Orkney: a choice of islands
It would be easy to think, as an outsider, that Orkney is a single place. It isn’t. It’s a whole series of …
A day trip to Stronsay
Stronsay is one of the ‘other’ Orkney islands. I’ve not been there before because there’s no way of getting there from Westray …
A voice as soothing as North Ronaldsay sheep’s wool
I’ve been to North Ronaldsay before. It’s an Orkney island which is further north than the south of Norway. Today is one …
View from the ferry
The higher the sun, the lower the rainbow. The lower the sun, the higher the rainbow. This photograph must have been taken …
A trip on the Golden Mariana
Today’s the day we have a day trip to Papa Westray. We have two choices; a trip on a ferry called Golden …
Special Sunday Excursion to a living island
I’ve been in and around Orkney for ten years and never been to some of the outer islands. Being in Westray means …
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 …
Ritual and Tradition
Food is a subject of much ritual and tradition, no more so than when I’m on Westray. There’s coffee and cake at …
Orkney Ferries
On board.
928 tonnes
The MV Varagen was built in Selby in 1989 and weighs 928 tonnes unladen. I’m currently thanking Archimedes that it floats.
Catching the late ferry
It’s Sunday so it’s the late ferry from Kirkwall to Westray tonight. It’ll be dark when we get there. I walk on …
Ferry Fare
I’m on the Westray-bound ferry and suffering from heavy teas.
Muster Stations
It’s time to board the Westray Ferry and to hear the familiar Orcadian voice telling us about the ‘Emergency Procedure’ and ‘Muster …
Rust at Rapness
The iron sheets holding the concrete protection for the Orkney Ferries terminal at Rapness are beautiful in this light.
Breakfast on the Ferry
A cup of tea. A bacon roll. A Tunnock’s Caramel Wafer. On the Orkney Ferry to Westray. £2.80. Breakfast.
Waiting in the Westray queue
Westray.
North Isles
The ferry to Westray is due in less than an hour. There’s just time to admire the blue skies, the boats in …
Heading home
It’s time to head home with a heavy heart. The light on the boat is on in the daytime with blue skies …
Yet More Steps
Earl Sigurd is a wonderful ferry. It’s time to journey to Westray aboard the Earl Sigurd and there are more steps to …
Steps and Stairs
So when does a set of steps on a ladder become a set of stairs? The answer is; on an Orkney Ferry. …
Leaving my keys
It’s time to cross from the Mainland (and that’s the name for the main island of Orkney, not the UK mainland) to …
Earl Thorfinn
It’s time for a trip to the Mainland. No, not the mainland of Scotland, the Mainland of Orkney. Mainland is an hour …
The Islands of Orkney
Orkney is a plural. It’s acceptable to say ‘the Islands of Orkney’. It’s fine to say ‘Orkney’. Saying ‘the Orkney Islands’ won’t …
The first glimpse of Kirkwall
The ferry from Westray to Orkney takes over an hour to make the journey to the Mainland of Orkney. It’s easy for …
Watching Westray fade into the distance
The Earl Thorfinn is a smooth ferry ride today and sails easily over the still waters between Westray and Mainland Orkney. I …
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 …