The Orkney Islands

Today we started with a lovely breakfast, then onto the ferry from John O’Groats over to the Orkney Islands.

Brisk passage across the Pentland Firth, met by Vicky who took us on a tour of the sights & history of Orkney (actually 70 islands).  It was a dull, cool day, a bit of drizzle off & on with a brief glimpse of sun.

We stopped at a quaint Italian P.O.W. chapel;

Toured Highland Park – a single malt barley whisky distillery – Highland Park (est.1798); tasty lunch;

Then onto the standing stone circle, Ring of Brodgar & the stone age community of Skara Brae (sites date back to 3100 B.C.!!!);

Brief visit to St Magnus Cathedral in Kirkwall (1137 A.D.); traveled by ferry to John O’Groats, returning to our Hotel in Thurso.  Lovely drink & dinner

More to follow …