Institute for Northern Studies

The Institute for Northern Studies is a hub for world-class research and teaching on all aspects of the culture, heritage, and history of the Highlands and Islands, including their wider connections across the world.

About Us

Research Projects

Study with us Starting January or September

Undergraduate Courses

Postgraduate Courses

Access & CPD Courses

Phone: 01856569300

Email: ins@uhi.ac.uk

ANNUAL REPORT 2024-25

Odins eye blog

Courses

Clearing

A photograph of St Margarets Hope at Sunset Orkney

Celebrating the North. A Poetic Vision for the Future of Northern Studies

Northern Studies

This is what it is to bend your gaze North;
to give all your noticing. To turn the map, not
as yun chiel Ptolemy did. No, upend. Centre

your compass outwith otherness. Let
North light spill its kindnesses upon you:
swell of learning: sprackled glisk; pole star—

boillsgeadh, mareel. Ben Bhreac & rune,
knowing North is to let the pulsed beam
of that house of light at Rubha Robhanais

reach into you—its naming made in the mouth
of Pict & Nórdmaðr & Gàidheal. As tides meet:
Atlantic & Easter Se, be in the between. Be

in the Swelkie & soar the lift as the greeve
weather flits from it. Søga, dùthchas—
all worlding above the 57th parallel & mair

as that. Hear with acuity of deer; note
even one breath as it falls to ice. The kite:
learn time from their patience; silence—

A mountain cannot be known in an hour;
nor person; nor line; nor stone. Be in city &
pasture; on road, all gaits. In the plurality

of machair. Think like archipelago: because
North & because there are always other shores;
other wisdoms. The world is our seminar &

we meet. Some under the risen sun, some our
faces bathed by moon. Travelling time’s zones;
futuring from pasts; being present. Prophets

of possibility, opening the curtaining of our rooms;
opening. Laptop. Book. Self. Imagination &
reason are our Sharepoint & you are here—

Welcome Northwise.

Cáit O’Neill McCullagh for the Institute for Northern Studies.
With thanks to members of the Institute for sharing their reflections on what it means to study, research and have their being oriented Northwards

Background to the poem