Over the many years, several on this site have indeed expressed interested in that particular group of Orcadians of that particular period in history, that were in fact responsible for being the primary trading force in the wilderness for the Hudson Bay Company.These indeed were the men that opened up the great north west, "opening up" being the one term that both the white man and indians here can both agree upon to this day. (discovered, founded, settled, and tamed just don't reflect accuracy). Occasionally, I trip over a book which embodies what in my studies appears to be the essence of that time and lifestyle. Sometimes it is historical reflection from original journals in archives, however depending on the author, they might read with or without descriptive detail and passion. There are countless "report" style works by scholars from throughout the subsequent years. Occasionally I find a book that hits the mark...for me at least. Something that touches the soul, captivates the attention, and creates the mood while painting the compelling and colourful setting without hesitation or inaccuracy. It is like living in the shoes of the characters, with nothing missing, to make it very real. To those who have discussed this over the last six or seven years with me, I would recommend the book VOYAGEURS, by Margaret Elphinstone, a novelist living in Glasgow and teaching english at the University of Strathclyde. This amazing book, indeed follows the factual lines paddled by the North West Company, the latter day (1779) rival to the Hudson's Bay Company (1670) which was appended to the HBC in 1821. Inasmuch as the main characters were Scottish (the opposition NW Company was Highland Scottish), the experience parallels that of the HBC traders from Orkney. Indeed the book story takes place a hundred years after the HBC Orkneymen arrived. The accuracy of the geography and history throughout, and the descriptive expressions employed to paint the pictures into a blazing mosaic of colour and emotion suspense and nature, is simply very strong and captivating. Only the best authors can hold the mind and heart in an unbroken bond throughout an entire work. The most uncelebrated cornerstone people from across the oceans, in this country's discovery from afar, are those young courageous Orkneymen. I recall the ninth Earl of Orkney who lives here, comment on this theme. This book, like Robert Ballantyne's works "Hudson's Bay' and "Ungava" not only gives a clear picture of life in the area, but the story, the romance and the emotions jump out in a way that demonstrates real talent on behalf of Margaret Elphinstone. The area central to the book, is familiar to me, as it is very near our northern property on Manitoulin Island, which from our shorefront, overlooks that same old fur trade route, where the colourful brigades paddled for so long. I could not remember all those who expressed interest in the HBC Orkney connection. That was my original reason for joining this site years ago, until thanks to some very kind Orcadians, who helped me discover and verify the romantic depth of our viking roots and connected me with relatives there. I hope that this note will reach at least one of those people interested in that proud past, who might enjoy this book as much as I did. S Davie