January 21st 2025.
Let's catch up with Kirsty Talbot, director of the Orkney Island Games. She's going to tell us all about her life on Orkney, how it compares to her previous home in Glasgow, and the valuable experience she gained while working at the Olympics and Commonwealth Games, which she'll be bringing to this year's event.
For Kirsty and her family, moving from Glasgow to Orkney has been an incredible experience. They now have so much more space and freedom compared to their life in the bustling city. Of course, it was difficult to leave behind friends and family, but they have all been eager to come and visit Orkney for short breaks. And in their new home, they've also made new friends and joined new groups, which has helped them integrate into the community. The sense of togetherness and support among the people here is huge, and when you move to a new place, you just have to dive in and get involved. Kirsty loves learning about Orkney's traditions and how the locals see the world.
One of the things she loves most about Orkney is the vast sky that seems to stretch on forever. Compared to the cities she's lived in before, the land here feels so open and free. And the air is fresh and invigorating. Being by the sea is also a new experience for Kirsty, who has only ever lived in cities like Glasgow, London, Cardiff, Brussels, and Paris. She enjoys swimming in the sea from spring to autumn, finding it to be not only great for her mind but also for her skin. This year, she plans to start in February, as she believes it's a fantastic stress-reliever. And the move to Orkney has even had a positive impact on her young son's health, who used to have asthma attacks at least three times a year but hasn't had any since they moved.
Kirsty's love for sports goes back to her childhood, where she discovered her passion for netball. She's quite tall, so she was drafted into the primary school's netball team to make up for an older child. She played for another 30 years before transitioning to coaching and now helps coach the local school's netball team. Kirsty also enjoys jogging with a couple of friends, finding it to be therapeutic.
Organizing such a massive event on a Scottish island has presented logistical challenges that Kirsty hasn't faced before, but she's confident they can handle anything that comes their way. In fact, just last week, they had to book 40 wide loads on the ferries to bring in temporary accommodation blocks, toilets, and showers. With 800 Games-time volunteers signed up, Kirsty is thrilled and grateful for the support they've received from the community. It's especially impressive considering the population of Orkney is only 22,000. Those who have attended the Island Games in other places are incredibly excited to have the opportunity to host, and Kirsty hopes that even those who aren't typically interested in sports will embrace the event and have a great time.
Kirsty's days vary from week to week, as she and her husband take turns doing the school runs for their two kids. She's a morning person, usually up by 6 am, and heads to the office by 7 am. It's nice to have a couple of hours to herself before anyone else is around, so she can get ahead on emails and other tasks. There are also plenty of meetings, presentations, and prep work to tackle. Kirsty tries to fit in a walk or jog during her lunch break, and then she leaves at 3 pm to pick up her kids, help with homework, make dinner, and sometimes attend evening meetings at 6 pm.
Managing her work and home life can be challenging, as these events were more doable when she was younger and single. But now, with a husband and two kids, they are her top priority, and she's determined not to let work take over. Once the kids are in bed, Kirsty enjoys relaxing by watching TV or getting lost in a good book.
In 2025, Orkney will have the honor of hosting the 20th International Island Games in its 40th year since it all began. This week-long event will bring together athletes from up to 24 island groups from around the world to compete in 12 different sports. With over 2,000 competitors and officials expected, the games will be the largest multi-sport event in Europe in 2025 and the biggest event ever to be held in Orkney. We can't wait to see how Kirsty and her team will put on a magical and unforgettable event that will be talked about for years to come.
To read more inspiring stories like Kirsty's, check out the Life With series and subscribe to the latest issue of Scottish Field.
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