Creative Community in Orkney: Engaging with poet George Mackay Brown

New Connections

Barns-Graham’s first visit to Orkney in 1984 was decidedly marked by the new friendships she formed on the island. Stating on Radio Orkney that she had been “met with great kindness” (WBG/11, Tape 33), the welcome she received by Orcadians like Maureen and John Grey, Nora Kennedy, Rene Simm, Sheila Thomas and Valerie Hamilton were a welcome surprise for Barns-Graham. They served as a motivating factor in both the extension of her 1984 trip and her return in 1985.

Famous Orcadian poet George Mackay Brown may have been the most influential individual during Barns-Graham’s time in Orkney was. Already a fan of his, having bought a book of his poetry in advance of her first trip in 1984, Barns-Graham was so eager to meet him that she was even excited to meet his nephew Erland Brown (curator of the Pier Arts Centre), writing in her diary “I also thought that’s him – nephew of G.M.B.!” (Diary entry 15 August 1984 WBG/4/1/42/126).

Mutual Admirers

Finally officially meeting Mackay Brown at the opening of her exhibition at the Pier Arts Centre on August 17 1984, Barns-Graham’s first meeting with the poet was so impactful that she transcribed their conversation into her diary. In it, she appears both pleased and flattered that he was a mutual admirer of hers, writing that it was “a big moment to contain” (17 August 1984 WBG/4/1/42/127).

I know what it is re GMB. I feel very drawn – through his / my work + so when I meet I treat it like a precious jewel which when you look into you simply treasure but don’t wear too often.

(Diary Entry 26 August 1984, WBG/1/4/42/132)

In the following six weeks, Barns-Graham met with Mackay Brown an additional seven times. Her “day was made” when they met unexpectedly in Kirkwall and he told her “it is lovely to have you on the island” (Diary entry 25 August 1984 WBG/1/4/42/131). She describes him in her diaries as having a “presence” and of frequently being nervous and “off-balance” when they are together (Diary entry 24 August 1984, WBG/1/4/42/131). As an enthusiast of his work, she even took several photographs of his home, which were then included in her Orkney reference albums (BGP/1/9/48, BGP/1/9/49), and visited his parents’ graves at the Warbeth Kirkyard in Stromness. Further highlights of their interactions included her having tea at his home on 10 September 1984, where Barns-Graham gifted him half a bottle of Highland Park, which he seemed “pleased with” (Diary entry, WBG/1/4/42/143); a day trip to Birsay, also with Rene Simm; and his attending her 1984 farewell dinner party, alongside Maureen and John Grey. After she left the island, they continued to stay in touch, with him sending her a card containing his poetry for Christmas in 1985.

The Poetry of Orkney

Mackay Brown was clearly an influencing factor on Barns-Graham work. Comments in her diary indicate she was reading his books and poetry during her visits, including Magnus and Under Brinkie’s Bray, both of which she had signed by Mackay Brown, as well as Hawkfall. Furthermore, she saved several newspaper clippings of GMB’s writings that appeared in The Orcadian newspaper in 1984 (WBG/1/7/51, WBG/1/7/52, WBG/1/7/53). His writings ultimately infiltrated her diary and her own poetic descriptions of Orkney:

Colouring in these parts can change so incredibly – … into blue on left – look right a cold grey – that is the sea. Then the seaweeds! Growth, wonderful orange + rusts + other greens especially after rain. The grey waters too can be two shades of grey sometimes. Blue grey or yellow grey + the quilted fields at least three shades of green – emerald, blues, yellows, darker – two shades of ochre bonded by stone walls + on top bound be deep rich brown + the heather. The influence of the sky is into the water. Rust as it were – + the “sleeping whales of islands” as George Mackay Brown writes, between this + affected there + gone + back + extended + breathing! Nest of brown ducks matching their surroundings – at leisure + peace. Wish I’d come here earlier…

(Diary entry 28 August 1984, WBG/1/4/42/133)

On 24 September 1984, after returning home from her first trip to Orkney, Barns-Graham wrote in her diary that she was “definitely in love with Orkney” (WBG/1/4/42/150). That day, she also noted that she was reading Mackay’s Brown book of Orcadian short stories Hawkfall. The title story, “Hawkfall”, illustrates the history of Orkney from ancient times to modern day, and takes place in several locations Barns-Graham visited on her trip – including the ruins of Skara Brae; the Earl’s Palace in Birsay; Kirkwall; and the island’s lochs. Reading Mackay Brown’s work may have heightened Barns-Graham’s sense of historical resonance and poetic significance, influencing her memories of the island and creative work.

Barns-Graham’s connection with George Mackay Brown stands out as a meaningful exchange between two artists who respected each other’s work. Their relationship played a significant role in the broader context that informed Barns-Graham’s experience of Orkney, shaping her time there and the work that followed.

The WBGT would like to express our thanks to Emily Parks for the excellent work she completed while on placement with us during summer 2025.