The Orkneys had more than enough to keep us happy: the air was full of the songs of Skylarks and Meadow Pipits, piping Oystercatchers, yodelling Redshanks, displaying Curlews and Lapwings plus seabirds galore. Short-eared Owls and Hen Harriers hunted low over the heather with its nesting Great and Arctic Skuas, with elegant Red-throated and Great Northern Divers feeding on the sea.

But this was not all. On the ferry to Westray we were excited by a pod of 6 Killer Whales, on Hoy by Mountain Hares and on Papa by the rare Scottish Primrose. All this amongst the fascinating ancient sites of Scara Brae, the Ring of Brodgar, Midhowe Broch and the Knap of Howar. Something for everyone!

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