Today is the centenary of the death in the Battle of the Somme of Alexander Aitkin, who was born in Birsay but lived most of his (too short) life in Harray.  Alex was serving in 9th Seaforth Highlanders, a Pioneer Battalion, when was mortally wounded by shellfire on the right flank of the British line.  A biography of Alex has been added as a Word document to the Birsay and Harray sections of the website, or can be downloaded direct as a pdf below.