Gannets at Noup
I’m hanging over the edge of a 75 metre high cliff looking down at the dizzying heights below. The smell of a …
Lugs, Skiffs and Yoles
I’m surrounded by lugs, skiffs and yoles. There are even bugs and centre-board allcomers. I’m at the Westray Regatta. I recognise what …
A Tystie and a Topknot
The coastline around Westray is wonderful on a glorious summer’s day. We’re on the trail of Black Guillemots, or Tysties as they …
Twinkly golden Puffins
The sun is golden over the bay as these Puffins strike a pose:
Whaup Whaup overhead
A trip to the Bay of Skaill reveals the shallow turquoise waters which look Caribbean to someone as starved of heat as …
Tafts from the Bay of Tafts
The Bay of Tafts is nearly my nearest beach. I love it here. There’s a never-ending procession of moods as the weather and seasons change.
A Puffin’s work is never done
A Puffin keeps its burrow clean at the Castle o’ Burrian.
Westray from the Knowe o’ Skea
I love the walk from Mae Sands to the Knowe o’ Skea. It’s a magical place, where currents meet, the sea boils and where an Iron Age burial ground gives views out towards the island of Rousay.
Sandbanks
Sandbanks is the most exclusive beach in the country and contains some of the hottest properties. No, I’m not talking about Sandbanks …
Too Much Fish
When you’ve eaten too many fish to fly.
Jellyfish, jellyfish everywhere!
We are walking down past Backarass to see the birds when instead I spot two huge jellyfish in the sea. They are …
The Wren who hasn’t been told
It’s been an emotional journey over the last few days with the birds here at Einar. We always have Swallows and Blackbirds …
Puffin Portrait
Sometimes words are too many. Sometimes words are too few. Sometimes it is best that there are no words at all.
Flowers for a mother and baby
Sunshine brings the flowers out to bloom around Pierowall Bay. This one looks like Chamomile to me but I suspect it’s Sea …
Never a dull day
The weather on Westray may be dull, but there’s never a dull day on Westray.
A white blanket of cloud shrouds the island but life continues as normal for the incredible menagerie which inhabits the shores of Westray.
Puffins in the air
I’m lying down on the grassy clifftop looking across at the Puffins on the Castle o’ Burrian when I realise I can …
The hours before sunset
We’re on Westray and only have a few hours before sunset to see some wildlife at the Castle o’ Burrian. At least …
Orkney Ferries to Westray
I’m heading to one of the North Isles of Orkney, which are North Isles themselves. I took this photograph of the North …
10 Things I Wish I Had Known Before Visiting Orkney for the First Time
Nothing can fully prepare you for coming to Orkney for the first time but I’m going to try. You probably already know …
Westray wearing high heels
Westray wears its working clothes most of the time. It has an endless supply of beautiful green garments which it accessorises with …
Success – at last!
I’ve spent 40 years as a photographer and had to face the constant indignity of people expressing their views on my photographs. …
Graand Owld Byre Volume One – The Michael Harcus Family – a review
When I first played the CD of Graand Owld Byre Volume One by The Michale Harcus Family I was in the car …
Rock ledges
The sedimentary rock on Westray breaks into hundreds of ledges where the layers of time wear them away.
Lines and circles
Rock lines and circles surround us in a sea cave on Westray.
Run, rabbit, run
If you’re interested in wildlife you may wonder why so much of it is so difficult to see. Why are animals so …
Barbed wire sunset
It’s only a small climb to the top of the field at Einar, but the view is so rewarding at this time …
The Limpet Twins
Limpets are a personal favourite of mine; especially with garlic. No, seriously I love the rock-licking kneecaps a great deal. Here they …
Raven over rooftops
There’s a Raven over my roof. Here it is with the top of my capped-off chimney below it. Its wingtips are lit …
Gannet
Walking along the Bay of Tafts I’m sad to see the body of a Gannet. Its fragile ribs and delicate feathers are …