May 27th Kirkwall

Looks like a cold and stormy day is ahead of us.  Makes sense given we are at the top of Northern Scotland.Thankfully no tenders to shore today,

 

Today we made sure we had hats and gloves and we were very glad for the prep.  Our first stop was at the Ring of Brodgar, a reminder of the Stone Age.  27 of the original 60 stones set in a precise circle and six degrees apart. These stones date from about 2700 B.C. It was so windy here that people had hats blow into the circle and our guide had to go and retrieve them.

We then drove farther north to Skara Brae, one of the best-preserved Stone Age settlements in Western Europe. Skara Brae was discovered after a fierce storm in 1850. We also toured Skaill House, built for Bishop George Graham in the 1620s. 

Again  the wind howled and hats flew,  it started to rain as we boarded the bus back to ship so quiet trip back.  There was a shuttle back to town which we jumped on and we toured the town for a few hours in afternoon.  Yes a church, and pub for a beer, I think we have a pattern.