21 September
The morning broke Shetland / Orkney / Far North of Scotland normal. It was raining.
I phoned the Swannay Brewery only to be told that the shop was closed but was told of a stockist in Kirkwall; Bruces Stores in Victoria Street.
Highland Park Distillery is also in Kirkwall. It struck me as rude to be in the neighbourhood and not call in to wish them well.
The full process for making whisky is described on the whiskey.com website
The Italian Chapel on Lamb Holm was built by former Italian PoWs in the later stages of WW2. Over five hundred Italian prisoners of war were taken to the Orkney Islands in 1942 to help build causeways linking the Orkney mainland, Lamb Holm, Glims Holm, Burray and South Ronaldsay. By treaty PoWs are not allowed to work on any military projects thus the real reason for these works could not be revealed which was to prevent enemy submarines getting into the Royal Navy’s main anchorage in Scapa Flow. After Italy surrendered in September 1943 the PoWs became civilians and were paid for their work. Most of them were moved to Yorkshire in late 1944 leaving a small number behind to finish the chapel.
I decided on a brief visit to Hoy sailing on the 5.30 ferry from Houton.
22 September
This morning I visited Lyness Royal Navy Cemetery. Casualties from both world wars are interred here including some German sailors and non combatants.
Commonwealth War Graves Commission website
On my way eastwards I called at Longhope where there is a harbour, shop and garage.
Continuing eastwards I arrived at Hackness Martello Tower and Battery
Time was now pressing if I wanted to visit Scapa Flow Visitor Centre and Museum before getting on the ferry.
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The Lyness ferry terminal is close by the Visitor Centre so after a busy morning I was on the 12:30 ferry back to Houton and then set off at a gentle rate towards St. Margaret’s Hope and the ten to five ferry to Gill Bay.
As I was gently bimbling along I saw a sign; “Scapa Distillery” it said. “Shall I visit?” I asked. No one offered a reason not to so I turned in. I didn’t stay long having seen another distillery recently but did indulge myself in a couple of bottles.
Having time to spare I popped down to the end of the road at Burwick where there is another ferry terminal. A great conduit of the community’s trade and commerce it is not. The ferry only operates in the summer for foot passengers. Neither is there a great metropolis. A few scattered derelict houses and that’s it.
Gills Bay is some 13 miles east of Thurso. The fuel gauge needle was getting acquainted with the red line and by the time I got to a petrol station the dregs were getting stirred up.
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