STORY BEHIND

ORKNEY CHAIR

■ WHAT’S THAT MADE FROM? White pine, black oat straw, bent grass and rush.

■ RUSTIC: Yes, trees don’t do well on windy Orkney, so furniture makers relied on driftwood and other locally available materials such as black oat straw.

■ WHO WAS THE MAKER? It’s thought to be by David Kirkness, a Kirkwall joiner, who turned the traditional Island way of making furniture into a commercial business. The chair dates from 1900-20. ■ WHY THE CURVED SHAPE? To keep out the draughts from that gusty wind.

■ CAN I BUY IT? Not this one. But you can see it in the Scottish Design Gallery at the new V&A in Dundee. Entry is free.