Nordic Scotland

Volume One

N O R D I C S C O T L A N D

NORDIC SCOTLAND Alex Hobday & Graham Hogg

Nordic Scotland

CONTENTS

Who?

6

Abstract

8

Scale Scotland - An (un)certain future

14

Is Scotland a Nordic Country?

18

A Dual Identity

20

Connecting Scotland

22

Accessible Scotland

24

Possible Scotland

26

A Hanseatic Past

28

A Global Future

30

Stereotyping - Modern Cultural Ties

36

A Dark Sense of Humour

38

‘Our Sea’ and ‘Their Sea’

40

Fishing

42

Shared Conditions - Living on the periphery

44

Knowledge Exchange

46

Renewable Scotland

48

A Nordic Scotland

50

p.4

Nordic Scotland

Orkney

Possible

Orkney - An Introduction

54

Possible Orkney

104

Field Trip - 13-17th November 2012

60

Changing Patterns of Global Shipping

106

Scapa Flow

64

Scapamax

110

Making the Global Local

66

Port of Singapore

112

Mobility

68

Renewables

118

Churchill Barriers

72

Tourism

124

Italian Chapel

74

Case Studies - Population Change

130

Tourism

78

Thurso

132

Cruise Liner Problems

80

Narvik

136

Hatston Pier

82

Torshavn

140

Light

86

Population Migration

144

Pier Arts Centre

90

Darkness

94

Migrating Orkney

150

Hoy’s Renewables

96

Connecting Orkney

160

Hoy - Lyness and the Old Man of Hoy

98

Inhabiting Orkney

168

Our Nordic Scotland

174

Bibliography

176

Where From Here?

100

p.5

Nordic Scotland

Alexander has recently completed his dissertation

After completing his Part I he was employed at

titled ‘Cumbernauld: Identity, location & ownership’

Smith Scott Mullan Associates in Edinburgh for one

an investigation of the changing patterns of

year, working on a variety of projects including a

development of the new town over the past fifty

new ticket office at Stirling Castle, the refurbishment

years.

of The King’s Theatre and a new glasshouse at The Royal Botanic Gardens in Edinburgh.

p.6

Who?

Graham worked at WOHA Architects in Singapore

Preceding this both Alexander and Graham studied

on two separate occassions, where he completed his

at the Universita Degli Studi Roma Tre in Italy

post Part I year out working on the Space Asian Hub

for six months as part of an Erasmus exchange

retail development and Ardmore Park - a high rise

programme.

residential building. For his honours dissertation Graham explored ‘The Architecture of the Wire’; an in depth piece of research on the impact of the TV series ‘The Wire’ upon the post industrial city of Baltimore.

p.7

Nordic Scotland

ABSTRACT

In an uncertain future Scotland’s identity,

lack of connections within this region, however in the

economy and society could become lost - are

Orkney Isles we have identified a strategic location

we a Northern outpost of a European region centred

to instigate new connections. A former Earldom of

around the Mediterranean? Or should we begin to

Norway and later Denmark, Orkney was at the centre

consider this nation as part of a wider Nordic region?

of the historical Western Norse Empire - nowadays remnants of this Norse past are still apparent in

The climate, culture and economy of Scotland

everyday life.

all have more in common with Scandinavia than central Europe, but our society and its architecture

Scotland’s location between the Atlantic and

currently do not reflect this. Exploring the themes of

the North Sea is hugely significant and at present

land and sea we will ask why Scotland is not following

underused as an asset, both for the shipping and

the path of its Nordic neighbours and our main aim is

energy industries. With climate change as a driver for

to uncover situations where Scotland can learn from

changes in both energy production and new global

Scandinavia and examine the feasibility of Scotland

shipping routes, via the North-East passage, huge

as a Nordic country. At a time when the question of

changes to the landscape and seascape are being

Scottish nationality is coming under consideration

made possible in this (un)certain future.

we are looking to examine the culture and society of the wider Nordic region as well as Scotland itself as a

Nordic Scotland aims to examine these changes

place within this region.

and their significance at four different scales: Global, Northern Europe, Scotland and more specifically the

Our initial investigations have identified our current

Orkney Isles.

p.8

Abstract

WHO ARE WE?

p.9

Nordic Scotland

SCALE

“In that the North is composed of several and differing countries, it may appear pointless to speak of a ‘Nordic World’...’The North. That this term is something more than a collective noun is evident; we have already suggested that it encompasses a region of character and identity.”

Norberg-Schulz, Christian, 1996, Nightlands, London:MIT Press

p.10

Nordic Scotland

SCOTLAND An (un)certain future

The uncertainty around Scotland’s future has

We began to realise that not only our politics

always been based around what is happening

and lifestyle, but our culture and built

in the country in the present day. With the

environment can learn a lot from our Nordic

identity of the country under scrutiny we believed

neighbours. After all we share a similar landscape

that it was important to look at this identity and

(of the pictures to the right only one is of Scotland -

understand how Scotland could prosper over the

but which one?), climatic conditions and history with

coming months, years and decades. We began this

Norway, yet not the same satisfaction or prosperity.

study by looking at what was the major factors for

Where we have missed opportunities, our Nordic

this crisis of identity: politics.

neighbours have prospered - and not only Norway, but the other Scandinavian countries as well such as

Over the past 20 years Scotland’s politics have

Sweden and Denmark.

changed drastically, and to continue this trend Scottish politicians are looking at other political

It was at this point we began to ask ourselves the

systems and principles to take predcedent from.

question which many media outlets had ran when

Hollyrood were looking across the North Sea and

Scotland began looking to Norway for answers: is

asking how Norway, a country which we share many

Scotland a Nordic country?

values with, is so much more successful than us in terms of life satisfaction (4th compared to our 25th) and the prosperity index (1st to our 13th).

p.14

Scale

p.15

Nordic Scotland

Based on the Fuller Projection Map, this illustration shows Scotland in its global context

p.16

Scale

p.17

Nordic Scotland

IS SCOTLAND A NORDIC COUNTRY?

Our research began in earnest by ‘googling’

However, it was the many references made to

“is Scotland a Nordic country?” After all, the

Vikings which initially caught our eye. Every Scot

question itself is so broad that we had to narrow it

knows that the Vikings played a major part in the

down somehow. At this point we didn’t know whether

shaping of our country. It is only once we began to

we would produce something small or something

read up on it more, that we realised there was still

large or something in between, but in this modern

some lasting Norse references to be found in Scotland.

era, google was the best place to start.

For example, Scots words like “bairn (child), midden At this point we didn’t realise the sheer scope of the

(dump), muckle (large) and even kilt (from the verb

question and what it would lead to.

kjalta, meaning “to fold”) are derived from Old Norse, while some towns of Scotland like Dingwall, Wick,

Our

search

returned

many

different

articles; one article (from the Copenhagen Post)

Tingwall and Lerwick can all trace their etymology back to the same source.

read “if Scotland gained full independence from the United Kingdom, they would look to their Nordic neighbours for ‘partnerships, trade and key defence relationships...’”, while the BBC ran a story in December 2011 called “How Scandinavian is Scotland?”

p.18

Scale

The map below shows the viking raids throughout Europe and the extent of their empire. The discovery that viking’s drew their maps upside down allowed us to adopt this so that we have a new and different perspective on the Nordic region.

p.19

Nordic Scotland

A DUAL IDENTITY

At this junction we realised that we were

One of the aspects we had already looked at

going to be looking at this at varying degrees

was how Scotland connects to the outside

of scale. The first of these scales was to be Scotland’s

world and we found that, while there was adequate

place within Europe and the world as a whole. As we

flight connections to the rest of the world, the same

delved into this question we found numerous books

could not be said for maritime connections. This was

and articles all asking whether Scotland was a “long-

something which we found quite astonishing as our

lost bit of Scandinavia”. It was not until we found

main physical connection to Norway throughout

the following quote that a breakthrough was made

history has always been through the North Sea -

in garnering some form of answer to this broad and

since Viking times we have had strong maritime

tricky question:

connections with our Nordic neighbours. It was at this juncture that we looked at exactly how few

There is no question which reality Scots would

maritime connections still existed.

rather inhabit, but it was two words which jumped out at us from the quote: “most accessible”.

p.20

Scale

“Scotland has always had a dual identity. Since the Treaty of Union in 1707, its formal position within the UK has defined it as a relatively remote, small, infertile, left-leaning, homogenous, northern nation. But looked at differently, Scotland is the most accessible, second most populous, fertile, ethnically diverse and southern part of the Nordic region. Which reality would you rather inhabit?�

Riddoch, Lesley.

Guardian Dec 2011

p.21

Nordic Scotland

CONNECTING SCOTLAND

Currently there are no direct ferries between the

With this in mind, we could not understand how

mainland of Scotland and any of the Nordic countries:

it could be claimed that Scotland was the ‘most

Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Faroe Islands

accessible part of the Nordic region’.

and Iceland. There are however ferries which run past the two Northern Islands of Scotland (Orkney and Shetland) which connects Scandinavia to Iceland and the Faroe Islands.

p.22

Scale

The map below shows the lack of ferry connections between Scotland and its neighbours in the North Sea.

p.23

Nordic Scotland

ACCESSIBLE SCOTLAND

Then we discovered the map opposite which

“Scapa

was

Government’s

Facility” was proposed as a new European hub for

‘National Planning Framework’ published in

a container transhipment terminal, but it was further

2009 and was part of a document showing what

developed on and the proposal aimed to make it into

Scotland hoped to integrate into its infrastructure

a port connecting global routes as well.

part

of

the

Scottish

Flow

Container

Transhipment

over the coming years. It was all standard predictions such as enhancement of the main airports and looking

Our research had, at this point, shown that this

towards 2014 when the commonwealth games come

container terminal had the potential to create a strong

to Glasgow. There was, however, one project on the

connection between Scotland and the rest of the

government’s top 9 national developments which

world through maritime connections, but this project

nodded towards the question of ‘is Scotland the most

never reached fruition as the worldwide recession hit

accessible part of the Nordic region?’

the majority of Europe hard, Scotland included. Ever since then the project has been on hold.

p.24

Scale

p.25

Nordic Scotland

POSSIBLE SCOTLAND

However, the discovery of the National

something much larger.

Planning Framework pushed our thesis forward and from there we discovered other

If Scotland were to embrace Nordic principles

maritime connections which all pointed towards

of design, politics and lifestyle, it was clear that there

Scotland being the most accessible part of the Nordic

first must be strong modern day physical connections

region.

between Scotland and its Nordic neighbours.

Although a lot of these connections are

Connecting to Norway, Scandinavia, Northern

strategic and conceptual it is important to

Europe and the rest of the world had now

note that these projects could develop into major

became one of the principal focusses and resulted

contributions to Scotland’s economy in the future.

in us unearthing many global, European and local

Maybe not immediately, but in an (un)certain future?

maritime connections. Our research hit upon many

Unequivocally, yes.

different maritime connections throughout history as well.

