harray Potter
Cost: £5
Booking required: No
Contact: 01856 771419; [email protected]
Visit the Fursbreck Pottery and see how Orkney's very own "Harray Potter" works his magic. You can drop in any time throughout the day. Andrew Appleby has many years of experience designing beautiful ceramics, including crockery, jewellery and more.
You'll also be given a pound of clay with which to design and build your own creation. Whether you want to decorate it with your favourite wildlife or anything else, you'll have plenty of inspiration in the beautiful Orcadian parish of Harray.
Andrew will be happy to finish and fire any completed pieces, before posting them out. Please note, this will require an additional cost.
Stronsay Craft Fair
Where: Stronsay Community Hall
When: Saturday 18 May, 1pm-4pm
With: Stronsay Community Association
Cost: Free
Booking required: No
Contact: [email protected]
With a wide range of high-quality homemade crafts, the annual Stronsay Craft Fair is the perfect place to pick up some local souvenirs and gifts, or even just to treat yourself. Among other treasures, you'll find silver gemstone jewellery, cards made by local artists, children's clothes and quilts, island cushions & wall-hangings, soaps and shampoo bars, hand-spun yarns, buffalo meat and pasties.
And on top of all that, there will be refreshments, home bakes and a raffle.
Sand Art
Where: Stromness Library
When: Saturday 18 May, 2pm-4pm
With: Sand Art Orkney
Cost: £4.50; £1 sibling discount
Booking required: No
Contact: [email protected]
With all of the scenic beaches and talented artists in Orkney, it makes perfect sense use sand as an artistic material - and that's exactly what the people of Sand Art Orkney do.
You'll be amazed at the range and detail of images you can create with their colourful, sparkling sand. And as this is the Nature Festival, they will be showing children how to make their own animal designs, including otters, seals, birds and more.
The session will start at 10am and visitors are welcome to drop in at any point up until 12pm. All materials are eco-friendly and non-toxic. And most importantly, all activities are great fun!
Stromness Museum Open Day
Where: Stromness Museum
When: Saturday 18 May, 1:30pm
With: Stromness Museum
Cost: Free
Booking required: No
Contact: [email protected]; 01856 850025
Stromness Museum are running a number of activities to complement their fascinating temporary exhibition, "Living Wrecks: The Marine Life of Scapa Flow".
From 1:30-3:30pm, come along and enjoy some marine-themed arts and crafts. You'll be able to get creative with shells and even make your own jellyfish. Plus, enjoy a virtual dive using the musesum's Oculus Go virtual reality headset.
Then at 3:30pm, Orkney Beachcomber Martin Gray will be discussing how the shore has provided for the islands over the centuries and how in recent times, beach finds tell a story of global disregard for the health of the seas.
Wirdsmit Young Writers Workshop
Where: RSPB Scotland Office, 12-14 North End Road, Stromness
When: Saturday 18 May
With: Wirdsmit Young Writers group
Cost: Free
Booking required: No
Contact: 07554331138; [email protected]
Surely there are few greater inspirations for a writer than nature. Orkney's own Wirdsmit Young Writers Group are running a workshop during the Nature Festival, giving younger members of the community a chance to experience this for themselves.
In the past, this celebrated group have covered a range of topics and even created their own book: "Wirdsmit: A Sea of Stories". If you have a youngster who'd like to try out writing or pick up a few tips, this is the perfect opportunity to do so while learning about an important part of Orcadian wildlife.