About the author

"Here I was reared on this island,
where the green fields roll to the rolling sea.
Here among the seagulls and the falling spray."

My name is Sigurd Towrie.

Born in 1968, I, like my forebears, for countless generations, have lived all my life in Orkney.

I am married to Fiona, who hails from Stromness, about 16 miles to the west of Kirkwall. Together with our sons, Audun and Einar, we live in Blackha', in Kirbister — a small area on the border of the parishes of Stromness and Sandwick.

Our home originally belonged to Fiona's grandfather and sits in the shadow of the hill known as Cringlafjold, about four miles from the town of Stromness and a short distance from the spectacular sea-cliffs of Yesnaby.

Naturally, living in Orkney - as well as family influences - has instilled me with a love of the islands' history, folklore and landscape and I hope some of this appreciation comes across in these pages.