Viking Genes

08/06/2026

If you received our latest e-newsletter then you will have seen an article on the rare and usually inherited blood disorder haemophilia, and our appeal for anyone with ancestry and a family history of to get in touch, as more relatives linked to Peter Christie (1810-1856 of Yell) may still be found. Email [email protected] and also read the Shetland Times article on our research below👇
https://www.shetlandtimes.co.uk/news/viking-genes-links-19th-century-shetland-haemophilia-case-to-436803

05/06/2026

Prof Jim makes the case for community screening in the Outer Hebrides to an engaged audience in South Uist with Torcuil Crichton MP. They now head to Benbecula for this evening’s talk at 7:30-9:30 in the Dark Island Hotel, St Kilda Room, Liniclate. Please come along to this free event!

05/06/2026

Farewell to Barra!
Prof Jim and Torcuil Crichton MP are heading to South Uist for the next leg of their public awareness talks on community screening in the .

05/06/2026

Barra provided an excellent turn out for Prof Jim Flett Wilson & Torcuil Crichton MP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar's public awareness talks on community screening which continue this lunchtime in South Uist & this evening in Benbecula. Details below:👇

SOUTH UIST
FRIDAY 5th June: 12:30-14:00
Cnoc Soilleir, Daliburgh, Isle of South Uist, HS8 5SS.

BENBECULA
FRIDAY 5th June: 19:30-21:30
Dark Island Hotel, St Kilda Room, Liniclate, Benbecula, HS7 5PJ

Torcuil Crichton

04/06/2026

Prof Jim is bound and ready for a series of talks with Torcuil Crichton MP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar to raise public awareness of findings from the Viking Genes ‘Hebrides Study’ and make the case for community screening in the . Please come along to these free events and share our post!

BARRA
THURSDAY 4th June: 19:30-21:00
Castlebay Community Hall

SOUTH UIST
FRIDAY 5th June: 12:30-14:00
Cnoc Soilleir, Daliburgh, Isle of South Uist, HS8 5SS.

BENBECULA
FRIDAY 5th June: 19:30-21:30
Dark Island Hotel, St Kilda Room, Liniclate, Benbecula, HS7 5PJ

Torcuil Crichton

03/06/2026

Read Viking Genes volunteer Stuart Flett's extraordinary story and how we are working hard to unravel his family's genetics and find the gene behind his rare muscle condition .
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Stuart Flett comes from an Orkney family which it is suspected may harbour a unique genetic trait.

02/06/2026

Listen in to BBC Radio Scotland 'Drivetime' programme where Prof Jim Flett Wilson will be talking about research into Flotta Neuromyotonia. Prof Jim will be on at about 17:45.
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https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/live/bbc_radio_scotland_fm

02/06/2026

Listen in now to an incredible story on BBC Radio Orkney around 12:45 today!
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https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/live/bbc_radio_orkney

The tune "Flett fae Flotta" was named after Flotta piper William Arnot Flett (pictured - image enhanced from original using AI). He had a distinctive walk and he was famed for being extremely strong. Both are traits in a condition called Neuromyotonia. It can give sufferers a strong physique - but it comes with downsides too. Stuart Flett grew up in England. He's has spent a lifetime finding out what was wrong with him. Stuart's dad Rodney Flett was from Flotta. Now genetic research led by Professor Jim Flett Wilson and his Viking Genes project is tracing the origins of Neuromyotonia back to Orkney.

02/06/2026

Listen in now to an incredible story on BBC Radio Orkney around 12:45 today!
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https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/live/bbc_radio_orkney

01/06/2026

Congratulations to Edinburgh Innovations Dr Jeff Wright, who won the University of Edinburgh's Impact Enabler award. His expertise and commitment to the Viking Genes project is evident in our life-changing and life-saving return of results work, and drive to screen high-risk Scottish island communities for disease-causing variants. Watch his interview below 👇

Congratulations to Edinburgh Innovations' Entrepreneur-in-Residence Jeff Wright, who won the Impact Enabler award at The University of Edinburgh's Impact Festival. His expertise and commitment to the Viking Genes project - which is led by IGC affiliate Jim Flett Wilson FRSE and received significant....