In contrast to much of the UK, today in Orkney is cold and blustery. The weather is now coming from the north, so with windchill, our heady 7 degrees Celsius feels nearer to freezing. To be honest, I don't even fancy venturing out into the garden, much less potter around the local area.
But not to worry, I thought this might happen, so I recently took a photograph of part of the view from Tense Towers. I should probably qualify that remark... I was stood by the front door, with the camera on x30 zoom, and then I cropped the resulting image to finally end up with this:
OK, there's quite a bit going on in this photo, but it's a shot which I take periodically so have already had to carry out some research and I should be able to talk you through it.
Starting at the bottom of the photo, the first stretch of water is Kirk Sound, the bit of North Sea where the German U-boat made its entrance and escape that fateful night in 1939.
The island above that is Lamb Holm, which is the location of the Italian Chapel, built by Italian prisoners of war during World War 2.
The next water body is Skerry Sound in Scapa Flow, and the next bit of land is another island, the uninhabited Glimps Holm. After that is Hunda, another uninhabited island, but there is a ruined dwelling on it.
Then comes Sound of Hoxa, towards the southern entrance to Scapa Flow, with the car ferry mv Albert sailing though it, which is operated by Pentland Ferries between St Margaret's Hope in South Ronaldsay and Gill's Bay in Caithness on the Scottish mainland.
The next piece of land is, surprise, surprise, another island, Switha, with the lighthouse of Cantick Head in South Walls just behind it.
That pretty much sums up the Orkney part of the photo, leaving just the topmost feature, the snowy Ben Klibreck in Sutherland.
6 comments:
That is a lot in a photo! What a wonderful view.
The rest of our view isn't quite as interesting, but this direction offers the greatest distance if visibility allows (it often doesn't!).
You missed a bit out!!! At the bottom of Ben Klibreck is the Crask Inn :)
Mark, in my defence, the Inn is on the other side of the the Ben!
What a fabulous view - I've always wanted to visit the Italian Chapel but never made it onto the islands. Will have to rectify that (feeling hopeful today).
Pretty cold here today but I see there should be a bit of sun peeping through this afternoon so will go for my luxurious daily walk then. Hate squandering the time outside at the moment by choosing the wrong time of the day and being hit with rain.
Conversely, when taking photos of the Italian Chapel, if folk aren't careful, our house is in the background.
Aye, timing is everything with the weather. We've come to the conclusion that as long as it's not completely rubbish, just get out there! Admittedly, our definition of 'completely rubbish' changes daily 🤣
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