TRANSECTS

TRANSECTS whaling sessions rescheduled for November 15

October's story sharing event in the TRANTomorrow's planned story sharing event for the TRANSECTS project, focusing on whales and whaling, has been postponed.
Birsay whalebone. (📷 Dan Lee)
Birsay whalebone. (📷 Dan Lee)

The story sharing event for the TRANSECTS project, focusing on whales and whaling, has been rescheduled for Saturday, November 15.

It will now take place in the Robert Rendall Lecture Theatre, ORIC, Stromness (the old primary school building).

Click for a larger version.

Arctic whaling was an important industry for Orcadians in past centuries, and in the 20th century many men joined Antarctic whalers. Local drives of pilot whales and dolphins were common occurrences in Orkney and Shetland, with the oil from blubber used for lighting.  

  • Do you have stories of whaling and whale-related activities? 
  • Did any family members work at the whaling? 
  • Do you have whale bones or scrimshaw from whaling  adventures, or from strandings closer to home? 
  • How have attitudes towards whales changed?

Join us for a talk by Dr Jen Harland, followed by an informal session of sharing stories, where we’d love to see any photographs or objects connected to the story of whales in Orkney. 

There will be two sessions on the day, from 11am-1pm and 2pm – 3.45pm.


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