We had a bit of a dreich run to St Fillans but despite the weather it was a decent turnout though and its always scenic. Its was great to catch up with friends and blether to new acquaintances. I had taken my Olympus film camera and a roll of Cinestill Bw XX, a film that I think really suited the weather conditions.
Thanks to the organisers for their efforts.
We went for a wee walk in the sunshine along the banks of the Tay from Murthly.
We ended up in the grounds of the 15th century Murthly Castle, within the grounds is the Chapel of St Anthony the Eremite, the first Catholic place of worship in Scotland to be dedicated after the Reformation.
On the Saturday we packed up the bikes and headed to Yetholm for the annual Tay Valley and Northumbria branches get together. We stopped in Kelso for fuel and something to eat before making our way along the country roads to the campsite. There were a few folk that had been down from the Friday night, a late one in the pub by all accounts. We had a good blether once the tent was up, and it was great to chat with George Martin who had popped in for a visit on his Triumph. Pretty soon it was time for beer so Lesley and I sat out the front of the Plough in the sunshine till the others appeared. It turned out to be a great night with lots of stories and laughs, the best night we have had at the Yetholm weekend. Sunday morning was spent drinking tea and saying our goodbyes, then pretty soon it was time to pack up and head home, via a diversion because of the bloody cycle event, nonetheless it was a fine run home. What an excellent weekend and thanks to the organisers who made sure everyone was catered for.
The black and white photos were taken with my Olympus OM1 and Cinestill BWxx film.
After packing up the tent at Wheems, we got the ferry back to Gills Bay and headed down the road to Dornoch campsite for the last night of our holidays. The next morning we drove to Cromarty to meet up with the dog sitter before we went on an EcoVentures boat trip, hopefully to see some dolphins.
We met up with the crew and the other passengers at the office to get kitted up, then headed to the jetty and boarded the rib. We set off in the Cromarty Firth around the oil rigs looking for any signs of activity. All was pretty quiet as we ventured out into the North Sea, until someone spotted movement in the water some distance away. The skipper headed nearer and suddenly the dolphins appeared on both sides of the rib and some were rolling underneath. There were lots of oohs and aahs from all the passengers. It was a magical experience seeing them so close especially in their natural environment,
If your are near Cromarty on your holidays, its definitely worth booking a trip with EcoVentures, they are very professional and knowledgeable. When we got back on dry land we went and collected Sitka, he didn't seem to have missed us as he was busy tucking into an ice cream.
What an amazing weeks holiday - ferries, islands, camping pods, white sandy beach walks and the highlight, seeing the dolphins up close.
After our ferry from Sanday back to Kirkwall, we went for a walk up to see Kitchener's Memorial which sits above the RSPB reserve at Marwick Head. The memorial is to commemorate the sinking of HMS Hampshire in June 1916, which had hit a mine resulting in the loss of 737 lives. There is an arc shaped wall which displays the names of all the men lost at sea and the 12 survivors, as well as the 9 men from the HM Drifter Laurel Crown which sank after hitting another mine the same month.
I could have sat for hours watching the waves crashing over the rocks, so much power.
The weather was so clear we could see all the way to the Old Man of Hoy to the South.
After our bracing walk we headed back to St Margaret's Hope for our tea, then to Wheems to put up the tent for our last night on Orkney.
On our second visit to Orkney there was no shortage of different amazing things to do and see. The smaller isles are definitely worth exploring, we hope to return and be part of the peace and quiet again.
Kitchener's Memorial
Old Man of Hoy
Rolling waves
Sea spray
Wheems campsite views over South Ronaldsay
Lesley sorting out our tent amongst Wheems pods, yurts, and caravan.
The Bradt guidebook mentioned the now collapsed boiler and steam engine houses at the road end in Stove on Sanday, these were an attempt at a 19th century model industrial farm. After a visit to take some photos, we then had a walk to the hidden beach of Doun Helzie. It was a bit of a trek over the dunes to the deserted white sands, deserted apart from the swooping fulmars, thankfully it wasn't breeding season. It was worth the walk to see the big expanse of sand and sea.
After that we headed over to Elsness-Quoyness to visit the chambered cairn which dates back to 2000BC, by all accounts archaeologists have been known to mention the site with a quiver in their voice, we didn't meet any quivering archaeologists on our travels. The narrow low entrance meant crawling in our our hands and knees, a fine height for Sitka had he been allowed in.
After our tea we went for a blustery walk along Backaskaill Bay, it was pretty quiet apart from a couple of folk walking their dog and strangely, a couple of cyclists pedalling along the sand. Even on an overcast evening it was still a beautiful place to be. We were looking forward to having a relaxing night in our campsite pod after all the fresh air.
We really enjoyed our time on Sanday, the white sandy beaches, friendly locals, peace and quiet and the beautiful light, almost like Orkney mainland in miniature. Well worth a visit.
Ruined buildings at Stove
Red brick chimney
Roof repair required
Lesley and Sitka on Doun Helzie beach
A wee wander along the sand
Quoyness coo
The entrance to the chambered cairn
A ghostly figure in the cells
A Quoyness farm
Lesley and Sitka on Backaskaill Bay
Beach cyclists, even the farm tower looks surprised