At this point it was important for us to realise what we were researching. We had began with the broad question of “is Scotland a Nordic country?� and had at this point began to focus our attention on how Scotland connected to not only Norway, but the entire world. We began to consider that this thesis project could potentially be considered as the beginning of

p.26

NOR D I C S CO T L A N D D E P A R T U R E S

COPENHAGEN

KM GAT E 9 7 7 A 0 6 DELAYED

TORSHAVN

BOARD I NG

HELS I NK I

C0 4

NARV I K

ARR I V I NG

S AMSO

B0 2

8 2 4

REYKJAV I K

A1 2

1 3 4 0

S TOCKHOLM

B4 5

1 3 5 9

BERGEN

DEPARTED

MA L MO

A3 0

S TAVANGER

ARR I V I NG

L E RW I C K

C2 1

5 0 6

T AMP E R E

B2 0

1 6 9 6

NUUK

B1 3

2 6 9 5

NORRBOT T EN

A0 8

1 7 6 4

K I R KWA L L

C0 1

3 0 5

DES T I NAT I ON OSLO

1 7 5 0

1 0 7 3

Nordic Scotland

A HANSEATIC PAST

An interesting example of Scotland being part

In both instances we note, again, that the

of a much wider maritime community was its

North Sea is hardly utilised. The lack of activity

inclusion in the Hanseatic League (Hansa)

in North Sea trading and ferry routes, however, is

which ran from the 13th to 17th century. This was a

something which looks set to drastically change over

commercial and defensive confederation of merchant

the coming years.

guilds and their market towns that dominated trade along the coast of Northern Europe. Scotland traded with many towns throughout Europe as part of the league and when we compare the trading ties of Northern Europe between then and now, there is an all too evident difference. Scotland now relies heavily on England for trading at the moment compared to when it was part of the Hansa.

p.28

Scale

Shown on the map are all of the main Hansa towns within northern Europe and their trade routes

p.29

Nordic Scotland

A GLOBAL FUTURE

With the effect of global warming the ice caps

However, it is the potential for connecting

are receding further and further every year,

the Pacific and Atlantic oceans through the

and while this has resulted in higher sea levels and

space which is left from the receding ice sheets which

more unpredictable weather, there are positives of

are most likely to have the most profound effect on

the receding ice sheets. This is something that the

global connections. Currently for a container ship to

Scandinavian countries are all too aware of, and in

make the journey between Northern European ports,

particular Norway.

such as Rotterdam, Zeeburg and Rosyth, they must navigate through the Mediterranean Sea, Suez canal

In

2007

two

Russian

mini-submarines

reached the seabed below the arctic ice sheet

and Indian Ocean before arriving at any of the ports in Asia (Singapore, Hong Kong, Beijing).

and planted a Russian flag there, effectively claiming the land as their own. “Under the UN convention on

With the receding ice sheets the journey can now be

the law of the sea, the five states with territory inside

traversed along the ‘Northern Sea Route’ - a route

the Arctic Circle - Canada, Norway, Russia, the US,

through the arctic connecting Europe and Asia.

and Denmark, via its control of Greenland - have economic rights over a 200-mile zone around the north of their coastline.” With the receding ice sheet the potential for the exploration and drilling of oil and gas could result somewhere in the region of 10bn tonnes worth of hydrocarbons to the country who owns the seabed.

p.30

Scale

40% quciker to use the northern sea route than the suez canal

p.52 p.31

Nordic Scotland

This isn’t something which is new. In fact it

has the potential to integrate all of these maritime

dates back as far as 1525 when a Russian diplomat

strategies, concepts and projects together through

suggested connecting the two oceans together for

its strategic location, which would strengthen ties

trade. Since then ships have navigated the route but

within Europe and also at a global scale.

not in great numbers due to the lack of clear passage.

It is only recently, with the receding ice sheet, that

The ‘North East West Freight Train Corridor’

the route has become navigable. Ice breakers are

is a project aiming to connect the East Coast of the

still needed for the majority of the year, but for four

United States to East Asia by train and ship. The cargo

months of the year the Northern Passage becomes

would begin its journey at an East Coast American

a gateway between Europe and Asia reducing the

city, initially crossing the Atlantic to the town of

journey time by up to 40% compared to taking the

Narvik, Norway. From there it will be moved across

Suez canal. Looking at the map showing both routes it

Europe by rail through the Eurasian land bridge

is clear that the Northern Passage will be one utilised

before arriving in East Asia. With Scotland a through

much more in the future.

route of the first part of the journey it is predicted that Scotland could be used as a stop off point from which

The Northern Passage is not the only trade

trade is spread into Northern Europe from America.

option which is planned for the North Sea though. Two other projects, which are both strategic answers to reducing trading time and pollution while increasing capacity over that of land alternatives, are at the conceptual stage at the moment. Scotland

p.32

Scale

Norther East West Freight Train Corridor . eastern america . narvik . china

p.33 p.52

Nordic Scotland

All these strategies come together to create

This

concept

aims

to

improve

port

a global web of trade with Scotland at the

communications between all countries within

centre, each strategy complementing the other, and

the European Union. While only a concept, the EU

these are all joined together within northern Europe

set out guidelines stating that the ‘Motorways of the

by a proposal put forward by the European Union

Sea’ would maintain a series of quality criteria. These

called ‘Motorways of the Sea’.

would pertain to frequency, port to port costs and simplicity of administration costs with the routes, for example, compensating for congestion experienced much like motorways on land do. One of the issues looked at was how to better the connection within the North Sea and Baltic Sea, a strategy which would ensure better connections between Scotland and the Scandinavian countries.

p.34

Scale

motorways of the sea: 1. Motorway of the Baltic Sea 2. Motorway of the sea of western Europe 3. Motorway of the sea of south-east Europe 4. Motorway of the sea of south-west Europe

p.35

Nordic Scotland

STEREOTYPING Modern Cultural Ties

All

these

differing

elements,

from

the

We began this research by stereotyping

historical connections to global conceptual

countries within Northern Europe from a Scottish

ideas, were important to us and our first impression

perspective and also from a Norwegian perspective

was that wherever we eventually placed our design(s),

- shown opposite. The entire exercise was done as a

it would be influenced at lots of differing scales. The

light-hearted piece of fun, but returned some very

largest of these scales would be the global scale and

interesting results.

how we would knit all of these strategies and concepts together.

Naturally, the next scale we looked at was how to integrate Scotland at a more regional level.

A lot of the research for this had been done from the maritime perspective through looking at the global connections and how Scotland would prosper from a shared global relationship with the Scandinavian neighbours, so we thought it would be important to look at other relationships and ties from a different angle to understand Scotland’s place within Northern Europe.

p.36

Scale

Nordic Scotland

A DARK SENSE OF HUMOUR

While we view our Nordic neighbours as

social themes.

successful countries who have a fantastic lifestyle, their view of us and the United Kingdom

Ian Rankin (bottom left) claims that these

as a whole is something a whole lot more different.

strands of fiction are rooted in national

They view the United Kingdom through the medium

characteristics as we live in “countries where it’s

of television and popular culture, with sitcoms such

dark half the year” and thus tend to have a tradition

as ‘Father Ted’ a prime example of what they imagine

of good storytelling. Rankin goes on to explain that

our countries to be like. And it seems that our modern

“we do share quite a dark sense of humour and a

culture is something which Scandinavians do not

feeling that the world’s messed up” and that “both

only enjoy, but it is something which reappears in

sides tend to share quite a dark view of the human

their television and film.

condition, and are certainly a long way from the Agatha Christie school of crime writing”, and this

Recent years have seen an upsurge in

is none more relevant than the story of Jo Grimond

international

gritty,

(former Liberal MP for Orkney and Shetland) who

Scandinavian crime fiction such as the Wallander

filled out a parliamentary expense form giving the

series (top right), Stieg Larsson’s Millennium trilogy

name of the nearest train station as ‘Bergen, Norway’.

interest

in

gloomy,

(top left) or the Danish TV series The Killing (bottom right). Their success mirrors that of so-called “Tartan noir” writers like Ian Rankin, Val McDermid, Christopher Brookmyre and William McIlvanney, who have also used the detective genre to explore

p.38

Possible Orkney

p.39

Nordic Scotland

‘OUR SEA’ & ‘THEIR SEA’

Our research had returned to the ideal of

The Scandinavian countries surround the

dual identity - as to whether Scotland was part

Baltic Sea with the Baltic countries and Russia,

of northern or southern Europe. Our connection to

however Norway does not view itself as having any

the rest of the United Kingdom is one born on our

ownership of this sea. They refer to the Baltic Sea as

geography - we are physically part of the same island,

‘their sea’ while claiming the North Sea as ‘Our Sea’.

yet we don’t share the same culture or landscape

With Norway intent on utilising the North Sea for

as the rest of the British Isles. Our connection to

its resources such as oil and fishing, this highlights

Scandinavia is one only broke by the open stretch of

further connections between Scandinavia

water between us - and it is the North Sea which leads

and Scotland that aren’t apparent at first.

us to our next maritime connection.

p.40

Scale

The North Sea (west) and the Baltic Sea (east)

p.41

Nordic Scotland

FISHING

Another prime example of our country looking

In the Austevoll island archipelago government

to the east for answers is through fishing, and

help has ensured that a remote community has

the shared sea which we occupy. Scottish Fisheries

been transformed into a successful seafood and

Secretary Richard Lochhead writes that “while in

shipping hub which has generated jobs and boosted

Scotland we have pioneered CCTV on vessels to

population growth. Again, the comparisons between

ensure there is no discarding [of fish]�, Norway has

Scotland and Norway are all too relevant, with our

developed as an independent country free of EU

remote coastal and island communities potential

regulations allowing them more flexibility on quotas

developments for fishing developments to take

and landings, and this has had knock on effects.

advantage of the North Sea and its resources.

p.42

600

600

500

500

400

400

300

300

200

200

100

100

0

0 2000

2001

2002

2003

2004 2005

2006 tonnage value

Quantity and value of landings of all species

by Scottish vessels Source: Scottish Sea Fisheries Statistics 2011

p.43

2007 2008

2009

2010

2011

liveweight (thousand tonnes

value (ÂŁ million)

Scale

Nordic Scotland

SHARED CONDITIONS Living on the periphery

It is this remoteness which takes us to our next

This

same

community

spirit

is

found

scale which looks at remote areas of Scotland and

throughout this remote area, which includes

puts them into context with that of western Norway,

Norway, Iceland and the Faroe Islands. One of the

the Faroe Islands and Iceland. All of these places are

main examples of this community spirit is found in

very remote in relation to the wider world and find

the Faroe Islands; but they have approached this in a

themselves in the far north of Northern Europe, yet

much different manner.

all are rather prosperous and take advantage of their situation. In 2012 polls Orkney and Shetland

Their proposal is to have the Faroe Islands as one

were voted as the happiest and least anxious

large city where smaller pockets of population, such

places to live in the entirety of the United

as villages and small communities, would connect

Kingdom along with other parts of northern

together and commute to larger areas where the jobs

Scotland. After looking into why they came top it was

were. The commute time would be something

clear that for most people “access to local services,

similar to that of a city but the island communities

transport, noise, safety and health� all contribute

would remain intact.

to their happiness, but that the main reason is that the island communities of Orkney and Shetland are much more close-knit than those of urban areas.

p.44

Scale

The Northern periphery countries all have similar landscape features and climatic conditions. The inner circle shown below represents the shared conditions of the islands of Orkney, Shetland, Faroe Islands and Outer Hebrides

p.45

Nordic Scotland

KNOWLEDGE EXCHANGE

Further to this we found out that there was

Knowledge exchange is something that is

a system of knowledge exchange between all

happening already with organisations set up to

these different remote places. Orkney had been

discuss how Scotland’s economy, architecture and

approached by the Faroese for insights into how

society can learn from our Nordic neighbours. A

they managed to run such a successful ferry system

non-profit organisation called ‘Nordic Horizons’ is

between their islands - something the Faroese were

one such program which invites people in charge of

keen to improve on - while in Kirkwall, Orkney, there

successful schemes or initiatives within Scandinavia

is a campus for the ‘University of Highlands and

to Scotland to lecture. These happen on a regular basis

Islands’ called “Centre for Nordic Studies” which is

and we have so far been to two - the first discussing

“identified primarily in terms of their Nordic cultural

Helsingborg’s ‘Energy from Waste’ scheme, and the

and linguistic heritage”.

other showing Samso’s development as a carbon neutral town.

Further to this the CPG on Architecture and the Built Environment is set to host a lecture named ‘A Design Model for Rural Tourism and Economy – Learning from Norway’ in February 2013 which we will attend.

All of these show that there is a good base of knowledge exchange on which Scotland can continue to develop its ties to Nordic principles.

p.46

Scale

p.47

Nordic Scotland

RENEWABLE SCOTLAND

The most important find, however, came when we

Our Nordic neighbours - this time Denmark

began to look into further institutions within this

- transformed the town of Samso into, not only a

remote northern part of Europe and how it would

carbon-neutral town, but also a town which produces

connect all of these areas together. Again it was on

10% more electricity than it needs and feeds it back

Orkney.

into the grid at a profit.

