Thursday 15 – Sunday 18 August 2024

We stayed at the well furnished Orcades Hostel, while Elena and Anton stayed in Stromness. Weather conditions were mixed in that it rained, was sunny and windy, in other words, normal Scottish summertime.

Ruth visited Papa Westray Wednesday night then met up up with others in Orkney for the Thursday-Sunday meet.

Journeys included the Scrabster to Stromness ferry where you definitely needed your sea legs, but were rewarded with 2 rainbows and views of the Old Man of Hoy, while Heinke, Andrew and Elaine flew in. For some it was definitely a case of planes, trains and automobiles (not to forget the ferry).

Dinner at the Kirkwall Hotel on Friday night was delicious with Ruth picking up the tab (cheers Ruth). Some even made new friends in the form of archaeologists from the dig that day, when they stayed out until 2am at the local hostelries. The others braved the driving rain to head back to our abode.

While there were no Munros to be bagged, a mention must be given to the mound of food on one member’s breakfast plate. It was so high I thought were going to have to get the DMC flag out!

Over the next few days we split into two main parties while some others did their own thing. In no particular order, we went to the Ness of Brodgar, Stones of Steness, Heinke got us all tickets to Skara Brae and Skail House and St Magnus Cathedral, ferry to Lyness on Hoy for the Scapa Flow Museum were all toured.

Andrejs rose early one day and got some tickets for Maeshowe, then a drive up the coast, the Kitchener memorial, the Brough of Birsay, Viking village, lighthouse (where they scared the bejesus out of Alex).

Obligatory Twatt road sign photos were taken, with one member pulling on a tammy with the Twatt road sign on it in a shop. They were quickly named “The Twat in the Twatt Hat”.

Broch of Gurness was visited and some mad people went swimming at Aikerness beach (brrrr). Also visited were the Viking totem pole, Churchill Barriers, Italian chapel and Mull Head walk.

As if that was not enough, Stromness, Brough of Birsay, Chips from the Chinese back in Stromness and Unstan Chambered Cairn were also greeted with a visit rom DMC members.

Simon went to Rousay, visited a double decker burial cairn, a large chambered cairn, another large chambered cairn, a stupidly large chambered cairn, and a broch. I think he ended up so “cairned oot” and was traumatised by it all he joined the rest of us for the Sunday expedition.

There was even time to meet up with old friends over the weekend as well as a wee Sun Club outing for others.

Some finished their trip to Orkney mixin’ with the Cruise Ship crowds in town, a Craft Fair, Coffee at the Distillery, then off to see the Gloup… some walked, scrambled and swam (again, brrr) and had fine fare served up at Skerries Bistro and then took the Ferry back to the mainland. Not forgetting John O’Groats, where photos were again taken beside the sign!

Elena and Anton were occasionally seen. They also did much of the aforementioned touring as well as the Stromness Museum, Cuween cairn, Broch of Gurness, plus another attempt to locate the Twatt sign. Apparently, stolen, according to a regular visitor. The quest for Twatt was successful in an unexpected way, and they found themselves battling headwind for some 50km on bikes and then managing to accidentally buy vegan ice-cream.

They seem to be the ony ones who saw dolphins jumping out and following the ferry on the way back (although one member did try to serenade a seal while out, but without any luck).

A big shout out to the two car drivers in the form of Iain and Andrejs who saw we got round so may sites over our meet. Over 700 miles were driven by each of them from Dundee and back and tiring to boot!

So a successful and enjoyable meet was had. Thanks to all the organised it and made it happen when in situ, as well as all who attended.

Finally (you’ll be glad to read), the writer would like you to know they are the reigning Sorry! board game champion and will remain undefeated as they will never play it again!

• Report by Alex Kane