Martin S. Laird

Artist | film-maker | animator

Tag: Orkney

  • Summer 2026 at Ship of Fools gallery

    Flowers bloom at Ship of Fools gallery Summer show For the duration of Summer 2026 I have four flower paintings on show in the Ship of Fools gallery Summer exhibition, alongside some beautiful work by other artists from Orkney and further afield. I’m very grateful to Maiwenn and her team for once again allowing me…

    Written by

    Martin Laird
    Poster advertisement for the Ship of Fools gallery Summer exhibition. 21 Bridge Street, Kirkwall, Orkney. Open Wedesday to Saturday throughout the Summer. Image shows an airbrushed acrylic painting of three daffodils by Orcadian artist Martin S. Laird.

  • The Gardeners of Orkney

    ,

    The Gardeners of Orkney – available now I am very pleased to have worked with Fiona Grahame once again on the design, layout and cover illustration for her latest book, The Gardeners of Orkney 1837-1901, published by Orkney News Ltd. In the 19th Century Orkney was home to a number of wealthy landowners connected to…

    Written by

    Martin Laird
    The Gardeners of Orkney by Fiona Grahame. Book cover and layout by Orcadian artist Martin S. Laird featuring a pencil drawing of a still life featuring vegetables set against a green grassy backdrop.

  • St Magnus International Festival 2025

    ,

    It was my great pleasure to act as official photographer for the 2025 St Magnus International Festival. Here you can see a selection of my favourite pictures from the 18 performances I attended. Performances took places throughout Orkney, but the primary concert venue was of course the magnificent setting of St Magnus Cathedral in Kirkwall.…

    Written by

    Martin Laird
    Sandstone columns in St Magnus Cathedral illuminated by sunlight through stained glass. Dark blue and purple lit Cathedral with bright streaks of colour.

  • HMS Pheasant 1917: book available now

    ,

    HMS Pheasant 1917: Who were the lost men and boys? HMS Pheasant 1917: Who were the lost men and boys? by Fiona Grahame is available to order now from all good book sellers. It tells the stories of the crewmen who were lost aboard the Royal Navy M-Class destroyer HMS Pheasant whilst on patrol off…

    Written by

    Martin Laird
    HMS Pheasant 1917: Who were the lost men and boys? by Fiona Grahame. Cover shows a photo of Rora Head on Hoy by Martin Laird where HMS Pheasant hit a mine. Superimposed over this is a photo of WIlliam Bowen, one of the men lost.

  • Ship of Fools Christmas Show

    I am honoured to be among the artists featured at the 2024 Christmas Show at the Ship of Fools gallery on Bridge Street in Kirkwall. Some of my more lighthearted cartoons are on show (and for sale), alongside a variety of work by artists from Orkney and further afield. The show also features work by…

    Written by

    Martin Laird
    Photo showing the exterior of Ship of Fools gallery on Bridge Street in Kirkwall, Orkney. The is a free-standing sign advertising the Christmas show with a list of featured artists.

  • Maddad and Maddadson

    Portrait of Mormaer Matad of Atholl with his son, the infant Earl Harald Maddadson of Orkney. Charcoal drawing by Orcadian artist Martin Laird.

    Written by

    Martin Laird
    Mormaer Matad of Atholl with Earl Harald Maddadson. Charcoal portrait by Martin Laird showing the infant Earl playing board games and wielding a large knife while his father makes a mad face wearing a horned woollen hat.