Rackwick Bay with cottages and the imposing cliffs (above and below)
Some of the scattered cottages
We spent Friday on the island of Hoy to the west/south west of the 'mainland' of Orkney. The northern part of the island is quite wild, hilly with little habitation, while the south is much flatter and more fertile and where the majority of the population live. The island has a population of 400.
We saw most of the island and thought that the isolated bay of Rackwick on the west coast was the most beautiful spot. The Old Man of Hoy (a sea stack) is relatively close – three miles north – to Rackwick but unfortunately we didn't have time to walk there as the return journey takes around three hours. Rackwick is certainly a peaceful place if you want to get away from the rush of modern day life.
Looking southwards to the 'continent' of Scotland
Stony beach and cliff
Grass covered dwellings
Burnmouth Cottage
Burnmouth Cottage close to the seashore
Sign on cottage wall
Inside Burnmouth Cottage (above and below)
Sketch map pinned to one of the cottage walls
Other side of Burnmouth Cottage
Cottage with stone roof
Stone cottage with cliffs in background
Metal lump and landscape
Thatched cottage
Footpath sign to Hoy – no road access
Towards the Old Man of Hoy (above and below)
'Garbo' hut on way to Rackwick (above and below)
No problem with noisy neighbours!
No problem with noisy neighbours!
Are you expected to answer the telephone with "Ahoy-hoy"?
ReplyDeleteBrings back memories. Spent a day on Hoy in March over 20 years ago. Took the foot ferry from Stromness and walked over the sleet covered top to above the Old Man of Hoy. Then down to Rackwick Bay and back to the ferry with a diversion to the extraordinary Dwarfie Stane.
ReplyDeleteThanks Graham. Good effort JT. We'll call you! Jim
ReplyDelete