The Fereday Prize is awarded annually for a historical investigation carried out by second-year pupils in Orkney’s schools. The standard of work of the best entries is always extremely high and many contain original research. The latest prize-winning entries are no exception.
For more detail see our Fereday Prize page, where you will also find detail on how to access previous winners’ entries.
This year’s overall winner was Charlie Kemp from Kirkwall Grammar School with his study on the Ba, Have changes in the game resulted in changes the way the Ba is made over time?
The judges were Dr Ben Elliott and Jenny Rambridge – they commented on the variety of topics and the quality of writing and research undertaken by second year pupils.
The first prize from Stromness Academy was awarded to Amber Seator – Orkney’s got the Blues: The story of an island music phenomenon.
The North Isles were represented this year with Ayra Groat taking the first prize for Stronsay with What was the impact, if any, of the Kildinguie Lodge on Stronsay?
The list of the main prize-winners is detailed below but it is worth mentioning the broad selection of topics submitted as Very Highly Commended by the three schools participating in the Fereday Awards in 2025/26. Some of the topics included:
Why did Iron Age people build Northfield Brochs?
A History of Amateur Dramatics in Stromness
How has 50 years of OIC impacted Orkney?
What is the Burray Hoard?
How have the shops on Albert Street changed over the years?
It is very gratifying to see that the second-year pupils at the three schools have produced a wide-ranging choice of projects on the many aspects of Orkney history. We hope that some of them will maintain that interest and may undertake further studies in the heritage of Orkney as they pursue their academic pathways in the future.
STROMNESS ACADEMY
1st Amber Seator: Orkney’s got the Blues: the story of an island phenomenon
2nd Kitty Gray: A History of the Stromness Lemonade Factory: How did it move with the times and why did it have to end?
3rd Lucy Lee: A History of Amatuer Dramatics in Stromness
KIRKWALL GRAMMAR SCHOOL
1st Charlie Kemp: The Kirkwall Ba – have changes in the game resulted in the way the Ba is made?
2nd Oscar Thorne: How have bus companies evolved in Orkney since motorised buses were introduced in 1905 – and to what extent has bus company development had an impact in Orkney?
3rd Rosa Spence: Why did Iron Age people build Northfield Brochs?
STRONSAY JUNIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL
1st Ayra Groat: What was the impact, if any, of Kildinguie Lodge on Stronsay?
2nd Robbie Dennison: How has Odiness Farm, Stronsay changed since 1800?