大象传媒 Scotland - 大象传媒 Scotland - Orcadian rhythms: the UK capital that adds 50% to its population in a single day and then returns to normal 鈥� over and over again

Orcadian rhythms: the UK capital that adds 50% to its population in a single day and then returns to normal 鈥� over and over again

25 July 2017

If you’re asked to think of a busy town, chances are you wouldn’t pick Kirkwall, the capital of the Orkney Islands off Scotland’s north coast.

There is no way our town centre would look as good as it does if we didn鈥檛 have the cruise ships coming in.

Judith Glue, knitwear designer and shop owner

There are days, however, when the town’s population suddenly doubles in size.

Why? Because and, each time a ship docks, as many as 4,000 passengers at a time disembark and begin exploring the town.

While some Orcadians are delighted with the influx of visitors, others remain unconvinced.

Here are some of their stories...

Jimmy says the tourists are good for business.

“The bus company started with one bus and now we have 23.

“It's not the only thing that keeps us going in business, but it’s a huge factor in the summertime.”

Despite being a local, he’s not immune from getting stumped by questions from his passengers. Not that he worries: “I’ll tell people what I know. And what I don’t know, I’ll just make up!”

Jewellery is an ideal purchase for cruise ship passengers: it takes up very little space in their luggage.

But just because it’s usually small in size, that doesn’t always mean it has a small price tag.

Local jeweller Steven Cooper shared this story: “I once had a cruise ship passenger who came in and bought a gold bangle for £2500 — and they were quite happy to just to do that. It's great when they do!”

“There is a win-win for some businesses but definitely not the food industry. We get people coming in, having a cup of coffee, sitting on the WiFi and staying for hours on end.

“You can't exactly ask them to move on...

“Some friends of mine used to visit quite a bit but now feel the cruise liners are spoiling Kirkwall.”

Judith owns a knitwear shop and cafe.

She’s been running her shop since she was 18 and says the cruise ship trade is essential.

“In January, Febuary and March, it’s absolutely dead; there are no tourists here. So in order to survive the winter months, we do need these cruise ships.”

Documentary looking at how the island community of Orkney, located off the north east coast of Scotland, copes with the onslaught of tourists from cruise ships.