10 ways you know you’re in Orkney

10 ways you know you’re in Orkney

Orkney is a very special place. What makes it so special? Here are ten ways in which you’ll know you’re in Orkney

1. You look out of the front window of the house and it’s sunny. You go to look out of the back window of the house and it’s torrential rain or hail.

You must be in Orkney.

2. You drive to your nearest beach. The water is turquoise, the beach is idyllic white shell sand and there are gentle green hills all around you. It looks like the Caribbean. Then you open the car door and get blown away.

You must be in Orkney.

3. You go to visit an incredible archaeological site – a Neolithic tomb. It’s free to visit. Outside it is a box. You open it up and inside is a nice torch for you to use. Thoughtfully tucked inside are a spare set of batteries for you, just in case.

You must be in Orkney.

Cuween Hill Cairn - The Hall of Einar

4. The telephone box has been vandalised with the hinges damaged and the spring door closer broken; but not by people – it’s by the wind. Plants have sneaked inside it and started to treat it as a greenhouse.

You must be in Orkney.

5. You go in a cafe and the assistants are unwaveringly polite to 3,000 cruise liner passengers who want to spend all day in the cafe and only want a cup of tea.

You must be in Orkney.

6. You look up at birds flying in the sky and realise that even though they are flapping they are actually flying backwards in the wind.

You must be in Orkney.

7. You see Puffins, dolphins and seals even though you weren’t looking for them.

You must be in Orkney.

Puffins

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8. It took half of your holiday just to get there but the journey was worth it.

You must be in Orkney.

9. So many people you meet seem to know more about potatoes than is healthy in a human being.

You must be in Orkney.

10. You experience life-changing moments, feel alive like you never have before, make friendships that will last a lifetime and create stories you will spend a lifetime retelling.

That’s the magic of Orkney.

More on the Westray Coast 50

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10 Things I Wish I Had Known Before Visiting Orkney for the First Time - The Hall of Einar

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