Flatfish on Feet
Idyllic weather in Orkney? T-shirt and shorts on the beach? It must be August and it must be a fluke, surely? Westray …
Stoneware Goblets, Punctures, Oatcakes and Missed Otters
Another day, another cycling trip to the shops. Having no fridge means buying fresh and Westray is full of fresh produce. This …
What’s the weather like inside today?…
is not a question you want answered by a slow but persistent drip, drip, drip somewhere near your head at 04:38am. It’s …
Rubbish and a Clove Hitch
On a remote island some things always stay the same, yet other things change quite quickly. For islanders, an island like [[Westray]] …
Summer Rose
Here’s one Summer Rose that’s lost a petal. In the bay at Pierowall is this wonderful vibrantly painted boat. I take a …
Monk, Tusk, Witches
Monk, Tusk, Witches. They are fish names to conjure with; a beautiful marine harvest which local fishermen have risked their lives to …
Rhubarb, Rhubarb
One of my favourite quotes is from the British scientist JBS Haldane. When asked by a theologian what could be inferred about …
A History of the Earls of Orkney
When travelling to Orkney I always try to bring a copy of The Orkneyinga Saga with me. Westray is so full of …
Wind and Bottoms
It’s not possible to think about a break cycling in Orkney without discussing two subjects. The first is wind. Understanding the wind, …
Sun on the Sea
I’m standing at the top of our small field taking in the magnificent view. From here there’s a 360 degree view of …
Ten Percent
Today is an important day in Orkney. It’s a Thursday so it’s the publication day of The Orcadian and Orkney Today newspapers. …
Afternoon turns to Evening
Afternoon turns to evening as the world turns. I’m in the field at the back of Einar with a phone which has …
Provisions
It’s the first day of our stay and I go to the cupboard and the cupboard is bare. Not even a jar …
The Ferry
Orkney Ferries run a service to be proud of. Whether it’s a small group of tourists or a farmer with his tractor …
Dog Whelk
A Dog Whelk perches on a barnacle-encrusted rock, waiting for the moon to pull the sea back over it like a foamy …
Vegetables at Noltland
The kitchen garden at Noltland is green and fertile as dawn breaks over the ruin.
Beauty Parade
A character face, I’d say, rather than a beautiful or handsome one.
Cattle Panorama
A landscape full of beautiful inquisitive cattle. Wandering along the beach at Aikerness.
Krummi
Krummi the Icelandic wonder-pony searches out another Polo mint.
Cracked Earth
The Lochs at Aikerness are empty, dry and dusty. There has been no proper rain for weeks.
Cereals and Sunshine
At this time of the year the ripening cereal crops take on the colour of the sun on a seemingly endless summer …
The Day of the Jellyfish
Today the jellyfish came; hundreds were washed up on Westray’s beaches. Mostly they were clear with pale pink and lilac frills, a handful were deep inky purple. Their alien life forms litter the shore.
Noup Head Lighthouse
Noup Head Lighthouse stands magnificent and alone on the cliffs; a brilliant shining warning of the skerries below.
Seabird City
Noup Head, the RSPB reserve, is seabird city. Here is a Fulmar, crouching ungainly on the cliffs, waiting to wheel into the air.
Mushroom Magic
A long walk along the cliffs to Noup Head. Giant mushroom fairy rings lie like targets on the fertile hillsides.
Dawn
I’m up before dawn to scramble along the rocky coast to see a miniature rock stack.
Pick ‘n’ Mix
Top Shells, Dog Whelks, Limpets, Flat Periwinkles and pebbles litter the shore like scattered pick ‘n’ mix.
Thistles
Thistles sprout in the rough grass on the dunes as the sun sets.
Statuesque
There’s something so poised, elegant and statuesque about a good tractor. They have a dignity about them. Here’s one of my favourites …
Tammie Norries at the Castle o’ Burrian
We’re up at dawn to see the Tammie Norries (Puffins), a short walk from our house, at the Castle o’ Burrian on …