Fran Flett Hollinrake

I am an historian, a tour guide, a storyteller, a writer and my two greatest loves are history and talking.

Having studied Scottish History at St Andrews and Edinburgh Universities, I worked as a researcher and tour guide in Edinburgh for over 10 years. If you are a fan of ‘Most Haunted’ you will have seen me explaining the ghostly presences of the Royal Mile Vaults – I am also the author of ‘Hidden and Haunted: Underground Edinburgh’.

I fell in love with Orkney many years ago, and to my delight, discovered that I have Orcadian ancestors. In 2004 we finally moved to the islands, taking readily to a life of vegetable growing, wine making, peat fires, fiddle music and outrageous sunsets.

My own company, Dragon History, specialises in walking tours of Stromness and Kirkwall, where we share with you the quirky and often strange stories of the past. My tours of Orkney explore all aspects of island life - archaeology, wild flowers, birdlife, wartime history and more - but I am particularly enthusiastic about folk tales, and Orcadian literature, music and culture.

I have been a Regional Affiliate Member of the Scottish Tourist Guides Association and a member of the Orkney Tourist Guides Association since 2004.