Orkney islands

Orkney Islands today.  An early start, a 20 mile drive to John O’Groats then on the boat to the islands.  A very enjoyable 40 minute ferry ride to the islands, just a bit cold, windy and overcast.   Berthed at Burwick on South Ronaldsay Island.  

To give you some perspective – Scapa Flow is a natural harbour (second biggest behind Sydney Harbour) in the centre of the largest islands in the Orkneys, this encouraged the British Navy to base their Navy at the Orkneys.  During WWI the eastern entrances were blocked by scuttled ships to prevent entry by the German Navy.  At the start of WWII the tides had moved the ships which left an opening in the defences.  A canny UBoat Commander recognised this and in the first months of WWII sunk a Navy vessel resulting in over 1,000 casualties.  Winston Churchill ordered causeways to be built to complete the defences.  These causeways now link some of islands of the Orkneys, thereby giving road access to these islands.

Jumped on the bus, very comfortable 40 seater with 19 passenger with Matt as an excellent guide.  First stop Kirkwall, the ‘capital’ with a population of 5,000.  Dropped in to the Cathedral and the Bishops House, had a walk around the town and had a coffee and cake.  Next stop was Stromness for lunch, once again had a walk around town except this time there was a little light rain falling which slowed us down.  I mentioned to one of the locals that ‘it’s only water’, he responded by claiming rain was really just very young whiskey.  Made me feel much better!!

We then delved into the ancient history, dating back 5,000 years, fascinating stories and relics on the islands.  A set of standing stones 1,000 years older than Stonehenge.

Called in to a house gifted to the Scottish Heritage and kept as a museum in the style of about 1940.

Last was a church built by some 600 Italian prisoners of war during WWII from old huts and scraps of wood and steel available at the time.

Back on the boat at 7pm for the trip home.  Had a great day, very busy, relaxing and informative and well worth the money.  The islands have such history and it was expertly narrated by Matt.

John O'Groats

Dressed for a cold voyage

On this

Some of the sunken hulls still remaining near the newer causeways

Kirkwall Cathedral

Very dark inside

The bishops house

Our bus

Stormness Hotel

Dr.John Rae, well known Orkney explorer

Replica of Skara Brae house

Still a replica

The bed in the replica

The real thing, this small group of 8 houses was uncovered during a storm in the 1800s and has now been preserved and presented to the public, these houses are thought to be 4,000 years old.

Skaill House near Skara Brae

Beautiful dry stone fences, if built today they'll cost 300 per metre

Ring of Brodgar Standing Stones

Standing Stones of Stenness

Italian Chapel

On the way home

Back to John O'Groats