Leading accountancy firm, Scholes Chartered Accountants, has appointed Ryan Allan as a director, heralding the launch of the latest phase of growth for the Kirkwall-headquartered business. Ryan, who began his accountancy career with Scholes CA in 2011, has been an associate…
Author: David C. Flanagan
Writer and journalist, based in the Orkney Islands, Scotland.
Author of Board, published by Fledgling Press.
Author of Uncle Pete and the Boy Who Couldn't Sleep, published by Little Door Books.
Cover reveal for Uncle Pete and the Boy Who Couldn’t Sleep
I'm delighted to be able to share the fantastic cover of my first children's book, Uncle Pete and the Boy Who Couldn't Sleep, which is out in April from Little Door Books. I think illustrator Will Hughes has done a…
Read More Cover reveal for Uncle Pete and the Boy Who Couldn’t Sleep
Debut children’s book coming April 2021
I'm delighted to announce that the amazing Little Door Books are publishing my first children's book, Uncle Pete and the Boy Who Couldn't Sleep, with illustrations by the talented Will Hughes. It's not out until April of next year, but…
New Orkney Brewery beer celebrates island life
The Orkney Brewery is set to add a new permanent addition to its award-winning range of cask beers this month with the launch of Island Life, a 3.7% golden session IPA. Described by the brewery team as a “pale golden…
Campaign partnership work wins top tourism award for Destination Orkney
Destination Orkney has secured a major tourism award for its partnership work on an innovative marketing campaign aimed at attracting visitors to the islands for short weekend breaks. The organisation, which represents around 500 tourism businesses in Orkney, won the Working…
Read More Campaign partnership work wins top tourism award for Destination Orkney
Orkney jewellery designer’s collection helps lifeboat museum fundraising
Orkney jewellery designer Zoe Davidson has been raising funds to help with the refurbishment of an island lifeboat museum through sales of a limited-edition collection of her work. Stromness-based Zoe created the special silver Longhope collection after learning that the…
Read More Orkney jewellery designer’s collection helps lifeboat museum fundraising
Double honours for Orkney Distilling at Scottish Gin Awards
Orkney Distilling, maker of Kirkjuvagr Orkney Gin, has scooped two top industry awards, including a prestigious Scottish Gin Destination of the Year accolade for its five-star Kirkwall distillery and visitor centre. The company also took home a prestigious Silver Medal…
Read More Double honours for Orkney Distilling at Scottish Gin Awards
Forged in fire
A post on childhood bereavement and its legacy for World Mental Health Day “You’re the man now”. The words had haunted me for much of my life, though I couldn’t even remember who it was that said them to me…
Local accountancy talent boosts Scholes CA management team
Orkney based accounting firm, Scholes CA, has made team member Ryan Allan an associate director of the business, it was announced this week. The promotion strengthens the management structure at Scholes CA and comes as the company looks to sharpen its…
Read More Local accountancy talent boosts Scholes CA management team
Orkney Distilling in the pink with new Beyla gin
Orkney Distilling is set to launch a new Old Tom style pink gin that combines rare Orcadian honey with fresh Scottish raspberries, marking the fifth offering from the award-winning Kirkwall based company. Beyla – named after the Norse goddess of…
Cannes spotlight on Orkney’s pioneering marine energy work
A major documentary on climate change, featuring Orkney’s pioneering marine energy work, is set to be premiered at the Cannes Film Festival next week. Ice on Fire has been produced by Leonardo DiCaprio and is also narrated by the actor, who has…
Read More Cannes spotlight on Orkney’s pioneering marine energy work
Stunning new Glasgow showcase for Orkney jewellery designer
Orkney jewellery designer Sheila Fleet OBE is set to open a stunning new shop within Glasgow’s award-winning retail and leisure destination, Princes Square, this week. The new store, which opens on Friday (5 April), promises customers a unique retail experience,…
Read More Stunning new Glasgow showcase for Orkney jewellery designer
Sinclair Breweries re-launches Atlas range
Sinclair Breweries Ltd is re-launching its Atlas Brewing Company range, it was announced this week. The initial brews have been created at the state-of-the-art, SALSA approved, Orkney Brewery, by a team that includes John Rodger, one of the original and…
Gold for Orkney Distilling’s Arkh-Angell Storm Strength gin
Orkney Distilling’sArkh-Angell ‘Storm Strength’ gin has won a prestigious UK Gold Medal at this year’s World Gin Awards, held in London. The 57-per-cent spirit took home the prize in the Navy Gin category of the event, judged by a panel of leading…
Read More Gold for Orkney Distilling’s Arkh-Angell Storm Strength gin
Zoe Davidson Jewellery set to launch Spring Tides collection
Young Orkney jewellery designer, Zoe Davidson, is set to launch a striking new collection inspired by the sea-carved shoreline formations of her island homeland. The Spring Tides range, handcrafted in silver, combines Zoe’s signature fold-formed metalwork with contrasting gemstones, accents of…
Read More Zoe Davidson Jewellery set to launch Spring Tides collection
