Howard Hardiman
@badgerandvole.bsky.social
Artist on a tiny island
I've started transcribing the letters written between the Traills of Elsness in Orkney in the first half of the 18th Century that relate to Barbara Fea, a young (very young) lass who bore a daughter by Patrick Traill, the eldest son and heir.
Here's some notes on bias and process.
Here's some notes on bias and process.
A Silly Lamb Caged In With A Tigress
We know that neither history nor historians have been kind to women, but I needed proof.
howardhardiman.ghost.io
February 11, 2026 at 11:32 AM
I've started transcribing the letters written between the Traills of Elsness in Orkney in the first half of the 18th Century that relate to Barbara Fea, a young (very young) lass who bore a daughter by Patrick Traill, the eldest son and heir.
Here's some notes on bias and process.
Here's some notes on bias and process.
The scandal isn't Peter Mandelson. It isn't even just Epstein. It's the way the UK is vulnerable to the influence of agents of other states and the corruption of corporate lobbying.
Remember hope?
Remember hope?
February 9, 2026 at 10:22 AM
The scandal isn't Peter Mandelson. It isn't even just Epstein. It's the way the UK is vulnerable to the influence of agents of other states and the corruption of corporate lobbying.
Remember hope?
Remember hope?
Reposted by Howard Hardiman
Mandelson resigning now to 'save embarrassment' is like me suddenly remembering that I should tell my partner "I'm keeping the baby" on my way to taking the child to school lol
February 2, 2026 at 9:33 AM
Mandelson resigning now to 'save embarrassment' is like me suddenly remembering that I should tell my partner "I'm keeping the baby" on my way to taking the child to school lol
Reposted by Howard Hardiman
Lately, I've been researching the life of Barbara Fea who was born in Stronsay some time* in the late 17th century.
Her story is one of power, legal process and, sadly, awful violence. Throughout this, she endures. I want to tell her tale.
* We'll return to her age in a bit because it's important.
Her story is one of power, legal process and, sadly, awful violence. Throughout this, she endures. I want to tell her tale.
* We'll return to her age in a bit because it's important.
January 29, 2026 at 8:40 PM
Lately, I've been researching the life of Barbara Fea who was born in Stronsay some time* in the late 17th century.
Her story is one of power, legal process and, sadly, awful violence. Throughout this, she endures. I want to tell her tale.
* We'll return to her age in a bit because it's important.
Her story is one of power, legal process and, sadly, awful violence. Throughout this, she endures. I want to tell her tale.
* We'll return to her age in a bit because it's important.
For those of you joining me as I discover and share the story of Stronsay’s Barbara Fea, I hope you’ll be interested in my most recent little book!
It’s about the dry stone dykes of Sanday and my friend and mentor, the aptly-named Jimmy Walls.
shop.orcadian.co.uk/product/rag-...
It’s about the dry stone dykes of Sanday and my friend and mentor, the aptly-named Jimmy Walls.
shop.orcadian.co.uk/product/rag-...
https://shop.orcadian.co.uk/product/rag-stones/
January 30, 2026 at 12:04 PM
For those of you joining me as I discover and share the story of Stronsay’s Barbara Fea, I hope you’ll be interested in my most recent little book!
It’s about the dry stone dykes of Sanday and my friend and mentor, the aptly-named Jimmy Walls.
shop.orcadian.co.uk/product/rag-...
It’s about the dry stone dykes of Sanday and my friend and mentor, the aptly-named Jimmy Walls.
shop.orcadian.co.uk/product/rag-...
Lately, I've been researching the life of Barbara Fea who was born in Stronsay some time* in the late 17th century.
Her story is one of power, legal process and, sadly, awful violence. Throughout this, she endures. I want to tell her tale.
* We'll return to her age in a bit because it's important.
Her story is one of power, legal process and, sadly, awful violence. Throughout this, she endures. I want to tell her tale.
* We'll return to her age in a bit because it's important.
January 29, 2026 at 8:40 PM
Lately, I've been researching the life of Barbara Fea who was born in Stronsay some time* in the late 17th century.
Her story is one of power, legal process and, sadly, awful violence. Throughout this, she endures. I want to tell her tale.
* We'll return to her age in a bit because it's important.
