North Ronaldsay welcomes its first baby in 34 years as family chose island for historic birth

From the Newshound archive · first published 23 September 2026 · last updated 24 September 2026.

Duncan Wilder Thorstein Traill Suarez Ford arrived last week at Holland House on North Ronaldsay — Orkney's northernmost island — breaking a 34-year drought of births on the island, which has just 59 residents. His mother, Alice Traill Ford, whose family acquired the island in 1727, had planned to deliver in Costa Rica, where she and partner Jorge Suarez operate a school. Two midwives were airlifted in by coastguard helicopter, though Duncan came a day ahead of schedule, taking everyone by surprise.

The previous birth on North Ronaldsay was in August 1992, making Duncan the island's first newborn in more than three decades.

Ford, 41, said it 'wasn't our plan' but that arriving on the island made her feel 'instantly' that she wanted to give birth there.

Islanders marked Duncan's arrival with a dram of whisky; he weighed 8lb 9oz and is the youngest of four children.