The next station is Aberdeen

A blip from the 13:07 Stirling - Aberdeen train. We've just stopped at Montrose and the next station is actually Stonehaven but the (interim) destination is Aberdeen. Once I'm there I'll be met by my friend J who has made her way to the granite city by train from Inverness. Then we'll walk over the road from the station to the Northlink Ferry terminal and board the overnight boat for Lerwick. The boat leaves at 17:00 today because it calls in to Kirkwall before carrying on northwards to Shetland. It's a long crossing but we have maps, apps, a cabin with two berths and there's always a glass of something to help.

I've not seen J for months and I've not been to Shetland since 2017 and that was a day trip with consecutive nights on the boat. Luckily for me this is a slightly longer visit. I do love the Northern Isles and am really looking forward to the trip and the company.

Fingers crossed for calm seas!