~ Ragnhild Ljosland ~
Inspired by Orkney
I first saw Ragnhild Ljosland - or Raggie, as her friends know her - being interviewed on a Norwegian program about Orkney. Seeing her beautiful, friendly smile, I thought, "She looks so nice!"
I was right. Raggie is one of the sweetest people I know. She's also extremely interesting and accomplished. She even makes chocolate!
Tom and I are thrilled to say that Raggie is busily preparing her latest book for publication with Orkneyology Press.
A Norwegian in Orkney
Dr Ragnhild Ljosland works for the University of the Highlands and Islands Archaeology Institute at Orkney College.
Coming originally from Norway, she has lived in Orkney since 2009 where she is married into an Orcadian family.
A degree in Scandinavian language and literature and PhD in sociolinguistics led her to the field of culture and heritage, with a special interest in Orkney and Shetland and the cultural connections between Scotland and Scandinavia.
Raggie's books
Previous publications include Chrissie’s Bodle (The Orcadian, 2011) on the life and works of Orcadian writer Christina Costie, Sigurd the Dragonslayer (The Orcadian, 2014) a children’s book based on a Norse myth, The Orkney Book of Runes (Orkney Archaeology Society, 2019 and 2nd edition 2026) on the runic inscriptions found in Orkney, and Commemorating the Victims of the Orkney Witchcraft Trials (Orkney Heritage Society, 2020, co-edited with James Irvine), as well as numerous articles in academic journals and academic book chapters.
She is the main editor as well as substantial contributor to Visiting the Past, a book on re-enactment to be published by Archaeopress in 2026. See also her play for children, Hansel and Greta Save the World (2019), inspired by Orkney’s folklore.
Upcoming for Orkneyology Press
Vikings, Pirates and Shipwrecked Princesses, Ragnhild’s new book in preparation for Orkneyology Press explores Orkney’s rich trove of naming legends.
These tales explain how families and places got their names. For example, the many legends of Orcadian family origin from survivors of the wrecking of the Spanish Armada and other shipwrecks, not least a Norwegian princess!
The book also shares legends of how places were named, from Cubbie Roo’s Burden and Fairy Gate to the horrors of Bluidy Castle and the moaning dead at Moaness, and of course the name Orkney itself.
Hear more on Ower wi' the Moon!
More about Raggie:
Ragnhild Ljosland's website
~ The Orkney Book of Runes ~
View the Q&A
~Raggie's paper for Folklore ~
Like Driftwood Taking Root: Folk-Onomastic Origin Legends from the Orkney Islands
Mermaid image (Rhonda's pages) and storyteller image (Tom's pages), and all other illustrations except where noted are here by the courtesy of our dear friend - Stromness author, artist and historian, Bryce Wilson MBE, who owns all copyrights. Thanks, Bryce!
Listen to Tom on Youtube!
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Ower wi' the Moon podcast
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