Mimir's Well

Mimir’s Well is a column written for 'The Orcadian' newspaper by members of the team at the Institute of Northern Studies.

Mimir is a giant from Old Norse mythology, renowned for his wisdom. The source of Mimir’s wisdom was the water of a well by the root of Yggdrasil, the World Tree, known as Mimir’s Well. The god Odin wanted a share in Mimir’s wisdom too, which he got, but he had to leave one of his eyes to Mimir as a pledge. This is how Odin became the wisest of the gods.

The column Mimir’s Well appears now and again, depending on what inspires us to write. As we are a multidisciplinary team, the topics of the column will span widely, from history and archaeology via folklore and ethnology to literature and language.

Hopefully it will inspire you, too.

'Views in Orkney and on the North Eastern Coast of Scotland' by Countess Duchess of Sutherland (Elizabeth Leveson-Gower, 1765-1839)

Wednesday 27 October 2021

Sir David Sinclair’s fine clothes listed in his will in 1506

Monday 16 August 2021

Orkney: Late Medieval Dress

Monday 19 April 2021

Legends of King Arthur in Medieval Scotland

Friday 15 January 2021

The Remarkable Survival of Medieval Churches in Orkney

Tuesday 15 September 2020

Of Pirates, Vikings, and Media Tourists

Sunday 31 May 2020

HIRDMEN AND HANDSEL

Thursday 16 April 2020

Ting sites in Scandinavia and Orkney

Ting sites in Scandinavia and Orkney

Friday 20 March 2020

The runic inscriptions of Maeshowe: reflections of a field runologist

The runic inscriptions of Maeshowe: reflections of a field runologist

Wednesday 19 February 2020

Kirkwall – from Norse Thing Site to Council Seat

Monday 27 January 2020

Orkney Norn

Orkney Norn

Monday 2 December 2019

Can we make tourists love the intangible?

Monday 23 September 2019

Scapa 100 - Lost futures and hidden pasts; the journey to Peace-Land

Thursday 11 July 2019

A Viking tooth fairy?

Thursday 9 May 2019

Orkney’s Cutting-Edge Role in Archaeology

Orkney’s Cutting-Edge Role in Archaeology

Thursday 18 April 2019

Why is it (almost) never ogham?

Why is it (almost) never ogham?

Wednesday 16 January 2019

What about Orkney's Connectivity

Tuesday 26 February 2019

`Islandness’ – a contributor to island sporting success?

Tuesday 29 January 2019

Badges of Identity – women’s dress fittings in Viking Age Scotland

Wednesday 28 November 2018

Columba, Nessie, and the Deadly Loathsome Little Creatures

Thursday 10 May 2018

Page   1    2    3    4 > >>  

  • Section: Mimir's Well
    Content item: 20211027 Views in Orkney and on the North Eastern Coast of Scotland
    Last updated: 27.10.2021
    Updated by: OR01KI
    URL: /en/research-enterprise/cultural/institute-for-northern-studies/blogs--exhibitions/mimirs-well-articles/

  • Section: Mimir's Well
    Content item: 20210704 B Crawford
    Last updated: 16.08.2021
    Updated by: OR01KI
    URL: /en/research-enterprise/cultural/institute-for-northern-studies/blogs--exhibitions/mimirs-well-articles/

  • Section: Mimir's Well
    Content item: 20210419BCrawford
    Last updated: 20.04.2021
    Updated by: OR01KI
    URL: /en/research-enterprise/cultural/institute-for-northern-studies/blogs--exhibitions/mimirs-well-articles/

  • Section: Mimir's Well
    Content item: 210115Plumb
    Last updated: 08.03.2021
    Updated by: EO07LB
    URL: /en/research-enterprise/cultural/institute-for-northern-studies/blogs--exhibitions/mimirs-well-articles/

  • Section: Mimir's Well
    Content item: 20200915BCrawford
    Last updated: 15.09.2020
    Updated by: OR04KB
    URL: /en/research-enterprise/cultural/institute-for-northern-studies/blogs--exhibitions/mimirs-well-articles/

