More of the same

A second day of lowering cloud this time accompanied by an annoying drizzle. What a change from Friday’s glorious weather. The forecast for tomorrow when we leave Sanday is for full sun all day. It’ll make for a pleasant journey to Kinloss in Moray where we are staying until Thursday morning.

No Nature Festival events today so we had a leisurely breakfast then setting out to visit the Sanday Heritage Centre in Lady Village. It’s a fine place, full of everything to do with Sanday right up to the present day.

One more dose of ancient history after lunch - a visit to Quoyness Chambered Cairn. Another Neolithic monument over 5000 years old. A site of ancient burials surrounded by many other later cairns showing this was an important ceremonial location over a long period of time.

Quoyness is similar to Maeshowe but older. And because it is much more isolated has far fewer visitors. You can unlatch the gate and crawl in to the tomb space and be transported back those 5000 years - without a crowd of people with you.

The walk back was along Sty Wick bay, another fine beach even in the incessant drizzle. We saw seals watching us go by and were on our hands and knees collecting tiny shells from the shoreline.

So we leave the Orkneys tomorrow heading south for Susan’s niece and family in Kinloss for a few days. It’s been an incredible experience. The people on Sanday and their welcome made our visit. I think it may have been more of a challenge without their input.

And thank you to for continuing to follow and comment while we’ve been away. And Susan has asked me to pass on her thanks for all your birthday wishes. Nice as it was, it would have been exceptional if the weather had been like Friday’s!

Edit: I went for a run this morning, at 59d N this was the farthest north I’ve ever run.