Photos and the City - Page 48 of 279 - Slow travel & photography

Stromness

Ursula Schmitz

05/07/2022

Stromness – my last stop in Orkney – is a very lovely town and my little cottage had the best views of the harbour and the boats going in and out.

Taking a walk through Stromness, the lovely town in Orkney, Scotland.

The ferry was a constant visitor, but there was also a very special boat coming in and staying for a few days, this beautiful ship filled with trainees if I´d only could remember the name, as she was on an interesting journey around the UK.

Taking a walk through Stromness, the lovely town in Orkney, Scotland.

My little home with a view:

Taking a walk through Stromness, the lovely town in Orkney, Scotland.

Stromness is a lovely place for a little stroll, there is so much to see and explore. It is shaped by the sea and formed around its harbour. From the Vikings to a whaling and herring fishing port up to today.

Taking a walk through Stromness, the lovely town in Orkney, Scotland.

Independent shops and restaurants, an amazing art museum and much more – Stromness is an amazing base for exploring Orkney.

Taking a walk through Stromness, the lovely town in Orkney, Scotland.

And such a colourful place!

Taking a walk through Stromness, the lovely town in Orkney, Scotland.

This house in the middle of town was for sale and I did look it up, would be an amazing home!

Taking a walk through Stromness, the lovely town in Orkney, Scotland.

Earl’s Bu and Church

Ursula Schmitz

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30/06/2022

Visiting Earl's Bu and Church in Ophir, Orkney.

Back on “mainland” Orkney I made one more stop before going back home and visited the Earl´s Bu and Church in Ophir. During the early period of Norse ruling, Ophir was a centre of power.

The Orkneyinga Saga, dating to about 1136, tells of a great Yule feast given by Earl Paul at his bu, or residence, in Orphir. It describes a ‘large drinking-hall’ next to a ‘magnificent church’. The remains of that church survive today. (Historic Enviroment Scotland)

Visiting Earl's Bu and Church in Ophir, Orkney.

The Earl´s Bu and church are strongly connected to the Orkneyinga Saga.

The saga is an account of the history of Orkney from its capture by a Norwegian king in the 800s until about 1200. (Historic Enviroment Scotland)

Ophir is one of only two round medieval churches in Scotland, the remains of this church are still visible today.

Visiting Earl's Bu and Church in Ophir, Orkney.

Ophir might have been a Pictish settlement that was overtaken by the Norse.

Visiting Earl's Bu and Church in Ophir, Orkney.

Another connection to the Saga, after killing St. Magnus his cousin and co-ruler, Earl Hakon Paulson went on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem. After his return in 1122, he built the Round Kirk.

Visiting Earl's Bu and Church in Ophir, Orkney.

Ophir also offers stunning views over Scapa Flow and towards Hoy, again under a cloud. There is a lovely walk along the coastline.

Visiting Earl's Bu and Church in Ophir, Orkney.

More about Hoy

Ursula Schmitz

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28/06/2022

A day trip to Hoy, the island under the cloud, visiting Betty Corrigans Grave and Rackwick beach.

One more look at the beautiful Rackwick Valley in Hoy and then I started my journey back towards the ferry port.

A day trip to Hoy, the island under the cloud, visiting Betty Corrigans Grave and Rackwick beach.

Hoy is the second largest island in Orkney and has the highest hill of all the islands that form Orkney. It somehow looks more like the Highlands than the rest of the softer Orkney with the rolling hills and lush greens.

A day trip to Hoy, the island under the cloud, visiting Betty Corrigans Grave and Rackwick beach.

Dwarfie Stane

A large stone that has been holed out during Neolithic Times.

Dwarfie Stane is a huge block of sandstone in which a Neolithic burial chamber has been cut. (Hoy Orkney.com)

A day trip to Hoy, the island under the cloud, visiting Betty Corrigans Grave and Rackwick beach.

It might be Britain’s only example of a rock-cut tomb, but then not all the experts share that opinion.

It is thought the chamber was carved out sometime between the Neolithic and the Early Bronze Age. Basing their dates on similar tombs found in the Mediterranean, archaeologists have settled on a date of around 3,000 BC. (Orkneyjar.com)

A day trip to Hoy, the island under the cloud, visiting Betty Corrigans Grave and Rackwick beach.

An Orkanian saga says that this was the home of a giant and his wife.

Scapa Flow

Driving along with beautiful views of Scapa Flow one can´t miss all the former military buildings from the time of World War II.

During the early years of WWII, up to 12,000 personnel were based in and around Lyness to support the defences of the naval anchorage at Scapa Flow and the ships that used it. (Undiscovered Scotland)

A day trip to Hoy, the island under the cloud, visiting Betty Corrigans Grave and Rackwick beach.

Unfortunately, the Scapa Flow museum in Lyness was still closed for renovations, so I only walked around the outside a bit.

A day trip to Hoy, the island under the cloud, visiting Betty Corrigans Grave and Rackwick beach.

Don´t Miss

On my way to Lyness, I passed Emily´s Tea Room and just had to stop for some coffee and lunch. Such a cosy little place with lovely food and a little souvenir shop. It is hard to miss this colourful house.

A day trip to Hoy, the island under the cloud, visiting Betty Corrigans Grave and Rackwick beach.

Dwarfie Stane

Scapa Flow

Don´t Miss

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