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Walking Group One 25th April 2024
Five hardy souls collected today at Happy Valley for the first Hill Walk of the year .The temperature was cool with a North Easterly wind blowing and a hint of rain on arrival.
Off we set heading towards Russadale Quarry, spotting a Buzzard on the way.Turning into the footpath we remained sheltered from the wind all the way to the top of the hill.
The sun was out at the Quarry and a Greenshank was feeding at the edge of the Lochan. Then it was up the Peat road to the summit with spectacular views across Stenness and Harray Lochs, plus a view of the Closed Road beyond the Watch Stone. On the other side we looked over the Flow and down towards the Oil Platform and South Ronaldsay
Then it was back down after a stop for a snack and finally a walk around Happy Valley itself. The Daffodils planted by James and others were looking lovely and the Bluebells are days away from opening. Then it was on to a well deserved lunch at the Pier Cafe, having walked 4 miles and gone up 800 feet (and down again )
The next walk will be on Friday 24th May and hopefully more hills and views.
Keep moving.
ARCHAEOLOGY GROUP REFORMED
by Richard Thomas - 18:56 on 17 July 2011
ARCHAEOLOGY GROUP
VISIT TO EDAY
The Group had its first organised trip on Wednesday 13 July when we visited Eday. We were met at the pier by the Ranger, Gillian Skuse and the bus which was to take us up to the start of heritage trail. On the way we stopped at the Mill Loch where we saw some Red Throated Divers.
The trail starts at the site which is probably best known in Eday – the Stone of Setter. The Stone is perhaps the most impressive single stone in Orkney and stands some 15 feet high. From there the trail heads uphill past the Fold of Setter which is a circular enclosure and probably Bronze age in date, the Braeside Chambered Cairn which was excavated in the 19th century – the stalls can be seen quite easily; the entrance is aligned on the Stone of Setter but whether this has any other significance is unclear. The next site is the Huntersquoy Chambered Tomb which has one chamber on top of the other; this is the same design as Taversoe Tuick on Rousay. From there it a good climb to the top of Vinquoy Hill where there is an impressive Chambered cairn which can be entered and certainly one of the best viewpoints in Orkney. Indeed the day was so clear that the Fair Isle was visible
It was then downhill to the Red Croft tea room passing the partially restored Red Croft and water wheel which drove a small threshing machine. It was great to be able to have something to eat outside looking out over the sweep of islands from the Mainland to Papa Westray.
On the way back to the Pier we stopped at the old north school where the owner, Mike Ilett has assembled some memories of the old school, models and, most impressive of all, half a submarine – HMS Otter. Visitors can walk through the restored and re-assembled control room.
Richard
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