Her story is one of power, legal process and, sadly, awful violence. Throughout this, she endures. I want to tell her tale.
* We'll return to her age in a bit because it's important.
Do you, love Orkney, dry stone dykes, archeology, folklore or local history? May I introduce you to my latest book: Rag Stones. It has all of the above and is available to you now!
shop.orcadian.co.uk/product/rag-...
shop.orcadian.co.uk/product/rag-...
Rag Stones – The Orcadian Bookshop
shop.orcadian.co.uk
January 9, 2026 at 11:24 AM
Do you, love Orkney, dry stone dykes, archeology, folklore or local history? May I introduce you to my latest book: Rag Stones. It has all of the above and is available to you now!
shop.orcadian.co.uk/product/rag-...
shop.orcadian.co.uk/product/rag-...
After drawing and then rubbing out a few pages of badger skulls that I drew over with more anatomical badgers, here's a moment in my sketchbook where I wonder how much of a badger Badger really is!
January 4, 2026 at 3:51 PM
After drawing and then rubbing out a few pages of badger skulls that I drew over with more anatomical badgers, here's a moment in my sketchbook where I wonder how much of a badger Badger really is!
I just realised that 2026 will mark 20 years since my very first post-it note zines that I photocopied and sold at fares in London. I've been making comics for two full decades now.
I think perhaps we should do something to celebrate Badger's 20th birthday.
I think perhaps we should do something to celebrate Badger's 20th birthday.
December 22, 2025 at 3:28 PM
I just realised that 2026 will mark 20 years since my very first post-it note zines that I photocopied and sold at fares in London. I've been making comics for two full decades now.
I think perhaps we should do something to celebrate Badger's 20th birthday.
I think perhaps we should do something to celebrate Badger's 20th birthday.
If you'd like a copy of Rag Stones, my peedie book about learning dyke building on a tiny island, you can get hid from The Orcadian Bookshop! They have a modren web shop!
shop.orcadian.co.uk/product/rag-...
shop.orcadian.co.uk/product/rag-...
Rag Stones – The Orcadian Bookshop
shop.orcadian.co.uk
December 16, 2025 at 10:47 AM
If you'd like a copy of Rag Stones, my peedie book about learning dyke building on a tiny island, you can get hid from The Orcadian Bookshop! They have a modren web shop!
shop.orcadian.co.uk/product/rag-...
shop.orcadian.co.uk/product/rag-...
I've just sent my new book to print! It's a collection of sketches, photos and stories from the last couple of years, when I've been recovering from long covid and learning dry stone dyke building from the island's octogenarian resident expert.
November 27, 2025 at 2:32 PM
I've just sent my new book to print! It's a collection of sketches, photos and stories from the last couple of years, when I've been recovering from long covid and learning dry stone dyke building from the island's octogenarian resident expert.
Ruth and Reynir at Sanday Wildlife Rescue. Reynir is a rescue otter who will need care for the next ten years. I was lucky enough to meet with her and Ruth so you can hear their story!
youtu.be/ejzEcs2qxmA?...
youtu.be/ejzEcs2qxmA?...
Reynir the Rescue Otter
YouTube video by Howard Hardiman
youtu.be
October 26, 2025 at 2:11 PM
Ruth and Reynir at Sanday Wildlife Rescue. Reynir is a rescue otter who will need care for the next ten years. I was lucky enough to meet with her and Ruth so you can hear their story!
youtu.be/ejzEcs2qxmA?...
youtu.be/ejzEcs2qxmA?...
Another update from the book I'm working on. This time, A Museum for One explores the odd things I've found inside some of the dykes on the island of Sanday in Orkney while repairing them!
www.kickstarter.com/projects/bad...
www.kickstarter.com/projects/bad...
August 14, 2025 at 3:58 PM
Another update from the book I'm working on. This time, A Museum for One explores the odd things I've found inside some of the dykes on the island of Sanday in Orkney while repairing them!
www.kickstarter.com/projects/bad...
www.kickstarter.com/projects/bad...
And, in otter news:
August 13, 2025 at 9:40 AM
And, in otter news:
Reposted by Howard Hardiman
Here's some exciting news about a dig and a nearby dyke on the island of Sanday in Orkney!
www.kickstarter.com/projects/bad...
www.kickstarter.com/projects/bad...
