"All the music in Orkney's St Magnus Festival is touched by magic...”
Amanda Holloway, The Independent Wednesday 29 June 2005

“It was very much a question of relating it to experience,” he says. “I remember writing my very first piece which was called Morning Echoes – to do with nature – and writing another piece called Cloud – also about nature.” – Sir Peter Maxell Davies, co-founder of the St. Magnus Festival, Orkney, Scotland.

Orkney is all about nature and the magic it brings to the human senses. It has the widest of skies, the roar of the sea birds, and the warmth of a sun coating the land with its butterscotch light. It is an island exotic for its tremendous connectedness to man and earth. Orkney is an island that draws those with colors in their eyes, music in their hands, and creativity in their hearts. Orkney renders passion pallitable. So it is no wonder that eventually, composer Sir Peter Maxwell Davies would find his way northwards away from his childhood spent in urban Manchester, England. It is all about the journey…

In 1970, Davies had a chance encounter with local Orcadian author, George MacKay Brown. Davies was enchanted with the work of George MacKay Brown but never imagined they would meet. They found each other somewhere about the undulating hills of Orkney’s islands. Soon among the isolated high hills of Hoy and the sea worn purple stones of the beach at Rackwick Bay, a meeting of minds and love created a pathway for musical inspiration.

Based on a recommendation by MacKay, Davies stayed in a small cottage and began to write some his most passionate musical pieces at Rackwick, Hoy. He would stay for 25 years enjoying being surrounded mostly by the sounds of the elements…the wind, the water, and the fire he would make to keep warm. The elements in turn would find a way to blend into his musical compositions and Orkney would find a way to lure musical enthusiasts to its shores.

Working numerous times on collaborations, music and writing created an idea to share their world with the world at large. Davies and MacKay’s with help from other members of the community, founded the St. Magnus Festival in 1977. The St Magnus Festival is Orkney's annual celebration of the arts. The Festival has grown into one of Britain 's most highly regarded and adventurous arts events. It’s name comes from the architectural gem in Kirkwall …the St. Magnus Cathedral whose history is steeped in the words of the Icelandic Sagas and whose stones and spires are the center of Orkney’s rich cultural life.

"The glorious landscape, sea and ever-shifting light and weather are all part of the festival experience, as are the charming people and their ancient history."
Sunday Scottish Herald 30th June 2002

The Festival attracts many visitors from across the world for its outstanding performances by well known artists as well including local community artists.

Musical events are at the heart of the artistic program although the Festival also showcases drama, dance, literature and the visual arts. Over the years, numerous distinguished artists have appeared at the Festival - including Vladimir Ashkenazy, Andre Previn, Julian Bream, Imogen Cooper, Georgy Pauk, Evelyn Glennie, John Harle, Joanna MacGregor, Steven Isserlis, John Lill and Angela Hewitt.

Visiting orchestras and ensembles have included the Royal Philharmonic, the BBC Philharmonic, the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, London Sinfonietta, the Nash Ensemble, the Scottish

The Festival has recognized the talent of and commissioned works from young composers who have gone on to become established figures such as James MacMillan, Judith Weir and Simon Holt. Other commissioned composers have included Sir Richard Rodney Bennett, Thea Musgrave, Sally Beamish, Alasdair Nicolson, Edward McGuire, William Sweeney and Gordon McPherson and David Horne. Many important premieres by Sir Peter Maxwell Davies continue to be given.

In 2003, the Festival christened the Orkney Conducting Course: a 10-day course enabling 8 emerging professional conductors hands-on experiences working with the orchestras, ensembles and soloists already in town for the Festival.

Orkney has a population of around 19,000 spread out across 19 of the 70 surrounding islands. The majority of the islanders live on the Orkney Mainland. There the two main towns. At the northern end is Kirkwall , with a population of around 7,000. At the southern end is Stromness, with a population of about 2,000. Many other residents come from the rest of Britain and others have found the magic of Orkney luring enough to entice them away from other European countries. It is an island with variety, interest, and spirit.

Orkney is also an island steeped in the history of man’s relationship to the land. While continuing to be a largely agricultural community, it is filled with historical sights of interest. There are four UNESCO World Heritage sites within a 10 mile radius. One can truly travel in time while driving the winding roads. Both of the major towns have well arranged museums that document the islands’ changes over time. The Pier Arts Centre in Stromness houses an important collection of twentieth century works of art and has just undergone a complete restoration.

And while on the look out for standing stones and stone henges, the bird life abounds. Short-eared owls, Arctic skuas, and the elusive puffin can all be sighted. Oyster catchers and all the gulls of the world seem to settle down for a bite or two in the well harvested hayfield. The cliffs will draw you to them and the chorus of nesting seabirds will have you stand in disbelief as you just know that you are part of a documentary.

In addition to the St Magnus Festival, the cultural life of the islands is enriched all year round with a large number of groups actively participating in the arts. Traditional music is alive and well. Numerous crafts artisans have relocated to Orkney. There are seven major jewelry workshops and designers creating designs available throughout Britain and the rest of Europe . World class painters, weavers, and musicians live on Orkney year-round. There is even a world class restaurant with a four-star rating. Most restaurants serve local produce and fresh caught seafood.

Orkney is an adventure that will incite the senses. Deep culture and the standing stones on Orkney beckons you….to come…to learn…to listen… to find your story within the journey…