“Perseid meteor shower peaks tonight” – the Guardian
I’m sitting in a dilapidated school building. It’s on a remote Scottish Island called Westray which is an hour and a half …
Chaps in Caps and the Westray Wave
The first time I visited Westray I was on foot and I walked from the main village, Pierowall, to the ends of …
Incomers on Westray
It’s easy to tell an incomer on Westray. They stick out like a sore thumb. I’m one of them, I should know. …
Grooves and Scratches
There are so many patterns on rocks here it’s dizzying. There are magnificent beds of wave patterns from fossilised freshwater beaches 380 …
Making Hay
I’m so used to massive industrial barrel-shaped hay bales in Devon that it’s a pleasure to see some hay bales in old-fashioned …
The Sails of Sangar
Evidence of Westray’s long-established drive to harness the energy of the wind is seen in this ancient sail-less windmill at Sangar (Old …
Common Seals on a Grey Day
Common seals strike ridiculous poses in Pierowall Bay. Apparently Common Seals have a characteristic ‘head-up, tail-up’ posture when they are hauled out. …
Westray Flag
Despite the wind the Westray flag resolutely refuses to flutter in the breeze. The people of Westray didn’t choose it but they …
Dunlin on the Tide Line
Dunlin are wary birds. As I walk along the Bay of Tafts they jerk in nervous motion and skit further along the …
The Bay of Tafts
Sunshine on the clouds over Rousay at the Bay of Tafts.
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.