Happy New Year!
The Sun is shining once more, growing ever so slightly stronger every day. The wind howls. Gilly is as cute as ever, 9 months old this weekend! Rachel has recovered and like the Sun grows stronger. Love is all around.
So as we wake from the Winter Solstice and seasonal slumber … and the numerous storms we have had … I have to admit I have not been doing much on the internet. Certainly not with this site.
I discover the website isn’t working properly … but then I say to myself ‘Hey, there are worse things in life. Be grateful your health is good, Rachel and Gilly are home and safe once more … and the future looks brighter’.
So, yes we got to get this fixed.
In the mean time – some news:
We are off down to Edinburgh the 3rd week of January to meet with some very dynamic social enterprise people and lots of friends … Charlie, Mark, Joy, Ross, Jay, Neil, Sam … and calling in at Aviemore to meet more wonderful people.
I should point out that all though I have not made a song and dance about it, Five Senses is a social enterprise, promoting support for fragile rural communities and environments, using public transport only, teaching sustainable living skills and helping other people connect with their world.
I also hope to spend much of 2012 working with Development Trusts in Scotland … using my experience of operating and marketing hostels … and to do that I’m focusing on my strengths as in StrengthFinder: That says to follow my gut instinct and share my creative and original problem solving. I’ve done it before and I plan to do it again, this time for your business / community.
Now to go fix the blocked drains, feed the baby and sort out the website problem. The Christmas tree can wait.
I have, like so many of you, been mesmerised by the new nature programme from the BBC – Frozen Planet.
Penguins in flight
Tonight’s viewing was titled ‘Summer’ and particularly resonated with me as we saw many species familiar to us here in the Orkney Islands, even though at 59 degrees north we are short of the Arctic. Great to see Skuas, Arctic Turns, Killer Whales and such like. It reminds us how lucky we are to see these here, on our doorstep.
Polar bears
The scene I felt the most affinity with was when the Turns were attacking the Polar Bear to defend their nests! Though they can be nasty here in Orkney, it was a walk across a remote shingle beach of Iceland, with no shelter for over a mile, that I first encountered such a ferocious attack myself. They drew blood from me too – and scared me into the bargain.
Another piece sparked a different memory – when I stumbled across a Snowy Owl here in Orkney, just feet in front of me on the Birsay moors – but that is another story (funny too).
If you get the chance, do watch this series – it is quite amazing. Stunningly beautiful and a joy, showing our planet Earth in much of it’s glory. 10/10
This is what The Guardian had to say about the programme today and it’s host David Attenborough
(Another good example of why the BBC is so important an organisation. Long may it continue).
Here is the link: http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00zj35m/Frozen_Planet_Summer/
As the clocks went back and Halloween slipped by unnoticed, it dawned on me that winter is fast approaching – and I’m excited. I love winter, for not only the stars, wood fires and slower pace of life but because I suddenly get all interested in my website once more – in virtual housekeeping.
So, I’m announcing an ambitious plan to actually sort out all my disparate web pages and get it organised so I can post quality information for you. The plan is to get interesting and informative posts here on the Five Senses website, give you connections to all the resources I know about and keep it interesting.
All this needs Rachel’s support because I don’t know the back end of a computer from a vacuum cleaner or microwave. We all have to specialise, focus on our strengths – and mine is teaching navigation, fire making, survival skills and operating hostels, exploring Orkney and being a walking guide.
So, please keep one eye on this blog – I’m going to be posting info up here about Natural Navigation, the best books and resources, fire making master classes, wild plants and recipes, creative shelter building, Orkney trees and such like.
For now, however, the sun is shining and like a moth to the light – I’m off!
Winter cannot come soon enough, so I can actually write!
Cheers – and have a wonderful Bonfire night.
Malcolm
I am back in production of my hand made Friction Fire Kits!
Bow drill tuition
If you want to get your hands on a full kit, or get spare pieces and extra tinders – get in touch.
More info to follow but a Full Fire Kit includes: Spindle, Base wood, Bowdrill, Cordage, Bearing, Leather, Tinder selection – and detailed instructions – plus ongoing support and tuition (online and on phone).
Price: only £25 plus postage and packaging (approx £5, in UK)
Friction Fire Bowdrill Kit
Note: All woods are carefully selected, seasoned and pre-tested by myself – and are hand crafted with tlc (sometimes it is hard to part). I only use naturally harvested rounds, no planks or off-cuts. These are the real deal – they are beautiful – and they work!
