Ferry to Stromness

Checkin at Thurso

Ferry to Stromness

Arriving at Stromness

 

We are up at 6.45am,  leave at 7.15am to drive to the ferry port at Scrabster. We check-in around 7.45am and queue until Northern Ferries (vessel Hamnavoe) arrives at around 8.20am.

Everyone is boarded so we sail by 8.15am (departure time), the ferry only about about half full. We have a full breakfast on board which is good but there is quite a swell as we cross which has the effect of making everyone feel queasy!

The highlight of the voyage is passing the Old Man of Hoy, a huge rocky stack 47m high, but dwarfed by the cliffs behind it. The ferry makes its way around the south corner of the island of Hoy and into Stromness harbour.

Disembarking at 10.15 we make our way to Skara Brae Neolithic village (circa 5000 BC). It is a remarkable experience, walking between the round houses each with hearth and beds enclosure in flagged rectangles. It was not difficult to imagine ancient peoples living here, just as we do now but without all the modern trappings of technology, supermarkets and electronic devices. Just eating, hunting, looking after children and sleeping! It must have been a hard life here.

Included in the visit is entry to the big house nearby, a fascinating glimpse into the past, well preserved and full of reminders of our own visits to Scotland in the past.

Later we make our way back to Stromness and the Point of Ness campsite. Pitch 22 on a corner plot with lots of space and great views over Stromness harbour and estuary. Walking around the headland there is a super view of Hoy.

Summary of motorhome journey

to Skara Brae

Overview of Skara Brae

House at Skara Brae

more modern house nearby