An island wander....

I took these photos a couple of weeks ago during some lovely Autumn sunshine.  So above - some ruined crofts up above Western Horn. Across the water is the town of Stromness.

As you can see - Stromness nestles in the shelter of the hill (known as Brinkies Brae) and is largely sheltered from the worst of the West wind.  The town grew up around the shelter of the harbour. You can see the blue and white of the "Hamnavoe" ferry which runs between Stromness and Scrabster in the North of Scotland.

Here is the old school - the small white building on the right. It closed about quite a few years ago and the children now go across on the ferry to the school in Stromness. To the left of the school is the old School House where the teacher used to live.

This is looking back to Sandside and Hoy High.....

And here is the 4.15 pm ferry on it's way to the Graemsay pier....

This is the ruined croft of Dean, looking towards the Hoy Hills.....

And this is looking out West before the sun sinks behind the Hoy Hills....

The other lighthouse on Graemsay, Hoy Low, with a view towards the cairn (pile of stones) at the top  Black Craig

There's a renewable energy test centre just off Black Craig and the wave power "sea snake" (proper name Pelamis) can be seen working out just off the shore.  It's still very experimental but apparently does make some electricity!

And on the way back, out East are two naval ships. They were doing various exercises off the West coast of Scotland then came into Scapa Flow to dive the various wrecks as recreation after the exercise.

And then back down the road to Sandside Bay, looking towards Garson

Then home in time for Cake!