After last years trip to the Shetland Islands we sailed past Orkney, so this year we decided to take our bikes & explore Orkney. We were not disappointed and were very lucky as the weather turned out to be superb!
Ferry to Kirkwall.
We started out early on Sunday morning to make the 5 pm ferry from Aberdeen to Kirkwall. We stopped for the obligatory breakfast at Peggy Scott's diner before a quick stop at Stonehaven Harbour.
We had a quick stroll along the prom and enjoyed some of the sculptures.
Then it was onto Aberdeen to jump on the Northlink ferry from Aberdeen to Kirkwall (leaving Aberdeen 5 pm and arrives Kirkwall 11 pm.)
Arriving at 11 pm it was a short cycle in the dark from the ferry terminal to our accommodation at the
Oracades Hostel and straight to bed !!!!!
Cycle to the Italian Chapel.
We were up early to start our adventure which was a cycle to the Sheila Fleet (jewellery) Cafe, then onto the Italian Chapel on Lamb Holm. It was built by Italian prisoners of war during world war 2. Then back to Kirkwall for some food and a visit to the museum before jumping on the ferry to our next island Westray, were we stayed at Chalmersquoy B&B
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| Postbox overlooking Scapa Flow |
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| Orcadian beach. |
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| The Italian Chapel |
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| Inside the chapel |
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| Statue outside the chapel. |
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| Gillian enjoying lunch in her Orcadian chair. |
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| Leaving Kirkwall for Westray. |
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| Enjoying some local Blueberry wine !!! |
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| Sunset in Pierowall, Westray |
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| Bunch of 'anchors !!! |
Westray.
There was a haar on our first morning on Westray, but that soon burned off and we cycled to Noup Head to do a lovely walk along the cliffs to the lighthouse.
We when jumped on another ferry to the even smaller island of Papa Westray (Papay) for the night !!!
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| Clifftop walk to Noup Head. |
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| Noup Head lighthouse |
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| The wee boat to Papay !!! |
Papa Westray.
We stayed for a night on the tiny island of Papa Westray. We stayed in the very comfortable hostel on the Island. The next day we went for a tour of the island with the Papay Ranger. It was great fun and we got a great insight into life on Papay.
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| I fancy a transfer here !!!! |
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| Fulmars |
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| Fowl Craig |
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| Fowl Craig |
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| Local post office |
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| Howe of Papay, 5000 year old settlement !!! |
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| Pre flight drinks !!!!! |
We finished off our day boarding the worlds shortest commercial flight from Papa Westray to Westray - 2 minutes (5 miles!) what an experience !!!!!
Click here for the full flight experience !!!!
Puffin Hunting !!!!!
We stayed for one more night back on Westray. We heard the Puffins were back, so it was a late night cycle to Castle o'Burrian to see them !!!!
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| Tammie Norries as they are known on Orkney |
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| Sunset overlooking Westray |
Mae's Beach.
Before the ferry back to Kirkwall we cycled to Mae's beach which was stunning and we had it all to ourselves.
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| Ready for the off !!!!! |
Ring of Brodgar and Stromness.
Our final day on Orkney we did a big cycle from Kirkwall to the Ring of Brodgar, Stromness and back to Kirkwall via the south road looking over to Hoy. A fine day for a cycle !!!!
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| Breakfast !!!! |
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| Stones of Stenness |
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| Ring of Brodgar |
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| Hoy in the background. |
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| Dean overtakes Hoy !!!! |
Looking over Scapa Flow.
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| Cheers to Orkney !!!! |
Balmoral 10k Weekend.
We capped off our holiday with a Parkrun at Crathes castle, followed by running the Balmoral 10k where Gillian was the first Female Vet 40 runner !!!!.
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| Crathes Castle Parkrun |
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| Catching up with friends at Balmoral 10k. |
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| Balmoral 10k finished !!! |
