Category: Scotland

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Orkneys – try it out

the Orkneys are a group of islands between the mainland of Scotland and the northernmost islands, the Shetlands. If you decide to go there make sure you go by car on the ferry since local transport is probably not going to be satisfactory for a short visit. You really need a card to get around.

In Scotland it’s the way to start a day
There is a gap between the toilet and the walkway to the pier which I guess they are referring to as the “no swimming” area. I’m sure they are not talking about swimming in the toilet.
The Batmobile van
The skull and crossbones seem to be prevalent icon on many Graves
Sheep everywhere
And oil rig close by
Evidently there was no need to repair the roof
A very typical building on the island
This is the older ferry which was not on loan to the Hebrides
The island of stroma is not deserted
Of course it has a lighthouse
On this old ferry you just drive on and turn around to get off
Sheep, cattle and the fishing industry
I’m sure one of the popular magazines in Scotland. This land is filled with farmers
A great place to have a Guinness. Everybody was very friendly and even bought me another one
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Dundee Scotland

I have heard about Dundee since I was a little kid but I can’t remember exactly why I know the city. There is a lot of history here but I didn’t find it all that fascinating. It is a quiet and beautiful place on an ocean Inlet.

The facilities were OK but the sign indicates just how much attention this place pays to Reception. Only one time, when I checked in, did I meet who I thought was the owner. No one appeared over the next two days to greet me or anyone else.
My hotel room was very much like many of them I occupied so far in Scotland. They tend to be old houses refurbished, keeping the same small room characteristics of old houses, building separate bathroom facilities for each room and then renting them out. I found it interesting and comfortable
Looking at Dundee from the other side of the bridge
After this breakfast, scrambled eggs with cheese on top and the only sauces of ketchup and “brown sauce”, I decided to go out and buy my own sauces and bring to breakfasts. Soy sauce and sriracha sauce are necessity for me.
This photo reminds me of San Francisco
Actually, I found the breakfast choices kind of amazing and the chef who I was thinking probably is also the owner, the husband of the lady who checked me in, was really extremely helpful and flexible in how the food was prepared.
On the second morning I got smarter and just decided on Scottish smoked salmon with these eggs. I found some soy sauce
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Scottish Highlands – Castletown & Thurso

Up until about 1400 years ago the Picts were living here pretty much alone. Here is one of their famous stones.
the breakfast was fairly plain but the salted ham was tasty and the black pudding was also very nice. You can see I needed to add some soy sauce which I carry with me to give the necessary flavors. On the left is a small bowl of raspberries, blueberries, blackberries with some yogurt on top
Local old town people called this restaurant “the Indian”
You can see Castletown is a very small place with one gas station
I suspect these people were getting on the small boat to go to the neighboring island, not serviced by ferries
I don’t yet know what kind of “bowling” is going on but there is a huge grass area in the back so it might be something like bocce
Several markets like this had an unbelievably high percentage of rosé type wines I guess that is in demand in Scotland
Look at what all the Shop needs to do I hope this is keeping them busy enough
In the distance you could see the small island of stroma
Thurso has a small railway station with a train once a day that takes you all the way to Inverness
The local church of Scotland
They must’ve had trouble with kids playing with a ball in this area?
This old central government building is now a library
How “wee” can you get?
The town’s World War I memorial
I guess they are famous for their Flagstone
The water is cold like it is in Monterey but outside it is very cold as well, like the coldest day in Monterey. I can’t imagine going swimming here, not after living in Thailand for so many years
The new houses in town. Well, relatively new
This is the post office, newsstand and the general store, another multipurpose business
This is not a roll-on, roll off ferry. The cars have to turn around to get off
I was told this is one of the old ferries. The “more modern” one is on loan to the Hebrides since their new fleet is still on order..