With countries now looking at renewable energy

The renewables revolution in Samso has seen

as alternatives to fossil fuels, it is Orkney who

all of the fossil fuel plants dismantled and they are

are at the forefront of the renewables industry

now replaced by wind farms, bio-mass plants and

with the European Marine Energy Centre found

fields of solar panels. Their efforts are something

in Stromness, Orkney. Much like the coastal areas

they believe can be emulated throughout the world

of western Norway, Faroe Island, Iceland and the

in the near future, and in Orkney we find a Scottish

Shetland Islands, Orkney has the potential to utilise

community attempting just that. It hopes that by

its wave and tidal power and become a pioneer in the

2020 they wukk be able to produce 1.6GW of energy

research and development of wave and tidal power.

from wave and tidal power - enough to power 20,000

However this, of course, is not the first wave and tidal

homes.

development site in the world.

p.48

Scale

Samso’s wind power has been one contributor to the small island reducing its carbon footprint by 140% over a ten year period

p.49

Nordic Scotland

A NORDIC SCOTLAND

It had now become apparent that we had found the

As part of the Northern Periphery of Europe,

next scale which we would look at: the Vikings had

Orkney is well suited to combine all of these factors

settled here from the 10th century onwards using it

together and our site specific research into Orkney

as a base for their raids on Scotland, England and

began in earnest by visiting it in early November

Ireland; this archipelago sits at a strategic location

2012. It is important to note at this point that we were

to tie in the ‘Motorways of the Sea’, the ‘Northern

intent on making sure to integrate all the differing

Passage’ and the ‘North East West Freight Train

scales of study into our projects so that each strategy

Corridor’; and it, Orkney, has physical,

or concept relied on each other and developed in

cultural, linguistical, strategical, modern

conjunction with each other.

and historical connections to our Nordic neighbours in Scotlands (un)certain future.

It is a site which we hope will bring together all of the strategies and conceptual ideas we have researched, and a place which would connect Scotland to the global, regional and local community.

p.50

Scale

p.51

Nordic Scotland

ORKNEY

p.52

Nordic Scotland

ORKNEY An Introduction

Orkney, or the Orkney Isles, is an archipelago

The islands are also subjected to strong tidal

situated at the northern tip of Scotland. Along

currents resulting in frequent whirlpools. The

with Shetland, it is known as one of the Northern

islands are also notable for their absence of trees,

Isles and has a population of 20,100 (census 2005)

which can be partially credited to high winds from the

of which almost half live within the main town and

‘Atlantic Ocean’ and ‘North Sea’ which are separated

capital of Orkney, Kirkwall.

by the Orkney Isles.

Orkney covers 975 sq km with the majority of

The islands can be separated into three main groups:

the islands low-lying apart from the second largest

Mainland, the North Isles and the ‘South

island called ‘Hoy’ where cliffs reach a height of up to

Isles’. The ‘Mainland’ is the largest island with the

350m. The majority of the islands have lochs, but the

two largest settlements, ‘Kirkwall’ and ‘Stromness’,

watercourses are only streams or burns which drain

found on it. The island is the heart of the transport

the higher land, while the islands are separated by

system connecting to the North and ‘South Isles’

straits of water generally called ‘sounds’ or ‘firths’.

with a local ferry system. Ferry and air connections connect ‘Orkney’ to the outside world through the ‘Mainland’.

p.54

Orkney

Population by Gender

Population

source: National Records of Scotland 2012

source: National Records of Scotland 2012

20,160 Male

Land

source: Highlands and Islands Enterprise National Planning Framework for Scotland 2012 Orkney

Scotland

1.28%

98.78%

Female

Population by Age

source: National Records of Scotland 2012 %

%

%

0-15

16-59

+60

Migration

Scottish Inhabitants

source: National Records of Scotland 2012

source: National Records of Scotland 2012

%

%

In

Out

Life Expectancy

source: National Records of Scotland 2012

Scotland - 5,295,000

Male: 77.3

Orkney - 20,160

p.55

Female: 81.4

Nordic Scotland

“Some of us like to think of ourselves as ‘sons of Vikings’...No doubt the Norsemen who settled in the islands, and farmed and traded and fished, form an important strain in the modern Orcadian.”

Mackay Brown, George; Portrait of Orkney, 1981

The ‘Mainland’ hosts many historic sites from

The ‘South Isles’ surround ‘Scapa Flow’ which

Neo-lithic, Pictish and Viking eras which contribute

is one of the world’s great natural harbours,

to the high tourist numbers which arrive on the

with sufficient space to hold a number of navies.

island through the summer months, while a large

‘Scapa Flow’ was widely used throughout World

percentage of the land is used for farming due to the

War II resulting in a large population on the island

land being much more fertile than that of the other

of ‘Hoy’. It, and its neighbouring islands (of which

islands.

an oil terminal is one), is connected to the Mainland by the local ferry service while the other islands of

The ‘North Isles’ are linked to the ‘Mainland’ by local

‘South Ronaldsay’ and ‘Burray’ are connected to the

ferries and the local air service, ‘Logan Airways’.

‘Mainland’ by the ‘Churchill Barriers’ - one of the

Farming, fishing and tourism are the main sources of

many remnants of World War II.

income for most of the ‘North Isles’.

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Nordic Scotland

FIELD TRIP 13 - 17 November 2012

Our site specific research began in early

Of course, with our thesis project based on connecting

November 2012 with a field trip to Orkney.

Scotland to the Nordic region and beyond through the Orkney Islands it was not long before we found

Our journey from Glasgow to Scrabster, just

our first Norse reference - the ferry’s name was

on the outside of Thurso - where we would take a

Hamnavoe - or in Old Norse, ‘Home Port’. This

ferry across to Orkney - was made by three buses

was not the only reference. The dialect now spoken

with each new leg of the journey bringing us to a

was very different from a normal Scottish accent and

more and more remote location before coming to the

seemed to be a crossbreed of Scottish and Norwegian.

small pocket of population called Thurso. Until the

If we needed any further evidence in our minds, we

1950’s this area was in social and economic decline,

had it.

however the introduction of the ‘Dounreay Nuclear Power Development Establishment’ created new opportunities throughout the region and Caithness now prospers because of it. The area also now boasted one of the main connections to the Orkney Isles and it was at Scrabster on the outskirts of Thurso where we boarded the ferry to Orkney.

p.60

Orkney

p.61

Nordic Scotland

Waterfront, Hamnavoe What are generations, But turnings of the stone pages of time? There were stone piers, houses, stores, shops, offices; And ships with frail wings.

Mackay Brown, George; Orkney Pictures & Poems, 1996

We arrived in the port town of Stromness at

Norse ‘Earls of Orkney’ who ruled during the Viking

10pm after setting off from Glasgow at 10am that

occupation.

morning - a 12-hour trip which only covered 300 miles. This was the first problem that we hit upon - the

Kirkwall, which again transcends from Old

lack of proper connections to the Northern Isles even

Norse (‘Kirkjuvagr’ meaning ‘church port’), is

though the Scottish government had earmarked the

found on the ‘Mainland’ of Orkney - the largest island

Inverness to Thurso route as a ‘National Transport

of some 70 plus in the archipelago, of which 20 are

Corridor’ in the ‘National Planning Framework’.

inhabited. It has a population of roughly 8,500 and

When we arrived on Orkney itself though, the

is where we were based for the three days of research

situation was somewhat different.

on the islands.

The ferry linked with the bus service to ensure that people arriving in Stromness were able to get to the main town as soon as they arrived - and this was the same situation at the other end of the line where the bus terminated at ‘St. Margaret’s Hope’ with it linking in to the other port which serviced Scotland’s mainland. We arrived in the main town of Kirkwall a little after 10pm, a town with a skyline dominated by ‘St. Magnus Cathedral’ - built in 1137 this stands as a lasting reminder of the rule of the

p.62

Orkney

p.63

Nordic Scotland

SCAPA FLOW

At this beginning of our field trip the following

Our discussion with him began by asking

day we were keen to take in as much of Orkney as we

about the potential for the transhipment

could while focussing on the area of ‘Scapa Flow’ (one

container terminal within ‘Scapa Flow’. Originally

of the largest natural harbours in the world) as we

the terminal was due to be sited on the second largest

did not know exactly what we were aiming to produce

island on Orkney called Hoy, however, we were

except that it would involve some form of shipping

informed that this was not going to be the case as

terminal or port situated in ‘Scapa Flow’. Our first

the water was not deep enough. An alternative site

port of call was a meeting we had arranged with

has been proposed on the south-east island of ‘South

the Business and Development Manager for

Ronaldsay’ near the third largest population centre

Infrastructure at the small pocket of population

on Orkney, and one of the previously mentioned

called ‘Scapa’ - the hub for all activities which goes on

connections to the mainland, ‘St. Margaret’s Hope’.

within the waters of Scapa Flow.

p.64

Orkney

SCAPA FLOW

p.65

Nordic Scotland

MAKING THE GLOBAL, LOCAL

The discussion clearly showed that there was

We also found out about further regional strategies

potential to bring global scale strategies to the

which we wanted to integrate into the European

hub within ‘Scapa Flow’ which we were intending

hub

to propose. This would entail exploiting the Northern

‘Sutranet’ (Sustainable Transport Research

Passage and the North East West Freight corridor,

& Development Network in the North Sea

linking this together with the motorways of the sea

Region) project. We discussed our ambition to

and enabling Orkney to be Northern Europe’s hub

bring all these different scaled maritime projects to

for transhipment containers before they would be

Orkney. The discussion was then brought to Orkney

distributed in smaller boats to send to northern

scale as we were informed of the extent of the ferry

Europe’s ports - this was especially relevant when

links to and from Orkney as well as the interior ferry

we noted Rotterdam’s inability to receive the current

links.

largest container ship, the Malaccamax.

p.66

such

as

the

‘Hurtigruten’

and

the

Orkney

The map below shows the potential that Orkney has to be the European hub for maritime connections throughout northern Europe

p.67

Nordic Scotland

MOBILITY

The Orkney ferry service has been operated

Orkney is also well serviced between the

since 1865 and is a large socio-economic contributor

islands and the mainland of ‘Scotland’ with

to the islands of Orkney. The ferries form a vital

a ferry service between each of the following ports:

link between the Mainland and the outer islands

Kirkwall to Aberdeen, Stromness to Scrabster and

transporting passengers, vehicles, freight and even

St. Margaret’s Hope to Gill’s Bay. Another ferry links

livestock on a daily basis.

Kirkwall to the Shetland Islands. There are, however, no direct ferries which connect to Iceland, the

312,000 passengers and 80,000 vehicles

Faroe Islands or any of the Scandinavian countries;

are transported on average per year, with nine ro-

something we were keen to integrate into our new

ro ferries distributing to the separate islands. Two

vision for Orkney.

passenger-only ferries also operate.

p.68

Orkney

Orkney’s inter-island ferry system is one of the main successes which the council promotes. Faroe Islands have asked the Orkney Isles for their guidance on running an equally successful ferry system there

p.69

Nordic Scotland

Our field trip to Orkney was taken by bus, so getting

However, one aspect which changed during World

around a group of islands which cover such a vast

War II was the mobility between the Mainland and

area resulted in us hiring a car. Although there

the South Isles when Italian prisoners of war built the

is a strong and healthily used ferry system,

‘Churchill Barriers’ connecting the islands of South

the same can not be said for other forms of

Ronaldsay, Burray, Glimps Holm, Lamb Holm and

public transport within the islands. However,

Mainland all together.

this does not mean to say that there isn’t a good sense of mobility. Generally every town on the ‘Mainland’ is drivable and a night bus runs on Friday and Saturday nights for those who go for drinks within the main towns of Kirkwall and Stromness.

p.70

Orkney

The map below shows the road connections throughout Orkney - with a density of 20 people per sq km, the road system is a vital lifeline

p.71

Nordic Scotland

CHURCHILL BARRIERS

On the night of the 13th of October 1939,

The Churchill Barriers were built to prevent

Gunther Prien maneuvered his U47 around the

such atrocities happening again, and were

surface of Scapa Flow. At this point, it was the

conceived by the start of 1940. The Churchill Barriers

beginning of World War II and many British navy

were to be roads which connected the southern

ships were situated within Scapa Flow. That night

islands of South Ronaldsay, Burray, Glimps Holm

the U-boat sunk the battleship Royal Oak with a loss

and Lamb Holm together, and also closed off all

of 800 lives. Until this point, Scapa Flow had many

entrances to Scapa Flow bar two - one via the Pentland

entrances through which an enemy vessel might

Firth, and the other at Stromness. By the end of the

pass, but after the sinking of the Royal Oak one of the

second world war they were completed and as George

largest constructions within Orkney’s history took

Mackay Brown notes in his book ‘Orkney - Pictures

place.

