Whilst completing the NC500 we passed the ferry post for the Orkney Islands thinking it would be rude not to visit. We booked the crossing and made it across and on to Lamb Holm. We watched the sun set over our private beach, where we’ve been kayaking this afternoon; alongside one of the Churchill Barriers and down the hill from the Italian Church, built by prisoners of war in 1943 from two bunker huts. We didn’t realise there was so much WWll history here.
Just so much to see on these little islands! Yesterday we visited the capital of Orkney, Kirkwall to see the Bishop & Earls Palace, Saint Magnus Cathedral and the harbour followed by the fascinating Neolithic standing stones of Stenness and Brodgar. We also spotted a beautiful white sandy bay between Orphir and Hobbister that reminded us of the Hill Inlet at Whitehaven in the Whitsunday Islands with it’s ever changing shapes.
We started our day with a walk to the awesome Mull Head near Deerness, an absolute dream for bird watchers, geologists and anyone who loves a dramatic coastline. Too late in the season for puffins sadly, so we’ll just have to come back another time to catch them.
Another day and another spectacular coastline. We ran from Skaill Bay towards North Dyke and Quoyloo. Couldn’t resist a swim in the ice cold but clear North Sea. Then we drove to the Brough of Birsay where you can walk through the sea to reach another island and Marwick for sunset.
Boats, battlements and a bull were the focus of the day. After a night of rain and a dreary dawn we weren’t expecting much to post but the clouds lifted and the water was like a mirror. We visited Hoxa Head to learn about Scapa Flow and the efforts over two world wars to prevent enemy vessels attacking the Royal Navy battleship fleet based in the Orkneys. More info in the photos for those with a particular interest and the bull who was guarding the gate
Skara Brea It’s hard to comprehend that this historic place is over 5000 years old! Discovered, buried in the dunes, after a storm in 1850, this fascinating Neolithic settlement housed between 50 to 100 people. Perfectly located next to the beautiful Skaill beach and to watch the sun set over the North Sea.
All about sea birds & seals taken all around mainland Orkney.
So, we boarded our ferry from the Orkney Isles in sunshine, got a few more views of the battlements on Hoxa Head and Buchanan from the Scapa Flow before skirting the edge of the unpopulated islands of Swona and Stroma then we hit a wall of thick fog or a haas (sea fog). It’s a good job the pilot knew where to dock!