Sunday 21st June, The Summer Solstice, was wet, cold and windy. From St Margaret's Hope we travelled north over several causeways until we reached the Orkney Mainland. By one of the causeways was a wrecked ship broken into two halves.

Here's a closer view of one half of the ship.

We went through Kirkwall, Orkney's Capital and then up the east coast of Mainland to Gurness Broch, the remains of an iron age settlement (Historic Scotland £4.40 for over 60s).

This is an amazing place, with a central tower......

.......surrounded by the remains of dwelling houses.........

....and all surrounded by three rings of defensive ditches.

We are staying tonight at Point of Buckquoy in the north west corner of Mainland Orkney.

We have sea on both sides of our parking place.

On a third side is the Brough of Birsay - an island linked to Mainland by a tidal foot causeway.

There are the remains of a Norse settlement on the Brough.

Historic Scotland want money from you to visit the Brough of Birsay but there doesn't seem to be anyone around to collect it.

This is a fairly bleak place right now but it must be absolutely delightful when it is warm, dry and not windy. Nearby is the ruined Earl's Palace. Built in the late 16th Century by the Earl of Orkney using the forced labour of islanders who did not even receive food and drink in return for their work! Nice people the Aristocracy!