Give me a call – get your orders in for Christmas now.
Malcolm happily making fire
Please note, each fire kit is made to order, using woods I have gathered sustainably on my wanderings.
Should you just require the main components – Spindle and Base - these are available for £15
Tinder selections, dried (various fungi, bark, fluffs and grasses) are £10 per bag. Plus postage.
The best way to learn good technique is from an expert and using a kit that is proven to work 
As of the start June 2011, Five Senses is based in East Mainland with superb views of Copinsay, cliffs, sandy beaches, heath moors, woodland and farmland.
Now that our baby is 2 months old, and the moving is over, we are back to running Bushcraft days, Navigation tuition, guided walks and fire making sessions – every day – to order. Just give us a call or email to arrange something specially for you!
These are exciting times – and nature is in full glory with lots to discover. So get in touch and discover a side to Orkney you never new before.
And as always lots of freshly brewed cups of tea.
Please note – we have just had a baby boy arrive a month early, so quite unexpected!
We have had to fly down to Aberdeen Hospital after he was born, just for a bit of extra support – but will hopefully be back in Orkney within a few days or a week.
Please accept my apologies – I will have to cancel or reschedule work planned for mid April – I hope you all understand.
By the way, he is really cute, 2.9Kg and I am very proud! Born 8/04/2011
I originally wrote about StrengthsFinder on our Touchwood website as we were investigating how this online survey and personal development tool could be used to develop teams and groups — particularly in non-profits and social groups.
I’m posting about it here as well because knowing and honing your strengths is a sound survival strategy. We’re also looking at developing team building activities blending our outdoors courses with StrengthsFinder to make for some memorable and hopefully very useful events.
If you know what you’re naturally good at, and do that every day, you are 300% more likely to be successful in your work and have a better quality of life.
That’s according to research conducted by Gallup of over 10 million people over the past 30 years. Out of these findings, they’ve developed StrengthsFinder, an online survey to assess your top 5 “strengths” out of 34 different possibilities.
What we’re interested in is: can StrengthsFinder help community projects and social enterprises be more successful?
Having done the survey 3 times over the past 6 years, I can definitely say it’s helped me.
I first discovered the book when I worked for Sprint, a telecommunications corporation in Washington, D.C. Back in those days, I struggled to get up in time to go to work. I remember dreading the sound of the alarm clock, the shuffle to put a suit on.
Once I was at the office, my days seemed miles of meetings about nothing. I felt hamstrung by the slow pace of change, the lack of vision. Though initially I was promoted, eventually my performance started to suffer as I cared less and less about my job. I’m sure if I had stayed much longer, I would have been given the boot or quietly sidelined.
The biggest problem at my old job was that I rarely used my talents. I’m a big ideas person and a voracious learner, and there was a limited scope for either as a corporate website manager.
By all accounts, my experience wasn’t unusual. In a recent poll of 1,000 people, among those who “strongly disagreed” or “disagreed” with the statement “At work, I have the opportunity to do what I do best every day”, not one single person felt emotionally engaged on the job.
According to Gallup’s research, if you don’t use your strengths at work, you likely:
Have you ever been part of a volunteer project that seemed to sap your will to live? Meetings drag on, people bicker, action moves at a glacial pace. A good idea, something you’re excited about and eager to help work, slowly becomes a chore, something you dread.
This happens all too often, and I think part of it is because we as a group don’t know our own strengths — and we don’t know anyone else’s.
With Five Senses and Touchwood Project, I get to use my strengths every day. This won’t mean much if you haven’t read the book, but mine are:
Gallup’s research shows people who use their strengths regularly in their jobs are “six times as likely to be engaged in their jobs, and three times as likely to report having a better quality of life in general.”
I have a personal belief in StrengthsFinder and what I think it can do for people. Now we’re interested in how to marry such an intellectual tool with the outdoor-based activities we’re already doing.
If you’ve taken the StrengthsFinder test, post your results here if you feel like sharing them. I’d be particularly interested to hear how you think knowing your strengths has helped you and how you think it could help social enterprises and community projects be more effective.
When I first came to Orkney over 10 years ago, I was not impressed by the apparent walking opportunities. It has taken me years of exploring but now I can proudly say that has changed. I have found fantastic places to go, many off the beaten track where few, even locals, tread.
Orkney inland is dominated by fields of grass with fences of barbed wire or electricity, and more picturesque dry-stone walls.
