We rode a ferry for about 45 minutes to get to Orkney. The water we crossed is where the North Sea and the Atlantic Ocean meet. The water can be very rough at times, but we had easy sailing both days. The water there is a busy shipping lane and was very important during World War 2 as the British Naval Fleet was based in the Scapa Flow (http://www.scapaflow.co.uk/).
Our ferry landed at Burwick (pronounced Burrik) and we boarded our tour bus and met our guide, Jack. Here he is staning outside the wall of the orginal church for which the city of Kirkwall was named. Kirk being the Gaelic work for church.
We stopped at the Ring of Brodgar first. (http://tinyurl.com/23wtxjd) It is a 4000 year old ring of standing stones built by the Picts. Considering that it was excavated and built by people who had no metal tools, it is pretty amazing. Being able to stand in a place of such wonder and mystery was inspiring.
We heard a lot about the history from Jack and we saw some Viking graffiti scrawled onto one of the stones. We reloaded the bus and headed for Kirkwall to tour the city and have some lunch. Kirkwall is the largest city on Orkney. Actually, it is one of only two cities in the entire place. Jack took us around the streets and gave us another history lesson. Then we were set free to wreak havoc on a few pints and a plate of fish and chips. I also picked up bottles of Orkney-made scotch. One from the northernmost distillery in Scotland, Highland Park and another top shelf scotch called Scapa. They are both very tasty.
After lunch we went to see Skara Brae (http://tinyurl.com/hkh6b). This is a Pictish settlement from 3700 BC. It is right on the coast of the Bay O' Skaill. As you walk toward the ruins there are several stone markers that lead you through major events in history all the way back to Skara Brae. There is also a replica of one of the houses to walk through. The ruins themselves are off limits as they are very old. Again, I was struck by the amazing things that ancient people were able to do. Follow the link and check out the history about this place.
This is a picture of the top of the settlement. It was built underground to protect from the elements.
On the same sight as Skara Brae is a manor house called Skaill House. (http://www.skaillhouse.co.uk/) It was interesting as well. The house was owned by a family that owned the land where Skara Brae was found. Descendents of the family lived there until the nineties. The house is now owned by someone else and is often rented out as a vacation house or wedding space. Photos cannot be taken inside, but it was quite impressive. Check out the website for pics and info.
After the tour went back to Lybster via ferry, bus, and whiskey.
There was more music and Grouse that night.
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