Scotia 2023: Kirkwall to South Ronaldsay

This morning, Vicki and I headed over to Kirkwall. The plan was to find a store at which we could buy a few gifts. On the way, however, we passed by the Scapa Distillery, the maker of the fine single malt I had the evening before. Quick detour, a quick sample of their cask-strength 8-year old (not available in the USA), and a quick purchase. I now have my bottle to take home.

Vicki got us into Kirkwall, although finding parking is a serious undertaking. We finally parked in a lot next to St. Magnus Cathedral. We scooted down the street (pedestrians only), and found our shop. After loading up on some items, and sadly walking away from other items (especially the smoked fish), we made our way back to the car. I ran for a quick tour of the St. Magnus grounds and building. It was quite nice. (I, Vicki, stayed with the car so that we wouldn’t get towed.)

These are the ruins of the Bishop’s and Earl’s Palaces nearby.

There is a lovely graveyard.

The interior vaults

On the outside

This is a tomb inside containing Majorie and Beatrix Smyths, who died at age 16 and 14, the first in 1666, the second in 1669.

Lunchtime! It would be horrible to skip a meal. We had reservations at the Lynnfield Restaurant - and were the only people dining there at lunch.

After lunch, we headed for the Italian Chapel, built by Italian prisoners of war who were held here during WWII. They began with two Nissen huts, later covered with concrete, and built this chapel, using concrete and salvaged materials from a wrecked ship. The image of Jesus over the front door is carved concrete. The iron pieces on the altar were metals from the scrapped ship.

Much of the decor was painted - true trompe l’œil.

Just a little further south was something called the Viking Totem pole. We went, expecting something created centuries ago, but instead it was something a local artist had likely erected. It was neither old, nor particularly meaningful. But we saw it, dammit, so therefore it must be photographed and acknowledged.

By now it was raining hard and making life difficult, but Vicki found a store selling ice cream, so we headed further south onto South Ronaldsay island. However, this being October, they were no longer selling scooped ice cream, so Vicki had to settle for something out of the freezer.

The rain continued, so we decided to can the plans to walk downtown Kirkwall, and instead headed for Tesco to buy dinner to take back to our place.

Have we mentioned the rainbows here? On our way back, we saw rainbows 25-29, including double rainbows. And back at our place, we saw number 30. I have never seen such intense colors as some of these have had. Stunning.

Taking advantage of a lull in the weather, Vicki and I walked down to the beach behind our lodging. This is not a sandy beach, and it is not something easily walked. I took a step into the seaweed and almost sank. Our plan to walk the beach was abandoned, and we returned to the warmth of our rental.