I came from a background of exploring mountains of Wales, Scotland, Iceland, Europe and America. Big places with drama and diversity. Finding the great walks takes a little more effort – but it is worth it!
The obvious walking is around the coastline and starting from Stromness there are great coastal options.
There is Ness Point, walking out of the town past the golf course and along to the Warebeth beach. You can continue along the coastline north, as far as Yesnaby, Skaill Bay (Skara Brae) and on to Birsay. Not in one day but it is possible and best with a following wind.
What I first encountered all those years ago was peedie (small) walks, often to view an ancient site then return to the car park. OK for car based folks unused to walking far but not very rewarding for me and not getting me close to nature, away from the crowds.
I like many was initially drawn to the cliffs in the west, to Yesnaby and Marwick, for drama. Then later to north Hoy. But what about inland? What about connecting these walks together, to form endless opportunities?
The walks in Orkney are spectacular! It is just not too obvious for visitors where else they can go, how to extend routes, turn them into day long circular walks, or how to avoid fences and irate bulls.
What should one do and not do? Signposts are cropping up, slowly but it is not obvious how to explore freely, without following a procession of other people.
This is where a local walking guide comes in handy.
It never gets very warm or very cold but the wind can make you feel chilled, so always bring a woolly hat, windproof jacket, sunglasses and comfortable footwear. That will keep you warm and able to stay out for hours, summer or winter. Imagine a temperature of 10 – 15 degrees C. It does not get far above 20 degrees, ever, nor much below freezing in winter. Honest.
To feel really comfortable walking in Orkney you best have either prior knowledge or some form of guide, leaflet or map. For all but the simplest (and most walked) routes, some basic map reading ability would help you a lot. There are many places you can legally walk but I will try to help you feel more comfortable and relaxed too.
I am a qualified walking leader, geographer and teacher of outdoor skills, including navigation. I specialise in walking routes others don’t know or use, and evening and night walks, including natural navigation / star gazing. I live in West Mainland, Orkney.
I lead walks for all ages and abilities, encouraging long stops for views, rests in the heather and diversions to see what is round the corner. It is my job to adapt to you and your style, fitness and interests. I watch the weather and the time, whilst you enjoy yourselves.
Over the coming weeks I shall expand upon this blog and give detailed information about my selection of the best walks to discover Orkney by.
First, let me introduce a few classics to start you off:
Here are few of the obvious walking locations. This is a list I will add to over the days and expand upon. Place names can be common, so I give grid references as general locational aides. Use online maps to locate, and ask me for guidance. [Note re Grid References, see bottom page]
The list can go on and on but you get the idea. We have but scratched the surface, however the best walks need planning, weather awareness and transport sorted out, which is why few of these and my other favourite walks get described much. I would love to take you on them, show you what Orkney really has to offer, including meadows, lanes and gardens.
Why not plan before you intend to get going but without spending money or travelling with lots of extra maps, books, and unnecessary guides.
There are many and you will have your favourite but Multimap is good because you can view using the topographical Ordnance Survey maps: The best for walking in Orkney and the ones you’d buy to carry with you. So check them out online first, for free.
For detail, the 1:25,000 scale is best (shows field boundaries, fences, important if walking in Orkney countryside). This is not of much use to you unless you can read a map though. The 1:50,000 scale is an all purpose map packed with information but of limited use when walking other than on the most obvious tracks open hillside and coastline. If you have any doubts write to me for advice.
If you do want to price up the maps in preparation, there are below but please also think to buy them here in Orkney and help local business.
Orkney Islands Council walking info – incomplete but still useful
4 Popular walks: Marwick Bay, Yesnaby, Deerness Gloup and Birsay
Geograph Pictures all over the UK
Many people can be unsure of their legal right to walk places, so they don’t venture off the signposted route or the well trodden path. Many a walk ends in uncertainty and retreat, which is a shame since with consideration and understanding there are many places you can and should go walking.
If you want to read up or get advice you can start by looking at these websites. The Freedom to Roam idea can be confusing. It is also often forgotten that it brings responsibilities. It does however mean that large areas of Scotland are open for you to walk across, path or no path.
RSPB Wardens and Historic Scotland Rangers lead regular walks during the summer months, and I would encourage you to join in with these too. They are lovely people as well as knowledgeable. See local news and VisitOrkney daily information for details.