  • Section: Mimir's Well
    Content item: 20200531Annie Thuesen
    Last updated: 08.03.2021
    Updated by: EO07LB
    URL: /en/research-enterprise/cultural/institute-for-northern-studies/blogs--exhibitions/mimirs-well-articles/

  • Section: Mimir's Well
    Content item: 20200416HIRDMEN AND HANDSEL
    Last updated: 16.04.2020
    Updated by: OR04KB
    URL: /en/research-enterprise/cultural/institute-for-northern-studies/blogs--exhibitions/mimirs-well-articles/

  • Section: Mimir's Well
    Content item: 20200320Ting sites in Scandinavia and Orkney
    Last updated: 20.03.2020
    Updated by: OR04KB
    URL: /en/research-enterprise/cultural/institute-for-northern-studies/blogs--exhibitions/mimirs-well-articles/

  • Section: Mimir's Well
    Content item: 20200219Maeshowe
    Last updated: 19.02.2020
    Updated by: OR04KB
    URL: /en/research-enterprise/cultural/institute-for-northern-studies/blogs--exhibitions/mimirs-well-articles/

  • Section: Mimir's Well
    Content item: 20200127Kirkwall
    Last updated: 27.01.2020
    Updated by: OR04KB
    URL: /en/research-enterprise/cultural/institute-for-northern-studies/blogs--exhibitions/mimirs-well-articles/

  • Section: Mimir's Well
    Content item: 20191202 Orkney Norn
    Last updated: 28.02.2022
    Updated by: OR01KI
    URL: /en/research-enterprise/cultural/institute-for-northern-studies/blogs--exhibitions/mimirs-well-articles/

  • Section: Mimir's Well
    Content item: 20190923 Can we make tourists love the intangible
    Last updated: 23.09.2019
    Updated by: OR04KB
    URL: /en/research-enterprise/cultural/institute-for-northern-studies/blogs--exhibitions/mimirs-well-articles/

  • Section: Mimir's Well
    Content item: 130619 Peaceland
    Last updated: 11.07.2019
    Updated by: OR04KB
    URL: /en/research-enterprise/cultural/institute-for-northern-studies/blogs--exhibitions/mimirs-well-articles/

  • Section: Mimir's Well
    Content item: 20190514 A Viking Tooth Fairy?
    Last updated: 14.05.2019
    Updated by: OR04KB
    URL: /en/research-enterprise/cultural/institute-for-northern-studies/blogs--exhibitions/mimirs-well-articles/

  • Section: Mimir's Well
    Content item: 20190510 Orkney’s Cutting-Edge Role in Archaeology
    Last updated: 10.05.2019
    Updated by: OR04KB
    URL: /en/research-enterprise/cultural/institute-for-northern-studies/blogs--exhibitions/mimirs-well-articles/

  • Section: Mimir's Well
    Content item: 20190119
    Last updated: 17.01.2019
    Updated by: OR04KB
    URL: /en/research-enterprise/cultural/institute-for-northern-studies/blogs--exhibitions/mimirs-well-articles/

  • Section: Mimir's Well
    Content item: 26022019 What about Orkney's Connectivity?
    Last updated: 26.02.2019
    Updated by: OR04KB
    URL: /en/research-enterprise/cultural/institute-for-northern-studies/blogs--exhibitions/mimirs-well-articles/

  • Section: Mimir's Well
    Content item: 2019.01.29 `Islandness’ – a contributor to island sporting success?
    Last updated: 29.01.2019
    Updated by: OR04KB
    URL: /en/research-enterprise/cultural/institute-for-northern-studies/blogs--exhibitions/mimirs-well-articles/

  • Section: Mimir's Well
    Content item: 20181122Badges of Identity – women’s dress fittings in Viking Age Scotland
    Last updated: 28.11.2018
    Updated by: OR04KB
    URL: /en/research-enterprise/cultural/institute-for-northern-studies/blogs--exhibitions/mimirs-well-articles/