& Poems’; “the islanders in five islands should wake one morning and say, ‘I am an islander no more’” Previously these islands relied on boats to get to the mainland, but were now connected together.

p.72

Orkney

p.73

Nordic Scotland

ITALIAN CHAPEL

One of the main war time stories of Orkney

to see it through to its completion.

was the building of these barriers and their prevention of further attacks from enemy

Built from two Nissen huts by the prisoners it

forces. However, the barriers were constructed by

stands today as a reminder of one of the main symbols

enemy forces - Italian prisoners of war who were held

of reconciliation during the war. In 1996 a declaration

at “Camp 60” on Lamb Holm. The Churchill Barriers

was signed between Orkney and Chiocchetti’s

were only half of their story though.

hometown of Moena reinforcing the ties between the two places. With our proposal looking at different

Remnants always remain when people from

kinds of people living on and visiting Orkney we

different countries visit, and stay somewhere,

must consider in our proposals the different cultural

and in Orkney’s case a small building on Lamb Holm

aspects which migrate to the islands because of that.

called the ‘Italian Chapel’ is exactly that.

The Italian prisoners of war built the Italian Chapel as somewhere they could use a reflection space and it is now one of the most visited tourist sites within Orkney with over 100,000 visitors per year. The chapel wasn’t completed until after the war had finished when most of the prisoners were released and shipped back to Italy. One man (named Domenico Chiocchetti), though, stayed on the island

p.74

Orkney

Nordic Scotland

TOURISM

The Italian Chapel is also the most visited

developed to accept the largest cruise liners in the

tourist destination on Orkney, and the tourism

world - extending it by 385 metres. The reasoning for

industry was another topic which we discussed

Orkney’s popularity is clear to see with world heritage

with the Business and Development Manager for

sites dating back to 3100BC, nature reserves which

Infrastructure.

are famous for their birds and wildlife set amongst 750,000 acres of actively managed land, war relics

Orkney has now been welcoming cruise ships

such as the Italian Chapel and also museums and

for almost 30 years, and the islands popularity is

arts and crafts shops such as the Pier Arts Centre in

only gaining momentum. With an average of 75 cruise

Stromness.

liners per year docking in the three ports capable of receiving the ships, Orkney has become the top tourist

Add to this the Highland Park distillery and

destination within the British Isles. On average these

the sought after meat and fish products, it is easy to

ships bring a total of 40,000 passengers and 15,000

understand Orkney’s popularity with tourists. The

crew members per year to Orkney’s shores, and with

tourism industry is a key contributor to the economy

cruise ships gaining in size all the time that number

of Orkney, and there has been a lot of investment put

is only expected to increase.

into it with “up to 40 comfortable, modern 45-seater coaches, skilled local drivers and over 30 accredited

We found out that Orkney have predicted

and highly-trained local guides” all part of making

this influx as we were shown one of the three

tourists have the best possible experience while on

piers which can accept cruise liners - Hatston,

Orkney. The map across shows the main cruise ship

just outside Kirkwall. This pier is currently being

routes into Orkney.

p.78

Orkney

p.79

Nordic Scotland

CRUISE LINER PROBLEMS

We discovered through our discussion that

Another problem which the Orcadian council have

there are underlying issues with the cruise

encountered is the language barrier which comes

ship industry in Orkney which aren’t being

with the seasonal cruise ships. Orcadian shops

addressed. Of the 15,000 crew members which dock

and businesses are keen to sell their products and

in Orkney a mere 38.3% leave their ship with most

services to tourists, however with a lack of businesses

just remaining in their cabin while the tourists visit

employing multi-lingual staff, tourists are often dis-

the site. This is an un-tapped market for Orcadian

encouraged in venturing into the main towns to use

shops and businesses and something which could

the main shopping streets. This is especially an

have a significant contribution to the local economy.

issue for tourists arriving at Hatston pier.

Aberdeen Harbour invested in a seafarers consulate to encourage crew members from the boats when they were docked in their harbour, and this is something which could be a viable option for Orkney as well.

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Nordic Scotland

HATSTON PIER

Hatston is the main pier which is used by

This has had a positive effect but an easier link

cruise ships and is just over 2km’s outside Kirkwall.

between Kirkwall and Hatston is something

Found within an industrial park on the outskirts

we discussed, and something which is at the

of the town, the lack of accessibility to the main

back of Orkney council’s mind. The discussion

population centre is something which is reminiscent

resulted in light-hearted comments such as, “it seems

of Ryanair’s destinations within Europe and their

that every time a cruise ship arrives the ‘Edinburgh

relationship to the cities they advertise as going to,

Woolen Mill’ in the town centre is having a sale”

and this has resulted in the council attempting to

which all point towards the positive effect of this idea.

bring tourists into the cities to bring money to their economy by having half of the tourist buses take people to Kirkwall and Stromness while the others visit the tourist sites throughout the islands.

p.82

Orkney

884m Length of Hatston Pier after the addition of the 385m making it the longest commercial pier in the United Kingdom

p.83

Nordic Scotland

LIGHT

The majority of our research has focussed

different level of light - a pleasant surprise in Scotland

on Orkney’s maritime connections and the

at winter time. Each of these historical sites are key

potential the archipelago has for future development.

contributors to the Orcadian tourism industry.

There are, however, some very different elements of Orcadian life which have contributed to it being a top

These span different eras with the Standing Stones

tourist destination.

and Skara Brae dating back to neo-lithic times (some of the best preserved and oldest of their

On the second day we were on the road before

kind within the United Kingdom), while the Broch

8am. On this day we were aiming to visit all of the

of Gurness and Earl’s Palace are more modern in

main tourist sites and began by arriving at Orphir

relative terms - the Broch dating back to between

Round Kirk just before sunrise, and this was to be

200-100BC and the Palace dating back to the 17th

the first of many times throughout the day where we

century.

were introduced to the unique light levels found this As we made our way to Stromness we captured

far north.

the afternoon sun lowering in the sky across the The light was completely unique and something

island of Hoy - another prime example of the different

we do not experience living in a city only a few

light qualities prevalent throughout Orkney. Arriving

hundred miles south. We visited the Standing

in Stromness we were again subjected to a different

Stones of Stenness, Skara Brae, the Earl’s

form of light - this time artificial and coming from one

Palace at Birsay and the Broch of Gurness on

of the most celebrated modern pieces of architecture

the second day and each time were introduced to a

within the islands - the Pier Arts Centre.

p.86

Orkney

Found at 57 degrees North and 3 degrees West, the Orkney Islands have a a period in the summer where the sun sets for only 5 and a half hours - this is known in the Northern Isles as ‘simmer dim’

p.87

Nordic Scotland

PIER ARTS CENTRE

Stromness

has

a

distinct

and

unique

However, our visit revealed the architects’ careful

foreshore of stone piers that span the high and

design had considered Orkney’s natural light,

low watermarks. The Pier Arts centre is a building

and this resulted in exquisite lighting qualities within

which is designed with a considerable amount of

the galleries. The use of translucent glass infills

thought put into its context. It occupies a strategic

and zinc ribs are part of a facade which shifts from

location within this stone fringe - adjacent to the

solid to void allowing people viewing the galleries to

point of arrival of the Hamnavoe, it is one of the

always have a sense of place as the openings frame

first things seen as you step from the ferry onto the

the view over Stromness’ port. This careful

Orkney islands. Split over three separate buildings,

consideration by the architect of all of Orkney’s

the Pier Arts Centre layout is very aware of what it

elements is something that we must look to employ

is exhibiting - in the original pier building we found

within our buildings.

contemporary art, while the modern building running parallel to it contains temporary artwork. The other element of the building is the administrative centre with the entrance and a library.

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Nordic Scotland

DARKNESS

As we left the Pier Arts Centre it was only half past

smaller towns find it difficult to find the amenities

four, however the darkness of night had taken

and recreational facilities that they need. This then

full effect and this brings us to another problem we

has a knock-on effect with Orcadians having a higher

experienced first hand within Orkney.

than normal percentage of adults drinking alcohol.

On the three nights we were there we went to the pub,

Our accommodation for the time that we

as in the winter months there is very little else to do

were in Orkney was with the French and

at night.

German language assistants on the islands.

These two graduates service all of the secondary

This is a problem which is faced throughout

schools throughout Orkney (with one taking a plane

Nordic countries, however they encourage people

to the outer North Isles on a regular basis). When we

to get outside to do sports and activities. Almost half

visited Orkney they had only been in employment

of the Swedish population are members of a sports

for a few months but, as we discovered, were finding

club while the Faroe Islands have a floodlit synthetic

certain aspects of life difficult because of the winter

pitch in every village and town. This lack of options is

months and lack of light - the winter months only

something which needs addressing, and is a problem

see a maximum of 9 hours natural light per day. One

which is prevalent throughout Scotland. Orkney is

tried to go to a sports centre one night but arrived

likely to see a population increase as industries such

back only a small amount of time later with his rock

as renewables develop in size on the islands so more

climbing being double booked with another sport.

people will be vying for the same amount of facilities.

While this is not an extensive problem within the main

It is with the renewables industry where we began

towns, where enough sports facilities are provided,

day 3.

p.94

Orkney

In the winter months, the aurora borelias are often visible around the Orkney Isles. The auroras are formed when highly charged electrons from the solar wind interact with elements in the earth’s atmosphere

p.95

Nordic Scotland

HOY’S RENEWABLES

Our day began before dawn to catch the

to be a large problem.

ferry from Houton on the Mainland to Lyness on Hoy. After our meeting with the Business and

Hoy is another test site for the renewables

Development Manager for Infrastructure on the first

industry and our first viewing of some of the

day we had garnered exactly how much development

equipment was near the pier at Lyness. The sheer

the renewables industry was causing on the seascape

size of the pieces of equipment mean that they will

of Orkney. He explained to us that even though the

be extremely difficult to navigate once they are in

industry’s boom is a positive influence on the local

the water, with Lyness having only one piece of

economy it does not come without its problems.

equipment.

He highlighted the sites which were going to be used for phase one of the European Marine Energy Centre’s master plan for Orkney and then showed us how this would affect the local ferry services as well as how cruise ships arrive at Orkney ports. With some 2000 pieces of renewables equipment set to be placed within Orkneys waters, navigating these is going to be a challenge. The coordination and placement of these to best suit both the maritime connections as well as gaining best results from the equipment is something which is set

p.96

Orkney

1.6GW amount of energy predicted to be produced by 2020 through tidal and wave systems throughout Orkney

p.97

Nordic Scotland

HOY Lyness and the Old Man of Hoy

During the war Orkney swelled to over three

Our journey to Hoy was intended to let us see

times its pre-war population. Lyness on Hoy

both Lyness and the Old Man of Hoy. However,

was the main naval base and resulted in 12,000

the difficulty experienced in getting to the later

troops staying on the island during World War II.

resulted in us viewing it from the confines of our ferry

The base, known as HMS Proserpine, was used for

as we returned to the mainland of Scotland. The lack

many different naval activities throughout the war,

of mobility within Hoy is definitely one aspect which

and this resulted in the creation of new houses as well

has lead to its declining population.

as a cinema, theatre and churches.

However, today there are only a few buildings left which indicate this huge fluctuation. After the war, naval workers left Orkney and ever since the population has been declining. However, the buildings which do remain are an interesting option for tourists. With currently only one ferry servicing the island, ease of access means that they are not well visited. This is also the case for the Old Man of Hoy, a natural outcrop on Hoy’s coastline.

p.98

Orkney

p.99

Nordic Scotland

WHERE FROM HERE?

Our Orkney trip was an extremely helpful and

Our research since then has been focussed on how

fact finding journey, and we returned to Glasgow

Orkney, a small archipelago separating the Atlantic

with a much better idea of what was needed on

Ocean from the North Sea, can develop as an initial

Orkney and what was not.

‘Nordic Scotland’ which will make it, and Scotland in turn, a hub of activity in many different industries (namely shipping, renewables and tourism), but also a place which will have a profound and lasting effect on the global, regional and local environment.

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Nordic Scotland

POSSIBLE

When we arrived back from Orkney we began to realise that this project was not something which was based on fantasy or a utopian world, but instead based on real facts and a very possible (un)certain future. The next chapter in this book explains how all these elements are linked together at an Orcadian scale and how they lace together what we have discussed so far. This web of strategies, concepts and ideas are all brought together in the three overlapping themes: Connecting, Migrating and Inhabiting.

