Dunnet Head Lighthouse, this is actually the most Northerly mainland point on the British Isles, not the more well known John O'Groats.To the right of the lighthouse, you can get your first glimpse of the Orkney Islands, that is Hoy in the distance.
ORKNEY ADVENTURE :: DAY TWO
MISSED THE BOAT
The plan today was to catch the ferry from Scrabster, right next to Thurso to take me to over Stromness on Orkney. However despite being up early, fed and watered at the B&B, and on my way at a reasonable time, I managed to miss the boat ! More used to the CalMac Ferries from the Hebrides that let you get on the ship right up to sailing time. Not one that sits in port with its ramps shut 20 minutes before it sails.
Okay, good job my plans are flexible, so on to plan B. Bumble and I set off East along the road towards John O'Groats, the plan being to visit Dunnets Head and then get the ferry from nearby Gills Bay over to St. Margaret's Hope on Orkney. I passed the spectacular sandy beach at Dunnet Bay and up to the Dunnet Head Lighthouse. It was a lovely clear day and from by the lighthouse it was possible to see great views of the Orkneys, but also more amazingly I was able to see all the way across the top of Scotland, right over to Cape Wrath, the most North Westerly point of mainland Britain.
I had a wander, took more than a few shots, then after deciding not miss the next ferry, had a wonderful descent back down towards the main road. I passed the Late Queen Mothers favourite place , the Castle of Mey and got to Gills Bay with plenty of time. Pleasant cruise across to St. Margaret's Hope which is on the island of South Ronaldsay. Then I cycled across the islands of Burray, Glimps Holm, and Lambs Holm, which are linked to each other by the Churchill Barriers, and on to MainLand Orkney. I reached the capital Kirkwall and found my B&B for the next 4 nights. I got changed, and out for tea and photographs.
Things I have learned today, the Orkneys are beautiful, they are NOT flat and fully laden Bumble is fairly heavy. Tomorrow the fun continues.
A shot of Kirkwall in my other album.
http://365project.org/markp/Alternatively/09-05-2014
