Thursday, 28 February 2013

Betty's Reading Room

The other day at the Radio Orkney studio, Fionn McArthur asked me if I'd been to Betty's Reading Room yet. I hadn't, though I'd seen Fionn's report on BBC Scotland News and was intrigued.

 Well, it was a beautiful day for a drive out the West Mainland to Tingwall Jetty, so I seized the moment.






I wasn't disappointed. Crammed with books and strategically placed sofas, with all sorts of quirky and interesting objects round about, Betty's Reading Room is a place you could easily lose yourself and shed the stresses of the world for an hour or two.

The Reading Room came into being when Craig Mollison and Jane Spiers lost a good friend, Betty Prictor. What could they do, they wondered to commemorate her life and spirit.

They renovated an old cottage at Tingwall, donated to them by the farmer who owned it, and turned it into a truly inspirational tribute to their old friend.




                                               





Boats and books, hares and books, cows and cats and hares and books, lamps and pictures and books  ...


And outside hens pecking about in the grass.








Here's reading to you, Betty! Thank you Jane and Craig for a lovely place to take time out.
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10 comments:

  1. Anonymous1 March 2013 at 00:48

    Delighted you got there at last Alison. Thought you might like it!
    Fionn

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    Replies
    1. Alison Miller4 March 2013 at 03:51

      I did indeed, Fionn. Thanks again for the nudge. It's such a lovely tribute to someone who clearly meant a lot to Craig and Jane. What a good thought that that the tribute to her is imbued with the qualities her friends saw in her.
      Alison

      Delete
  2. Stromness Library1 March 2013 at 08:18

    Thank you Alison, it really sounds the most wonderful place, and I still haven't been yet. Perhaps we should take the reading group on an outing there sometime?

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    Replies
    1. Alison Miller4 March 2013 at 03:52

      That would be a good idea, Becky! I'm sure if we gave warning there could be a nice log fire burning for the discussion!
      Alison

      Delete
  3. Anonymous18 July 2013 at 13:12

    I went there with the Nordic Studies group this month...what a magical rememberance.
    Ros Parkyn

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    Replies
    1. Alison Miller19 July 2013 at 09:44

      Yes, it is wonderful, isn't it. A great tribute to their friend, Betty.

      Delete
  4. Dorcas Eatch7 September 2013 at 01:48

    just listening to the story on radio 4, how wonderful and what a wonderful thing to do, will definitely be visiting if and when i get back to Orkney. Take care

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    Replies
    1. Alison Miller7 September 2013 at 06:38

      Thanks, Dorcas. Yes I heard the feature on Saturday Live too. Betty's Reading Room IS a very special place. Hope you get back to Orkney to see it one day soon. Best Wishes, Alison

      Delete
  5. So many books, so little time7 September 2013 at 13:27

    Wonderful to read a bit more about it, I hope to get there one day

    Lainy http://www.alwaysreading.net

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    Replies
    1. Alison Miller7 September 2013 at 13:59

      Thank you, Lainy. Good luck getting there. Alison

      Delete

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