• Colin Sinclair
  • Colin Sinclair

Orkney and Shetland

A trip as far north as I can get in a week, with a couple of bucket list ticks on the way. Read more
  • Trip start
    July 14, 2023

    Hamnavoe

    July 14, 2023 in Scotland ⋅ ☁️ 15 °C

    A lovely ride from Scotscalder and a wee potter around Thurso, including the walk to Holborn Head, before the ferry, the Hamnavoe (Norse nane for Stromness), takes us to Orkney. Still a wee bit of riding to do before a beer.Read more

  • Kirkwall

    July 15, 2023 in Scotland ⋅ ⛅ 16 °C

    Arrived at Kirkwall's comfy youth hostel in fine style, in time for a beer in town. This morning's parkrun was in biblical rain, but done with a few other hardy souls. Pleasant stroll around town, and Earl's Palace, before the tour of the gin distillery.Read more

  • Westray

    July 16, 2023 in Scotland ⋅ ☁️ 14 °C

    Glorious ferry up the centre of the Orcadian archipelago, something to see off every side. Missed the bus (kind of deliberately) and walked the length of the island to Pierowall and b&b with Jerry, an artist, fireman and hotelier, as you do.Read more

  • Kirkwall again.

    July 18, 2023 in Scotland ⋅ ⛅ 14 °C

    After lovely flight back, recovered the steed and rode out to Harray into the wind to tackle the glorious north end. Marwick head, Brough of Birsay and the burial cairn at Cuween.

  • Brae

    July 19, 2023 in Scotland ⋅ 🌬 12 °C

    Overnight boat to Lerwick and the cycle to Brae, via Twatt and through "the Alps".

    Showers washing over me became a wall of wind and water by time I reached Voe and last 5 were a battle. Terrific AirBnB at the end, though.Read more

  • Eshaness

    July 20, 2023 in Scotland ⋅ 🌬 11 °C

    Persuaded not to slog through Yell and preferred to head west via Mavis Grind (where you can throw a stone from North Sea to Atlantic) and on to Eshaness.
    Unexpected glory of seeing Dad's signature in the visitors book at St. Magnus Bay in Hillswick. 1965, not a smudge on it.Read more

  • Lerwick

    July 21, 2023 in Scotland ⋅ ☁️ 14 °C

    Cycling on Shetland is challenging, but today made up for it. Fabulous run through the Nesting and through the Tingwall valley to Scalloway, with still more evidence of Black Patie's unpleasantness. Then on to Trondra and West Burra and the truly glorious Meal beach, before getting back into Lerwick for beer.Read more

    Trip end
    July 23, 2023