Yesterday we took the ferry to Westray, north of Mainland Orkney to do a nature tour – focusing around seeing birds. It was a chance to see a different piece of Orkney, and for John not to have to drive – and there was the promise of more puffins!

We caught the 7am ferry which took around an hour and a half across calm water and passing several other, smaller islands. Don, our guide met us off the ferry and then we spent six hours driving around, chasing seals and birds. First up was the Castle o’ Burrian (a stone stack, not an actual castle) for puffin spotting (successful!), as well as guillemots, razorbills, kittiwakes and bonxies (skuas). Our attempt at seals was not as successful, none basking but quite a few in the water, staring at the sky (UFO spotting?🤔).

From there we went to the Noup Cliffs – and you can smell the nesting birds well before you see them. Spectacular views and heaps of sea birds including gannets which are a relatively recent arrival. Again we marvelled at the birds riding the thermals and then coming into land on the tightly packed cliffs.

After a short stop at Noltland Castle, now a ruin but built by a contemporary of Mary Queen of Scots as a defensive bolthole, we went to various sites around the island spotting more birds until it was time for the ferry back to Mainland. After a cloudy start the day fined up and the colours of the sea and sky, with no pollution or river run-off, were amazing. It was also a bonus to be able to find out more about the birds we’d been seeing on our various walks for the last few days, and to just chat about life in Orkney in general.

Then it was back to Mainland. We ate out last night – there’s not a lot of choice here (probably the only downside) and the restaurants are mostly in hotels so being in able to self cater has been useful and the local produce good. We found a farmer’s market the day we arrived and bought some lamb, and some smoked fish soup, and with two delis and two supermarkets there’s no shortage of choice. But last night my vegan haggis was tasty, if not authentic, and John’s steak was tasty.

So here’s Westray…

And here’s a repost of the photos I thought were here but I can’t see them so I’m assuming you can’t either!