Sandside and Hoy High lighthouse, Stromness and Orphir over the water |
My house used to be part of one of the larger farms on the island. It included the steading (the old outbuildings near the house) and many acres of land. The house was purchased (together with walled garden and the field leading down to the shore) from the current farmer. He keeps cattle and sheep on the land and cuts it for silage. Recently he called round on a bright sunny day and asked if I wanted to take a run up the field to get some photos. "Take a run" - well even a walk would be a challenge for me as my lungs don't like braes (hills), even little ones! However a bit of "off roading" was discussed and we set off up the fields in my wee car. As it has been dry for weeks there was no danger of me getting stuck in any boggy bits! The view was, indeed, magnificent. So here are some of the photos from that day. Probably best to click on the images to see larger versions.... It's not easy doing panoramas for blogger.
The above photo zoomed in a bit!
A closer view of the Community Hall, to the right, nestled in a small valley is the old croft of Quoys which has a burn beside it, and a pier on the shore.
Ah, if only these walls could speak the stories they would tell.
Final note: I have a copy of an 1841 Census for Graemsay. It lists 210 people on the island, aged from just 10 days old up to 80. Today there are just 22 permanent residents....
A great photographic tour Sian. It's good to get an idea of what the whole island looks like. I was watching a Michael Portillo programme, he was visiting some islands and was stressing how important the ferries are to the islanders, I can only imagine what it would be like with no ferries.
ReplyDeleteYes indeed. The ferries are indeed our lifeline! It was only back in 1997 that a daily ferry service came to the island. Don't think I would have moved here otherwise...
DeleteGlad you enjoyed them!
ReplyDelete