A Peedie Bit O' Orkney...

It's a big week in Orkney's second town this week... the annual STROMNESS SHOPPING WEEK, a week long gala, originally designed to bring commerce into a declining Stromness post-war.

It commences on the Monday, when the Shopping Week Queen is crowned (a girl from 4th, 5th or 6th year at Stromness Academy), along with her attendants, page boys & flower girl, and runs to the Saturday, culminating in a fancy dress parade and dance.

There are events for young and old, including the yard of ale competition...

...doughnut eating contest for the kids, the greasy pole, raft race, fancy dress 3-legged race...

...baby contest (which a certain baby Ally won for my age group in 1974); as well as stalls, fairground rides, and much, much more besides.

There's a lot going on, and a lot of fun to be had for locals and tourists alike - it's just a shame the weather's so rotten so far this week... but that's kind of a tradition of Shopping Week!