  • Section: Mimir's Well
    Content item: 20180510 Columba, Nessie, and the Deadly Loathsome Little Creatures
    Last updated: 20.11.2018
    Updated by: EO03PW
    URL: /en/research-enterprise/cultural/institute-for-northern-studies/blogs--exhibitions/mimirs-well-articles/

  • Section: Mimir's Well
    Content item: 20171111 Seeking the roots of the rootless tree
    Last updated: 20.11.2018
    Updated by: EO03PW
    URL: /en/research-enterprise/cultural/institute-for-northern-studies/blogs--exhibitions/mimirs-well-articles/

  • Section: Mimir's Well
    Content item: 20171009 Rings, dwarves, elves and dragons: J. R. R. Tolkien’s Old Norse influences
    Last updated: 20.11.2018
    Updated by: EO03PW
    URL: /en/research-enterprise/cultural/institute-for-northern-studies/blogs--exhibitions/mimirs-well-articles/

  • Section: Mimir's Well
    Content item: 20171005 Hats off to author, whatever the weather
    Last updated: 20.11.2018
    Updated by: EO03PW
    URL: /en/research-enterprise/cultural/institute-for-northern-studies/blogs--exhibitions/mimirs-well-articles/

  • Section: Mimir's Well
    Content item: 20171005 An experiment with sids and sooans
    Last updated: 20.11.2018
    Updated by: EO03PW
    URL: /en/research-enterprise/cultural/institute-for-northern-studies/blogs--exhibitions/mimirs-well-articles/

  • Section: Mimir's Well
    Content item: 20170112 The story of Skara Brae, by the books
    Last updated: 20.11.2018
    Updated by: EO03PW
    URL: /en/research-enterprise/cultural/institute-for-northern-studies/blogs--exhibitions/mimirs-well-articles/

  • Section: Mimir's Well
    Content item: 20160929 Raising a glass to Eric Linklater
    Last updated: 20.11.2018
    Updated by: EO03PW
    URL: /en/research-enterprise/cultural/institute-for-northern-studies/blogs--exhibitions/mimirs-well-articles/

  • Section: Mimir's Well
    Content item: 20160929 Helping unravel the Earl's poetry
    Last updated: 20.11.2018
    Updated by: EO03PW
    URL: /en/research-enterprise/cultural/institute-for-northern-studies/blogs--exhibitions/mimirs-well-articles/

  • Section: Mimir's Well
    Content item: 20160928 Cracking the place-name puzzle
    Last updated: 20.11.2018
    Updated by: EO03PW
    URL: /en/research-enterprise/cultural/institute-for-northern-studies/blogs--exhibitions/mimirs-well-articles/

  • Section: Mimir's Well
    Content item: 20160927 Masculine and feminine in dialect
    Last updated: 20.11.2018
    Updated by: EO03PW
    URL: /en/research-enterprise/cultural/institute-for-northern-studies/blogs--exhibitions/mimirs-well-articles/

  • Section: Mimir's Well
    Content item: 20160926 Glimpsing your true love on Hallowe'en
    Last updated: 29.10.2025
    Updated by: OR03SP
    URL: /en/research-enterprise/cultural/institute-for-northern-studies/blogs--exhibitions/mimirs-well-articles/

  • Section: Mimir's Well
    Content item: 20160925 Delving into the roots of Norse first names
    Last updated: 20.11.2018
    Updated by: EO03PW
    URL: /en/research-enterprise/cultural/institute-for-northern-studies/blogs--exhibitions/mimirs-well-articles/

  • Section: Mimir's Well
    Content item: 20160924 The Flip Side O Chantin
    Last updated: 20.11.2018
    Updated by: EO03PW
    URL: /en/research-enterprise/cultural/institute-for-northern-studies/blogs--exhibitions/mimirs-well-articles/

  • Section: Mimir's Well
    Content item: 20160922 No end in sight for this peedie quest
    Last updated: 20.11.2018
    Updated by: EO03PW
    URL: /en/research-enterprise/cultural/institute-for-northern-studies/blogs--exhibitions/mimirs-well-articles/

