Tower, island, stone

L's last day and she was keen to visit Marwick Head. We had perfect Orcadian weather for it, blowy, sunny and clear(ish) and were watched by cliff skimming fulmars as we walked. A bonxie overhead and a gannet way out to sea but not much more birdlife than that.

The tower is Kitchener's Memorial, built in 1926 in his honour; the naval ship carrying him to Russia in 1916 hit a U-boat mine and sank disastrously, killing all but 12 of its crew. The tower was recently restored and a wall erected bearing the names of all those who died. It's a long wall.

The island is the Brough of Birsay, reachable by causeway at low tide. It's famous for its Viking settlement but to me it is the stuff of memories, the constant backdrop to holidays in the village close by.

And the stone isn't anything special other than an important warning that the cliff edge is Right There...

Unfortunately, our meal with a friend was postponed but we did drop by for a moment or five this afternoon. I'm so pleased she and L got their chance for a decent catch up.