Orkney Island Welcomes First Baby Since 1992

The family had not planned to have the baby on the island. The family visited the island in June, and Ms Traill Ford, 41, felt it was the right place for her baby. She asked the NHS (the UK's National Health Service) whether this was possible, and it agreed to support her. Her family has a long history on the island: her ancestors bought it in 1727 and built Holland House. Her grandfather, who was also called Duncan, was the island's Laird, or traditional landowner, and the baby was named after him. Births on North Ronaldsay are rare, and the island is difficult to reach. It takes a 20-minute flight or almost three hours by ferry from Kirkwall, and the Daily Mail says two midwives had to arrive by coastguard helicopter.

To share the good news, the parents followed an old tradition and raised a flag at Holland House. They also gave every islander a bottle of whisky decorated with a four-leaf clover and a Groatie Buckie, a small local shell that is said to bring good luck. The islanders then celebrated together with a drink. The family will go back to Costa Rica in November, but Ms Traill Ford says Duncan will return to the island every year.