Orkney
Orkney (which means seal islands) lies just six miles north of mainland Scotland. There are 70 islands in the archipelago, 20 of them are inhabited. Life here moves at a different pace, if you want to go "♫where everybody knows your name♫" this would be the place. People greet each other on the street with a friendly hello, and cars wave at one another as they drive by. But amongst the charming towns, situated around rolling hills and pastures, there is a deep sense of history - archeological, military, and natural.
This morning the guests of Endeavour embarked on a journey through history, spanning from 3100 BC to WWII. First stop was Scapa Flow, certainly one of the most well known warship graveyards in the world. It was here near the end of WWI, where 74 ships of the German Grand Fleet were escorted into Scapa Flow. Originally no one knew how long the ships would stay, as all waited for the Treaty of Versailles to be completed. As weeks stretched into months, Rear Admiral Ludwig von Reuter, who was in charge of the German Fleet, became increasingly nervous. He knew that if the armistice broke, the war would start again, and if this happened, the British would surely seize the disabled German Fleet. On June 21, 1919, Reuter issued the order to scuttle the fleet. Scapa Flow is now the final resting place for these ships.
Working backwards through time, the guests stopped at Maes Howe, Britain's most complete megalithic burial chamber, dated to 2900 BC. In the 12th century, Vikings, who left their mark in some interesting graffiti, looted this site. Skara Brae, an excavated Neolithic Village, occupied from 3100 BC to 2500 BC, was also visited. This village was only discovered after a storm washed away the sand and exposed part of it. Because everything was made of stone, it is very well preserved, and offers a fine example of what housing and life was like at the time.
The history that Orkney encompasses is quite amazing. But today, despite its sleepy appearance, life is full of the hustle and bustle of business. Fishing in Orkney is a large portion of the economy. As our Zodiacs travel to and from landing sites, they are careful to avoid the many crabbing pot buoys that line the surface, the tell tale orange bobbing at the surface. During the proper season (i.e. avoiding the mating season), crabbers go out everyday and collect the contents of their pots. On Endeavour, we are lucky enough to enjoy some of these delicacies. In both pictures you have the velvet swimming crab. This beady-eyed creature is so named for the brown hairs that cover most of its carapace, resembling the look of velvet. The red eyes and blue lines around the claws are its most distinguishing feature. As with all swimming crabs, the back set of legs are flattened, and used as swimming "paddles." They are quite pugnacious, so watch those fingers when reaching in the pot! These fellows, as well as fresh lobster, oysters, muscles, and fish will all serve a treat for the guests on Endeavour in coming days.
Orkney is an incredible community, combining the past and present with ease, making it an enticing destination for all.
Orkney (which means seal islands) lies just six miles north of mainland Scotland. There are 70 islands in the archipelago, 20 of them are inhabited. Life here moves at a different pace, if you want to go "♫where everybody knows your name♫" this would be the place. People greet each other on the street with a friendly hello, and cars wave at one another as they drive by. But amongst the charming towns, situated around rolling hills and pastures, there is a deep sense of history - archeological, military, and natural.
This morning the guests of Endeavour embarked on a journey through history, spanning from 3100 BC to WWII. First stop was Scapa Flow, certainly one of the most well known warship graveyards in the world. It was here near the end of WWI, where 74 ships of the German Grand Fleet were escorted into Scapa Flow. Originally no one knew how long the ships would stay, as all waited for the Treaty of Versailles to be completed. As weeks stretched into months, Rear Admiral Ludwig von Reuter, who was in charge of the German Fleet, became increasingly nervous. He knew that if the armistice broke, the war would start again, and if this happened, the British would surely seize the disabled German Fleet. On June 21, 1919, Reuter issued the order to scuttle the fleet. Scapa Flow is now the final resting place for these ships.
Working backwards through time, the guests stopped at Maes Howe, Britain's most complete megalithic burial chamber, dated to 2900 BC. In the 12th century, Vikings, who left their mark in some interesting graffiti, looted this site. Skara Brae, an excavated Neolithic Village, occupied from 3100 BC to 2500 BC, was also visited. This village was only discovered after a storm washed away the sand and exposed part of it. Because everything was made of stone, it is very well preserved, and offers a fine example of what housing and life was like at the time.
The history that Orkney encompasses is quite amazing. But today, despite its sleepy appearance, life is full of the hustle and bustle of business. Fishing in Orkney is a large portion of the economy. As our Zodiacs travel to and from landing sites, they are careful to avoid the many crabbing pot buoys that line the surface, the tell tale orange bobbing at the surface. During the proper season (i.e. avoiding the mating season), crabbers go out everyday and collect the contents of their pots. On Endeavour, we are lucky enough to enjoy some of these delicacies. In both pictures you have the velvet swimming crab. This beady-eyed creature is so named for the brown hairs that cover most of its carapace, resembling the look of velvet. The red eyes and blue lines around the claws are its most distinguishing feature. As with all swimming crabs, the back set of legs are flattened, and used as swimming "paddles." They are quite pugnacious, so watch those fingers when reaching in the pot! These fellows, as well as fresh lobster, oysters, muscles, and fish will all serve a treat for the guests on Endeavour in coming days.
Orkney is an incredible community, combining the past and present with ease, making it an enticing destination for all.
