Following Mull, we decided to drive around the top of Scotland- so passed through Loch Ness (actually I probably mean 'around'!!) and travelled up over the Moray Firth to Wick and beyond. We wild camped near a Broch a couple of miles from John O Groats and then the following day we went over to Orkney. We actually did a bus trip- which was interesting- the kids loved it! So we went to the Churchill Barriers and around Scapa Flow (SJ loved all the WWI & II references) and the Royal Oak memorial site. We then went on to Kirkwall and Stromness....
...and onto Skara Brae. Skara Brae is one of those childhood dream moments come true for me- I remember seeing pictures of the place in a textbook in second year senior school (Yr8??) and hoping to visit them one day.... It was spectacular and to have the sun out for us was amazing. The site is absolutely wonderful- better than imagined- the real thing still looks as good as the mock up they have done for people to walk through. Just imagine finding something like that in the middle of a field!! There is a rather lovely Manor House next door (Skaiil House) which is a part of the joint ticket.
And then onto the Ring of Brodegar- which I had never heard of before- but I really do think may be more amazing than Stonehenge- certainly the surroundings are more peaceful than the A303!! And you can actually move around and through the stones and see the fascinating lichens and marks from lightening strikes and even hug a stone...
We also visited the Italian Chapel (built by WWII POWs) built from two Nissan Huts and all hand decorated.
Orkney was wonderful- I think we will go back and for longer (M even lookd at jobs for Kirkwall!!!)- I might miss the trees though..........
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