Stromness and Orphir
Stromness is Orkney’s second largest town – its narrow main street hugs the shore with even narrower alleys running off it. It’s an important fishing port, and has been for centuries – though hopefully today’s sailors won’t need the ministrations of Mrs Humphrey as described in the plaque above!
We stayed in Stromness 19 years ago – on this visit, we just popped in a couple of times for lunch and a wander.
It’s a short drive inland back to Kirkwall – but it’s much prettier to follow the south coast and stop off at a few picturesque spots.
Orphir is home to a small museum about the Orkneyinga Saga , a bloodthirsty Viking tale from around 1200 AD. Next to it, you can see the remains of the Earl’s Bu (drinking hall) and the round church which both feature in the stories.
From here, we did a circular walk along the coast and back through farmland, then stopped off at Waukmill Bay and RSPB Hobbister on or way home to Kirkwall. Plenty of opportunities for John to practice his bird-in-flight photography!
We’ve not seen John’s head popping out of a tomb for a while. I’ll rectify that next time.
The Glasgow Gallivanter 
At first reading of the plaque, I thought the men were individually trapped in ice and wondered how on earth they survived. Then I came to my senses and realized that they were on a boat trapped by ice and got scurvy from lack of fresh food! Looks like a wonderful place to visit!
LikeLike
Ha, hadn’t thought of it that way! Maybe because I recently read a novel which included a Russian boat trapped in the Arctic ice. That bit was quite scary actually…..
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautiful photos.
I love Stromness, looks like such a picturesque place. Love those narrow streets 🙂
LikeLike
It is definitely picturesque. I was a bit alarmed when we drove along one – further south, any streets that narrow would have been pedestrianised a long time ago.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Things you don’t hear about often here in the middle of the U.S.: scurvy issues.
And also, the world needs more drinking halls.
LikeLike
Preferably with walls and roofs though!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I don’t know – give me enough to drink, and I might not care!
LikeLike
I’d like to venture up that way some time. I love those little winding streets and the Vikings fascinate me so it would be interesting to visit the ruins.
LikeLike
I think you’d love it.
LikeLike
Such a picturesque town and beach. Good for Mrs. Humphrey! 🙂
LikeLike
A woman with a mission!
LikeLike
Hah! I love that plaque! Seeing these photos just adds to my “need” to get up to the Orkneys!
LikeLike
Sure you’d love it in Orkney (and Shetland). No mountains to climb, but beautiful coastal walks.
LikeLike
So peaceful! All hiding from the wind? 🙂 Love the little round church.
LikeLike
It’s very cute, isn’t it? I just love it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lovely! That beach looks so inviting.
LikeLike
You can’t, of course, see the wind! Hence nobody on it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
There’s always a downside!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love that plaque! I know weird but it really speaks of the history. The town is so quaint and lovely-I would love to just walk around there-I love small towns like this.
LikeLike
Yes, it’s lovely jut to wander around. We accidentally drove down the Main Street though – two way traffic and pedestrians in that narrow road! Not fun.
LikeLike
Just catching up again. I love looking at your photos. The standing stones in the Ness of Brodgar post are amazing. And I enjoyed reading your interview. I prefer small hotels and B&Bs, too. We stayed at a lot of B&Bs when we traveled in Great Britain years ago. We rented a car and drove on the “wrong side of the road” all over the place. It was quite the experience.
LikeLike
Thanks Lori. Nice to catch up with you again. I hate driving “on the wrong side of the road” which is just about everywhere else in the world for us!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s certainly a challenge!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Things are so lush and green over there: I’m envious!
Have a wonderful day,
Pit
LikeLike
No shortage of rain, Pit! That’s what does it…….
LikeLike
Well I certainly like the look of that plaque! I’m fascinated by polar/ maritime expeditions gone wrong, so I’d be interested to learn more about this Mrs. Humphrey!
LikeLike
That was all it told you I’m afraid – intriguing, I agree!
LikeLike