North Ronaldsay records first birth in 34 years

A baby has been born on the remote Scottish island of North Ronaldsay, marking the first birth on the island in 34 years. Duncan Wilder Thorstein Traill Suarez Ford was born on September 15 at Holland House, a property built by his mother's ancestors.

Alice Traill Ford, whose family has owned the island since 1727, had originally planned to give birth in Costa Rica, where the family also resides. However, she decided to stay on the island to experience what she described as a “special, magical and supported” birth.

North Ronaldsay is the northernmost island in the Orkney archipelago, measuring approximately 4.8 km long and 3 km wide. The community, which has a population of around 51 to 72 residents, celebrated the event with small bottles of whisky decorated with four-leaf clovers and local shells. The island lacks a hospital or doctor, with the nearest medical access requiring a boat trip of nearly three hours to the mainland of Orkney.