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Nordic Scotland

POSSIBLE ORKNEY

One of the main catalysts for this project

The European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC)

has always been the container transhipment

founded in Orkney in 2003 has made the Islands

terminal for which Orkney provides an ideal location

a global centre for the development and study of

with access to the Atlantic, the Northern Passage

marine renewable technologies, with the test facilities

through the Arctic, the North Sea and the Baltic.

currently producing an energy surplus which can be

Combined with our new found knowledge of the

exported to mainland Scotland, this industry has the

possibilities offered by the renewables and tourism

potential to boost the local economy considerably.

industries we must begin to discuss the importance and implications that these new developments can

Meanwhile at Hatston Pier just outside Kirkwall,

have on Orkney.

the world’s largest cruise ship will be making a call in 2013 - Kirkwall becoming the UK’s most popular

The container terminal is set to be a hub of

cruise destination with over 70 vessels now calling

maritime activity within northern Europe.

there per year, forming a huge part of the

The strategic positioning of Orkney means that it will

local tourism economy as these vessels call

have a profound impact on the changing patterns of

at other destinations around the North Sea,

international shipping. In the summer months of

North Atlantic and beyond. In this chapter we

April to October the container ships going between

will explore the possibilities that Orkney may come

Europe and Asia will use the Northern Passage, while

across in the near future; through examining these

the Suez canal will be utilised throughout the winter

industries and specific case studies of what has been

months to compensate for the increased ice flow on

possible in other parts of the Nordic region.

the Northern Passage.

p.104

Possible Orkney

If we consider for a moment all the potential which Orkney currently has, is the Orkney Arctic Line really that improbable?

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Nordic Scotland

CHANGING PATTERNS OF GLOBAL SHIPPING

Orkney’s position at the cusp of the Atlantic,

to smaller short sea vessels to be distributed to the

the North Sea and the Arctic means it has always

ports of the North Sea and Baltic. This forms a new

been a significant shipping location throughout

hub and spoke trading network centred around the

history, from the Vikings to the Hudson Bay Company

Orkney Islands, a modern-day Hanseatic League.

to the North Sea oil companies. However the changing patterns of global shipping mean that Orkney will

Transhipment via Scapa Flow would reduce a

once again find itself in a central position, its location

ship’s port rotation in Europe by many days

as well as it’s natural deep water harbour puts it at an

as it would only have to call at one port rather than a

advantage over every other port in Europe.

multitude of ports. The containers are then shipped across Europe

Larger and larger container vessels are taking to the seas - Malaccamax vessels capable of

Perhaps we can envision a new type of

carrying up to 18,000 TEU (twenty-foot equivalent

container vessel specially adapted to Scapa

units) up to 400m long, 60m wide and with a draft

Flow and the North East Passage - Scapamax

of 21m constricted by the waterways of the Straits of

- a vessel which can traverse the dangerous Arctic

Malacca on the approach to the port of Singapore -

waters safely with its 100 km long ice flows and can

these vessels are far more fuel and cargo efficient,

take advantage of the deep water shipping lanes

however the ports of Europe struggle to accommodate

approaching Scapa Flow.

vessels of this size. At Scapa Flow the natural deep water harbour can easily accommodate vessels of this

The North East West Freight Corridor presents

size, the containers unloaded and then transferred

further opportunities for Scapa Flow, bringing

p.106

Possible Orkney

The map below shows all of the connections (global, regional and local) which would make Orkney the centre of the European shipping trade

p.107

Nordic Scotland

freight by land across China, Russia and Scandinavia,

A further opportunity is integration with the

goods are then loaded onto ships in Narvik, Norway

SUTRANET (Sustainable Transport Research &

to be shipped to ports in Europe and across the

Development Network in the North Sea Region)

Atlantic. By connecting into this route and other

proposal. This strategy also proposes the development

short sea shipping initiatives such as the European

of maritime routes over land options. It will ensure

Union’s Motorways of the Sea programme Scapa flow

that Scandinavia has vastly improved trade routes to

can open itself up to many networking opportunities.

southern Europe through the North Sea rather than over the land alternative which can be treacherous

This strategy will ensure that the cargo being distributed to northern Europe is done so

All of these maritime trading opportunities

in the most efficient way possible. However,

within northern Europe will open up new

the motorways of the sea is an integrated proposal

trading partnerships between countries, which

which combines maritime transport with that of land

will in turn ensure cultural and knowledge exchanges

transport ensuring that the best possible use can be

are made easier and will result in Scotland becoming

made of Europe’s “maritime transport resources” but

its own unique part of the Nordic region. Comparisons

also the “potential in rail and inland waterway, as

can be made to that of the Hanseatic League as it was

part of an integrated transport chain”. The strategy

also a trading network which utilised both maritime

aims to focus on “freight flow on sea-based logistic

and land connections. Through all of these connecting

routes”, an increased cohesion for European trade

strategies and concepts Orkney has the potential

ties and the reduction of road congestion throughout

to take on the shipping characteristics of its

Europe.

Asian counterpart, Singapore.

p.108

Possible Orkney

Network: Shipping

source: OIC Marine Port Handbook, Marine Scotland Shipping study of the Pentland Firth and Orkney Waters

Anchorage

P

Pilot embarkation point Pier Radar station

V

P

VTS

P

Oil terminal Container terminal Suggested shipping tracks

V

P

p.109

P

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT Nordic Scotland

SCAPAMAX Designing a new container ship which will traverse Arctic waters, carry a larger amount 9f containers and dock in the natural deep

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT

Flow

Suezmax Emma Mærsk Container ship Capacity 14,000 TEU

Max Draft: 21m Max Beam: 50m Max Length: ∞m Max Air Space: 68m

Panamax Maersk Lima Container ship Capacity 8,000 TEU

Max Draft: 12m Max Beam: 32m Max Length: 294m Max Air Space: 58m

p.110

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT

water harbour of Scapa

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT

Scapamax?

Malaccamax Maersk Triple E class Container ship Capacity 18,000 TEU

Max Draft: 21m Max Beam: 60m Max Length: 400m Max Air Space: 67m

New Panamax Mitsubishi MALS-14000CS Container ship Capacity 14,000 TEU

Max Draft: 15m Max Beam: 40m Max Length: 366m Max Air Space: 58m

p.111

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT Possible Orkney

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT

Nordic Scotland

PORT OF SINGAPORE

As we envisage Orkney becoming a European

apart from the fact that in 1819, Singapore, was a

hub of maritime activity we began to consider

small island community (then called ‘Temasek’ - Sea

Orkney as having similar characteristics to that

Town) at the tip of what is now known as Malaysia

of Singapore - with a completely different set of

- much like Orkney’s current relationship with

demographics we began to consider how we could

Scotland. In 1819 though Thomas Stamford Raffles

learn from it and what a comparative study would

signed a treaty on behalf of the British East India to

do to help us. We realised that these two island

develop the southern part of Singapore as a British

communities had a lot that was different (culture,

outpost. A mere five years later and the entire island

climate, population density etc), however, both

had become British possession.

shared a very similar geographical location which has ensured that Singapore has become one of the

With only 1,000 people inhabiting the 660 sq km

leading cities in the world, so for this reason we were

piece of land before Raffles arrived on the island, it

looking at how it has developed and what indications

is astounding to realise that less than 40 years later

it could provide for Orkney’s (un)certain future.

the population had exceeded 80,000 people. Most of these were chinese immigrants who worked at

Singapore is a city-state found just north of the

rubber plantations and Singapore became a global

equator in South-East Asia. It has a population

centre for rubber exports. However, it was in 1969

of 5,312,400 and is one of the leading financial cities

when Singapore’s largest boom occurred with the

in the world. Its temperatures range from a ‘lowest’

opening of the Suez canal.

19 degrees centigrade to a ‘highest’ 36. It effectively shares no common characteristic to that of Orkney,

The Suez canal now connected Europe to Asia via

p.112

Possible Orkney

Globally, our proposal considers the possibility that Orkney and Singapore are the principle hub of shipping within their respective continents and then distribute to smaller ports throughout their region

Singapore

Orkney

p.113

Nordic Scotland

a waterway running through Egypt meaning that

occur for Orkney, and in turn Scotland. Orkney’s

ships no longer had to navigate the southern tip of

strategic positioning within the North Sea would

Africa. The trade routes between Europe and Asia

allow it to form a similar maritime hub as that of

now passed by Singapore and this had an immediate

Singapore. It is important to note that this does not

impact on the island-state. It was now situated in

necessarily mean that Orkney will extend to a similar

a prime location to become a hub for international

population size as that of Singapore, however, we

trade and this was exploited to its full potential

began to consider how the migrating population will

with it becoming a major world trade node.

be housed within the Orkney islands.

Over the coming 80 years Singapore continued

In the late 19th, and early 20th centuries immigrants

to grow in size. It was occupied by the Japanese for

from China came to work at the thriving port city and

a large part of World War II before being reclaimed

the high influx of people resulted in the city containing

as British territory in September 1945. It was at

a lot of slums as the government did not provide

this juncture that Singapore began to develop as a

sufficient housing for the migrating population.

separate nation with its first general election held in

While Orkney is unlikely to follow the same principle,

1955. By 1965 Singapore had gained independence

our proposal indicates a different conceptual master

and it now boasts one of the five busiest ports in the

plan for the migrating community to ensure that

world.

housing prices do not spike and that the financial incentive provided by new jobs on the islands does

Our comparative study of Singapore clearly

not become disproportionately different to that of

shows the potential for an economic boom to

the current GDP. The new industries introduced to

p.114

Possible Orkney

31.65 million

18,507

TEU

Container throughput in Singapore Port

Container ship arrivals

Source: Singapore MPA 2012

Source: Singapore MPA 2012

Port to Port shipping

Hub and Spoke shipping

p.115

1 in 7 Global container transhipments occur in Singapore Source: Singapore MPA 2012

Nordic Scotland

Orkney will be spread out throughout the islands

19th century would not be a similar occurrence on

meaning that the population is not concentrated in

Orkney in its (un)certain future.

one specific town - this was the overbearing reason for Singapore’s slums. Our proposal would result in towns and villages expanding, rather than new towns being created.

Looking at the smaller details of Singapore’s current port also allows us to estimate the amount of people who would migrate to Orkney for work.

Singapore’s port is currently changing in size with a new set of docks set to make the port double in size and receive an additional 20,000,000 containers per year.

For this amount of development you would presume that a large number of jobs would be created because of this. However, with modern port technology the first phase of this scheme only requires 6-7 people to operate the cranes which unload ships. This number, however, only accounts for the first phase and only the crane operators, but it clearly indicates that the large influx of people witnessed in Singapore in the

p.116

Possible Orkney

p.117

Nordic Scotland

RENEWABLES

The waters surround the Orkney Islands and

Currently these sites lie outwith the control of

the Pentland Firth have some of the largest

the Harbour Authority and do not require the use

potential for wave and tidal energy in Europe.

of pilots for navigation, this may be something which

This has led to the establishment of the European

is addressed in the future, possibly by extending the

Marine Energy Centre in Orkney and the founding

harbour limits to include these waters.

of Scotland’s first Marine Energy Park. The Crown Estate has given permission for 1.6GW of capacity

Much work is already underway around

to be installed in the waters around Orkney in the

Orkney preparing for the influx of the

coming years, however there is potential for much

renewable industry. The local authority has been

more energy to be harnessed from these waters. One

purchasing land around strategic sites in preparation

particular constraint is the conflicting use of waters

for the demands for industrial sites and new piers. An

for shipping recreation, fishing and tourism - over

estimated ÂŁ6 Billion will be spent on the manufacture

the coming years there may be conflicts off the west

and installation of new maritime renewable devices of

coast of Mainland Orkney and in the Westray Firth,

which there will be at least 1600, furthermore at least

where existing shipping lanes will become congested

ÂŁ100 million will be spent each year on maintaining

with Renewable equipment.

these devices. Should these be constructed in Orkney or Scotland it could have a huge economic impact.

p.118

600

1800

300

800

0

2011

2012

£6

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

£100 million

2018

2019

2020

Cumulative Installed Capacity (MW)

Annual Installed Capacity (MW)

Possible Orkney

0

£100 million

billion

Spend on manufacture and installation 2011 2020

Spend per year on maintenance Source: The Crown Estate 2011

Total spend of development and consenting 2011 2020 Source: The Crown Estate 2011

Source: The Crown Estate 2011

p.119

Nordic Scotland

The EMEC is currently ensuring that Orkney

Legislation has its own challenges with Udal

is at the forefront of this new industry with

law still having a determining presence - this

its test sites attracting companies from all over the

is a Norse-derived legal system still prevalent in

world and its offices at the forefront of developing

Orkney and Shetland which differs from Scots law

international standards for the marine renewables

because of its rules on shore ownership rights which

industry.

are important for pipelines and cables.

