The University of the Highlands and Islands’ Institute for Northern Studies attended a taster day organised by UHI Orkney in partnership with Developing the Young Workforce Orkney on January 20th 2026.
The event provided young people from secondary schools in Orkney with an exciting opportunity to explore the courses available at UHI Orkney and gain brief hands-on experience.
The institute’s exhibition stand showcased previous projects and demonstrated how these experiences contribute to the interdisciplinary skills that employers increasingly seek. Additionally, all students were able to independently access further information through the displayed QR codes.
Lynn Campbell, Programme Leader for BA (Hons) Culture and Heritage, stated, “This event is a fantastic opportunity to demonstrate to local young people that they don’t need to leave Orkney to experience the life-changing benefits of higher or further education. The BA (Hons) in Culture and Heritage course we offer at UHI Institute for Northern Studies is available online, allowing students to study from anywhere in the world, including from their homes here in the islands. We attract students from all over the globe, and we look forward to teaching more students from these islands in the future.”
The display featured a mysterious object that is significant to Orkney’s history, inviting visitors to share their thoughts on its use. A QR code was available for those who wish to learn more about the object.
It is, in fact, a Hen-Pen-Dirlo, a traditional children’s toy created by Orcadians in the past. To make one, all that’s needed is a potato and the largest hen feathers you can find. However, the feathers used in this example were not quite large enough for it to function effectively.
The idea is to throw it up in the air and it would twist and twirl – dirl – in the air currents. It might even roll across the field and would need to be caught! It was called a tattie craa in some places across Orkney.
There’s also a tune called the Hen-pen-dirlo, written by Jennifer Wrigley and on the Wrigley Sisters’ album Skyran
The Hen-pen-dirlo (reel) on The Session
If you feel inspired to join us as a postgraduate or as an undergraduate student then please feel free to email us at ins@uhi.ac.uk or visit our website
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