Orkney Island was another big day on our tour of the Scottish Highlands. With just a day to explore as much of Orkney Island as possible, we decided the Maxi Day Tour with John O’Groats Ferry would be the way to go.  We met our ferry at the striking John O’Groats village at “Land’s End” bright & early, ready for a long, full dayEy Upon arrival Orkney, our coach picked us up and drove us across the Churchill Barriers, arriving for a quick stop in Kirkwall. While in Kirkwall, we were incredibly lucky to catch an installation of the Weeping Window of Poppies at St. Magnus Cathedral…a breathtaking exhibit by Paul Cummins, featuring thousands of ceramic red poppies “weeping” out a window at the top of the cathedral, and cascading down the walls and onto the lawn. Each poppy is meant to honor the death of a member of the British and colonial armed forces during WW1. We also had time to wander through the Earl’s Palace, and explore a few of the quaint shop-lined streets. From Kromwall, our coach brought us on to Stromness for lunch, and more wandering. Next stop: Skara Brae, a Neolithic village preserved under sand dunes until it was discovered just 100 years ago (other similar sites have been uncovered in other locations on the island since then as well). And…as if to end the day with literal, stone, exclamation points, we moved on next to the Standing Stones of Stennes & Ring of Broadgar, two “stone henges” that sit on proud display in the middle of what are now modern day farm fields. Exhausted & happy from a long day of learning & exploring, we had a quick stop at the Italian Chapel (built by Italian POW’s so they would have a place to worship), then hopped on the last ferry from Burwick, back to John O’ Groats. See the rest of my highlights from this whirlwind adventure in the Highlands of Scotland: Part 1 of 6: Edinburgh Part 2 of 6: Oban Part 3 of 6: Isle of Staffa (& Puffins!) Part 4 of 6: Isle of Iona Part 5 of 6: Orkney Island Part 6 of 6: Dunnet Head

After our visit to the Isle of Staffa, the last leg of our Three Isles tour was a late lunch stop at the Isle of Iona. We had time there to visit Iona Abbey, St Oran’s chapel, and the ruins of the Augustinian nunnery. This island is the site of what’s believed to be the birthplace of Christianity in the UK, with the arrival of St Columba, who arrived in AD 563. After wandering the historical sites, we relaxed by the crystal blue waters along the shores & enjoyed a glass of wine before catching the ferry back to Mull, coach ride across Mull, and final ferry ride back to Oban. See the rest of my highlights from this whirlwind adventure in the Highlands of Scotland: Part 1 of 6: Edinburgh Part 2 of 6: Oban Part 3 of 6: Isle of Staffa (& Puffins!) Part 4 of 6: Isle of Iona Part 5 of 6: Orkney Island Part 6 of 6: Dunnet Head

With daylight that stretched into the late evening hours, and a midnight “dusk” that literally takes your breath away, the quaint seaside village of Oban was the perfect gateway to our journey out to the Isles of Mull, Iona, and Staffa. Along the waterfront, during our visit, was a fun display of artwork by the town’s children: wood planks featuring their hand prints, names and ages, and decorated uniquely by each. They stretched the entire length of the waterfront, and under the magical evening light, were fun to study, imagining the faces that went along with each of the tiny hand prints. See the rest of my highlights from this whirlwind adventure in the Highlands of Scotland: Part 1 of 6: Edinburgh Part 2 of 6: Oban Part 3 of 6: Isle of Staffa (& Puffins!) Part 4 of 6: Isle of Iona Part 5 of 6: Orkney Island Part 6 of 6: Dunnet Head