Infrastructure is also a major component,

In regards to land ownership of the foreshore, any

with new grid connections and substations required

infrastructure crossing between land and sea is likely

to export the energy to the UK mainland, with up to

to require expertise and understanding in this law to

ÂŁ100 million being spent on obtaining consents for

ensure that development goes ahead unimpeded.

developments in the next 10 years.

p.120

Possible Orkney

Network: Renewables source: EMEC

E

EMEC office

N

Nursery test site Pier Substation Weather station Tidal site Tidal site proposed Wave site Wave site proposed National grid Subsea cable

N

E N

E

p.121

Tidal energy potential

source: Joint Nature Conservation Committee UKSeaMap 2010

High Moderate Low

Wave energy potential

source: Joint Nature Conservation Committee UKSeaMap 2010

High Moderate Low

Nordic Scotland

TOURISM

Tourism is a major part of the Orcadian

from 3 to 5 months.

economy, with visitors spending at least ÂŁ32.9 million in 2009 and employing many

Cruise ships are vital to the economies of

people on the islands. The vast majority of visitors

the towns at which they call, with 85% of all

are coming to Orkney by sea either by ferry, cruise

passengers who go ashore spending money in local

ship or yacht and around a quarter arrive by air from

shops on average around 56 euro. The council have

various airports across Scotland. One of the main

also acted here to take advantage of this temporary

draws for tourists to Orkney is its historic attractions,

influx of visitors, limiting the number of excursions

from neolithic settlements to Norse remains to its

available in order that passengers coming ashore

war remains.

have time to spend in the towns - alleviating any tension that once existed between locals and tourists.

The top 5 attractions within Orkney are Highland

Cruise ships also bring many extra visitors, each ship

Park Distillery, St Magnus Cathedral , Skara Brae, the

having around 1 crew member for 3 passengers and

Italian Chapel and the Churchill Barriers

crew members also contributing substantially to the local economy as they come ashore to buy food,stock

The climate of the islands limits the season

up on supplies and use the telephone or internet,

for tourists to around 7 months of the year

however at present only 38% of crew members come

with visitor numbers peaking in August approaching

ashore - crucially there is a lack of facilities at the

29,000 in 2009. The cruise industry also operates in

quayside at Hatston for passengers and crew.

a seasonal manner, with the local council succeeding in convincing cruise companies to extend the season

p.124

Possible Orkney

Network: Tourist

Ferry terminal Marina Cruise ship pier Airport Historic tourist site Road

p.125

Cruise ship calls per month, 2012 source: OIC Marine Services

Jan

c De

40 35

b

Fe

30

v No

r Ma

25 20 15 10 5

Oct

1 Apr

10 p Se

15 Ma y

Source: European Cruise Council: Kirkwall passenger survey

442

436 2007

400

433 2006

409

€5.5million

Total economic benefit to Kirkwall from cruise visits (2007)

Source: European Cruise Council: Kirkwall passenger survey

2009

2008

2005

2002

315

Source: European Cruise Council: Kirkwall passenger survey

2003

61

Average cruise crew spend (2007)

2009

2008

2007

2006

2005

2004

2003

2002

47

Average cruise passenger spend (2007)

€29.54

341

67

409

73

75

Source: Orkney Economic Reveiw 2010

56

53

€56.11

2009

2006

2005

62

29.199 2008

26,978

29,180

Source: Orkney Economic Reveiw 2010

20,345 2007

30,708 22,916 2004

21,162 2003

16,687

Average passengers per cruise ship

2004

16 Au g

38 Jul

Total cruise ship visits per year

Source: Orkney Economic Reveiw 2010

2002

17 n Ju

Passengers arriving by cruise ship

Tourists by month

88 3,9 ec D

source: Orkney Visitor Survey 2009

3,343 Jan 30000

3,4 5 Fe 9 b 68 5,0 ar M

3,6 No 1 2 v

25000 20000 15000 10000

8,572 Apr

8,065 Oct

5000

9 92 13, ep S

13, 7 Ma 92 y 7 ,69 20 un J

27,762 Jul

28 ,8 Au 85 g

Tourists by country

source: Orkney Visitor Survey 2009 Scotland

England

Europe

r.o. World

r.o. UK

45%

32%

12%

7%

4%

Tourists by purpose of travel source: Orkney Visitor Survey 2009 Holiday

Daytrip

Visiting friends/relatives

Business

94,276

26,869

24,941

21,955

Tourists travel method

source: Orkney Visitor Survey 2009 Air

Scrabster Ferry

Aberdeen Ferry

Lerwick Ferry

Other Ferry

94,276

26,869

24,941

21,955

21,955

Nordic Scotland

Orkney also has 3 marinas which accept

This method of travel forms small cultural

visiting yachts at Kirkwall, Stromness and

maritime networks, similar to that of the fishing

Westray, and although they only account for a small

industry, with vessels from across the Nordic region

proportion of tourists, passengers aboard yachts are

and beyond making regular calls in Orkney and

liable to spend much more whilst ashore than cruise

meeting one to one with sailors in these locally

passengers, each yacht spending on average ÂŁ386.

operated marinas.

p.128

223

172

68 Yachts calling at Westray

Yachts calling at Stromness

Yachts calling at Kirkwall

Source: Orkney Visitor Survey 2009

Source: Orkney Visitor Survey 2009

Source: Orkney Visitor Survey 2009

Nationality of Vessels Visting Kirkwall Marina 2011

source: Shipping Study of the Pentalnd Firth & Orkney Waters

UK

Norway

Sweden

Germany

France

39%

17%

8%

7%

6%

Netherlands

Denmark

Belgium

USA

Australia

5%

4%

3%

3%

2%

Canada

Ireland

Switzerland

Iceland

Poland

2%

1%

1%

1%

1%

Nordic Scotland

CASE STUDIES Population Change

A change in the productive landscape in

of the Faroe Islands, which has a significantly higher

Orkney will probably lead to a change in the

population than any town currently in the Orkney

demographic makeup and size of the population on

Isles, but faces the same challenges of climate and

the Isles. Whilst Orkney’s population has always been

island isolation as the Orkneys.

in flux new industries such as offshore renewables and container shipping could in the coming years result in a sudden population increase.

The following case studies are of towns which have experienced a sudden change in population following the introduction of a new industry. The first is the town of Thurso in the far north of Scotland which experienced a tripling of its population over 10 years with the construction of a new nuclear energy plant at nearby Dounreay. The second is the town of Narvik in north-west Norway, which was until the beginning of the 20th Century a collection of small farms but grew to become one of Norways largest towns when it became a port for the export of Iron Ore mined in Kiruna, Sweden. The third case study looks at the town of Tórshavn, capital

p.130

Possible Orkney

Narvik, Nordland, Norway Thurso, Caithness, Scotland Torshavn, Faroe Islands

p.131

Nordic Scotland

THURSO Caithness, Scotland Population: 7,737

Until the 1950s the Caithness region in the

Workers from across the UK came to work

north of Scotland was an area in social and

in Caithness, the population of the town of Thurso

economic decline following the end of the Herring

tripling in a short 10 years period as a result of the

fishing boom and the increasing mechanisation of

influx of scientists, construction workers and their

farming. The total population had halved over a 50

families. A major impact on the area from this

year period. However, the area was about to undergo

demographic change was a massive change in the

an enormous change as a new pioneering industry was

built environment as new houses and facilities were

to be set up in this remote region at RAF Dounreay, 9

constructed. Initially workers were housed in camps

miles to the east of the town of Thurso.

until housing could be constructed, the UKEAE building 900 new homes and the local authority

The establishment of the Dounreay Nuclear

contributing a further 800. Education was also seen

Power Development Establishment in 1955

as a major need to serve the new population and

was the starting point for this period of change. In

industries, with a new secondary school constructed

the postwar era of rationing and energy crises, and

followed by a new technical college serving the

before the discovery of North Sea Oil the experiments

training needs of the UKEAE, an apprentice training

and advancements planned for Dounreay were seen

school and a hostel to house apprentice workers.

as vital for the whole of the UK.

p.132

Possible Orkney

Third and final reactor active First reactor becomes active

UKAEA takes control of airfield Peak of Herring Boom

Reactors taken offline Ownership transferred to Nuclear decommisioning Authority

RAF Dounreay Airfield constructed

population

10000

5000

0

1920

1940

1960 year

p.133

1980

2000

Nordic Scotland

The social dynamic of the surrounding area

There was an element of tension between the

was also affected by this influx of people. At

newcomers and the locals caused perhaps more by

the time many of the country folk around Caithness

differences in level of income rather than education as

were suspicious of the new unknown industry that

the wages that could be earned at the Nuclear facility

would be set up on their doorsteps, however this was

were 5 -6 times the local rate of income, and some of

also in an age of trust of government and authority. It

the local merchants sought to take advantage of this

was said that at the time there were more university

sometimes charging more for goods for newcomers

graduates per head of population in Thurso than in

than locals. However over time the community

Oxford or Cambridge - a radical shift in the level of

adapted to the changes which had occurred with

education in this remote population.

locals and Atomics becoming more integrated over time and people from other parts of the country began to settle fully into life in the North, even if it did result in the death of the local accent.

p.134

Possible Orkney

It was said that at the time there were more university graduates per head of population in Thurso than in Oxford or Cambridge

p.135

Nordic Scotland

NARVIK Nordland, Norway Population: 18,437

Only a collection of small farms existed in

The long economic decline of the town of

Narvik until the end of the 19th Century when

Narvik coupled with the difficulties of the

the requirement for a year round ice free port in the

town’s original plan had left Narvik in an

north of the scandinavian peninsula for the export of

isolated and deprived condition. From its peak

iron ore resulted in the establishment of a company

in the 1960’s the workforce employed by its two major

town. Located only 70miles from the iron ore mines of

employers fell from 1600 to just 200 in 2007. Not

Kiruna across the Swedish border it was established

only did this affect the economy of the town, but also

by the Swedish state mining company LKAB

its social structure. As a company town the majority of this middle class workforce dominated the local

‘Until recently, the town of Narvik in Northern

political scene, with the labour party being in power

Norway was known for its prosperity. Ranging from its

there since 1913, and over the years since the 1960s

cultural life and the athletes of the town to its welfare

this assurance of political power has waned as the

services, Narvik was ‘top ranked’ in the region...

business life of the town has diversified and become

Over the last century, much of the economic status

privatised.

and stability of Narvik relied on iron ore transport.

