Opposite the cathedral are the Earl’s and Bishops’ Palaces. The Bishops’ palace was built in the 12C for the resident bishop and then incorporated into the Earl’s palace, built in the 17C by Patrick Stewart, 2nd Earl of Orkney (son of Robert Stewart who built the palace in Birsay.) He started off living in the Bishops’ Palace but decided it wasn’t big enough and started … Continue reading Kirkwall again

This is the largest town on the islands, home of the Earls since medieval times and home of St Magnus Cathedral Orkney Museum Lamb Holm Minions in the boatyard outside where we had lunch. The Italian Chapel Continue reading Kirkwall

This is a broch that is in relatively good shape. Brochs are large circular dwellings, originally several stories high, built during the Iron Age. They seem to be the homes / headquarters of chiefs and usually have the remains of villages around them. In Orkney, the mound formed when the Broch was abandoned was often built on by successive waves of later inhabitants – Picts, … Continue reading Broch of Gurness

This is one of the smaller islands which has a nice selection of tombs, settlements etc. There are very few trees on Orkney. Those that there are tend to be around houses. I believe there were more originally but most of them were cut down in antiquity. The ones planted round houses sometimes used the ‘tattered flag’ technique. You attach flags to sticks and put … Continue reading Rousay

Stromness is the second biggest town on Orkney, after Kirkwall. Its history is mainly maritime and, apart from fishing and whaling, expeditionary forces of various kinds passed through here on their way to Canada and other points west and north. There are apparently many people of Orcadian descent in Canada and the north east USA, mainly descended from people who signed up to work on … Continue reading Stromness and the Ness of Brodgar

‘If you scratch Orkney she bleeds archeology’. Seems to be a common saying around here. There are certainly more humps, bumps and standing stones than in your average landscape. The Neolithic remains are the most extensive anywhere – hence the UNESCO designation. Warning – it poured with rain all day so the photos are a bit blurry. Skara Brae TThis is the Neolithic village discovered … Continue reading UNESCO Orkney

At Euston, I ransomed my bags from the left luggage and sat quietly in the lounge – except when playing with a small child who spoke an unidentifiable language – for the sleeper to Inverness. The lounge has free water, snacks etc plus showers and toilets. The train was very comfortable – although very narrow – and I had a compartment with two bunks, a … Continue reading Hills of the North rejoice!

Having deposited the dog, packed for weather that we hadn’t had in the south of England for months and left the station 20 minutes late, I arrived in London to 35 degree heat. Again. Off to the V&A to see the Schiaparelli exhibition. She made clothes from the 1920s until she retired in 1954. Recently, her name has been revived and some exquisite one off … Continue reading London again – on my way to Scotland.

Off to Hertford to attend my friend Bob’s 80th birthday party. This was held together with their daughter’s 25th wedding anniversary. The time flies – she was around 10 when I first met her! The party was held at Place House in Ware – a mediaeval Manor House built around the 12 – 13C. Although much altered over the years, it retains some of its … Continue reading Hertfordshire.

Although you may (or may not) be pleased to find out that I have booked two holidays abroad – one this year and one next. Wells This is the smallest cathedral city in England. Although the Bishop is officially ‘of Bath and Wells’, this is the cathedral. It used to be just the Bishop of Wells but, in the 12C, a man called John of … Continue reading More random things……