St Margaret's Hope, known locally as 'The Hope' is situated at the head of a sheltered bay on the northern coast of South Ronaldsay. The third largest settlement in Orkney and the main village in South Ronaldsay, population of approximately 550. The village has remained much the same over the years and fortunately has retained it's charm. Hopefully a continuing trend.
The exact origin of the name is a little uncertain, the village was probably named after Malcolm 111's wife Margaret who became St Margaret after her death in 1093. Confusion arises after the death of Alexander 111 in 1286, the crown of Scotland was passed to his grand-daughter Margaret, the Maid of Norway and daughter of the King of Norway. She was only three years old.
The treaty of Bingham between England, Scotland and Norway agreed the the marriage of Margaret and Edward, son of Edward 1 and heir to the English crown in July 1290.
In September 1290 Margaret set sail from Bergen to Leith, however storms forced the boat off course and it eventually arrived in St Margaret's Hope, suffering from the effects of sea sickness she died here, aged only eight years old. Had her marriage to Edward gone ahead the Scottish and English crowns would have been united some three hundred years earlier than they were in 1603 - 300 bloody years would have been very different.
Hope comes from the old Norse word 'hjop' or bay.
The growth of the village was mainly due to the herring industry in the 1800's, this grew along with Scapa Flow during the two world wars and the increased naval activity in the area. The harbour, boatyard and slipways are evidence of St Margaret's Hope's recent history.
St Margaret's Hope has grown busier in recent years mainly due to the arrival of Pentland Ferries in 2001, business has boomed and the arrival of the brand new Sea Cat early next year will herald a new era in travel to and from Orkney.
Computer generated images of the new Sea Cat, currently under construction and due to arrive in spring 2008. Courtesy of Pentland Ferries.
With us both being in St Margaret's Hope we regard Pentland Ferries as very much 'our ferry' there is much rattling on about cheap and cheerful etc, let us say what we think.
'Great price, friendly, fast, reliable - the best way to Orkney and an asset to South Ronaldsay and St Margaret's Hope'
Facilities in the village are a nine hole golf course, bowling green and tennis courts.
Well worth a visit is the Smiddy Museum, with
lots of old blacksmith's tools to try out and lots of old photographs. It's
absolutely free to visit and 30 seconds walk from the Noust. The museum also
features a small exhibition on the annual Boys' Ploughing Match, a hugely
popular event first held circa 1860. Each year in August, boys from the village
(and now girls as well) dress up as horses and parade in the village square
(prizes are given for the best costume). Afterwards the boys and their fathers,
or grandfathers, head for the Sand of Wright, a few miles west, and have a
ploughing match with miniature ploughs, which are usually family heirlooms. The
categories are: best ploughed ring, best feering or guiding furrow, neatest ends
and best kept plough.
Arts and crafts abound in Orkney and St Margaret's Hope and South Ronaldsay are no exception. On the Front road, yards from the Noust is the Loft Gallery this provides an annual art exhibition along side the sale of local crafts. The Workshop is a craft producers' co-operative. It was set up in 1978 for the benefit of local craftspeople and now specialises in high quality knitwear and crafts.
Local artist Tim Wootton offers year round drawing courses, if you wish to take away something away more than a keepsake. For details go to his website at www.tim-wootton.com a devout Yorkshireman, Tim has made his home in Orkney, not sure whether he is a birder who paints, or an artist who goes birdwatching - I agree with Tim, it doesn't matter, with a passion for both his work is truly outstanding. A day out with Tim in his 12 seat Land Rover Defender 'Bird Bus' is a day to remember.
Along the Hoxa road is Hoxa Tapestry Gallery, purpose built to display Leila J Thomson's unique, large tapestries as a native Orcadian her inspiration is drawn from the Orkney landscape. Her website is www.hoxatapestrygallery.co.uk
The village is well served by restaurants, notably the Murray Arms, The Creel and right next door
The Galley Inn all use fresh local produce wherever possible.
As you can see the Galley Inn is right next door to the Noust. In a previous life The Galley Inn was Spence's Stores and The Noust was two store rooms for the shop, so the two share a common recent history. Tom Broadhurst and his partner Sheona are the proprietors, food is absolutely first rate, fresh orkney sirloin with haggis and whisky sauce is awesome, hand made chips and other delights make the Galley Inn a 'must do' for a stay in St Margaret's Hope.
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