On to Orkney

I was a little sad to leave the Highlands, but glad I wasn't quite finished.
The waters of the Pentland Firth have very strange currents so I wasn't looking forward to he crossing bit there was the possibility of a little whale watching.
There were some seals playing as we left but then we moved in the the sea mists again so all other wildlife spotting and enjoying the views of the cliffs were abandoned, luckily there will be several more ferries before I reach my final destination.
The temperature really drops in the mist. So I was very glad of the fleece I bought at jog.
I felt really tired by the time I got to St Margaret Hope and so piped to the pub for a wee bite before an early night, a wee crab baguette turned out to be a huge peaceful including chips and salad. You can't go hungry here
The next morning I was up and away spurred on by the anticipated distillery tour. First the small matter of crossing four if the smaller islands of South Ronaldsey, Burray,Glimps Holm and Lamb Holm, using Churchill's Barriers which were constructed in wwll to keep the enemy u boats out of Scapa Flow. The is a beautiful little chapel created by the Italian pows who were there to build the barriers
The is also a winery next door which makes wines from fruit and flowers.  A little early for tasting but I did any anyway just to practise for the distillery.
I eventually arrived just before 12 to be told I would have to wait until one, what to do as I didn't want to down the hill into town just to come back up also it might be sensible to eat something first, so to the linked hotel where I had an amazing local  fish platter with local bread, coffee and homemade shortbread all for less than 8 quid.
On to the tour, Highland Park has won the best spirit in the world award twice in recent times,  they had bottle for more the 2000 pounds for sale, so I decided to go for the special tasting your.
The tour itself was interesting that they still use old-fashioned methods, hand turning of the malt etc and all the various smell as you walk through the rooms, you could actually taste in the end product.  I did manage to distinguish between the 12, 15 and 18 year olds but sadly it will have to be the 12 y/o that I will take to for my longest day vigil, even more distressing it will have to be a whole bottle as they don't do halves!
And on to the local music evening, not quite what I expected, it is a group trying to keep the old tunes alive, there may be a reason why they died......, I love the lady at the back knitting her socks, obviously more life there.
Sorry about lack of photos I seem to have forgotten to use my phone camera.