The brough of Birsay is a small island, reached by a tidal causeway. There's the remains of Pictish and Norse settlements, a lighthouse, lots of wild flowers, seabirds including puffins, a replica Pictish stone and the opportunity to get very wet if you're daft enough not to check the tide times before you go! Unfortunately … Continue reading Brough of Birsay

Kirkwall isn't a huge place, but it's technically a city. There's a port, which often has cruise ships moored (or anchored off for the really huge ones, or when there are a lot at once) a good range of shops for tourists and locals, a really good museum, couple of palaces (bishop's and earl's).I believe … Continue reading St Magnus Cathedral, Kirkwall, Orkney

Maeshowe is the best preserved neolithic tomb on Orkney and it holds the largest collection of runes outside of Scandinavia. Entrance is by guided tour only, in small groups. It's not easy to get tickets – when we tried to book in early April there were only two dates left in June where we could … Continue reading Amazing Maeshowe

We extended our stay on Hoy so we could have a guided tour of a Martello tower - I've seen the outside of several and fancied having a nose inside. Glen, our guide, is clearly as passionate about the history of the barracks and tower as he is knowledgeable. We arrived early, so he started … Continue reading Harkness barracks and Martello tower, Hoy

One of our main reasons for visiting Hoy (other than the excitement of the ferry crossing) was to see the 'Old Man' sea stack. From Rackwick where we stayed, it's a very pleasant (if steep in places) five and a bit mile walk. We liked it so much we went out one evening, and again … Continue reading The Old Man of Hoy

Rackwick bay is a popular place for people to stay on Hoy. One reason is the bothy - it's very basic accommodation, but there's a wood burner, table and chairs and camp beds - and a toilet next door. Perhaps, other than the lovely location, the main attraction is that it's completely free. We didn't … Continue reading Rackwick Bay and Bothy

It's the summer solstice today and it seems right to celebrate it at the Ring of Brodgar and nearby Standing Stones of Stenness. We won't be staying up until it gets dark, because that won't be happening here tonight, but we will walk amongst the stones and toast them (with something other than tea!). Here … Continue reading Summer solstice at the Standing Stones of Stenness

There's a nature reserve walk at Deerness, which includes a collapsed sea cave called The Gloup, dramatic scenery and good opportunities to see interesting birds, so obviously, despite the rain, we had to go. After The Gloup, there's the option to negotiate a really scary path to reach the brough of Deerness. All that remains … Continue reading Deerness, Orkney

One of the many Earl's of Orkney, built a Bu (which seems to have been a fancy farmhouse with a massive drinking hall) and a round church in Orphir. He then got a rival Earl of Orkney drunk and murdered him as he left the church. That kind of thing seems to have been typical … Continue reading Earl’s Bu and round church, Orphir, Orkney