Orkney

[clair_de_lalune]

Continuing from this post, I thought I'd update my vacation photos. I selected and uploaded photos from Orkney last night.

I was hoping to be able to write "Orkney" in runes for this post, but unfortunately it seems that the standard fonts don't have runic characters. That may sound a bit random, but while I was in Orkney, I bought a T-shirt

Comments

[alwaysholly]

These pics are so stunning! I love the cathedral one. Gorgeous. The beach pics are also so beautiful. Europe seriously trumps America in culture and lovely sights.

[clair_de_lalune]

Thanks! The US has lots of great natural sights, too, but not the same sort of awesome history. :)

[d_84]

Great pictures! Always wanted see Skara Brae.

[clair_de_lalune]

Thanks. :)

I didn't even know that Skara Brae was there until I got to Orkney. It was really cool, though. Seeing a structure from 5000 years ago, being able to see into the lifestyles of those people, is mind-boggling.

[ms_arithmancer]

Wow, I want to go there! Really gorgeous photos, chievrefueil! I love especially the wild look of the scenery, and the ancient stones and ruins. Haunting.

This is totally random, but my parents live in a town that claims to have been visited by an Earl of Orkney prior to Columbus' discovery of the Americas. Probably somewhat crackot-ish, but amusing nonetheless:

http://www.americadiscovery.co.uk/
http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/usbiography/stu/henrysinclair.html

[clair_de_lalune]

I'm glad you liked the photos! :)

--I love especially the wild look of the scenery...--

Yeah, it's definitely one of the things I've loved about Scotland. England seems very groomed while Scotland seems more natural and wild - I prefer the latter. :)

--This is totally random, but my parents live in a town that claims to have been visited by an Earl of Orkney prior to Columbus' discovery of the Americas.--

That's interesting! I'd already heard a part of that story, actually, because when I visited Rosslyn Chapel several years ago, the carvings of what looked like maize were pointed out by the tour guide as possible evidence of contact with the Americas prior to Columbus. I didn't remember that the Sinclair family was tied to Orkney...though, now that I think about it, it seems like norbertha and her husband may have mentioned something about it at the time...

[rattlesnakeroot]

Your travel posts are always so interesting and detailed! I feel as if I was there with you! :) The stonework on those buildings is just amazing!

There was a weird sound there that sounded like a dog barking and crying.
The Grim!!! *lol* Didn't Norbertha's in-laws think they saw the Grim in the fog once? She started a thread about that on CoS a long time ago, but it was deleted.

[clair_de_lalune]

You should come with us sometime. :-D

--The Grim!!! *lol* Didn't Norbertha's in-laws think they saw the Grim in the fog once? She started a thread about that on CoS a long time ago, but it was deleted.--

Oh, yeah! I do think I vaguely remember something about that...I didn't see any big, black dogs, though. *lol*