Five Senses goes beyond “leave no trace” and practices “leave it better than you find it”
For more advice contact malcolm@allfivesenses.com
I have used general / approximate grid references to help you locate the areas I’m talking about, in the hope you will look at maps and start to plan your adventures (with or without me). But what are grid references and how to read them?
Remember that a grid reference defines an area on a map, that looks like a square. The edges of the square are made from lines drawn over the map (blue lines on OS maps), called grid lines. This grid is a ‘system’ which for now you do not need worry about. Just know that it can allow specific defining of locations, just like giving latitude and longitude, or which apartment address by block.
To read a “4 figure grid reference” as I have given above, remember the first two numbers / figures are for the vertical line (runs north – south) and the second two numbers / figures are for the horizontal line.
There is no need to give the numbers of the lines on all four sides of the square because there is a convention, a rule that we always give the line to the left / west of the square, and the line below / south of the square. At least in the UK. Need help remembering that? Think L
L
Left of square and bottom of square.
So the town of Stromness could be referenced by these two grid references (because the town is long and thin, and is clearly in both squares) = 25,09 and 25,08
25 = the line to the left (look on a map and you will find these lines numbered on the edges of the map)
08 = one horizontal line, 09 = another.
These “4 figure” or 4 numbered grid references are defining an AREA and the feature or the location you are talking of can be anywhere within that square. Anywhere. That means all places within that square share the same 4 figure grid reference. And that is a square whose sides are 1 Km long by 1 Km high. A big area. 1000m x 1000m. To be more specific grid references can get more detailed, using 6, 8 or 10 numbers (down to a square 1m x 1m in size, sub-divisions of the larger square).
If you are using the same map as me (of Orkney, Scotland) you will find where I am talking about. However because the numbering of grid lines uses only two numbers (such as 2 and 5 for Stromness, making 25), lines can only be numbered from 00, 01, o2 … up to 98 and 99. The next line after 99 has to be 00 again. So, there are various places in the UK that have the same grid reference numbers. This is why you will also find letters before a full grid reference, to make it unique. For most of Orkney the letters are HY.
So, that is grid references. Read the left vertical line first, then the horizontal line underneath the square.
Here are some of Orkney’s many wonderful places to visit – from a tour with Malcolm.
Orkney is always atmospheric, memorable and surprising – a land of history preserved in stone, protected by distance and heritage, and now open to exploration – right on our doorstep. Here are some of the favourite places we love:
The Iron Age Broch of Gurness in Orkney, north Scotland
The Broch of Gurness is one of the best preserved broch sites in Britain. Some brochs may be taller (a broch is a round tower with double walls, found mostly in northern Scotland, around the coast), but at Gurness there are the amazingly well preserved outer defences and the buildings of a village huddled around it . Most impressive of all is still being allowed to go right inside the site, touch the stones and explore. A beautiful setting too – this site was a highlight of touring Orkney.
Kirkwall Main Street early, before the crowds
Kirkwall is the main town in Orkney - the capital town, with a population around the 7,000 mark. This number is swelled by all the 19,000 or so residents in Orkney, who come from all over the many islands to shop and work and play. In the summer there are also many cruise ships calling by, passengers getting a fleeting look at the famous sites and a little bit of shopping before sailing away. It is much better to stay longer, in one of the many B&Bs, hotels, hostels or the camp ground and enjoy the nightlife too.
Notice the ice cream sign on the left – Orkney ice cream is the best – reflecting the way the cows graze tasty, fresh grass and lead healthy lives, and no doubt craftsmanship in the making too.
Stenness Standing Stones in Neolithic Orkney
The Stenness Standing Stones are in the middle of the Neolithic World Heritage Site and a “must visit” site. Notice I don’t just say ‘must see’? To appreciate these stones and this site you need to get out and walk amongst them – which we can do for free! How cool is that – the oldest henge (like Stonehenge but older) in Britain, probably, and it is open access 24/7. This site holds great secrets too!
The sheep keep the grass down so watch where you step!
Seaweed in morning light at Birsay
One of the delights of Orkney is the amazing coastline and the life it supports. At Birsay, in the NW corner of Mainland, the biggest island, you can get really close, safely, explore rock pools and sandy beaches as you cross the tidal causeway to the Viking and Pictish village remains. This is also a good location to see sea life and sea birds, including a few elusive puffins in summer.
Take time to enjoy the detail – we try to slow down and be fully present and enjoy it as much as life allows. Beach combing or a picnic are great here too. There are also the remains of the Earl’s Palace and public toilets, up by the little shop in Birsay. At the car park there is often a wonderful burger van – recommended!
