Orkney Islands

With the fishing village of St Margaret's Hope as our base we have a 2 full days to explore the islands.   We make our first scheduled stop at the Italian Chapel. This chapel is the only building that remains of Camp 60, a Prisoner of War (P.O.W.) camp constructed in the latter half of 1941.   We continue to move on this time we stop at Cuween Hill (Neolithic Chambered Cairn), which is a burial place that was constructed over 4,500 years ago. 

Next we briefly visit the standing Stones of Stenness before making the trip up the road to the Ring of Brodgar. With a diameter of 103.6 metres (340 ft), the Brodgar ring is the third largest stone circle in the British Isles.  Here we spend some time looking around taking in the atmosphere and a picnic lunch, just as we finish our lunch a large bus load of old (oh!!! I mean mature) people turn up. This was a clear sign to make our move to out next site Skara Brae.

Skara Brae is one of the best preserved Stone Age village. After walking around this site it got our group talking, it seems strange, cause they appeared to be quite advanced in the way they were living so many years ago. I mean they had indoor plumbing - well in there own special way. Appears as if things got lost in translation as time/life went through its cycles.

Time to stretch our legs and go for a coastal walk and see if we can spot some Puffins.  We were lucky enough to spot few in the distance amongst the rocks. Unfortunately not close enough for a good view or even a photo.

After a busy day checkout the sites of Orkney and bird watching it was time for a spot of dinner and then over the the local for a drink and a game of darts.  I think I am getting better. Yet to win a game but at least I am now hitting the board now.

Today we got a sleep in yep!!! I was up at 8am. First stop today we enjoy a wee drop in Scotland's most northerly distillery - Highland Park.  Once the others sobered up we headed into town and checked out the local stores and crafts.  Word on the street says the best dairy products comes from Orkney, so there is only one way to find out, that's right I will have to try some local Ice Cream to find out for myself.  :) Its lucky that Ice Cream is in the right Category. :)

Warm and full of Ice Cream we all happily move to our next site "Maeshowe".  Its here that graffiti carved on the walls shows evidence of the Vikings having a strong presence in this area.
Our afternoon is spent walking along the coast and watching the world go past.

Tonight we need to get our rest as tomorrow we have a early ferry to catch back to the mainland.
OK not to early as I am really getting so much better at darts tonight I feel like I might win a game.