Transport of iron ore is still a manifest part of life in Narvik. Nevertheless, year by year since the 1960s, it has demanded less space and many fewer hands at work. Today the activity is no longer a main source of nurture for the town, nor its pride or its economy.’

p.136

Possible Orkney

Ankenes merged with Narvik

Arctic rail express services commences in Narvik

Narvik part gains Motorways of the sea status

Narvik captured by allied forces

Town of Narvik founded

population

20000

10000

0

1920

1940

1960 year

p.137

1980

2000

Nordic Scotland

The railway is at the heart of the town dividing

Recently though new transport links are breathing life

it in two and leading into a triangle of space-

into the town once again as it seeks to re-establish its

intensive industrial transport infrastructure.

position as a transport hub, looking beyond the bread

When the majority of the town was employed by

and butter of iron ore exports and diversifying the

this scar through the urban fabric the ‘transport

cargo coming through its port and railway. The two

movements of the town were imbued with power

major projects bringing this revival are the New Arctic

and politics’(ref), this brought the High North town

Rail Express and the Northern East West Corridor.

towards a more central position in Scandinavia

The town has ambitions to become ‘the new

connected by rail directly to Stockholm and by sea

Singapore.’ Along with these improvements the

to the ports of Europe and beyond, giving residents

town is seeking to improve its housing and amenities

an ‘imagination of mobility’(ref). However in more

whilst opening up its waterfront to more attractive

recent times this space demands of the town’s former

uses.

cornerstone have been at odds with the changing modern ideals of Narvik.

p.138

Possible Orkney

Nordic Scotland

TÓRSHAVN Streymoy, Faroe Islands Population: 13,000

Over the past century the population of the

it’s population and economy as the Faroes were

Faroe Islands has been undergoing massive

opened up to the globalised economy. Slow changes

changes as modernisation has opened up new

in the industrial landscape from farming towards the

opportunities for the islanders whilst simultaneously

more lucrative fishing industry has occurred and as

presenting new challenges. In the past the unique

the fishing industry began to grow it slowly began

geography of this collection of islands has meant

to become centralised around a few settlements

that most of the population have lived in relative

leaving remote and small villages without a basis for

isolation, the high mountains and rough seas making

continued existence leading to outward migration

communication difficult on the islands. However

from these small villages and island communities.

in recent decades infrastructural and technological improvements have caused life to change in these

However, as this new industry was growing and

isolated villages, as they are no longer isolated

becoming increasingly rationalised through the use

enclaves of population with the construction of roads,

of larger and larger fishing vessels the economy

bridges and tunnels connections between these

collapsed at the start of the 1990s. Combining this

villages and the rest of the world have been improved

economic catastrophe with the continued

immensely - a huge change in social mobility in the

outward migration of young people, more

Faroes.

drawn towards the opportunities of education, creative businesses and service industry jobs offered

Unlike the previous two examples, Tórshavn and

in Denmark.

the Faroes have not experienced any sharp population changes, rather a steady growth of

Since this time however much has changed for

p.140

Tunnels between islands completed

Torshavn municipality is expanded

Collapse of the fishing industry

University of the Faroe Islands founded Faroe Islands become self governing

population

60000

Faroe Islands 30000

T贸rshavn 0

1920

1940

1960 year

1980

2000

Nordic Scotland

Tórshavn - the opening of new tunnels in 2002

The government in Tórshavn have witnessed

and 2006 now leaves only 15% of the Faroese

this change in migration patterns caused by

population outside of the ‘drivable’ mainland.

mobility and now conceive the whole of the islands

This new infrastructure led to an increase in traffic

as one ‘network city’. The Faroese economy is no

of 64.3% between 1997 and 2006. Suddenly the

longer local but regional as mobility has become a

population had been given increased mobility,

part of everyday life - its is possible to live in one

which in turn began to reverse the centralisation of

town, work in another and socialise in a third.

population that had been occurring since the rise of

Tórshavn still remains the largest town with 45%

the fishing industry. Villages such as Gjógv were no

of the Faroese population residing there, however

longer merely fishing villages but became commuting

the opportunities for residents across the island

villages and the pull of citizens towards Tórshavn was

are much more apparently equitable and services

being reversed as house prices in the capital rose and

such as sports facilities and shops have become less

people could now live in the village they grew up in

centralised but more competitive through this radical

and still have access to the wide variety of amenities

change in daily life.

that would be available in larger settlements.

p.142

Possible Orkney

p.143

Nordic Scotland

POPULATION MIGRATION A conclusion

These three case studies all point out the

From Torshavn and the Faroes, we can learn a lot from

profound socio-economic effects of migration

the long term pattern of migration and settlement

and

on

across the islands. The idea of a network city

communities - of course Orkney has throughout its

or region is interesting as it can be a useful

history gone through different phases of population

way of integrating new developments into the

change and this is evident on the islands today. Both

existing urban fabric allowing growth to happen

Thurso and Narvik show that introducing new

in a more organic and less strictly planned nature,

cornerstone industries into a town requires

where workplaces, recreation, amenities and housing

significant

are allowed to grow in geographically appropriate

demographic

change

infrastructure

can

and

have

amenities

improvements, taken with care to avoid the

places.

urban schism that has occurred in Narvik, where industry has taken precedence over all other aspects

As we develop our proposals we will bear in

of town planning until recent years. In Thurso, the

mind all of the valuable lessons and examples

interactions between the existing population and

set forth in these case studies for the people

newcomers point to tensions that can take place

and the landscape of Orkney.

where newcomers appear to be given extra privileges over locals, and the two population groups need to mix to be successful.

p.144

Possible Orkney

Nordic Scotland

MIGRATING

“The intrinsically interesting thing about maritime people is that they cross borders, since coastal people live on the margins of the state.

As a result, the history of coastal populations has had a disproportionate impact and significance. Maritime people are simultaneously influenced by foreign impulses and conscious of their identity, which they share by interacting with strangers. The meeting of cultures should therefore be a central concept to the understanding of maritime history.�

Holm, Paul; Coastal Life, Nordic Culture and Nation State

p.148

Nordic Scotland

MIGRATING ORKNEY

Orkneys (un)certain future is going to be

that

determined by many new and many developed

with seafarers docking at the shipping terminal

industries, social changes and new cultural and

for any time in excess of 24 hours at a time. With

physical connections at a global and local scale.

25,000,000 TEU expected to pass through

Orkney’s

temporary

population

increases

Orkney’s waters per year, it is important for it Two of the important new developments on Orkney

to take advantage of this, but also for the islands to

are going to be the expanding shipping industry

ensure that there is no conflict between the visiting

and the developing renewables industry. The

temporary population and the permanent residents

entirety of this project has been researched and

of Orkney as is often experienced at port towns and

developed at different scales and it is important to

cities.

continue this trend to understand how these two Seafarers from all over the world are likely

industries will shape the Orcadian future.

to dock at Orkney’s shipping terminal just The most important change which will occur is

outside St. Margarets Hope, however, studies

the large demographic change to both the

have shown that seafarers are often intimidated by

permanent and temporary population. To

the local population and some don’t venture from

compensate for these changes many architectural

their boat. Others who do leave are often seen as

interventions will be introduced to oversee the

outsiders by the local communities they visit and

migrating population.

therefore feel unwelcome. As Orkney is set to become a cultural hub in northern Europe it is important for

The new strategic shipping routes will ensure

these two sets of people to integrate.

p.150

Migrating Orkney

A Seafarer’s consulate would welcome crews of ships to Orkney.

This has successfully happened before through the

Connecting

together

with

one

of

the

introduction of a seafarers consulate: Aberdeen

transport hubs (see Connecting Orkney) situated

Harbour, for example, introduced a seafarers centre

throughout Orkney, the institute will give the

for visiting ships crew. Since its opening in December

seafarers unparalleled opportunities to discover

2011 it has been a successful introduction and has

an island steeped in history and culture with easy

ensured that seafarers no longer feel intimidated by

public transport connections. Further to this

somewhere they are visiting.

the consulate will be formed as a hostel (see Inhabiting Orkney) allowing seafarers the option of

Orkney’s seafarers consulate will ensure that

a land based bed on the night(s) of their stay. And,

crew members of different ships will be able

probably the most integral part of sharing cultural

to integrate among themselves and also with

connections, a bar will be open for the seafarers to

the local community. It will provide all the services

use to mix with the local population in St. Margarets

expected of a seafarers consulate such as access to

Hope.

internet to keep in touch with family, a television room to keep up to date with world news, a games

While the shipping terminal will accommodate the

room to entertain themselves through the winter

seafarers consulate, two similar buildings will be

months and an outdoor area to remain fit and active

sited in Kirkwall and Stromness catering for

in the summer. However, this seafarers consulate

the high number of cruise liner passengers

will also integrate with other buildings to ensure it

and crew members, and also the cargo ships

gives the visiting seafarers the best experience they

providing amenities for Orkney. These will be multi-

can when visiting the Orkney Isles.

functional buildings and will allow for the crew’s

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Nordic Scotland

Cultural and tourist centre’s will develop throughout the islands to accomodate tourists needs

of the cruise liners to rest up and also give them a

tourists on cruise ships, but also seafarers docking at

base from which to explore the islands. With a 1:3

the shipping terminal.

passenger:crew ratio, the crew members will also bring a vast amount of trade to Orkney, and like all

As tourism within Orkney is generally seasonal (the

other visitors to the Isles, they will be encouraged to

cruise liners only docking from April-September) the

visit the islands’ attractions.

majority of international staff will need only temporary accommodation for the summer

A cultural and tourist centre will be created

season. It is intended that the accommodation they

within Kirkwall which will showcase what

use will double up for use by students for the rest of

Orkney has to offer, act as a visitors centre, but

the year.

will also host multicultural events in conference rooms and an outdoor performance space.

There is currently no university campus on Orkney, but with the islands at the forefront of the

As there will be a high increase in the number of

development of renewable energies, in particular

international visitors from around the world who do

wave and tidal power, there is potential for a

not speak English, an important contribution

renewables university to be introduced.

to the islands migrating community will be international spoken retail salespersons. It

By 2020 there is expected to be 1.6GW of energy

is expected that the main shopping streets within

produced on the shores of Orkney. Currently

Kirkwall, Stromness and St. Margarets Hope will all

all of the wave and tidal machines are manufactured

have an increase in trade due to the high numbers of

off site. As part of the new Orkney, the production of

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Migrating Orkney

The first renewables university will be in Orkney - with ties to China already established, students and lecturers from throughoutout the world could learn at teach on Orkney’s shores.

the wave and tidal machines will take place on site

will develop ensuring that students can be educated

at separate locations around the islands - namely

on the sites of the renewable products. A renewables

outside Stromness and Hoy.

university on Orkney will allow students to garner an unparalleled education experience

With production and manufacturing locations

with hands on experience, being part of a community

around the islands there will be a need for

at the centre of the renewables industry and it will

a workforce to take up new jobs available.

also allow the students, and university, to develop

This is something which is reminiscent of Dounreay

new strategies and products for use in the renewable

Nuclear Power Development Establishment across

industry which can be tested in and around Orkney.

the Pentland Firth at Thurso, Scotland. Thurso saw

This will integrate with the European Marine Energy

a huge increase in population due to the pioneering

Centre which is already situated within Stromness. It

industry which had came to its area with scientists,

is likely that many different campus’ and test sites will

construction workers and their families all flocking

be set up throughout the different islands so that the

to Thurso. This is what will happen on Orkney with

campus is all over Orkney and not restricted

many different stages of the renewable industry

to just one specific place. Again this will

needing to be developed including the construction

develop new job opportunities with students

and maintaining of all the machinery.

and professionals coming from around the world to learn and teach on the Orkney Isles.

Orkney will become the main research and development hub for the renewables

The migrating population from around the world will

industry, and with this in mind a university campus

inhabit Orkney on both a permanent and temporary

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Nordic Scotland

New sports centres proposed throughout the islands

time period, flocking for work, studying and visiting.

With the population increasing there will also be a demand for food which would see the

When the local economy prospers there

rise of the islands fishing communities. With

will be a knock on effect on other industries

the industry previously in decline, the migrating

as well. It is expected that the cultural hubs will

population will allow for Orkney’s waters, and those

develop throughout the larger towns, as well as

of the North Sea, to be utilised once again.

sports centres and cultural buildings, which will provide recreational activities for the migrating population.

p.154

Migrating Orkney

p.155

Nordic Scotland

CONNECTING

As I came home from Sandwick, A star was in the sky.

The northern lights above the hill, Were streaming broad and high.

The tinkers lit their glimmering fires, Their tents were pitched close by. But the city of the vanished race, Lay dark and silent in that place.

As I can home from Sandwich, A star was in the sky.

Mackay Brown, George Portrait of Orkney; 1981

p.160 p.158

Nordic Scotland

CONNECTING ORKNEY

As discussed throughout, the main catalyst

These transport hubs will ensure that workers,

of Nordic Scotland’s first project is creating

visitors and locals will have easy access to

new connections within northern Europe.

public transport throughout the islands.

