Orkney island welcomes first baby in more than three decades

Historically when the Laird was on the island, a flag was flown at Holland House to inform the residents.

So when baby Duncan was born at 04:05 on 15 September, Alice and Jorge followed the tradition to share the news.

“Over the years we have found a lot of magical four-leaf clovers here and have kept them in a book,” Alice said.

“We stuck a four-leaf clover to a glass bottle, glued a Groatie Buckie to the lid then filled it with whisky and gave it to each of the islanders.

“We raised the flag and everybody opened their whisky and shared a dram – a celebratory drink – together.”

A Groatie Buckie is a small, pale pink and white shell found on beaches across Orkney, which in local tradition brings good luck and fortune to the keeper.