The Earl's Palace, Kirkwall, Orkney

Sagas abound here, we're having our own - Orkneycar Saga. Phoned the garage at 8 am, to be told they couldn't fit us in today, come along tomorrow. Considered our options, and decided to stay put in Kirkwall, even though approx. 2,000 cruise ship visitors were coming ashore. Spent some of the morning reading George Mackay Brown's "Portrait of Orkney". Particularly enjoyed the chapters "A Childhood", seeing this place through child's eyes, and on Kirkwall and Stromness, learning history and customs as only GMB can describe.

We needn't have worried, most cruisers had gone to the sights we saw yesterday. We spent an hour in the Cathedral, taking in more of this sacred place, and then viewed the film about it's history in the St Magnus Centre just beyond the churchyard.

Across the road to visit the impressive Bishop's and Earl's Palaces. Both are just beside the Cathedral in the centre of Kirkwall. This shot taken with the sunlight streaming in to the cellar area. The Earl's Palace is described as a Scottish Rennaissance masterpiece, built by Earl Patrick Stewart in the early 17th Century. Many rooms to visit, helpful interpretation panels, with good descriptions of how each room was furnished. It all sounded very grand. Across from this the Bishop's Palace, built around the same time as the Cathedral.

Continued down the road, Tankerness House, which houses the Orkney Museum, with a lovely garden at the rear. We spent nearly 2 hours here, taking in the many rooms, some with items found at sites we saw yesterday. I was particularly interested in the jewellery, particularly brooches; combs and intricate carvings, and a case showing images and memories of The Ba' Game.

A wander down the narrow main street, before heading to the harbour. We couldn't believe it. Blue skies behind us, and a thick haar hanging over the water. We had hoped to see the cruise liner Oriana slip out, but we couldn't even see to the end of the pier.