North Ronaldsay Records First Local Birth Since 1992
A baby was born in North Ronaldsay, Orkney, marking the first local birth in over 30 years. Parents Alice Traill Ford and Jorge Suarez welcomed their son, Duncan, at the family’s historic home, Holland House. The community celebrated the event with a traditional whisky toast, highlighting the island’s deep ancestral ties and recent efforts to sustain its population.
Key points
- Baby Duncan Wilder Thorstein Traill Suarez Ford was born on September 15 at 04:05 in North Ronaldsay, Orkney.
- This is the first birth recorded on the island since Thomas Brookman was born in August 1992.
- The parents, who split time between Costa Rica and Orkney, traveled over 5,000 miles to ensure the birth took place in Alice’s ancestral home.
- The child was born at Holland House, a property owned by the Traill family since 1727, where Alice’s grandfather, the former Laird, resided.
- Islanders celebrated the birth by raising a flag at Holland House and sharing a dram of whisky, a tradition used to announce the presence of the Laird or significant family events.
Background
North Ronaldsay is Orkney’s northernmost island, accessible only by a 20-minute flight or a two-hour and 40-minute ferry from Kirkwall. The island is historically significant for its 13-mile drystone wall, which encloses the island and confines its famous seaweed-eating sheep to the shore. The Traill family has owned the island since 1727, and Holland House has remained in their possession through generations. The previous local birth occurred in 1992, indicating a long period without natural population growth on the island. Recent news from our archive regarding celebrity births is unrelated to this local Orkney event.
Why it matters
The birth signals a potential shift in the demographic trajectory of a remote Scottish island that has seen no local births for over three decades. It underscores the role of ancestral heritage and family legacy in sustaining population in isolated communities. The event also highlights the logistical challenges and cultural traditions associated with remote island living, such as the use of flags and whisky to communicate significant family milestones to the community.
What to watch
The family plans to return to Costa Rica in November, where they run a school. Alice Traill Ford intends to bring her children back to North Ronaldsay annually to maintain their connection to the island and community. The birth may encourage other families with ties to the island to consider similar arrangements, potentially supporting long-term population stability.
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