Going north...to the Orkney Islands

There is just too much to see in this beautiful country, but I'm slowly getting through my 'must see' list.  The only trouble I keep adding to it as well!  This last week I decided to head north to the Orkney Islands.  It seemed like good timing since it's still school holidays, so no chance of work, and after a week of sleeping in I was kind of ready for a change!

Nessie and I set off on Monday for the 2.5 hour drive north to Thurso then on to Gill's Bay.  Thankfully Nessie is well accustomed to ferries by now, and did the 1.5 hour crossing to South Ronaldsay like a pro.  That night I stayed in St Margaret's Hope, the main town on this island, and got to see the first of several stunning sunsets :)



Some strange white trees on the drive north...seem to be
lots of these around!

The little village of St Margaret's Hope

















Sunset from Sands of Wright beach



Looking back towards the mainland from the ferry

The next day was lovely and sunny of course...the sun seems to follow me so feel free to invite me on your travels :)  There are lots of World War I and II sites on the southern parts of Orkney.  It seems quite bizarre to be exploring battlements and deserted POW camps on islands that are so beautiful and peaceful. 


Shipwrecks seem from the Churchill barriers -
3 causeways built by Italian POWs



Hoxa Head - used as a post to protect naval ships in the
harbour during both World Wars



Inside the Italian Chapel, a chapel built
by POWs and restored as the only remaining
building of the POW camp



Exterior of the Italian Chapel....just a dressed-up army hut!

That night I stayed in Stromness, a beautiful town on the West Mainland of Orkney.



This is the main street of Stromness...marked
as an "A road" on the map! Any narrower
and they'd have to consider making it
one-way...hehe

Beautiful Stromness sunset











 









 





The following day was all about lots of ancient stuff, as well as pretty bits along the west coast.

Sea stack at Yesnaby

Hanging out in my new neolithic home at Skara Brae



Cliff face at Brough of Birsay

Home with a view at Skara Brae...apparently the oldest
preserved village in the world

I spent the last 2 nights in Kirkwall but was kind of over taking so many photos by then!  I did visit St Magnus Cathedral though which was lovely....especially as a shelter from the rain!

 





So enough about me for now...I hope you have had a wonderful week, and if you are somewhere warm please send some warmth this way!  God bless :)

Island-hopping with sis and bro

After a few 'normal' weeks of working, this week has been a pleasant change! Last Monday my sister Renae and her husband Adrian arrived in Inverness....so exciting!

Thankfully Inverness was at her lovely best with blue skies and not-too-cold weather.  I had to work until Wednesday, but was able to help Renae celebrate her birthday that night before our island-hopping adventure began.  Things didn't get off to a good start with a broken exhaust and me having a stupid cold (which I later shared with my sis...oops!).  Thankfully the car was sorted (by Adrian...) and I tried not to croak too much.  Here is the route we took:


View Larger Map

I'd been to Skye before, but Harris, Lewis and Ullapool were new adventures made even better by the lovely company :)  There was so much photo-worthy scenery, but here are a few highlights:

Day 1: Inverness to Isle of Skye

Beautiful gorges, autumn colours, and a lovely castle.  I love this drive...it looks different every time.





At Eileen Donan Castle



Day 2: Isle of Skye to Isle of Harris

Lovey Skye with dramatic hills and coastline, followed by a long ferry ride to our cosy accommodation on Harris. 



 



Aww...at Kilt Rock



Sheep having lunch with a view on Skye















Farewell Skye....leaving Uig



A night of Monopoly fun :)



 

 

Day 3: Looking around Isle of Lewis

Flat, desolate and rocky Lewis with lots of ancient sites and some lovely locals :)

Standing stones...apparently older
than Stonehenge





Day 4: Isle of Harris to Ullapool via Stornoway

Beautiful isolated beaches on Harris, along with winding hilly roads and lots of funny sheep/traffic obstacles!  Then a drive north followed by a looooong ferry ride back to the mainland.





 

 





 

Day 5: Ullapool to Inverness

Gentle raindrops and more lovely autumn colours on our drive back home to Inverness :)

 

 

 

All up, a very special week! We really were so lucky with the weather.  The scenery was so diverse and amazing.....certainly is a beautiful part of the world.  I dropped Renae and Adrian at the airport this afternoon and am missing them already :(  Perhaps it's time to plan another adventure...hmm....

Hope you have a great week.  God bless!