The Strawplaiters of Orkney

An exhibition, which was part of the Fair Saturday Scotland Festival in collaboration with Orkney Rape and Sexual Assault Service (ORSAS), a Book launch with author Fiona Grahame and a Straw plait workshop with Sue Knowles

13th - 25th November 2023 

The working lives of women and girls were explored in a Book Week Scotland series of events in Stromness following the publication of a new book ‘The Strawplaiters of Orkney’ by Fiona Grahame and published by Orkney News Ltd. Author Fiona Grahame said:

“Thousands of women and girls were employed plaiting straw and making bonnets for export. Stromness, as a major port, was a hub for this industry but it spread throughout Orkney.”

“What happened to the people who had relied on this industry when it suddenly collapsed? ‘The Strawplaiters of Orkney, follows the lives of the people involved and explores the reasons why it vanished so quickly.”

Contact: Fiona Grahame phone: 07851725012 email fionamgrahame@gmail.com