Soleis goes to Scotland: A few days in the Orkneys

Tuesday - A sleep in after the previous day's early start followed by a cycle ride around adjacent lochs and a visit to the Ring of Brodgar. Our cycle ride started in pleasant sunshine with a brisk easterly breeze and finished in a real Scottish har (not sure about spelling).

The Ring of Brodgar

Wednesday - Using the local buses we spent some time in Kirkwall, visiting the Earl's and Bishop's Palaces and the magnificent St Magnus cathedral. A quick reconnoitre of the marina enabled me to be ready for our entry with Soleis. We then pursued our bus itinerary to St Margaret's Hope on the island of South Ronaldsay. Throughout the day the har persisted and visibility was very restricted. St Margaret's Hope proved to be more "hope" than reality along with the visit to the local "Marine Aquarium". We were told "its about 20 minutes walk", so 1 hour later we were even less impressed.

The "view" from St Margaret's Hope!

St Magnus cathedral

Inside St Magnus cathedral

The Earls's Palace

Inside the ruins of the Bishop's Palace.

Skara Brae Bay with beach and showing proximity of prehistoric remains

Thursday

A day that started as grey and cool developed in a magnificent sunny afternoon. We made the most of the day by taking the bus to Skara Brae, a 5000 year old prehistoric village set in the dunes that was initially uncovered by a storm, removing the sand, in 1850.

The uncovered remains of a village house

Skaill House over looking Shara Brae. This is the home of the excavators of the village.

We then cycled further north to Birsay where we are made exceptionally welcome at a working overshot water mill. We were even given the opportunity start the mill and see the first of the staggering 120,000 gallon an hour that would pass over the mill wheel. Milling only take place flowing to mill local grain after the harvest. The rest of the time it is a working museum. Birsay also boasts the ruins of palace built by Earl Robert Stewart in 1640.