RSPB Marwick Head

A very fine day, albeit a deteriorating day weather wise.

Visited Skara Brae first in the sunshine; a location that never fails to inspire. An excellent visitors centre, evocative interpretation and not too many visitors off the cruise ships. We can only admire the skill and humanity of the people who lived here 5,000 years ago.

Entry included a tour of Skail House which was new to us. A very interesting building with a fascinating history.

From there we drove to Marwick where we had lunch on the shore then walked along the cliff top to the Bay of Birsey, returning along the lanes back to the car.

The cliffs of Marwick are vertiginous, the home of thousands of seabirds perched on what looked like impossibly small ledges; mainly guillemots and fulmars. No puffins to be seen nor any mammals to be seen out at sea.

What this place must be like when the birds are soaring on the wing when raising chicks is hard to imagine. Kitchener’s Monument was is a sombre and poignant reminder of Great War.

Plenty of wildlife and wild flowers to be seen and another short eared owl seen perched o fence posts.

Rain that had been threatening all afternoon finally started on our return. Not too bad though and we managed to return to the car without getting soaked.

An excellent evening when we entertained Elaine, she of the local knowledge. She knew iain@creek and Lady Findhorn - so beware.

The extras are of Skara Brea and a field of dandelions.