Author: Mrs A
Friday 12 July
Our flight back to Edinburgh was moved from a respectable 11am to a less respectable 7:45am so we missed our final giant Scottish breakfast. Our taxi picked us up and drove us the short 15 minute journey to Kirkwall airport to await our departure.
Before long, we were seated and taxiing along the runway, taking off over the islands, and a short 45 minutes later, landing in Edinburgh.
The wait for our luggage to emerge was longer than the flight, but soon forgotten as we boarded a bus into the city, being dropped off just around the corner from our hotel.
Arriving so early in the day we left our luggage at the hotel and went out for an explore.
We had landed on a beautiful July day, no wind (we really appreciated that, after the constant blasting across the Orkney Islands) and a rather respectable early 20s in temperature.
It gradually climbed up to 24 degrees by early evening, and we found ourselves enjoying a chilled glass of rosé at a streetside bar, along with the rest of Edinburgh. There really is no better place to enjoy the final sunshine of the day than in a city that really doesn’t take good weather for granted!
Saturday 13 July
The good weather couldn’t last. of course, and we awoke to grey skies and rain the following morning. We decided to go to the National Museum of Scotland, where many of the most interesting artefacts from the digging in Orkney had ended up.
It was not as easy as we had hoped to find items, and it was more like a treasure hunt as we searched through various displays on life in Scotland over the years to spot things that had been mentioned in Orkney.
A highlight of the museum was climbing up onto the roof which provided amazing views across the city and out towards the castle.
We concluded our day at the little Vietnamese restaurant we had visited a week before, again delighted by the fresh flavours and fine food.
Sunday 14 July
It was time to leave Scotland, and we reflected on what a fabulous time we had enjoyed.
The incredible bird and wildlife, delicious seafood and the privilege of visiting the archaeological digs, particularly those at the Ness of Bridger which in just a few weeks time was about to be re-buried for another 20 years, ready for future archaeologists with new technologies to uncover and continue learning.
Discovering the lands of some of my ancestors, feeling that sense of connection as well as the awe of constant learning of the stories of people who have gone before us, it was a privilege to be able to enjoy this very special trip.
