Laura Drever

All of a sudden another month has appeared and it’s over half way through. The weather has been mixed so far but this week seems to be giving real signs of Spring. Big blue skies and daffodils appearing at the side of the roads and new growth making everything look greener than a month ago.

This morning was so bonny that instead of picking up a paint brush first thing, I popped on my walking shoes and headed a hike. Usually when I walk on my own, there is nobody around.

Today, while standing on the Trig Point at the highest point of the Orkney mainland – Ward Hill in Orphir – an elderly gentleman came and spoke. He told me that he walks this route every week (although hadn’t done it in a wee while). He was heading further from Gruf Hill over Ward Hill and on to Mid Hill before heading back to Stenness. He talked about walking the West side of Hoy, walking it in a day. Catching the Lynness Boat walking all day to get back in time for the Moaness boat at the end of the day. His son does Ironman competitions and they often walk together. He is a dancer. He goes to church and told the story of going up Ward Hill on Hoy, it was mist covered. When he got to the top, the mist cleared for a minute and he could see the Mainland clear as can be. I said “someone must have been listening”. He told me he’d once met a group of youngsters on this walk that were orienteering for their Duke of Edinburgh, he said they looked and sounded like they were having a great time. He had his jumper tied over his shoulders and was wearing walking boots with Berghaus Gaiters.

A wonderful conversation while enjoying the most beautiful view.

Back at the studio now and it reminded me of another conversation I had around 10 years ago while out a coastal walk. Walking from Birsay to Skaill, passing Kitcheners Memorial in Marwick. Kitcheners was getting a facelift and surrounded by scaffolding. The man working on it invited me to the top – having cheekily asked if I could – I had always been interested as to what the view would be like. Up we climbed. On getting to the top the fella asked why the interest in getting to the top. I said, “well I guess not many folk will have been to the top and it would be cool to be one of the few…also as an artist inspired by the Orkney landscape I’ve always imagined the view to be just a peedie bit better”.

And it was.

Then the conversation got even better. We didn’t talk about my art practice, or why Kitcheners Memorial was built, we talked about his hobby. He painted portraits of Elvis and Madonna and I think there was maybe one of Micheal Jackson too. I had my camera with me that day but the battery had ran out so I have no photos of the amazing view or the two of us at the top.

I painted ‘Brough’ (2016) after that walk. My first large scale painting since art school. It hangs in someone’s house that used to live in Orkney, they say it admired everyday.

It’s been nice to walk in the sunshine today. Interaction with others is so important, so much to learn and be inspired by. I’m gonna go and walk the West side of Hoy this year and listen to Elvis and Madonna – sounds like a perfect day to me!

Happy walking and thanks for reading.