Orkney Islands, Scotland - chat, history, photos

[Elpenor]

Pigs in the field in the background? I assume so as can see the pig arks

 

[redcogs]

Peat bogs are very acidic and make good habitat for carnivorous sundews etc. Some trees prefer acidic conditions also. i love sundews and grow some in an old tyre

 

[quimcunx]

So apparently I've accidentally moved to Orkney. Only going home to pack up my shit then I'll be back here for a six month trial period initially but hopefully for good!

This is brilliant, iona. I hope it works out for you.

 

[danny la rouge]

So apparently I've accidentally moved to Orkney. Only going home to pack up my shit then I'll be back here for a six month trial period initially but hopefully for good!

Nice one! Well done and all the best!

 

[iona]

Pigs in the field in the background? I assume so as can see the pig arks

Kune kune pigs! They're awesome and they're getting two more this week. There's chickens and Muscovy ducks and soon cattle too.

I should probably stop spamming this and half a dozen other threads and just start my own.

 

[Sue]

Kune kune pigs! They're awesome and they're getting two more this week. There's chickens and Muscovy ducks and soon cattle too.

I should probably stop spamming this and half a dozen other threads and just start my own.

Yes, do -- I'm definitely interested in hearing all about your Orkney adventures.

 

[Elpenor]

I’ve just googled kunekune pigs and they sound amazing, love the origin of the name

 

[iona]

Yes, do -- I'm definitely interested in hearing all about your Orkney adventures.

I'll do it when I've packed my stuff up and come back, don't think it's going to seem quite real until then!

I’ve just googled kunekune pigs and they sound amazing, love the origin of the name

They have a pair at another farm I've worked on and they're the best. When they're really tame they can almost seem more like dogs than pigs.

 

[Voley]

Papay today:

 

[redcogs]

Beautiful Voley, thanks for posting

 

[Voley]

Anyone been to Westray or Sanday? We're thinking of heading back this Summer and fancied a couple of nights on islands we've not seen yet.

When we flew over Sanday last time it was spectacular - mind you, we had one of those days where Orkney decides it'll be the Caribbean, briefly.

Current plan is stay with friends on South Ronaldsay for a couple of nights, couple of nights on Westray/Sanday and maybe a side-trip to Papay if there's time. We didn't do the shortest plane journey in the world last time and I feel like I missed out.

 

[Voley]

Very excited making these plans so here's a pic of the Ring of Brodgar, just because.

 

[mx wcfc]

Anyone been to Westray or Sanday? We're thinking of heading back this Summer and fancied a couple of nights on islands we've not seen yet.

When we flew over Sanday last time it was spectacular - mind you, we had one of those days where Orkney decides it'll be the Caribbean, briefly.

Current plan is stay with friends on South Ronaldsay for a couple of nights, couple of nights on Westray/Sanday and maybe a side-trip to Papay if there's time. We didn't do the shortest plane journey in the world last time and I feel like I missed out.

We only went through Westray on a minibus to get the ferry to Papa Westray. Papa Westray is certainly worth a visit, but didn't you go there last time?

 

[Voley]

We only went through Westray on a minibus to get the ferry to Papa Westray. Papa Westray is certainly worth a visit, but didn't you go there last time?

Yeah I'd gladly go back to Papay, though, it was amazing. Stayed in the YHA for three nights.

 

[hipipol]

Synopsis of work to date at the Ness - the amazing stonework in buildings 12 and 28 - eat yer hearts out ye modern brickies!!!

 

[belboid]

and an interesting talk about the discovery of a 'new' Neolithic tomb near Holm, on mainland

 

[iona]

eat yer hearts out ye modern brickies!!!

I did some volunteering for a dig on Rousay this summer and the lead archaeologists were saying they'd had help at a previous site from some modern stone masons who also did dry stone walling and various things and as well as offering some really interesting insights into the building techniques used, at some points they were saying "we didn't even know it was possible to do this"

 

[iona]

Exciting news! The council have finally decided to catch up with the rest of the country and give our gritters names
Help name a Council gritter!
(And the actual link to make suggestions in case anyone wants to)

 

[Elpenor]

Exciting news! The council have finally decided to catch up with the rest of the country and give our gritters names
Help name a Council gritter!
(And the actual link to make suggestions in case anyone wants to)

Bins of Brodgar surely ?

 

[nino_savatte]

I'm currently in Orkney visiting family. Photos to follow.

 

[nino_savatte]

Melvin Place in Stromness.

 

[nino_savatte]

An assortment of boats in Stromness harbour.

 

[nino_savatte]

A nearly full moon over the Hamnavoe Estate on the eastern side of the bay.

 

[nino_savatte]

A lonely crab fishing boat in Stromness Harbour.

 

[nino_savatte]

Inner Holm viewed through a gap in the tightly packed buildings. You can only reach the islet via a causeway at low tide. 1 or 2 people live there.

 

[nino_savatte]

Another view of Melvin Place.

 

[Elpenor]

discussion of the Orkneyinga saga in this episode of In Our Time

In Our Time - The Orkneyinga Saga - BBC Sounds

Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the Saga of the Earls of Orkney up to the 13th century.

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[geminisnake]

all you people who have been to Orkney recently, recommendations for eating in Kirkwall please Voley iona

 

[belboid]

The Outrun has some magnificent shots of Orkney amidst all its gloom and booze haze. Well worth a watch.

 

[danny la rouge]

all you people who have been to Orkney recently, recommendations for eating in Kirkwall please Voley iona

HoratioCuthbert

I’ve never been, but I’m guessing cheese and potato patties from the Happy Haddock.