August 11, 2025 at 8:57 AM
Here's some exciting news about a dig and a nearby dyke on the island of Sanday in Orkney!
www.kickstarter.com/projects/bad...
www.kickstarter.com/projects/bad...
Reposted by Howard Hardiman
Buried in The Observer yesterday was this: UK police knocking on doors demanding details of social media accounts of people, to pass to a foreign government, simply because they happen to live near where a US politician wanted to have a holiday observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
August 11, 2025 at 6:59 AM
Buried in The Observer yesterday was this: UK police knocking on doors demanding details of social media accounts of people, to pass to a foreign government, simply because they happen to live near where a US politician wanted to have a holiday observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
Reposted by Howard Hardiman
excuse me *taps microphone* this is deeply abnormal
WASHINGTON (AP) — Trump says he's placing Washington, DC, police department under federal control and deploying the National Guard.
August 11, 2025 at 2:48 PM
excuse me *taps microphone* this is deeply abnormal
Here's some exciting news about a dig and a nearby dyke on the island of Sanday in Orkney!
www.kickstarter.com/projects/bad...
www.kickstarter.com/projects/bad...
August 11, 2025 at 8:57 AM
Here's some exciting news about a dig and a nearby dyke on the island of Sanday in Orkney!
www.kickstarter.com/projects/bad...
www.kickstarter.com/projects/bad...
The Setting of the Skull, a ritual trek to honour the Mither o' the Sea.
#orkney #sanday #scotland #folklore
www.kickstarter.com/projects/bad...
#orkney #sanday #scotland #folklore
www.kickstarter.com/projects/bad...
Update 8: The Setting of the Skull · Rag Stones
On the first bright day of Spring, when the tides are kind and align, the dogs and I set out on what's become something of an annual ritual.From Airon, we walk on the low, exposed shore past the Ebb a...
www.kickstarter.com
May 1, 2025 at 11:32 AM
The Setting of the Skull, a ritual trek to honour the Mither o' the Sea.
#orkney #sanday #scotland #folklore
www.kickstarter.com/projects/bad...
#orkney #sanday #scotland #folklore
www.kickstarter.com/projects/bad...
Reposted by Howard Hardiman
It's not me who needs to "get a grip." This is the reality of the Trump administration: it is fascist. You can pretend that everything is all sunshine and rainbows all you like, but that's the reality.
April 19, 2025 at 1:21 PM
It's not me who needs to "get a grip." This is the reality of the Trump administration: it is fascist. You can pretend that everything is all sunshine and rainbows all you like, but that's the reality.
I'm thrilled to let you know that my little book about the dry stone dykes, buildings and cairns on the tiny island of Sanday is... fully funded!
There's only three days left if you'd like to back the project, which (obviously) I highly recommend you do!
There's only three days left if you'd like to back the project, which (obviously) I highly recommend you do!
April 3, 2025 at 9:22 AM
I'm thrilled to let you know that my little book about the dry stone dykes, buildings and cairns on the tiny island of Sanday is... fully funded!
There's only three days left if you'd like to back the project, which (obviously) I highly recommend you do!
There's only three days left if you'd like to back the project, which (obviously) I highly recommend you do!
Reposted by Howard Hardiman
The Galloway Dyke was built in the 18th century and set the standard method for dyke construction on the island of Sanday in Orkney.
www.kickstarter.com/projects/bad...
www.kickstarter.com/projects/bad...
Update 5: The Galloway Dyke · Rag Stones
The Galloway DykeJimmy drives me to the south end of the island, turning off the road for the ferry to the one that leads to Stove. Either side of us, the land rises - sandy terrain towards Warsetter ...
www.kickstarter.com
March 26, 2025 at 11:01 AM
The Galloway Dyke was built in the 18th century and set the standard method for dyke construction on the island of Sanday in Orkney.
www.kickstarter.com/projects/bad...
www.kickstarter.com/projects/bad...
A bit of a history lesson if you want to know about the dykes on a small island!
March 26, 2025 at 11:01 AM
A bit of a history lesson if you want to know about the dykes on a small island!