Searush
Well-Known Member
OK, so I went to Orkney by car - it was still 1600 miles & at 3kts (cruising raggie average for planning a trip) it would have taken over 500 hours or 10 weeks to do by boat. And, given the winds we had, I might have spent another 6 weeks in harbour! We took 500 pics, so I shall just pick a few that may entertain.
The priviliedged few who are also members of the Small Boat Club forum may have seen some of these before - to them I apologise, but the comments may well change as I have no intention of letting any facts get in the way.
Anyway, our first point of interest was the Falkirk Wheel a critical element in the re-opening of the Clyde-Forth waterway. Very impressive but creaked & groaned like a good 'un as it turned. apparently, the balance is so good that the whole thing is turned by a very low power motor - I was told 12v by someone, but doubt that; nevertheless, the official write up says it only uses a few pence worth of electricity every day.
We then pottered up into the North-East corner of Scotland visiting a few harbours. This is Avoc on the Moray Firth.
& stopped to watch the dolphins on the Moray Firth;
This is Brorar where we had a great little private B&B.
Those of you who know the "Twelve men of Tain" may recognise this shot
It isn't quite the lovely rural retreat the describe in the publicity blurb. It looks more like a chemical factory on the edge of a big town. But the drink is not affected!
and on to John o' Groats where there is an investment opportunity that may suit Sixpence
We had tea at the Queen Mother's pad (Castle of Mey)
Finally we got onto Orkney & got stuck into the cliff walks, sea birds, archeology, crafts, wildflowers & gourmet food. Not a bad holiday destination in fact!
This is Linda wondering how to explain to that landlady that it was a great party & we will sort out the damage eventually.
Scapa Flow was protected by sinking Block ships between the islands in WW1, but in October '39 a german U-boat squeezed thro between the wrecks & sank the Royal Oak with considerable loss of life. Churchills response was to build solid barriers between the Islands. Finding it hard to source suitable labour Italian Prisoners of war were asked to help - on the basis that it would be (and has been) of long term benefit to the Islanders (Geneva convention forbids the use of PoW's for war work). Given sympathetic treatment they agreed. Below shows both a block ship & the Barrier
The I-ties also turned a Nissen Hut into a beautiful church which is a great symbol of mutual respect between the two countries.
Off to Yesnaby for a fine viewpoint
This stack is known as Yesnaby Castle;
A relic from the WW1 loss of Kitchener's ship mined on the way to talks with Russia;
Puffins on a cliff
Not far from St Mary's Hope. This is not good boating country in bad weather!
Any one recognise this?
Strange Orkney berthing techniques;
And on the way home, we visited the Red Kites at Ardgatty
And I'm knackered now - even if you aren't asleep! See ya.
The priviliedged few who are also members of the Small Boat Club forum may have seen some of these before - to them I apologise, but the comments may well change as I have no intention of letting any facts get in the way.
Anyway, our first point of interest was the Falkirk Wheel a critical element in the re-opening of the Clyde-Forth waterway. Very impressive but creaked & groaned like a good 'un as it turned. apparently, the balance is so good that the whole thing is turned by a very low power motor - I was told 12v by someone, but doubt that; nevertheless, the official write up says it only uses a few pence worth of electricity every day.
We then pottered up into the North-East corner of Scotland visiting a few harbours. This is Avoc on the Moray Firth.
& stopped to watch the dolphins on the Moray Firth;
This is Brorar where we had a great little private B&B.
Those of you who know the "Twelve men of Tain" may recognise this shot
and on to John o' Groats where there is an investment opportunity that may suit Sixpence
We had tea at the Queen Mother's pad (Castle of Mey)
Finally we got onto Orkney & got stuck into the cliff walks, sea birds, archeology, crafts, wildflowers & gourmet food. Not a bad holiday destination in fact!
This is Linda wondering how to explain to that landlady that it was a great party & we will sort out the damage eventually.
Scapa Flow was protected by sinking Block ships between the islands in WW1, but in October '39 a german U-boat squeezed thro between the wrecks & sank the Royal Oak with considerable loss of life. Churchills response was to build solid barriers between the Islands. Finding it hard to source suitable labour Italian Prisoners of war were asked to help - on the basis that it would be (and has been) of long term benefit to the Islanders (Geneva convention forbids the use of PoW's for war work). Given sympathetic treatment they agreed. Below shows both a block ship & the Barrier
The I-ties also turned a Nissen Hut into a beautiful church which is a great symbol of mutual respect between the two countries.
Off to Yesnaby for a fine viewpoint
This stack is known as Yesnaby Castle;
A relic from the WW1 loss of Kitchener's ship mined on the way to talks with Russia;
Puffins on a cliff
Not far from St Mary's Hope. This is not good boating country in bad weather!
Any one recognise this?
Strange Orkney berthing techniques;
And on the way home, we visited the Red Kites at Ardgatty
And I'm knackered now - even if you aren't asleep! See ya.
Last edited:
