I had the chance to return this past week to accompany someone with ancestral ties and it was an amazing experience for her as she still has several living relatives here that she was able to meet and spend time with.
We stayed at the Ferry Inn. Busy, relaxed and very much a home away from home. We managed to visit the tourist spots - Skara Brae, Skaill House, Ring of Brodgar and Maeshowe. We ventured to Hoy to see the Naval Base museum, briefly popped into the Scapa Distillery and enjoyed knowing that Lynne's ancestors lived, worked, walked and worshiped here. And that her family still lives here.
Our last night was spent on the Ferry. Northlink Ferries has a B&B that allows you to stay on the ship while it is berthed in harbour. The ride back to mainland Scotland was rocky but much smoother compared to our sickening ride over.
Friday was our day to travel back to Edinburgh. And we all admitted how sad it was to have to leave Orkney. Edinburgh and Stromness really are worlds apart. In every sense.
On our way through Inverness, we stopped to see the Clava Cairns - their time frame lines up nicely with the neolithic parts of Orkney.
We stopped for lunch at the visitor centre at Culloden and took a quick wee look at the battlefield. It was less than a flying visit - a place to return to when time allows.
It was a long drive back to Edinburgh. Although we were happy to be here, we were sad to not be in Orkney. And knowing that our time together is coming to an end added to the sadness. However, we still have lots to pack in, so roll on tomorrow!
I went to Orkney with 2 known ancestors from Orphir, Joseph Sclater, a fisherman who lived a long life and had 2 wives, Catherine Short, and Anne Corrigal, and my great, great grandmother Catherine Sclater with Catherine Short, and I simply could not leave until my VISA demanded it. I worked on my Dual Citizenship, as my father was born in Shetland to Dr. Charles Wm. Graham, the doctor in Viewforth, Lerwick, Zetland. I stayed 4 months in Orkney, on Rousay, and traveled to other islands thanks to generous, fun hosts, and I found 32 generations of my lineage thanks to The Orkney Library, and Family Archives going back to Havard Klo "The Claw," a Norwegian Viking King, and 1060.
ReplyDeleteLife is good in Orkney. Now, I am home on Maui, in Hawaii...and
longing for Orkney every day,
always.