A visit to Graemsay

 

Hoy Hight lighthouse

Although I paid a brief visit a few weeks ago I didn't have a chance to have a proper wander around the island.  So last week I went back with a friend, borrowed a car and set about exploring the wee island that was my home for 22 years.  I also popped in on the new owners of Sandside, who love living on the island and are taking good care of the house and garden.  I firmly believe those of us who live in old houses are simply custodians, and now it's onto the next generation.  Anyway here are some photos of my visit.

Sailing from Stromness via Hoy to Graemsay

The old kirk, now under new ownership.

It's a quiet neighbourhood.  

The view from the kirk.....

Sadly a dead Fin whale  was washed up on the shore not far from the kirk in the Winter of 2023.  Some of the skeleton is now visible and being removed.....

After the kirk we took a run down to Hoy Low.... I love this lighthouse - short and dumpy! The reason for two lighthouses on the island was to guide the herring fleet through a narrow passage into Stromness harbour.  There is quite shallow water around the island, so for deeper water the ships had to light up Hoy High and Hoy Low lights to white and keep on that course.  If one showed red they were off course.

Looking down to Hoy Low and the accommodation around it, and across the mouth of Hoy Sound to the outskirts of Stromness on the Orkney Mainland.

Down the road is the island Community Hall.  This was refurbished using EU and local grants just before the pandemic.  It's now back in use for parties, quizzes and games evenings.  There is also a defibrilator on the wall - many of these are now publically available around Orkney.

And in a field across from the hall are some belted galloway cattle.  Love the stripey coos! They are a hardy breed and can live out year round.  They also calve themselves easily outdoors.

And of course, Sandside Bay!

And lovely Sandside, my former home!  I was made most welcome and delighted to see it looking so good.

Meanwhile the old School is being brought back to life.  A lovely renovation taking place there.

Hoy High ever visible, this time just round the corner from the old School

And a bit further along the road is the old Quarry.  We were fortunate enough to see a blue-tailed damselfly here.  It was a bit breezy so not much visible activity - they were hiding in the long grass and rushes.

A lovely view of Hoy from the top road....

The old croft house of Dean with a new corrugated iron room....

And that is the end of the tour!  We had a lovely day and I  caught up with quite a few folk too.