The way in the "Tomb of the Eagles"
Tomb of the Eagles – a 5,000 year old chambered cairn above stunningly beautiful cliffs of South Ronaldsay (southerly island of Orkney) is so named because of the many sea eagle talons that were found there, as well as human bones, skulls, and mysterious stone objects / tools.
Best of all is that the site is privately run by the wonderful family who discovered and unearthed the site. You can get closer to the artifacts, learn more and visit the Bronze Age house also found on their land. From experience it is best to allow at least 2 hours for a visit – we had lunch there (picnic). See this blog.
"Dwarfie Stane" - Rock Cut Chamber on Hoy, Orkney
The Dwarfie Stane is fantastic – the only one of its kind in Britain – it used to be the most visited site by antiquarians but is now forgotten, so we got it all to ourselves. Three people can crawl inside this huge sandstone boulder that has been hollowed out, experts think by Stone Age people using simple tools and brains. Not much else is known about it – unless you go with Malcolm, who knows secrets about the site and a lot about the surrounding area. Those tourists who do make it here only stay a moment but they are missing one of Orkney’s gems! Very special.
Skara Brae House in Neolithic Village, Orkney
Skara Brae Village, in west Orkney Mainland is the number one tourist attraction. This picture shows one of the “houses” as they are called of the unique village cluster, only exposed after a storm in 1850. The site has been much cleaned up and tidied now and due to visitor pressure you have to keep to the edges of the actual site. Fair enough – the site needs protecting.
This is just a taste of Orkney – yet there is so much else to see and do. I hope it helps you to decide to come and visit these amazing islands and people.
For more information see these websites:
So you want to make fire, without using matches or magnifying glass or even a flint and steel? Here are a few tips to focus you on the most important aspects … get a drink and settle down to read this blog …
Ultimately, if you really want it bad enough, you will get it, you will master fire making … but don’t expect anyone else to do it for you … you have got to WANT to LEARN. You can read all the books and watch endless video clips … but in the end it comes down to how badly you want to do it. If you are in a real survival situation, freezing and dieing, it is a bit late to learn!
Think about your fire making to date – be it camp fires, bonfires, a stove, whatever. The basics are the same:
The Rate of Burn is controlled by you – regulating the amount of oxygen and the size of the fuel, and how much energy is available – how much is being diverted to evaporate off moisture (say from green logs), or radiating or convecting away before it does any use / work warming fuel. (Don’t waste precious heat with a fast burning flaming fire – it looks good but all that heat is warming the atmosphere – not your next fuel which will be cold and damp. Even ‘dry’ fuel contains water!)
Think of fires you have lit, or controlled. Think of the amount of air you let in, the fuel sizes and how you managed the fire. This is it – this is what you do – except, when making fire by friction you are doing it on a mini scale … with tiny fuel, a tiny amount of heat and some amount of water moisture. There is usually plenty of air about outdoors, maybe too much (wind) – so your job is to control this environment in which your tiny amount of heat and fuel is … look after it like it is a new life … protect it, feed it and help it grow.
OK – if you have got that – you are well on your way to making fire!
Practice safely – have water to hand, maybe an extinguisher and ensure the environment around cannot accidentally become fuel itself!!! Think of the wind direction and strength – think of the consequences and what might happen. Always be in control. Never leave a fire unattended until it is totally safe to do so – and if you don’t know that, do not start a fire!
Assess the risk – have you phone connection with the emergency services? Have you a safe exit? Who and what else is potentially in danger? Get it wrong, just once in your life, and you are an arsonist. Don’t!
Fire kills – never play with fire.
bowing technique with a guiding hand to keep spindle upright
bowing using the full length of the bow = good
Careful transfer of charred dust "ember" into centre of tinder
If you want to know more go to the Five Senses fire making courses
Now for some useful links and photos:
The best books on the subject from my library:
Mears, Ray - Outdoor Survival Handbook
Brown, Tom - Tom Brown’s Field Guide to Wilderness Survival
Kochanski, Mors - Bush craft: Outdoor Skills and wilderness survival
Akkermans, Anthonio - Bushcraft Skills and how to survive in the wild
Grylls, Bear - Born Survivor – Survival techniques from the most dangerous …
Montgomery, David - Mountainman Crafts and Skills
Wescott, David - Primitive Technology: A book of earth skills
That’s more than enough! Good luck – and don’t give up!