Prize haul for Orkney Brewery at SIBA awards
The Orkney Brewery has taken home no less than six prizes, including three golds, from the prestigious Society of Independent Brewers (SIBA) Scotland Independent Beer Awards, held in Glasgow last night (6 November). The brewery’s speciality Dark Island Reserve was voted…
2018 Orkney Food and Drink Awards winners announced
Orkney’s finest food and drink businesses were recognised at a prestigious awards ceremony held in Kirkwall last night (Saturday, 13 October). Thirty-one local businesses were shortlisted for 12 different accolades in the 2018 Orkney Food and Drink Awards, covering everything…
Read More 2018 Orkney Food and Drink Awards winners announced
Silver lining for Orkney Distilling’s Arkh-Angell Storm Strength gin
Orkney Distilling’s Arkh-Angell ‘Storm Strength’ gin has won a prestigious Silver Medal at this year’s Scottish Gin Awards in Glasgow. The 57-per-cent gin took home the prize in the Navy Strength Gin of the Year category of the top industry…
Read More Silver lining for Orkney Distilling’s Arkh-Angell Storm Strength gin
Young Orkney jewellery designer recreates rare Pictish necklace
A young Orkney jewellery designer has re-created a rare, 1,400-year-old Pictish necklace, the original of which is kept within the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh. Zoe Davidson crafted her 1kg solid silver version of the famous Whitecleugh Chain, discovered in Lanarkshire…
Read More Young Orkney jewellery designer recreates rare Pictish necklace
New Dundee hotel is blanket fan of Orkney designer
Orkney knitwear designer Hilary Grant has provided bespoke blankets for rooms in a new high-end hotel that’s just opened in Dundee. The commission, for the 102 room, multi-million-pound Hotel Indigo®- operated by IHG and located in a former mill building in…
Read More New Dundee hotel is blanket fan of Orkney designer
Orkney Distilling’s new distillery and visitor centre opens in Kirkwall
Orkney Distilling’s new artisan distillery and visitor centre officially opens in Kirkwall this week, creating a major new tourist attraction for the islands. Two years in the planning, the new facility - which has created six local jobs - represents…
Read More Orkney Distilling’s new distillery and visitor centre opens in Kirkwall
Orkney Distilling finalists in Scottish Gin Awards
Orkney Distilling Limited has made the finals in two categories of this year’s Scottish Gin Awards, it was announced this week. The news comes as the company prepares to open its new distillery and visitor centre in Kirkwall. Orkney Distilling’s Storm…
Read More Orkney Distilling finalists in Scottish Gin Awards
Orkney food and drink firms fly flag for islands at Royal Highland Show
Nine Orkney food and drink businesses will be flying the flag for the islands at this week’s Royal Highland Show, which celebrates the best of Scottish farming, food and rural life. The local firms will exhibit their produce on special…
Read More Orkney food and drink firms fly flag for islands at Royal Highland Show
New era for Orkney’s tourism industry
A dynamic new partnership body has been created to responsibly boost tourism in Orkney over the next seven years as the industry locally continues to witness significant growth. The recent Islands Visitor Surveyshowed that Orkney welcomed over 170,000 visitors last…
New Sheila Fleet Jewellery visitor centre opens its doors
“It’s been about blending elements of its past with the future and finding it a new purpose,” says Sheila Fleet of the former St Andrew’s Kirk, now serving as a visitor centre for her Tankerness based jewellery business. “We hope…
Read More New Sheila Fleet Jewellery visitor centre opens its doors
Studying at Orkney’s global campus
“I think it’s one of the most unique places I’ve ever been in my life,” says Canadian student Nick Fraser, reflecting on his temporary Orkney home. “People can tell you about it, and try to describe it, but it’s really…
Orkney Brewery wins double gold at national beer awards
The Orkney Brewery has done the double at a major national beer competition, becoming the only Scottish brewer to take top honours in two different event categories. The brewery’s speciality Dark Island Reserve and its Dragonhead stout both won gold…
Read More Orkney Brewery wins double gold at national beer awards
Caledonian’s Craig Steven joins Sinclair Breweries as commercial manager
Craig Steven, former beers manager for Edinburgh’s Caledonian Brewery, has joined Sinclair Breweries Ltd as commercial manager, it was announced this week. The move comes as Sinclair Breweries – operator of the Orkney Brewery and custodian of the Atlas beers…
Read More Caledonian’s Craig Steven joins Sinclair Breweries as commercial manager
First for Orkney as island rum producer sets sail
Orkney’s first rum distillery officially launches its new spirit this weekend, with an infamous island pirate providing inspiration for the brand. J. Gow Rum, created by VS Distillers Ltd, is named after Orcadian pirate, John Gow, who was executed in…
Orkney businesses make finals of tourism awards
THREE Orkney businesses have been shortlisted as finalists in this year’s Highlands and Islands Tourism Awards (HITA), it was announced today (Friday, 29 September). The Ferry Inn, Scapa Scuba, and The Orkney Brewery and Visitor Centre are amongst 55 contenders…