  • Section: Mimir's Well
    Content item: 20160919 On the trail of the raven banner
    Last updated: 20.11.2018
    Updated by: EO03PW
    URL: /en/research-enterprise/cultural/institute-for-northern-studies/blogs--exhibitions/mimirs-well-articles/

  • Section: Mimir's Well
    Content item: 20160918 Ancient script in our modern times
    Last updated: 20.11.2018
    Updated by: EO03PW
    URL: /en/research-enterprise/cultural/institute-for-northern-studies/blogs--exhibitions/mimirs-well-articles/

  • Section: Mimir's Well
    Content item: 20160916 Revitalising the Sami languages
    Last updated: 20.11.2018
    Updated by: EO03PW
    URL: /en/research-enterprise/cultural/institute-for-northern-studies/blogs--exhibitions/mimirs-well-articles/

  • Section: Mimir's Well
    Content item: 20160913 Atmospheric conditions, apparitions and portents of doom
    Last updated: 20.11.2018
    Updated by: EO03PW
    URL: /en/research-enterprise/cultural/institute-for-northern-studies/blogs--exhibitions/mimirs-well-articles/

  • Section: Mimir's Well
    Content item: 20160911 Kirkwall – from Norse Thing Site to Council Seat
    Last updated: 20.11.2018
    Updated by: EO03PW
    URL: /en/research-enterprise/cultural/institute-for-northern-studies/blogs--exhibitions/mimirs-well-articles/

  • Section: Mimir's Well
    Content item: 20160910 It's written in the runes
    Last updated: 20.11.2018
    Updated by: EO03PW
    URL: /en/research-enterprise/cultural/institute-for-northern-studies/blogs--exhibitions/mimirs-well-articles/

  • Section: Mimir's Well
    Content item: 20160908 Freed from the Norn connection
    Last updated: 20.11.2018
    Updated by: EO03PW
    URL: /en/research-enterprise/cultural/institute-for-northern-studies/blogs--exhibitions/mimirs-well-articles/

  • Section: Mimir's Well
    Content item: 20160907 An Orcadian fairy-tale with Nordic roots
    Last updated: 20.11.2018
    Updated by: EO03PW
    URL: /en/research-enterprise/cultural/institute-for-northern-studies/blogs--exhibitions/mimirs-well-articles/

  • Section: Mimir's Well
    Content item: 20160906 Constitution day 17th May
    Last updated: 20.11.2018
    Updated by: EO03PW
    URL: /en/research-enterprise/cultural/institute-for-northern-studies/blogs--exhibitions/mimirs-well-articles/

  • Section: Mimir's Well
    Content item: 20160905 The magic of the merry dancers
    Last updated: 20.11.2018
    Updated by: EO03PW
    URL: /en/research-enterprise/cultural/institute-for-northern-studies/blogs--exhibitions/mimirs-well-articles/

  • Section: Mimir's Well
    Content item: 20160904 Exploring the treasures left by Chrissie Costie
    Last updated: 20.11.2018
    Updated by: EO03PW
    URL: /en/research-enterprise/cultural/institute-for-northern-studies/blogs--exhibitions/mimirs-well-articles/

  • Section: Mimir's Well
    Content item: 20160902 Twelfth, 13th or 20th Night?
    Last updated: 20.11.2018
    Updated by: EO03PW
    URL: /en/research-enterprise/cultural/institute-for-northern-studies/blogs--exhibitions/mimirs-well-articles/

  • Section: Mimir's Well
    Content item: 20160901 Piracy in Northern Waters
    Last updated: 20.11.2018
    Updated by: EO03PW
    URL: /en/research-enterprise/cultural/institute-for-northern-studies/blogs--exhibitions/mimirs-well-articles/

  • Section: Mimir's Well
    Content item: 20160829 Midsummer, Johnsmas and bonfires
    Last updated: 20.11.2018
    Updated by: EO03PW
    URL: /en/research-enterprise/cultural/institute-for-northern-studies/blogs--exhibitions/mimirs-well-articles/

  • Section: Mimir's Well
    Content item: 20160828 The return of the muckle supper?
    Last updated: 20.11.2018
    Updated by: EO03PW
    URL: /en/research-enterprise/cultural/institute-for-northern-studies/blogs--exhibitions/mimirs-well-articles/