The main architectural driving force for this

These interventions will vary in size depending on

principle is the container terminal which

the size of the town, but they will all link up and

will be situated in the waters of Scapa Flow

ensure that a new transport network is created which

and just outside St. Margaret’s Hope on the

will service the developing towns and villages. Much

outcrop of land called ‘Hoxa Head’.

like the large strategies, such as SUTRANET, which combines both maritime and land connections to be

Our proposals see the natural deep water used here for

the most efficient way of moving cargo throughout

the terminal. Currently the land is used as farmland

Europe, Orkney will also follow a similar principle for

and the road connections allow for only single track

their public transport system.

access with some turning into dirt tracks. Improved roads will allow access to the international hub from

The

around the islands. The terminal will not only

immediate effect on the tourism industry with

be used as a container terminal as with the new

more people able to visit the sites of Orkney

activity in the area meaning new ferry routes will be

without having to be part of a tour group. The

implemented between the terminal and the islands of

sheer size of Orkney means that currently tourists

‘Mainland’, ‘Flotta’ and ‘Hoy”. Further to this many

find it difficult to navigate the islands without the aid

new transport hubs will be implemented with one

of a tour bus - 25 miles currently separates Orkney’s

such hub situated at the terminal.

two biggest tourist sites, Skara Brae and the Italian

p.160

transport

hubs

will

also

have

an

Connecting Orkney

The container terminal will be one of the main focusses of the islands

Chapel. However, with the new transport hubs

profound effect on the mobility of Orcadians.

situated along popular tourist routes, it will make

The entirety of Orkney will be utilised as part of a plan

these sites a lot more accessible to the pedestrian

to have every aspect of the renewables industry on the

tourist.

islands from education, to research, manufacturing and eventually production. These different elements

Our trip to Orkney was made via bus from

will all be connected in a renewables web which

Glasgow, and a new improved connection to

will result in the makeup of Orkney changing. The

the north will only mean an easier, and more

renewables manufacturing plants will be sited

viable, transport option between the central

on the island of ‘Hoy’ which is currently inaccessible

belt and Orkney because of the new migration

by car. However, taking precedent from the Faroe

of people. An advanced ferry system will also be

Islands, and Orkney itself, Hoy will join together

provided between Orkney and Scotland, which will

with the ‘Mainland’ through the implementation

bring more people to the islands and will boost

of tunnels between Mainland, Graemsay and

the local economy. This is not just restricted to the

Hoy. Like the Churchill Barriers, these tunnels will

Scotland-Orkney connection, as people from around

allow for a greater mobility around the islands -

northern Europe will have direct ferries linking to

effectively making a horseshoe of connectivity around

Orkney. This will have a knock on effect as more

Scapa Flow. These tunnels will allow tourists also to

tourists are likely to come to Orkney as well as people

gain ease of access to sites such as the Old Man of

wishing to do business on the islands.

Hoy and the Lyness naval base.

The renewables industry will also have a

The small pocket of population currently occupying

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Nordic Scotland

A new water bus service will integrate with the ferry service to provide transport for the renewables university

Graemsay will be one of the towns which will

allow researchers, students and workers to get easy

expand due to these new connections and new

access to the many renewable sites within the North

jobs available in the manufacturing plants on ‘Hoy’.

Isles, and further to this it will allow the continued

It will also see a growth in population as businesses

development of advanced technologies in the tidal

are developed to support the renewables industry on

and wave industries as students and developers

‘Hoy’, with the new roads accessing these. Just like

alike can test new technologies in currently

the terminal at Hoxa Head, there will be a transport

under utilised tidal and wave sites.

hub found at each of these population centres.

With new transport modes being developed, and The renewables industry will also prosper because

Orkney looking at becoming a carbon neutral

of a new water bus system which will operate

island community, the way in which we provide

within the North Isles. While the South Isles host the

fuel and energy to power these will be a new technique

manufacturing aspect of the renewables industry,

developed in one of our Nordic neighbours. In

the ‘Mainland’ will have a mixture of research and

Helsingborg, Sweden, the council have developed a

educational interventions. This will also be the

scheme which turns waste to energy - their landfill

case for the North Isles but with a different form of

is now a production plant for their energy. While

transportation.

electricity will be provided by wave and tidal schemes, the fuel for the inter-island ferries will be provided by

In the North Isles the renewables industry will

Orkney’s own version of energy to waste. The plant

integrate together with the current ferry service

will be split between providing energy, fuel and also

creating an inter-island water bus system. This will

fertilisers, which can be used throughout Orkney on

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Connecting Orkney

Connecting to Norway through ferries and the Hurtigruten network

the farmland.

There is currently a disused pier at the southern most point of South Ronaldsay and it is here where pilots

Tourism will have an obvious boost due to the

will be based to safely guide the ships into anchorage

new and improved connections, and one of the

at the Hoxa Head terminal.

ways in which we intend to bring more Nordic culture to Orkney, and Scotland, is the integration into the

While the entire master plan is huge in scale,

Hurtigruten network. This is a passenger and freight

bringing

service which runs the length of the Norway and

people together, it is important that each job

many

different

industries

and

is considered carefully, much like the pilot. This Returning to the container terminal, we have already

will be the case for each architectural intervention,

noted the high influx of new jobs created because of this

as the entire master plan for Orkney has knock on

maritime industry, however one job role in particular

effects throughout its entire web of concepts and

is important to the safe running and anchorage of

strategies.

ships to enter Orkney’s waters. ‘Pilots’ are used by ports throughout the world to navigate the journey into their harbours for foreign boats - the ship, and its crew, may never have been in to Scapa Flow so it is important that someone gives them a guiding hand. Pilot embarkation points are currently sited on the edge of the harbour limits at the southern tip of South Ronaldsay and Longhope.

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Nordic Scotland

INHABITING

Selkie Where do you go, young seal?

My salmon is returning to its stream.

Where truly do you go, selkie?

A country lass Has stopped at my rock in the sea Tell us, sea dancer How it will be with you?

Mackay Brown, George Orkney - Pictures & Poems; 1996

p.170 p.166

Nordic Scotland

INHABITING ORKNEY

In our (un)certain future for Orkney there will

Each separate island also has their own

be a large migrating population who will come

varying building typology. While on South

for to live on Orkney for anywhere between a

Ronaldsay the gable ends of the stone houses face

lifetime, a semester or just a day. Where these

into the westerly wind with minimal openings, the

people stay and inhabit is the next proposal that

buildings on Hoy are low lying to combat the wind

naturally follows Migrating Orkney and Connecting

from the Atlantic Ocean and have roofs made from

Orkney, as Inhabiting Orkney provides housing and

stone. The buildings along Stromness harbour

a place to rest, work and play for people of varying

face the gables in the direction of the water, and in

backgrounds, different stages of their lifecycle and

Kirkwall the buildings line the narrow streets in the

different characteristics. This proposal all comes

centre of town with crow-stepped gables. It is these

under our one umbrella proposal of ‘Network

characteristics which we are keen to build on, and

City’.

ensure that each town and village keeps its own architectural identity, rather than make one

Our intention is to ensure that there is not a

typology for the entirety of Orkney which could be an

centralisation towards one particular town

easy option for a master plan scheme of this scale.

and instead existing communities are allowed to develop. These pockets of population will evolve

Different buildings will also develop their

as new and existing places to work, rest and play.

architectural identity through the industries

Populations could change anywhere in Orkney,

with which they are associated - something

depending on the local situation and any changes in

which isn’t a new concept to Orkney. In Stromness

mobility that occur.

house facades are lined with whale bones, a remnant

p.168

Inhabiting Orkney

Different housing typologies will develop on each island.

Each island will maintain its own unique architecture style

of Stromness’ whaling past.

the chimney at the gable end which means that heat is lost, while Norway’s houses place the chimney at

Our research has considered the way in which

the centre of the house to retain the heat. Simple

we build in comparison with our Nordic

changes like the material and how the houses are

neighbours to ensure we can learn from their

heated will ensure more efficient buildings. With

advancements in building design in similar climates.

the improved connections to Scotland and

Our buildings are found in a climate where ensuring

Northern Europe, ease of access of timber

user warmth without wasting energy is at the front

will be provided through these connections.

of our design principles. However, the results throughout our architectural history generally do not

Our master plan relies on people as a resource

reflect this.

for the developing and new industries we propose - but it will be all kinds of people.

In Scotland we are famous for our stone buildings, yet

It will involve an integration of people who

in Norway, and the other Nordic countries, timber is

currently live there and those still to come;

the construction material of choice. This has a

and people who will live there for a lifetime,

lot to do with the ease of access to the timber, however

one season or only for one day. The entire

timber properties also give it a large advantage over

master plan will promote ‘cultural meetings’

stone, with the later a very poor insulator. Our

as a resource for growth and economic

intention is to follow Nordic design principles which

sustainability, and these different kinds of

will also have an implication on the way in which

people (permanent, temporary, new, existing)

are houses are designed. Our houses currently place

are prevalent throughout the islands.

p.169

Nordic Scotland

Students and seasonal workers will use the same housing but at different times of the year ensuring the buildings are maintained throughout the year

At St. Margaret’s Hope, for example, the shipping

this to service the renewables university. Found in

industry will have a huge effect, due to the village

Stromness and Kirkwall they will be occupied

being the closest to the shipping terminal at Hoxa

by students throughout the university term

Head. The permanent workers are likely to

time - October until May. The building will not be

need additional housing provided here (and

left abandoned throughout the summer though.

at surrounding villages such as Burray Village and St. Mary’s), while the temporary population of ships

With the influx of tourists, greater numbers of

crew (who are only likely to be on the island for only

retail staff who are multi-lingual will migrate

24-48 hours) should be provided with some form

to Orkney for seasonal work. They will be

of a ‘hostel’. Temporary and permanent population

encouraged to use the vacant student accommodation

are two of the important typologies which reappear

throughout the summer meaning lower rental prices

throughout the islands.

for the seasonal workers. This will in turn allow friendships and communities to develop because of

As part of the renewables university students will

their shared condition.

need to be housed. Currently there is only one student hostel within Orkney found in Kirkwall. It caters

With all these new architectural interventions

solely for secondary school children who may live on

on Orkney our proposals consider the unique

an island too small to sustain educational facilities.

land ownership law system which is only

The students spend the week in Kirkwall before

applicable within Orkney and Shetland. Udal

returning to their island for the weekend. The student

Law differs from Scots Law only because of its

accommodations we will propose is far larger than

legislation at the coast. This is something which the

p.170

Inhabiting Orkney

Network city will ensure the migrating population are distributed throughout the islands and not centralised on one specific place

renewables companies discovered when they first

With our master plan looking at every scale of this

started deploying equipment at test sites around

development, many new people will arrive on Orkney’s

Orkney’s waters. By Udal Law the coastline of the

shores and they must be treated with individuality to

persons land is also theirs, so when the renewables

best suit their needs. The landscape must also

companies started running cables and equipment

be preserved (with National Heritage sites

through the land owners waters, it was not the council

and nature reserves found throughout the

who received the money, but that of the land owners.

islands) so our proposal for a network city will ensure that this remains.

With so many new developments planned, and a distinct lack of understanding of Udal Law, an institute for planning applications will be developed to oversee new proposals and buildings. This will ensure a coherent law system is prevalent where the buildings meet the coastline.

p.171

Nordic Scotland

WHAT WILL THE ORCADIAN HOUSE OF THE FUTURE LOOK LIKE?

p.172

Inhabiting Orkney

p.173

Nordic Scotland

OUR NORDIC SCOTLAND

In Orkney we have found a site which can be

variety of people from different backgrounds.

the catalyst for a ‘Nordic Scotland’. Its links at a global, regional and local scale have the potential to

Our research has lead us to this conceptual

ensure Scotland is a hub of activity for the shipping,

stage so far and volume two of Nordic

renewables and tourism industry.

Scotland will showcase the architectural interventions created on Orkney. Volume

Through its location in the north of Scotland new

three is set to look at specific buildings and

connections to the central belt will be created and our

the details of integrating Nordic design into

proposals predict a small migration of population

our own Scottish designs.

to Orkney for living, working and playing.

Introducing Nordic principles and design techniques

These three volumes will form the first part of Nordic

we believe that Orkney will become a successful

Scotland’s proposals, and our intention is to continue

island community.

to develop further projects throughout the country to integrate us into the Nordic region, creating

All of these new industries will develop as a

a

coherent master plan in a symbiotic manner.

Scotland.

Ensuring that a network city is created throughout the islands will allow the migrating population to integrate with the exisiting population, creating new architectural opportunities in the form of sports centres, institutional buildings and new homes for a

p.174

successful,

sustainable

and

profitable

Nordic Scotland

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