Orkney Islands

I lived in a remote in Evie, overlooking the sea and other islands for the first six years of my life. Haven’t been back since :(

I visited the Orkney Islands on a school trip when I lived in England. Lovely ancient islands. Read up on your history before visiting!

It’s so quiet, I went because my family is from there, and to do a wee bit of thinking about stuff, sort my head out, and what a place, it’s never busy, and so beautiful, I’d adore a wee holiday home there

My great-great-grandfather left his home on Westray Island as a cabin boy at the age of thirteen. He sailed around the world at least three times before settling in Chicago, running lumber up and down the great lakes.

He never returned home to see his parents or siblings. There wasn’t enough money one hundred years ago and so everyone died still feeling a sorrowful loss of spirit.

In 2001, a group of 7 woman….all decendants of this man…decided to walk in his footsteps (seeking closure)to find the graves of his parents in Scotland.

What we found was an amazing surprise. Within moments of asking the ferryman for any family relations on the island, we were in contact with not just one person but hundreds who we were related to. One of the cousins said, “We’ve been looking for you for a long time!” I have never been given such a warm welcome before (or eaten so much food at so many different teas!). It was odd looking into their eyes the exact shade of mine…the blue color of the North Sea on a sunny day.

One day we went to the cemetary and found that our great-grandmother’s name had never been etched on the stone. No one had money in 1900 to pay a carver. The American descendants all pitched in to hire one and now her final resting place is marked for all to see and remember. I believe that this is what her son, David, would have wanted us to do.

In many ways I felt that David’s spirit followed with us. There were moments on the ferry where I felt his presence keenly by my side as I breathed in the salty air and the wind whipped my hair.

The family stone croft still stands by the sea, and continues to be owned by “one of us” which is common in these isles where the romance and mystery are deep and rich.

One day I went to the old pier where my David would have left home. Taking my time, I walked down to the end, very cognizant of the man who left before me yet walking the same path. When I reached the end, I said a prayer and cried. The circle was now complete…..we found our way home once again.

The drive up to John O’ Groats was breathtaking, the sail across to Orkney was choppy and exhillerating. There are no trees there! Beautiful place, lots of ancient history. The locals do not consider themselves Scottish – that pissed me off a bit….I didn’t think I’d ever meet a Scot that wasn’t proud to be Scottish.