MV Hamnavoe leaves Stromness

We decided to take a trip on the passenger ferry from Moaness so we could have a wander round Stromness and have a look round the Pier Arts Centre, which houses a fantastic collection of modern art and also has temporary exhibits too. One of the highlights of the day was when we had just left on the little ferry. A basking shark was sighted swimming close to shore in the bay and very close to the ferry as we left Moaness pier.

We had a few hours in Stromness and enjoyed revisiting some craft shops and other places we have seen on previous visits, and having a walk along the very long main street of the town out to the point (or Ness) where the ferry comes round and into the bay (Hamnavoe). There were lots of seals hauled out on the rocks as usual in one of their favourite spots.

The blip is MV Hamnavoe leaving her berth in Stromness with part of the town as background, taken from the ferry MV Graemsay as we approached Stromness.

Once back on Hoy we had a visit to the Dwarfie Stane, which is an ancient tomb situated in the valley that leads through to Rackwick. The tomb is on massive rock that fell from the cliffs in the last and was hollowed out to form two chambers,which were sealed by the placing of a cut block of stone.

Our last evening on Hoy we spent as before on the hill, looking out over the Orkney mainland. We could hardly believe the weather we had for our days on Orkney. Clear and dry in the main with the evenings that seemed to go on forever in the days of little darkness at the solstice.