Blog Post

St Magnus Cathedral

by Brian Alexander
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20 May, 2018
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Known as "The Light of the North"

St. Magnus Cathedral dominates the skyline of Kirkwall, it is the most northerly cathedral in Britain. Construction began in 1137, and it was added to over the next three hundred years. A mixture of Romanesque and Gothic architecture built for the bishops of Orkney when the islands were ruled by the Norse Earls of Orkney. It is owned not by the church, but by the burgh of Kirkwall as a result of an act of King James III of Scotland following Orkney's annexation by the Scottish Crown in 1468. It has its own dungeon, where mainly witches were held before execution. The first bishop, to have his seat there was William the Old, and the diocese was under the authority of the Archbishop of Nidaros in Norway. It was for Bishop William that the nearby Bishop's Palace was built, from where this picture was taken.

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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!