  • Section: Mimir's Well
    Content item: 20160827 Don’t mention the tail! A look into the hidden world of the Huldrefolk.
    Last updated: 20.11.2018
    Updated by: EO03PW
    URL: /en/research-enterprise/cultural/institute-for-northern-studies/blogs--exhibitions/mimirs-well-articles/

  • Section: Mimir's Well
    Content item: 20160826 On the trail of Hammer Mugly
    Last updated: 20.11.2018
    Updated by: EO03PW
    URL: /en/research-enterprise/cultural/institute-for-northern-studies/blogs--exhibitions/mimirs-well-articles/

  • Section: Mimir's Well
    Content item: 20160824 Messengers from the past
    Last updated: 20.11.2018
    Updated by: EO03PW
    URL: /en/research-enterprise/cultural/institute-for-northern-studies/blogs--exhibitions/mimirs-well-articles/

  • Section: Mimir's Well
    Content item: 20160823 St Olaf - our other saint
    Last updated: 20.11.2018
    Updated by: EO03PW
    URL: /en/research-enterprise/cultural/institute-for-northern-studies/blogs--exhibitions/mimirs-well-articles/

  • Section: Mimir's Well
    Content item: 20160821 Yule cakes, guisers and ogresses
    Last updated: 20.11.2018
    Updated by: EO03PW
    URL: /en/research-enterprise/cultural/institute-for-northern-studies/blogs--exhibitions/mimirs-well-articles/

  • Section: Mimir's Well
    Content item: 20160819 A hard day's work at the peat bank
    Last updated: 20.11.2018
    Updated by: EO03PW
    URL: /en/research-enterprise/cultural/institute-for-northern-studies/blogs--exhibitions/mimirs-well-articles/

  • Section: Mimir's Well
    Content item: 20160818 When should we celebrate St Magnus?
    Last updated: 20.11.2018
    Updated by: EO03PW
    URL: /en/research-enterprise/cultural/institute-for-northern-studies/blogs--exhibitions/mimirs-well-articles/

  • Section: Mimir's Well
    Content item: 20160817 Press Gangs in Orkney
    Last updated: 20.11.2018
    Updated by: EO03PW
    URL: /en/research-enterprise/cultural/institute-for-northern-studies/blogs--exhibitions/mimirs-well-articles/

  • Section: Mimir's Well
    Content item: 20160204 Never mind the Groatie-Buckies, have you found a Molucca Bean?
    Last updated: 20.11.2018
    Updated by: EO03PW
    URL: /en/research-enterprise/cultural/institute-for-northern-studies/blogs--exhibitions/mimirs-well-articles/

  • Section: Mimir's Well
    Content item: 20151203 Swords, Saints and Cursed Rings
    Last updated: 20.11.2018
    Updated by: EO03PW
    URL: /en/research-enterprise/cultural/institute-for-northern-studies/blogs--exhibitions/mimirs-well-articles/

  • Section: Mimir's Well
    Content item: 20151015 Collecting Memories to Record Online
    Last updated: 20.11.2018
    Updated by: EO03PW
    URL: /en/research-enterprise/cultural/institute-for-northern-studies/blogs--exhibitions/mimirs-well-articles/

  • Section: Mimir's Well
    Content item: 20150914 The last days of Hakon the Old
    Last updated: 20.11.2018
    Updated by: EO03PW
    URL: /en/research-enterprise/cultural/institute-for-northern-studies/blogs--exhibitions/mimirs-well-articles/

  • Section: Mimir's Well
    Content item: 20150820 It's all gone fingers and toes
    Last updated: 20.11.2018
    Updated by: EO03PW
    URL: /en/research-enterprise/cultural/institute-for-northern-studies/blogs--exhibitions/mimirs-well-articles/

  • Section: Mimir's Well
    Content item: 20150604 Pondering Orkney's runic inscriptions
    Last updated: 20.11.2018
    Updated by: EO03PW
    URL: /en/research-enterprise/cultural/institute-for-northern-studies/blogs--exhibitions/mimirs-well-articles/

