Paris in the Shetlands
June 22, 2023 in Scotland ⋅ 🌬 13 °C
Le Petit Cafè in Uyeasound offers you everything you need (hot and cold drinks, french biscuits, snacks, stone souvenirs, and a sitting place with sea view) with an honesty box. Lovely idea.Read more
Medieval with a view
June 22, 2023 in Scotland ⋅ 🌬 14 °C
St Olaf's Kirk on Unst is a ruined medieval church which was built in the Celtic style, and dates to the twelfth century. The old gravestones are set in the most beautiful scenery.
Kiss 💋
June 22, 2023 in Scotland ⋅ 🌬 14 °C
Shetland ponies are so attached to humans. One wanted to kiss me, another one banged his head against my camera.
Back to old beauty
June 22, 2023 in Scotland ⋅ 🌬 14 °C
Belmont House is one of the finest Georgian houses in Scotland. Built in 1775 and lived in by the same family until the mid-20th century, it became derelict but was recently restored by a trust andRead more
Good bye charging at the ferry
June 23, 2023 in Scotland ⋅ ☁️ 14 °C
Today we're leaving (unfortunately) the Shetlands and are heading to Orkney. To do so we need three(!) ferries:
Unst - Yell
Yell - Toft
Lerwick - Kirkwall
At midnight we'll arrive at our newRead more
Hot
June 24, 2023 in Scotland ⋅ ☁️ 17 °C
We have arrived in Kirkwall, Orkney. After Shetland, which was warm but always fresh and nice, we have to get acclimated again to muggy and humid weather.
Light of the North
June 24, 2023 in Scotland ⋅ ☁️ 18 °C
St Magnus Cathedral, Britain's most northerly cathedral, known as the ‘Light in the North’ was founded in 1137 by the Viking, Earl Rognvald, in honour of his uncle St Magnus who was martyred hereRead more
Viking totem
June 24, 2023 in Scotland ⋅ ☁️ 16 °C
In the middle of nowhere, on a small islet in the South of Orkney, there is a viking totem pole. That pole was erected in October 2007 after a group of Cree Indians worked with local people to carveRead more
Light the North
June 24, 2023 in Scotland ⋅ ☁️ 16 °C
This lighthouse sculpture is one out of 45 sculptures in Scotland which was an art event to raise awareness for cancer.
Third largest settlement
June 24, 2023 in Scotland ⋅ ☁️ 16 °C
What looks (and is) like a small and romantic fishing village, is actually the third largest settlement on Orkney. With 550 locals. Every is relative 😀
SS Reginald
June 24, 2023 in Scotland ⋅ ☁️ 17 °C
During the Great War, before the barriers were built under Churchill's command, the SS Reginald was sunk as a block ship to prevent German submarines from crossing the bay. It still is very muchRead more
War prisioner
June 24, 2023 in Scotland ⋅ ☁️ 17 °C
During the Great War, Churchill needed help to build his 4 barriers. He ordered Italian war prisoners from North Africa. One of them was an artist. He built the Italian Chapel on Orkney out of twoRead more
The Ceremonial Centre of Orkney
June 25, 2023 in Scotland ⋅ ☁️ 16 °C
The stone circle "Ring of Brodgar" is the heart of the Neolithic culture of Orkney. Since it's extremely busy with tourists, we visited it at 5am...
The ring served in ceremonies celebrating theRead more
5000 years ago ...
June 25, 2023 in Scotland ⋅ ☁️ 16 °C
This is the earliest henge monument in the British Isles. The massive standing stones of Stennes are up to 6m tall and 5000 years old. They are part of a ceremonial site. The watch stone in front ofRead more
Chambered Cairn
June 25, 2023 in Scotland ⋅ ☁️ 16 °C
This tomb is approximately 5300 years old. It is one out of many cairns which can be found in Orkney.
Unpopular during lifetime
June 25, 2023 in Scotland ⋅ 🌬 17 °C
This house, Hall of Clestrain, was the birthplace of the famous Arctic explorer, John Rae, who discovered the final link in the Northwest Passage and uncovered the fate of the 1845 Franklin ExpeditionRead more
Time for a picnic charging stop
June 25, 2023 in Scotland ⋅ 🌬 17 °C
Although distances are rather short in Orkney, once in a while my 500e is hungry. So are we and we are happy to find this charging point with picnic tables and seaview. The 50kW rapid charger workedRead more
A summer's day
June 26, 2023 in Scotland ⋅ ☀️ 15 °C
A warm and sunny afternoon and evening at Marwick Bay and Head with turfed fishing huts, pieces of a wrecked steamer, and marvelous views of the cliffs towards the Kitchener Memorial.
Two-legged
June 27, 2023 in Scotland ⋅ ☁️ 13 °C
This two-legged sea stack called Yesnaby Castle is set into the amazing scenery of Yesnaby cliffs. Not sure how many stormy winters it'll survive...
Older than the pyramids
June 27, 2023 in Scotland ⋅ ☁️ 15 °C
A settlement older than the pyramids of Giza is Skara Brae. Interesting how they lived 5000 years ago: more or less the same we do today. Only instead of smartphones they had dice to play with...
TheRead more
Save haven in Viking times...
June 27, 2023 in Scotland ⋅ 🌬 16 °C
... and still today for the Orcadians: Stromness. A picturesque network of flagstone streets, lanes, piers and slipways. There’s a timeless feel to the town, the second most populated of Orkney.
Tidal
June 28, 2023 in Scotland ⋅ ☁️ 13 °C
The causeway to the tidal island Brough of Birsay can only be crossed during 4 hours. The lighthouse in top of the cliffs completes this picture perfect scenery.
Pictish
June 28, 2023 in Scotland ⋅ ☁️ 14 °C
Before the Vikings there were the Pictish people in the Brough of Birsay. It was found a very rare pictish symbol stone.
Mukk and Filth!
June 28, 2023 in Scotland ⋅ ☁️ 15 °C
That's what Cromwell's troops said when they raided Brisay Earls Palace: only mukk and filth left. But once it was a noble castle. Today not even mukk and filth are left. Only some walls.
Horizontal
June 28, 2023 in Scotland ⋅ ☁️ 15 °C
This watermill features a horizontal water wheel. The tradition of horizontal water mills in northern and western Scotland dates back to Norse times. The Click Mill at Dounby is one of the bestRead more