New Orkney Antiquarian Journal. Volume 2.

92 pages. £12 per copy

ISBN 0 9535945 1 3

This is obviously not a book as such it is rather an occasional scholarly publication issued by the Orkney Heritage Society together with the Orkney Archaeological Trust. The attraction here is that the journal supplies a very specific view of historical matters relating to the Orkney Isles. One Rosslyn Templar suggested that the recent use of the Kirkwall Scroll in a ‘pop’ history of Scottish Freemasonry was akin to the carpetbaggers of the American Civil War but this Rosslyn Templar, as editor (hopefully pro tempore), considers that to be a wee bitty harsh but quite understands the sentiments expressed. (” ‘ware o’ a’ sa cawed “granny wits yer nummer guisers” particilar fra ferryloupers whey cry am Masonic jimmy” – my Lallands is not, sadly, all that good and I hope, therefore, I have expressed this as the Brother would have wished – Ed.).

This learned tomb contains much of interest not least the papers by Henry Sinclair’s ‘visit’ to north America and the Zeno narrative both of which give a most interesting alternative to that which is presently available in the popular press.

The Contents of Volume 2 are:

Editorial

Earl Henry Sinclair’s fictitious trip to America

The Zeno narrative

The Ladykirk Stone

Nine Men’s Morris Board

The Leper of Newark

A Scandinavian Stave Calendar (sometime belonging to J.W.Cursiter Esq), now in Skaill House, Sandwick, Orkney.

The ‘Wallace’ chair

List of articles collected by Walter Traill

Dennison

Sheriff Court Pages

Recent Books and Papers