  • Section: Mimir's Well
    Content item: 20150402 The wolves bit ... but the sun escaped their clutches yet again
    Last updated: 20.11.2018
    Updated by: EO03PW
    URL: /en/research-enterprise/cultural/institute-for-northern-studies/blogs--exhibitions/mimirs-well-articles/

  • Section: Mimir's Well
    Content item: 20150219 To sleep, perchance to dream ...
    Last updated: 20.11.2018
    Updated by: EO03PW
    URL: /en/research-enterprise/cultural/institute-for-northern-studies/blogs--exhibitions/mimirs-well-articles/

  • Section: Mimir's Well
    Content item: 20141030 Viking violence - Not just a bloody scrap
    Last updated: 20.11.2018
    Updated by: EO03PW
    URL: /en/research-enterprise/cultural/institute-for-northern-studies/blogs--exhibitions/mimirs-well-articles/

  • Section: Mimir's Well
    Content item: 20140925 Another referendum - but a different time, a different place and a different result
    Last updated: 20.11.2018
    Updated by: EO03PW
    URL: /en/research-enterprise/cultural/institute-for-northern-studies/blogs--exhibitions/mimirs-well-articles/

  • Section: Mimir's Well
    Content item: 20140710 Behind the tales of the Press Gang
    Last updated: 29.11.2019
    Updated by: EO07LB
    URL: /en/research-enterprise/cultural/institute-for-northern-studies/blogs--exhibitions/mimirs-well-articles/

  • Section: Mimir's Well
    Content item: 20140612 Dark backgrounds and surreal surprises
    Last updated: 20.11.2018
    Updated by: EO03PW
    URL: /en/research-enterprise/cultural/institute-for-northern-studies/blogs--exhibitions/mimirs-well-articles/

  • Section: Mimir's Well
    Content item: 20131201 A house divided against itself shall not stand
    Last updated: 20.11.2018
    Updated by: EO03PW
    URL: /en/research-enterprise/cultural/institute-for-northern-studies/blogs--exhibitions/mimirs-well-articles/

  • Section: Mimir's Well
    Content item: 20131031 Orphir find prompts a return to runes
    Last updated: 20.11.2018
    Updated by: EO03PW
    URL: /en/research-enterprise/cultural/institute-for-northern-studies/blogs--exhibitions/mimirs-well-articles/

  • Section: Mimir's Well
    Content item: 20130930 Demons, changelings and humours – the roots of medieval medicine
    Last updated: 20.11.2018
    Updated by: EO03PW
    URL: /en/research-enterprise/cultural/institute-for-northern-studies/blogs--exhibitions/mimirs-well-articles/

  • Section: Mimir's Well
    Content item: 20130709 Fridtjof Nansen
    Last updated: 20.11.2018
    Updated by: EO03PW
    URL: /en/research-enterprise/cultural/institute-for-northern-studies/blogs--exhibitions/mimirs-well-articles/

  • Section: Mimir's Well
    Content item: 20120301 Althing and lawthing in Orkney
    Last updated: 20.11.2018
    Updated by: EO03PW
    URL: /en/research-enterprise/cultural/institute-for-northern-studies/blogs--exhibitions/mimirs-well-articles/

  • Section: Mimir's Well
    Content item: 20111229 Magical Orkney
    Last updated: 20.11.2018
    Updated by: EO03PW
    URL: /en/research-enterprise/cultural/institute-for-northern-studies/blogs--exhibitions/mimirs-well-articles/

  • Section: Mimir's Well
    Content item: 20100617 Avian abductions - fact or fiction?
    Last updated: 20.11.2018
    Updated by: EO03PW
    URL: /en/research-enterprise/cultural/institute-for-northern-studies/blogs--exhibitions/mimirs-well-articles/

  • Section: Mimir's Well
    Content item: 20091010 Old-Mimir's Well
    Last updated: 20.11.2018
    Updated by: EO03PW
    URL: /en/research-enterprise/cultural/institute-for-northern-studies/blogs--exhibitions/mimirs-well-articles/