{"product_id":"an-orcadian-odyssey-a-memoir-ebook","title":"An Orcadian Odyssey: A memoir","description":"\u003c!-- One-line hook --\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA warm, witty and richly illustrated memoir of life in Orkney – more Viking than Scottish, and full of stories.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003c!-- Tagline --\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn Orcadian artist and historian looks back on a lifetime in the islands and far beyond, in words, images and memory.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003chr\u003e\n\n\u003c!-- Access Your Content --\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"border: 2px solid #ddd; padding: 16px; border-radius: 6px; background: #f9f9f9; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n  \u003cp style=\"font-weight: bold; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 10px;\"\u003eAccess Your Content in Seconds\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003col style=\"margin-left: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eComplete your purchase on our store.\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eDownload \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/thegreyhill.com\/pages\/the-grey-hill-app\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Grey Hill App\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e (free).\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eLog in using the same email from checkout.\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eYour ebook will appear instantly in your library.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003c\/ol\u003e\n  \u003cp style=\"font-size: 14px; color: #555;\"\u003eAll content is securely delivered through our app and not offered as a Shopify download.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003chr\u003e\n\n\u003c!-- About the Ebook --\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAbout the Ebook\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAn Orcadian Odyssey: A Memoir – A Life in the Orkney Islands\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eBorn and raised in Stromness on Orkney’s Mainland, Orcadian artist and historian \u003cstrong\u003eBryce Wilson\u003c\/strong\u003e writes with warmth and humour about growing up in post‑WWII Orkney. In this vivid memoir, he recalls a way of island life that now feels almost vanished, capturing the everyday texture of a community that is, in many ways, “more Viking than Scottish.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAcross these entertaining recollections, Bryce introduces a remarkable cast of friends and acquaintances: from poets George Mackay Brown, Ted Hughes and Seamus Heaney, to playwright Christopher Fry and painters Sylvia Wishart and Stanley Cursitor. Less famous but equally delightful are Orkney’s own “Spice Girls” – a middle‑aged accordion and fiddle trio – alongside Margaret Atwood, Barbara Rae RA, Sir Peter Maxwell Davies, Charles Dickens’ great‑great‑grandson and even the occasional royal visitor.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWith the voice of a natural storyteller, Bryce shares the origin of Orkney’s “Back to Denmark” movement, the early days of Stromness’ Pier Arts Centre, and the creation of Orkney’s museums, in which he played a major role. Childhood holidays on the tiny island of Graemsay sit alongside tales of campaigns to secure recognition for Arctic explorer Dr John Rae. Like his sea‑faring Orcadian forebears, Bryce travels far beyond Orkney – to Egypt, Russia, Spain, Thailand and Borneo – before returning home to tell of renewed links between Orcadians and their Canadian Métis relatives.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eLiberally illustrated with Bryce’s own full‑colour artwork, and threaded through with his poetry and contributions from friends, \u003cem\u003eAn Orcadian Odyssey\u003c\/em\u003e is a rich, affectionate portrait of Orkney life past and present.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA treasure for anyone who loves Orkney, island memoir, and stories rooted in place and community.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003chr\u003e\n\n\u003c!-- Review --\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCritical Praise\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\"In this delightful, humorous, warm book Bryce describes not only his wandering the globe from Arctic Canada to Brunei but also his wandering through early memories of childhood… In this interesting book Bryce makes full use of his art skills in the beautiful illustrations which accompany the tales. I loved the homely, simple style of the script which makes it a great pleasure to read and I recommend the Odyssey thoroughly.\"\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e— Gregor Lamb\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003chr\u003e\n\n\u003c!-- Why You'll Love This Ebook --\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy You'll Love This Ebook\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eA vivid memoir of Orkney life:\u003c\/strong\u003e From post‑war Stromness to the present day.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRich cultural tapestry:\u003c\/strong\u003e Encounters with poets, painters, composers and island characters.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGlobal wanderings:\u003c\/strong\u003e Journeys from Orkney to Egypt, Russia, Spain, Thailand, Borneo and beyond.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBeautifully illustrated:\u003c\/strong\u003e Full‑colour artwork and poetry by the author, with contributions from friends.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePerfect for lovers of island stories:\u003c\/strong\u003e A deeply personal, generous portrait of an Orcadian life.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003chr\u003e\n\n\u003c!-- About the Author --\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBryce Wilson – Orcadian Artist, Historian, and Storyteller\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eBryce Wilson is a Stromness native and graduate of Gray’s School of Art in Aberdeen. He spent most of his working life in Orkney’s museums and schools, helping to shape how the islands’ history and culture are preserved and shared.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eNow retired, he continues to promote Orkney’s heritage from his home in Stromness, writing books for readers who are curious about island life, past and present. His work combines an artist’s eye with a historian’s attention to detail and a storyteller’s warmth.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003chr\u003e\n\n\u003c!-- About Orkneyology Press --\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAbout Orkneyology Press\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrkneyology Press\u003c\/strong\u003e publishes stories rooted in Orkney’s people, places and traditions — from folklore and history to memoir and contemporary island life. \u003cem\u003eAn Orcadian Odyssey\u003c\/em\u003e is one of their flagship titles, marking the press’s venture into publishing life writing from within the islands themselves.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003chr\u003e\n\n\u003c!-- Publication Details --\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePublication Details\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/strong\u003e Orkneyology Press\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePublication Date:\u003c\/strong\u003e 21 November 2022\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePrint Length:\u003c\/strong\u003e 220 pages\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFormat:\u003c\/strong\u003e Ebook\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLanguage:\u003c\/strong\u003e English\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003chr\u003e\n\n\u003c!-- FAQ --\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eHow do I access my ebook?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDownload \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/thegreyhill.com\/pages\/the-grey-hill-app\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Grey Hill App\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e and log in using the same email you used at checkout. Your ebook will appear instantly in your library.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eCan I read it online?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes — you can also access your purchases via our online reader at \n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/reader.thegreyhill.com\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ereader.thegreyhill.com\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eI can’t see my ebook — what should I do?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTap the refresh button in the app or online reader. If it still doesn’t appear, ensure you’re logged in with the same email used at checkout. If issues continue, contact us and we’ll help right away.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eCan I gift this ebook?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes — you can purchase a Grey Hill Gift Card here:\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/thegreyhill.com\/products\/the-grey-hill-gift-card\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eBuy a Gift Card\u003c\/a\u003e.\nThe recipient can redeem it on our store, and their ebook will appear in The Grey Hill App.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Orkneyology Press","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56534365143413,"sku":null,"price":7.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0921\/5662\/5269\/files\/Bryceebookcover_1600x2560px.jpg?v=1767012303","url":"https:\/\/thegreyhill.com\/products\/an-orcadian-odyssey-a-memoir-ebook","provider":"The Grey Hill","version":"1.0","type":"link"}