Touring

3/7/25 – Edinburgh to Aberdeen on the train. Aberdeen to Lerwick on the overnight ferry, with an unexpected stop at Kirkwall, Orkney at 11pm to drop off passengers and cargo.

In honour of the bonus stop, while on board I imbibed Swannay Brewery’s, Scapa Special, a pale ale named after the famous scuttling of the German Fleet in World War 1 in Scapa Flow, Orkney.

This was a really nicely balanced beer with good clarity and a lot of flavour. Says it has 5 malts and 3 hops, whatever they did they should keep doing it.

Last visited Kirkwall in 1991 (also my last trip to Shetland), so was keen to take a look and also to experience the late sun down as we head up into the most Northerly part of the tour.

10.52pm – Ship docks in Kirkwall

11.02pm – Ship unloads under the Orkney flag

11.22pm – Time for bed