Over to Hoy

23 June

26 miles (sightseeing not really part of Scilly to Shetland)

400m

over to Hoy

We set off from Kirkwall, via the builders merchants- for a supply of meths for our small stove.

The plan was to get to the archaeology sites before the tour busses arrived- in fact we never saw any coaches all day.

Cycling through mainland Orkney

Gayle has always wanted a greenhouse, this gave Martin an idea …

This made us laugh

Cycling through mainland Orkney

Cycling through mainland Orkney

The route took us along the North side of Scapa Flow and then over some small hills to visit the Ring of Brodgar- a huge stone circle and ditch from c 5000 years ago – hugely impressive.

Ring of Brodgar

Ring of Brodgar

It is set in quite special way within it’s landscape, within a ring of water made by 2 lakes and surrounded by a natural amphitheatre of low hills.

Hoy hills from Ring of Brodgar

Causeway between the lakes

We then went to Maeshowe nearby, a Neolithic tomb brilliantly preserved with dry stone walls beautifully made with great skill. In addition to the dramatic structure itself there were Runes left by a party of Vikings who entered the tomb in the 12th century and took shelter, they also left a beautiful carving- the Maeshowe Dragon. The very eloquent guide who took us around decribed them as Neolithic Twitter as the content is at times rude, funny or boastful. Unfortunately photos were not allowed but it is well worth looking up on google to see pictures of the interior.

Maeshowe from outside

We were relieved to get a message from Gayle’s mum that she done our proxy votes, such an important day.

The sea is such beautiful colours

We then set off for Stromness to catch the small ferry over to Hoy , a small island to the West of Orkney where we plan to camp and walk to see the Old Man of Hoy. The ferry trip was beautiful and enlivened by meeting John Aberdein a hugely interesting local writer, teacher and politician.

In Stromness harbour

Great Auk, lots of them

We cycled over the island through a wild valley and down to the small settlement of Rackwick, an old crofting community on a wild piece of coast.

On the way to Rackwick

On the way to Rackwick

This crag has sea eagles nesting, we patienty waited but they did not oblige

The track to the Bothy

Rackwick bay

We camped outside the Bothy on the beach – free and well looked after by the Hoy trust.

The evening was spent sat on the beach enjoying this magical place, watching the waves , birds and seals.

Cooking supper at the bothy

No signal tonight so we will post tomorrow, but more importantly we wont know the result of the momentous referendum until back on the mainland Orkney tomorrow