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page was last updated on
Sunday, 21 September 2008 04:20:35 PM
Sacred Tours for 2008
Orkneys
One of the most
exhilarating parts of the world when sunshine & calm seas come together,
for us that was early May. It was a spur of the moment decision that
brought us into contact with the Picts and the Norse legends. We took the car ferry from
Scrabster (nearest town is Thurso) to Stromness on a way way ticket with
Northlink Ferries an excellent vessel for both vehicles and passengers.
The journey itself comes up the western side of islands so you get to
see these tall sandstone escarpments (cliffs) on the Isle of Hoy before
you pop past the Islae of Graemsay and into the modern ferry terminal of
Stromness. We set up base camp at the Orca, main street Stromness and
with the car we got around the main island visiting the Standing Stones
of Stenness, Ring of Brogar, the 5,000 year village of Skara Brae, The
Maes Howes stone dome, an evening spent listening to the Norse folk
legends, St Magnus Cathedral in Kirkwall, view Scarpa Flow where the
Germans scuttled their naval ships at the end of World War 1 and
generally go out to those secluded areas such as the Deerness Covenanter
monument, Birsay, Kitcheners monument, Burwick, Yesnaby.
To leave the island we took a one way ticket with Pentland Ferries from
St Margarets Hope to Gills Bay (not the most desirable place in the
world to live) when you come out of Gills Bay turn left onto the A836
and it will take you into John O'Groats and you're only going there
because its reputed to be the northern most point in mainland UK so that
you can get your obligatory post card to say you're been there.
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