Male part of "blackening" ceremony, Kirkwall

This is a complex and weird tradition that apparently has been going on in the Orkneys for centuries. This one was happening concurrently with the wedding in the cathedral, but apparently unrelated to it, i.e. part of a different wedding.

Letter from Mainland

June 4th 2013
In the Orkney Islands off of the northern Scottish Coast they use "Mainland" to designate the principal island of the archipelago. We have just finished a wonderful six-day R&R in Stromness, Mainland, Orkney. This was meant to be a rest, for sure, from our End-to-End push, but it also provided good times, adventure, fellowship, and wonder. We even did a little bit of cycling. This use of "mainl ... read more

Europe » United Kingdom » Scotland » Orkney Islands » Stromness

Great Britain, the dominant industrial and maritime power of the 19th century, played a leading role in developing parliamentary democracy and in advancing literature and science. At its zenith, the British Empire stretched over one-fourth of the ear... ... read more

Joined	July 6th 2010	Trips	5
Last Login	April 25th 2021	Followers	2
Status	BLOGGER	Follows	2
Blogs	80	Guestbook	199
Photos	714	Forum Posts	0