Blog Post

All in a weekends work

by Brian Alexander
•
02 Jul, 2018
•

Below Mr Paul Martin enjoys a talk at "The Tomb of the Eagles"

You just never know what you’re going to get in this guiding lark. I answered a website notification looking for a step-on guide 30 June-1 July, for an extended Canadian family group. When I met them at their hotel the driver told me the grandparents were the Rt Hon Paul Martin, former Prime Minister of Canada 2003-2006 and his wife, so no pressure! We did the big 4 sites in the West Mainland on Saturday and on Sunday we did the South Isles and Kirkwall. They threw in a fast-ball on Sunday morning, when they asked to visit an Orkney chair maker, but 4 phone calls later sorted! Many thanks to Jackie Miller and his wife for hosting us at their Scapa Crafts workshop in Kirkwall, at very short notice.

Mail

MSC Magnifica

by Brian Alexander • 24 April 2022

Today 24th April I had another peedie (little) milestone post COVID. I had my first German language Kirkwall Walking tour from the MSC Magnifica. I practiced my German for a day or two before, but it is fair to say there is room for improvement?!

A new season begins

by Brian Alexander • 3 April 2022

Today I had two tours to the Ring of Brodgar with American visitors from the Viking Venus. This was my first tour of the 2022 season and the weather was less then kind. My voice was shredded with talking so long. This is a bummer as I pick up a three day Harmony tour tomorrow.

Last Tour of 2021

by Brian Alexander • 31 December 2021

An early start this morning at 8.30am to make full use of the limited daylight. In the morning we visited the Broch of Gurness, the Earl's Palace and Skara Brae. Then after lunch, it was the Ring of Brodgar, the Stones of Stenness and then back to Kirkwall via John Hamilton's stone pick-up.

Christmas Day in Kirkwall 2021

by Brian Alexander • 26 December 2021

Normally in Kirkwall Orkney the Mens' Ba is thrown up at 1 o'clock on Christmas Day. Due to COVID this years games were again cancelled. However this lady took her father's Ba down to Broad Street, to display. A few die hard Ba players were down on the street to admire it.

I start feeding my cattle.

by Brian Alexander • 27 November 2021

After Storm Arwen we now have an icy blast, which means I have to start feeding my cattle. This is later than normal, due to a mild Orkney Autumn. However I am short of silage, due to the very dry summer and therefore would have liked to put off feeding for a week or so yet.

Another Harmony Tour

by Brian Alexander • 11 October 2021

It’s Monday, so it must be another Harmony Coach Holiday tour and the weather looks like it’s going to be good?!

The weekend means it's a Harmony tour

by Brian Alexander • 29 August 2021

I just finished another lovely Harmony Coach Holiday tour, with another great bunch of folks. There were quite a few folk from the North East of Scotland this time. I only have three more of them to go in 2021 sob, sob! But on the bright side the next one begins on Wednesday!