Young people from a First Nations community in Canada have travelled far from home to explore Orkney aboard a giant canoe.

A crew of islanders will follow in their wake in a challenging voyage from Orkney to Shetland.

The native youngsters from western Canada, who have left their country for the first time, will embark on their voyage on their canoe 42ft long canoe called Spirit Dancer.

Explorer Chris Cooper said: “It’s visited many of the First Nations people down the British Columbia and Alaska coast, Washington State coast, the south coast of the UK and now we’re here in Scotland.

“It’s just been marvellous and meeting the people as we have with this canoe, it’s a beautiful canoe and we’re very proud of it and obviously it’s a great icon for Canada as well and something they’re very proud of.”

The aim of the expedition is to bring different communities and different nations together.

And it certainly seemed that the visiting youngsters were enjoying paddling in the company of Orkney locals.

It is hoped that the canoe will eventually visit communities all round the coast of Britain.
 
Between now and next year a local crew will be recruited for what promises to be an epic adventure.

The Spirit dancer will spend next summer travelling between Orkney’s islands before setting off on the long and challenging crossing to Shetland.