My favourite place by Kevin Gauld, Orkney craftsman and furniture maker
Where is it?
The island of Westray, a ferry trip north from Mainland Orkney where I live.
Why do you go there?
Westray has beautiful beaches, spectacular scenery and a warm, welcoming community. It’s like a home from home.
How often do you go?
We try to go most years. I have family there who I enjoy visiting. My family and I have spent our summer holiday there. I’ve visited to sail in their annual sailing regatta. More recently, we have spent New Year on Westray.
How did you discover it?
When my sister and I were young, we would spend our school summer holidays on the island where our grandparents, aunties, uncles and cousins lived.
Our dad passed away when we were really young, so we would spend the summer with family on Westray, while our mum continued to work on the mainland. I suppose it gave her some peace and quiet and we had great freedom.
I would spend most of my time outdoors. The days were long, and I loved going to the beaches, building dens, flying kites and helping on our grandparents’ farm.
What’s your favourite memory?
On the mainland, we lived in a council housing scheme. So, it was great to wake up in the morning on Westray and hear the birds singing outside.
It’s also on Westray that I started developing an interest in making things. There were always pieces of wood lying about and tools to use to try and make various things. I would make small wooden boats and take them to the beach – or make a bow and arrow to play with.
Who do you take with you?
The past few years, we have been renting a group of three converted cottages where we can bring in the New Year with my wife, our daughter and two sons. My wife’s family also comes with us.
Life can be pretty busy, but it is so relaxing and fun being together. Time slows down for a little while.
What do you take with you?
Outdoor clothing for going out on a long walk. A jigsaw for the rainy days, a bottle of good whisky and a sketchbook to sketch ideas for the year ahead.
With Orkney hosting the International Island Games this year, it has been great to sketch out designs for the water sculpture, which I have created for the opening ceremony, and look at all the inspiration to be found in my island home.
Sum it up in five words.
Beautiful. Remote. Rugged. Inspiring. Relaxing.
What other travel spot is on your wish list?
There are not any forests in Orkney, so when I go on holiday elsewhere, one of my favourite things to do is a forest walk. I would love to visit Redwood Park in Canada and see the giant trees.
Kevin Gauld is designing a sculpture for the opening ceremony of the Orkney 2025 International Island Games. The event runs from July 12-18, with 24 islands from across the world taking part in 12 different sports. Visit orkney2025.com
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