Day 23 - Goodbye to Orkney

I woke up at midnight and there was still a lot of light outside.  


 

I saw the seal when I got up and then went for an early run.  We had to leave the accomodation by 10.00 so stayed as long as possible as we had another 13 hours to kill before we had to check in for the overnight ferry to Aberdeen.

It was nice and sunny when we left so went to RSPB Cottascarth.  The hide was quite a walk from the car park and Paul decided to stay in the car.  It was a big hide overlooking a hill and there was a party of birdwatchers already there and all the seats were taken.  They had just spotted a female Merlin and showed me from their scope.  It was sitting on a post some distance away.  I would never have seen this myself.  They were hoping to see a Hen Harrier but left disappointed. 

Hide at Cottascarth

Female Merlin taken from scope.

 
Merlin from my camera - mega zoomed

 

We then visited one of the larger villages called Dounby and walked around.  There is an Asda express shop and petrol station.  It is the only Asda on Orkney.  There was also a really good craft shop which we spent ages in. 

Dounby Church

Asda and petrol station.  Looked a bit out of place.

We saw a sign to the Orkney Brewery so visited it.  They had a shop and a bar so we went and tried their specialty beers.  Not really to my liking but Paul enjoyed it.

Paul at Brewery - one bottle was a table marker

We drove to RSPB Birsay Moor, which was on Loch Hundland, but it was so windy we could hardly stand up so didn't stay long.

Lake Hundland

Lake Hundland

Our final stop was at Bridge of Waithe where the Loch of Stenness joins the sea.  It is apparently has a thriving otter population.  The tide was out and no sign of any otter activity.  Again it was incredibly windy.

Bridge of Waithe - water flowing into the sea

Loch Stenness at Bridge of Waithe

We came to Kirkwall where we killed time by walking around the town and found some streets  that we hadn't seen before. 

We had a meal and then made our way to the ferry port. All was on time.  The wind has really dropped so we should have a comfortable sailing. We had our complimentary drink from the bar and went to our cabin to get some sleep.  It has been a long day.

 
Our cabin on the ferry


 
Goodbye Orkney



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